Chapter Three
Packinghis stuff and bringing enough food for Chewy, as well as his things, had taken more time than Liam expected. But contrary to what his frustrating angel had mentioned, he was a man of his word. He only hoped that he had the fortitude to survive it all.
His focus hadn’t wavered: finding his father and bringing him down for good was still his only goal. However, knowing that he needed Catriona’s help to accomplish this task, he suspected that she would be a significant distraction. Not that she was doing anything in that way, on the contrary. Buttoned up, proper, angelic, smiling—there was no fault on her side. It was his own body that was playing tricks on him, and not playing fair. When she’d said she wasn’t yet a full-fledged nun, his cock had jerked. What was wrong with him?
When everything was packed in his car, they stopped to grab her small suitcase, and he told her he’d return her rental later, before heading to Aleksei and Deva’s place.
The charming brick building was a couple of blocks from the Magnificent Mile toward Lake Michigan. When Aleksei had arrived in Chicago, he’d purchased the place as his home base. It had been decrepit inside and out, but Aleksei had worked on the top apartment himself, renovating it on his own before meeting Deva. Liam knew there were two other floors. The one directly underneath had been converted into a small guest apartment and a gym. The last time he’d visited, his brother had shown him around, telling him about the work still to be done. He’d discovered an unexpected talent for construction, but it didn’t lessen the fact that Aleksei was still feared within the different gangs controlling the city. Even though he’d stepped down from all direct criminal activities, it would be stupid to think that anyone could walk away free. And Liam suspected that Aleksei didn’t want that either. Deva had been born and bred in biker gangs, and Aleksei intended to keep her safe, even if that meant keeping a foot in that world.
Consequently, it made the relationship between the brothers a tad uncomfortable as Liam had no intention of leaving the force yet. However, he trusted Aleksei, and that had to be enough for now.
Punching in the entry code, Liam drove into the underground garage and parked in the corner. Catriona didn’t say a word, but her eyes were wide, evident that she was impressed by the system, as well as the cars and bikes currently inside. Contrary to Archer’s building, Aleksei’s home didn’t have an elevator, so they had to climb up the three flights of stairs before being welcomed by a smiling Deva.
“Hey! Welcome!”
The feisty brunette, dressed casually in sweatpants and tank top, welcomed them into her home, giving Chewy a good rub. The dog immediately made himself comfortable by dashing for the leather sofa in the living room. Liam had been there before, but again, Catriona was taking in the vast space and windows flooding the apartment with light. In the corner, by the windows stood a huge Christmas tree with all its ornaments twinkling in the sunshine. Smaller decorations were dispersed all around, offering a charming atmosphere and so unlike his brother.
Deva grasped Catriona’s hand in hers. “I’m Deva Landry.”
“Catriona Walsh. Thank you for offering us a place to stay.”
As her usual self, Deva dismissed it. “My pleasure. Anything to help take down the big bad daddy.”
Liam rolled his eyes at her description of the situation. “Please don’t use those words, it sounds so wrong.”
Deva only laughed. “My father was as bad as yours. The only difference is he didn’t have the money to bring any of his evil plans to fruition. And I believe that’s why Catriona is here. An angel coming to save us all.”
The words being said like that felt so right to Liam. Way too much. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Catriona stepped closer and looked him in the eye before smiling back at Deva. “I’m good with numbers. From experience, cutting off the money is the best way to slay the dragon once and for all. That’s why I’m here. To help your family.”
Deva nodded while locking gaze with her. “Slay the dragon. I like that.”
Liam scanned around. “Where’s Aleksei?”
At that she rolled her eyes. “You know your brother. Any change in his routine and he goes into a fit.”
Catriona looked back at him before turning her sorry gaze to Deva. “I don’t want to inconvenience you…
Once more, Deva took her hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad that you’re here and helping. And don’t mind Aleksei, he’s just a big baby.”
“Who are you calling a baby?”
The Russian inflection was undeniable in the man’s voice as he stepped behind them in the apartment. Dark hair falling on silver eyes, his fighter’s body soaked with sweat, Liam couldn’t deny his brother was using every trick in the trade to spread fear all around himself. And to prove it, Catriona stepped back in surprise.
Aleksei kissed the top of Deva’s curly hair before extending a hand that Liam took. “Brother.”
Being a man of few words, a family trait, Liam nodded. A silent acknowledgment between the two.
Catriona seemed to have taken the moment to shake off the surprise and offered her hand. Liam was impressed by how she squared her shoulders in front of Aleksei and gripped his much larger hand.
“Catriona Walsh. Gabrielle asked me to help you with the financial side of your investigation.”
Aleksei locked his jaw but didn’t have time to say another word as Catriona noticed the blood on his knuckles. It seemed his brother had a lot of steam to let out on the punching bag. “Oh, goodness, look at you, you’re hurt!”
Before anyone could react, the delicate woman was dragging the mountain of a fighter toward the kitchen sink and started to wash his hand. His Russian brother looked at Liam with a hint of helplessness on his face. Deva was hiding her laugh behind a hand, but Liam was wise enough not to avoid any potential smirk. Instead, he tried to save him.
“Catriona, it’s nothing dangerous. Aleksei was training bare-knuckled on his punching bag.”
