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Liam has two older brothers who are a part of Lennon's security back in New York.
“We'll take that into consideration,” I say. “They'll be an insurance policy. Should your story not check out or if you betray us further, they will pay the price. You'll be escorted out of here immediately. Consider yourself lucky that we're not taking more drastic measures.”
I summon my men to return to escort him off the property. Someone can take him his belongings later.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Kai
“Now that that's settled, how are you doing? I mean really ... and not just with this whole Liam and Shane fiasco,” Lennon asks once it's just the two of us in the security office.
“I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? We did what needed to be done and still managed to be fair. He left here with his life.”
“There has been so much to endure in such a short amount of time,” Lennon surmises. “We lost our father in the most horrendous way possible, and then you had to immediately step up as Clan Captain to fill my shoes. I know this wasn't the life you imagined. Your body count is on the rise, and I just wanted to do a mental welfare check in with you.”
“So that's why you're really here?” My voice rises. “You somehow think I can't handle things, so you saw it fit to fly here to ensure I'm not having a mental breakdown. We already discussed this on the day of your wedding. It's the reason I didn't tell you about the Shane and Liam situation. I don't need your doubts.”
“I don't doubt what you're capable of, brother, but I will never not look out for you. I've had years to be groomed for this shite. You were thrown in the deep end,” he retorts, taking a cleansing breath. “I know you want to do right by our family, but it's okay to be angry. If you don't deal with it, it will consume you and prevent you from forming any sort of connection with Vasilisa.”
“I don't need to form a bond with her. She just needs to do as I say and stay out of my way.”
I attempt to exit the room, but Lennon steps in front of the door. I'm so over this conversation.
“You fucked your last principal, didn't you?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“That wasn't a no, and it has everything to do with your current lack of progress with Vasilisa. You’re still holding on to the fact that she tried to kill your precious Persephone. But if she is going to be your wife, you have to let that go.”
“Are you done now?”
“Not quite. She’s young, Kai. You've never allowed love in, so you have no idea the stupid shite people will do for it. She’s likely never experienced it. Her mother died when she was eight. All she had was her brothers, father, and tough love,” he explains. “She needs someone to groom her the proper way—someone to teach her how to submit. She needs to be able to trust you in order to let herself be that vulnerable with you. And for that to happen, you will have to share a part of yourself. Something other than just dominance.”
Unbeknownst to him and Vasilisa, she’s already given me her trust when she allowed herself to be vulnerable enough to share her kink with me. She’s just not ready to see it or admit it. Only then will I have her unconditional submission.
“Why does your advice sound like the regurgitated shite I told you to gain traction with Aurora?”
“Because it is.” He laughs, some of the seriousness dissipating. “I’m paraphrasing a bit, but you get my point. It was great advice that worked, so use it.”
“I hear you,” I say, not making any promises.
“That's all I can ask for. If you plan to follow through with the wedding, things would be much simpler if the two of you weren't enemies. You will need to be able to trust her too, and you have to give trust to receive trust.”
“Let's go check on the women,” I suggest. “I've endured enough philosophy to last me a lifetime.” I laugh.
“We'll be out of your hair by morning,” he promises. “I just wanted to check in on my Clan Captain. I'll be heading over to Los Angles tomorrow to check on my estate there before we fly back to New York. Just keep me apprised of any new activity regarding Liam. No more keeping things from me.”
“You have my word.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Vasilisa
There is a brief knock on my door before it’s pushed open, and the two women from brunch, Aurora and Aisling, enter. “We decided not to go for a swim,” Aurora informs.
“Yeah, we wanted to spend more time getting to know you while the guys are having their chat.”
We talked some over brunch, but other than my name and where I’m from, we mostly talked about their flight here and about Aurora’s honeymoon in the Maldives. They’re aware that I’m betrothed to Kai.
