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“They will have to find jobs elsewhere. They certainly didn’t stick up for you when they knew you were the right one for the job.” He flicks his paper back up. “Also, when the baby is settled and the wedding is over, I thought you and I would take a nice holiday. I’m not fond of the Mediterranean islands, but the Caribbean holds a certain charm.”
“Can I plan a whole tour? Will you do everything I want?” I ask with a grin.
“I don’t like foot massages. People touching my feet is gross. Anything else, though, I might go for.”
I grin. “You really do know how to make a girl feel special.”
“You’re a woman, not a girl. And a damn sexy one at that.” He’s back to reading his paper, acting all casual. It’s kind of sexy the way he makes it so normal for me to be considered attractive.
I look at the paper once more. I don’t want to feel smug, but I do.
Chapter 19 - Kervyn
Nobody touches Penny.
What part of this are people not understanding? It’s not exactly a secret we’re engaged at this point, and it’s not like my family is not well-known in the area.
This Carmen bitch has another thing coming to her if she thinks that she can mess with Penny because Penny is a little insecure. I will spend my life building up her confidence until she mops the floor with them.
What I can’t handle, though, is Luka, Asher, and her talking all the time, so I go to the office during the day, even on days I’d typically stay home. I feel a bit like an intruder. My brother has always been social and easy to get along with, so I’m not surprised he’s been roped into what the girls are doing.
I arrive at the office and walk in, walking past the guards. The club is closed during the day, and my other offices are noisier, so I come here when I want peace. Besides, I can check in on my lone wolf brother Arseny when I’m here.
He’s handsome. He should be out and about far more than he is.
I sit at my desk and wait as Nat, one of my other bartenders, brings up some coffee. She’s on the dayshift at the moment while I work because I prefer her coffee.
I am pouring myself a steaming mug of coffee when Arseny comes in silently. I hate when he does that, but luckily, this time, I’m facing the door and see him coming.
“Sneaking around again?”
“I don’t sneak,” he mutters. “I simply like to be light on my feet.”
“If people only knew the scariest person in this family is neither myself nor Danil,” I say, smiling. “But my little brother.”
He pours himself some coffee with a smug smirk on his face. I watch him. He’s physically strong and well-chiseled like us, but he doesn’t go out as much as Luka and isn’t into strip clubs like Danil.
I go to sit in my chair and lean back. He sits in the armchair in front of my desk. “You look like you’re pondering something,” he states.
“I’m wondering what you think of Penny?” I tilt my head to the side.
“Your fiance? The queen you keep referring to?” He shrugs and sips his coffee. “She’s sweet, a kind girl. I don’t think she is suited to our lifestyle, though. A little mismatched to you.”
I frown. “Unless you’re born into our family, give me a person who is born suited to this lifestyle. Had we been born to different parents, we wouldn’t be doing what we do.”
“But we do,” he says. “You’re going to marry her regardless of what I think of her. But let’s discuss business. While Danil is lying low, I’ve been looking into who killed the guards at your house, and I have a suspicion it’s an inside job. I’m following up on some leads.”
“Thanks. Maybe that will get you out of the basement more and into the sunlight.”
“You put me in the basement because you needed someone to do your dirty work for you,” he says. “I have a whole life you know nothing about, I assure you.”
I scoff. “Your drag races are nothing to brag about.” I pause. “Except to make us money gambling.”
He smiles.
“You are right. Penny will be my wife, whether anyone likes it or not. Make sure to impress that on people. Impress upon them that she’s not to be trifled with, or else.” I finish my coffee. “I have work to do. Then I need to stop at the butchery and the farmer’s market.”
“Oh, have we reached steak level?” He chuckles.
