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“You’ll get mercy,” Kai finally says. His words clearly surprise her because she snaps her gaze to mine before looking back toward Kai. “If you can prove you’re loyal to us only. Tonight, little mouse, I will be your shadow.”
I take a few steps back, allowing Kai his moment. Because soon enough, it will be me who will need to bathe her, and get her ready for this fucking ball. I hate black tie events. They’re the bane of my existence, but I have a feeling this one will be very different to all the ones in the past.
“I answered Judah’s request. I’ll do as you all ask and get the information you need. There is no need for this anymore,” Brielle snaps as she tugs on her restraints. She’s going to be bruised if she continues, but I can’t bring myself to stop her. The anger and heartache from her lies are still fresh in my mind.
“She’s all yours,” Kai says with a chuckle. He hands me the crop and heads up to the house. The darkness of the dungeons cloys at my vision. I hate being down here, especially for long periods of time.
“Valen,” Brielle whispers my name, it’s a plea on her lips as she looks at me with those pretty fucking eyes. I can’t bring myself towantto hurt her, not when she’s staring at me as if I were her saviour.
Before she can say anything more, there are footsteps behind us, and I’m pretty sure I know who it is from the laugh that’s coming from the stairwell.
Jordan walks into the room where I’m setting all the tools away. Brielle is still bound, in just her underwear which has been cut from her body. But I don’t move to cover her up.
“Well, fuck me,” Jordan says as he moves deeper into the room. “No wonder my brother is losing his mind over the princess.”
“I think if you don’t want your brother to gut you, you’ll keep your gaze averted,” I warn him. Even though he knows about our relationship, the connection between the three of us—Kai, myself, and Judah—Jordan never talks about it.
“Just looking,” Jordan says with a chuckle and holds his hands up in surrender. “Listen, are you all flying out tonight?”
“Why?” I close the drawers on the metal cabinets that house the more dangerous tools before turning my attention on the younger Venier.
“I wanted to invite some friends over.”
I stop what I’m doing and arch a brow at Jordan. He’s only a few years younger than us, and I have a feeling he’s going to be worse than Judah ever was. There’s mischief in his eyes, darker, more malevolent than his brother is. Or was.
“Does Jude know?”
Jordan chuckles. “No. But I don’t think he’ll mind. He’s on a call and I can’t find Kai. I’ll have everyone gone before you get back.”
“Mmm,” I mumble. “Yeah, we’re all flying out in a couple of hours. Remember though,” I tell him. “Nobody goes into the offices.”
“I know, I know,” Jordan says, but his gaze still flicks toward Brielle who I know is still bound, helpless, and she can’t do anything to change her predicament.
I make my way toward her and undo the cuffs. First her ankles, then her wrists. When I try to check them for bruises, Brielle pulls away from me, the anger in her gaze palpable.
“I’m fine.”
“Oh, the princess is not happy with you,” Jordan taunts, and I pin him with a glare from over my shoulder. “Here you go, sweetheart.” Jordan shrugs out of the jacket he’s wearing and hands it to her. And the gentleness she regards him with twists at my heart. Picking up the clothes that Kai sliced from her body, I offer her my hand which she doesn’t accept, and I allow it to fall at my side. She’s as angry as I am.
“You better be ready tomorrow,” I tell him as I lead Brielle from the dimly lit room. “Judah wants to meet with all of us.”
We have to discuss the events that will take place soon. As we all step up into our roles as Boss of our respective families, Jordan will take over from where Judah is now. There is no escaping where we’re all coming from or where we’re going.
“I was born ready,” Jordan informs us with a confidence that makes me smile. As much as I find him a mischievous little shit, he’s a good kid.
“I can walk on my own,” Brielle murmurs as she tugs away from me, and I allow her the space. We did little to her, less than we could have done, but I know Kai wants to test her tonight. “What is this party for, anyway?”
“It’s a dinner,” I tell her. “All the Underbosses who are soon to be taking over their respective organisations will be in attendance.”
“So there’ll be other women there too?” I’m not sure if it’s hope, or fear in her voice, but there’s a hint of something.
Keeping my gaze averted, I don’t look at Brielle, because I can feel her stare on me. I turn and make my way up the steps, and listen to her follow right behind.
When we finally reach the main floor of the house, I take her hand, even though she tries to pull away, and I lead her up to her room.
“You don’t have to be nice to me,” Brielle says, her voice breaking on the last two words. “I know you hate me, and I don’t blame you, but I need you to believe I would never do anything to hurt any of you.”
Coming to a stop inside her room, I turn to regard her. “I don’t have to believe you because you haven’t given me a reason to. I’m just here to get you ready for tonight.” I release my hold on her hand and make my way to the wardrobe. The moment I pull both doors open, I’m met with an array of designer dresses, all in her size.
