Cami exhales slowly, a sign she wishes I would have at least given Alek’s proposal some thought. But I don’t need time. Sean’s and Liam’s death mean more to me than ruling a kingdom I never wanted.
Alek runs his thumb across his bottom lip, deep in thought. “Will you at least sleep on it?”
“Naw,” I reply, offering my hand over the table. “That won’t be necessary. So, we’ve got a deal? Y’ll help me kill those who deserve it and rule with loyalty and respect to the men who stuck by me through thick and thin?”
Alek simply sits still, contemplating my offering. I’m afraid he’s changed his mind.
“I don’t like many people,” he states frankly. “But I like you, which is why, yes, we have a deal.”
The moment we shake, I know this is the beginning of the end.
Austin stands and makes his way to the bar.
“Grand. The plan still goes ahead then. We allow Liam and Sean to think they’re in control. We don’t intercept Liam’s shipment until the last minute. I want him to be humiliated, and I need Sean to believe I’ve not gone rogue.”
“It wouldn’t be easier just to kill them now?” Alek asks, adjusting his gold cufflink.
“Easier, aye, but where’s the fun in that? I’ve never chosen the easy option. I want them shamed and to suffer in unimaginable ways for all that they’ve done. Just how you did when you fed yer half-brother his cock.”
Alek nods, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
“Sean killed my ma, knowin’ I was watchin’, trapped in a wardrobe, helpless to help her. I was five years old. Then for years, he pretended he had my back when, in reality, he was keepin’ me close, tryin’ to control me. He cared not for me. He only cares for himself.”
“Fucker,” Alek curses under his breath. “Now I understand your need for vengeance. This is very personal to me because my daughter, Irina…she didn’t have the best start to life either. So, I ensured everyone who did wrong by her suffered, and I will do so for the rest of my life.”
“Then ye know why I need to do this. I can’t just kill him. It won’t”—I pause, searching for the right word—“it won’t satisfy this burnin’ rage within me. He needs to suffer for what he’s done. If I simply end his life swiftly, it won’t be enough.
“To know I’m the last person he sees before I kill him, after I have humiliated and taken everythin’ from him, will help me heal. It’s the only way I can live this life without his ghost hauntin’ me until I take my last breath.”
“I understand all too well, мой друг. I admire your loyalty, no matter the cost.”
Cami gently places her hand on my thigh, a comforting touch to assure me she’s here until the very end.
“You will have everything you need, and rest assured, no harm will come to your loved ones ever again.”
“That’s all I want.”
Austin returns with a tray filled with shots. I take a stab in the dark that they’re vodka. He places them on the table, where Alek slides two across the table for Cami and me.
“Za tvajo zdarovje,” he says, raising his glass in salute.
I raise my own glass. “Cheers.”
We all throw back our shots, which are vodka, and slam them onto the table once they are drained dry. The alcohol is smooth as it’s top-shelf. Nothing but the best for Aleksei Popov—the man who is now my partner.
An unspoken warning lingers between us—we will respect the other, as essentially, we want the same thing. But if either of us fucks the other over, there’ll be hell to pay. I think I’ve met my match, and I know Alek feels the same way.
With nothing further to say, I stand and exit the booth. Alek remains seated, always watching me with those astute eyes. “My finest, most loyal men are at your disposal. Whatever you need.”
“What I need is for one of them to get Cami’s sister.”
Eva is still at Aoife’s, as is Ethan, who is scouting the place. Men are watching the gaff, so we can’t get her out.
“It’s done,” Alek says with a nod. “What about your home? Do you need extra men there?”
At the moment, we’re staying at Kavanagh’s, which I think will be the safest place for Babydoll. “Naw, it’s okay. That’s my home turf. I can protect it. Anyone dares to challenge me…they’ll pay with their lives. But my siblings—”
“Whatever you need.”
Alek is someone who gets shit done, and I instantly feel better having him on my team.
“All right then.”
I turn to leave, but Alek stops me. “Will killing him be enough?”
The hair at the back of my neck stands on end, and I don’t know why.
“I ask this because I think, like me, you too take comfort in the darkness. It’s where your demons thrive. You’re split right down the middle. Good versus evil. I wonder which side will win.”
Turning to look at him, I deadpan him. “Fuck with me, and y’ll find out.”
My warning isn’t empty, and Alek’s smirk reveals he appreciates that I haven’t submitted. Yes, I have given him my country, but that doesn’t mean I’ve surrendered—I’ve won.
Taking hold of Babydoll’s hand, I calmly walk through the pub, never feeling more victorious than I do right now. I don’t fail to notice how quiet she was throughout the meeting, and that silence continues as we walk toward my truck.
I know she isn’t happy with my decision.
As I drive us toward Kavanagh’s, I’m struck with an idea, one which I hope will help Babydoll understand why I’ve chosen the path I have.
She doesn’t say anything when I miss the turn for Kavanagh’s and continue driving toward the castle. I don’t take the usual route, however, as I want to remain undetected. The grounds are vast, and I take the backroad that leads to a dead end.
I switch off the engine and get out of the truck. When I hear Babydoll’s car door open, I sigh in relief, thankful she’s willing to hear me out.
Stepping over the barricade and onto my property, I walk through the long grass, the tall trees shielding us from prying eyes. I don’t hover around Babydoll. I give her space. She’s following, no doubt her curiosity getting the better of her.
When the castle comes into view in the distance, I stop near a large tree and take it all in.
“This is what I’m fightin’ for,” I say, never taking my eyes off the place which will always be my home. “I’m fightin’ for our future, a future where we’re not lookin’ over our shoulders, afraid for our lives. I want this to be a home again. And I want that to be with you.”
Cami sighs softly.
“I know you don’t agree with my choice, but it feels right. I’ve only ever felt that way once before”—I turn to look at her as I take off my necklace—“and that was when I met you. I can’t do this without you, Babydoll.”
She works her bottom lip as I slip the necklace, her necklace over her head. “I was keepin’ it safe for ye. Close to my heart. Just as you are.”
I brought her here to show her that this is the future I want, one I want to build with her.