With all the calmness of a professional, Marcel replied, “Instead of focusing on your anger, which is a manifestation of your fear for her, you should probably think about how you can solve that problem.”
“I’m trying to solve the problem. I can’t do that without asking her questions.”
He sat back, raking his hands through his hair. He’d been unhinged for the last twenty-four hours while we waited for Kinsley to wake up. I returned my gaze to the dot on my phone, keeping track of her movements. She’d be here in five, and Alek needed to calm down.
“I meant the clothing problem, Brother. She’s going to need them. Take a deep breath and get yourself together. Where’s Nik?”
I went to speak, but Alek’s angry voice filled the room, causing me to glance up.
“I don’t need a handler, but the fucker is here, smiling like he’s not pissed too.”
It was true—I was smiling, and I was pissed. Kinsley leaving had ignited a dual response in me. It was a mix of exasperation and genuine concern for her safety. The uneasiness was easier for me to mask, but it lingered nonetheless. My true frustration was that her impulsiveness was liable to get her hurt.
“He’s just better at hiding it. You could take some lessons.” Marcel laughed. He knew us all so well.
“Yeah, well, I’ll put that on my schedule, right after our Q and A session. I swear, I already need a fucking drink.”
“I’ll let you go, then. Remember what I said, go easy. She’s lost a lot. Call me after the fire chief is done. And Nik, make sure you keep him in check.”
“Will do,” I replied, once more looking at Alek.
His frustration pulsed like a living beast, his agitation a damn storm that was going to spill over. Keeping him in check might not be as easy as Marcel made it out to be. That was the problem with Kinsley and him.
He lost his shit too easily with her. It was fascinating to watch, but equally concerning because he was liable to push her away if he wasn’t careful. After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open, and Ivan led her into the drawing room.
Her presence cast a ripple through the room. Soot covered her once more, and her eyes looked swollen. The seconds stretched as she pulled on the bottom of the shirt, a blush staining her cheeks as she noticed my eyes lingering on her legs.
“Malyshka, you’re covered in soot again. What am I going to do with you?”
Her eyes met mine as she squared her shoulders. “What are you going to do with me? Torture, probably. I hear it’s a specialty of all of yours. At this point, I don’t give a shit.”
Looked like someone had woken up and chosen defiance. That was fine. “You’ll watch your tone with me, young lady. I’d like you to shower, and then we can talk. I’ll get you another shirt. Come on,” I stated, taking her by the hand.
Ignoring the scowl on Alek’s face, I walked her down the corridor to the stairs. Her small hand trembled in mine, but she didn’t pull away. Her sassy attitude tugged on something deeper within me.
She made me mentally alert as well as physically aroused. Seeing sparks of anger in her eyes as she equated torture to my ability to get her to talk made me want to show her exactly how wrong she was.
“You’re so fierce, baby girl. I love seeing you hold your ground. But as intriguing as I find it, Alek does not.”
“And I should care about his feelings?” she scoffed.
She would not be so easily tamed; it was going to take some serious work to get her to open up. It was as if her spirit staunchly rejected the notion, regarding it as the ultimate surrender. I refused to take the bait, allowing my silence to linger. Anger smoldered in her expression, her eyes flashing with defiance.
When we reached her room, I opened the door. “You know, you were practically unconscious when Alek and I washed you last time. The way you moaned when I washed your hair was beautiful.” I ran my fingers down her arm. “Would you like me to wash it again?”
She shot me a look that could have frozen lava. “Going to have to pass on that. Seems I only prefer you when I’m heavily drugged and under the influence of alcohol. Sober me says there’s not a chance in hell I want or need your help.”
Her words dripped with sarcasm. I raised an eyebrow, fighting back a grin. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
A half smirk formed on her full lips. “Why should I?”
“You really are something else, you know that?” I was itching to rub the soot from her cute little nose. With a shake of my head, I stepped forward, and her eyes widened as she gulped. “I’ll let you in on something. This little sarcastic attitude of yours, you use it as a wall, baby girl. Alek sees it as a challenge. Word of warning, we’re determined to see it fall.”
“I’m terrified. Shaking in my—well, not boots, but you catch the meaning.”
“I’ll leave you to it, then. Sure you don’t want my help?”
“Funny, I thought the word no was quite universal.”
