Page 64 of Wreaking Havoc
But he was already climbing down after Alexei, and Sascha rushed to follow.
Alexei explained as they hurried to the living room, “Jay and I went out into the backyard. I was worried if I stayed inside any longer, I’d shoot Ivan with his own gun. When I heard the front door slam, we came back in. Jay noticed right away that the Book wasn’t in the living room.”
“Then why can I—” Kai’s words cut off as he stopped in front of the coffee table so abruptly Sascha almost slammed into his back.
Sascha peered around him to see what had caught his attention: a single piece of thick paper. It had an eerie design in black ink etched on its surface, one that sent a shiver down Sascha’s spine for some reason.
“Nightmare’s mark,” Kai murmured, reaching out a hand, his fingers stopping just before they would have touched the page. “That’s what I can sense.” He frowned down at it. “I didn’t think the pages could come out.”
Sascha’s brow furrowed as he looked at the creepy mark. It wasn’t one he would have traced in nail polish for fun; that was for sure. “Isn’t the Book, like, ancient? Of course it’s coming apart.”
“It’s not an ordinary book, pup.” Kai sighed, lowering his arm. “But I suppose it’s for the best. We wouldn’t want to see your brother with Nightmare at his disposal.” His frown deepened. “Although, I suppose Chaos could still do quite a bit of damage…”
Sascha almost laughed. “That’s what you’re so worried about? Ivan summoning a demon?” He tried to picture it, but it was a challenge to even imagine. It was just so strange to think of his cold, rigid brother dabbling in the paranormal.
Then again, Ivandidlove consolidating his power.
But Kai was looking as distressed as ever. “We need the Book to bond,” he reminded Sascha. He closed his eyes for a moment, then shook his head. “I can’t sense its location. It’s moving too fast.”
He could sense that thing even when it wasn’t in the building? Would Sascha ever learn the extent of Kai’s powers? He supposed, if they had close to an eternity together, he eventually would. Maybe every bonding anniversary, Kai would reveal another neat little demon trick.
Focus, Sascha.
“I’m sure he’s driving straight back to New York,” he reassured Kai. “The paranoid dummy probably isn’t even stopping for bathroom breaks.”
“Then we’ll find him there,” Kai said, his tone decisive. “That’s where your Caruso family is, anyway, correct?”
“And we’ll help!” Jay offered from where he’d joined them, tucked under Alexei’s arm.
Alexei frowned down at him. “Jay…”
Jay bit at his lower lip, his brow furrowing. “I know, but…”
Sascha looked between them. “What’s going on?”
“Jay’s animal shelter is opening in Hyde Park Monday,” Alexei explained, rubbing Jay’s arm, somehow looking both concerned and proud. “He’s been working really hard on it.”
Jay was frowning down at the floor now. “Your brother needs help though.”
“And he has it.” Alexei looked to Kai. “After you’re bonded, can Sascha be hurt?”
“By a human weapon?” Kai shook his head. “No.”
“And does the Caruso family pose a threat you can’t handle?”
Kai scoffed, folding his arms against his chest, biceps bulging. “Hardly.”
Alexei nodded, then sent a tender look toward Jay. “Sweetheart, I don’t want you to miss this.”
His voice was gentle, his concern clear as day. And it hit Sascha like a bolt of lightning how much their lives had changed. Alexei’s priorities had shifted in a monumental way after running to Hyde Park—he lived now for this man beside him. And that was beautiful, really.
Sascha’s brother really did have a completely new life.
Sascha swallowed a hard lump in his throat.
Alexei seemed to catch it. He gave Sascha a slight smile. “I wouldn’t go if I thought you were in any danger, Sascha.” He jerked his chin toward Kai. “I’m choosing to trust him.”
Sascha cleared his throat, then put his hands on his hips with exaggerated sass. “And you’re okay with me bonding to a demon I just met? Where are your overprotective older-brother instincts?”
