Page 1 of Torn Souls

CHAPTER 1

MAXIM

The scene in front of me is mind numbingly boring. It shouldn’t be. I should find it amusing. Maybe I would if I hadn’t already seen it played out far too many times. Ever since we took over Seattle, taking it by force from the Morozov Bratva, the cockroaches, rats, and users of the world have been coming out of the woodwork.

This is no different.

Kirill, my older brother, shoots me a look. His face might be a mask of stone, but his eyes are brimming with annoyance. Betty, his secretary, has no idea how close he is to snapping. The thought of my brother, the same man who prides himself on control, losing his cool brings a smirk to my face.

I almost laugh when his eyes turn murderous. The man is dangerous; there’s no fucking doubt about it. I’ve seen him kill a man without hesitation. I’ve seen him torture a man for days. But he won’t hurt me.

And he won’t hurt Betty, even if he growls at her and glares at her wishing he could set her on fire right where she stands with her tits practically in his face. He’ll just bark at her, which will cause her to scurry away. Then he’ll feel bad about it even though she isn’t taking the hint about his disinterest.

It hasn’t stopped her yet from practically draping her body over his. Or wearing clothing that pushes the boundaries of professionalism. The man would have already fired her if she wasn’t good at her job. It’s her only saving grace.

If she thought she could get away with it, she would spend all her time trying to tempt my brother into ravaging her. But she’s seen Kirill fire people for incompetence and their inability to deliver on what is expected of them.

Still, nothing has stopped the woman from trying to turn his head.

I would almost admire it if I wasn’t second on her list of seductions. Then there’s Huck and Baker. She’s tried this little act on all of us, as if we haven’t seen her practically beg Kirill to fuck her. The only thing she’s discreet about is not throwing herself at the rest of us in front Kirill.

If she thinks the man who swept away the worst of the dregs of society in this city, the worst of the worst, doesn’t know that she’s more than willing to hop on any of our dicks, then she’s not giving my brother enough credit. He knows.

He’s also told us there’s no way she’s getting what she wants. Not like any of us needed to be told that.

Betty’s desperation—to be seen, to be charming, to be praised—makes her good at her job. But it would make her the worst woman to have as a partner.

She would never be able to handle the four of us. Any woman in Kirill’s life will come to quickly realize we’re a package deal. His life is not just his own and part of that is because of the power he wields.

He’s insulated. Protected. Surrounded.

Entwined.

With Baker, Huck, and me. With our lives.

We’ve never shared a woman before and I’m not sure one exists who could manage the four of us. But I know it’s the only future that makes sense for us. Considering how some of the men around us, including Baker’s brother, have found their forever with more than one man worshiping their woman at the center of them, there may just be hope for us.

If a woman ever crosses our path who can deal with being on the arm of Kirill Volkov for the world to see while being worshiped by the four of us, we’ll know. At least, I hope we will.

She’ll have to have a spine of steel and the softness to give us peace.

Betty is not that woman. She’s weak even though she pretends to be strong. The only thing she has going for her is her practiced smile and the way she thinks she can become whatever is needed. It’s all fake though, and it doesn’t take long to see past the veneer.

“Oh,” Betty’s voice is an octave higher than normal and grates on my nerves, “the reports are in the folder, but I know how much you like to look at it on your computer. Let me just…,” her words trial off as she pushes herself further in Kirill’s personal space to lean over him and rests her hand on the computer mouse on his desk.

I snort out a laugh which I quickly try to cover with a cough. Kirill hears it anyway and his dark, cold eyes narrow on me. It’s a look which has intimidated many, but not me.

Huck strides into Kirill’s office without knocking and freezes at the sight of Betty’s tits almost pressed against Kirill’s chin.The way she’s contorted herself for maximum effect would probably be sexy if it weren’t so damn obvious how hard she’s trying right now.

The look Huck shoots me speaks volumes. All I can do is shrug because I don’t know how Betty hasn’t gotten the memo already. None of us will be taking her up on what she’s offering.

Not only would it muddy the waters at work, which is not ideal, but there’s no chase when it comes to Betty. And we’re predators.

Betty looks up, her green eyes flashing as her cheeks pink slightly. I have to cover my mouth to hide my smirk. It’s no secret she’s been laying it on thick with Huck lately after getting no reaction from me when I was in her sights. Baker is next on the rotation, I’m sure.

“Hello, Mr. Cardenas,” Betty’s voice is sweet to the point that I have to fight myself from wincing at the sound. “Can I get you some coffee?”

Kirill clears his throat and Betty’s eyes snap to him. The uncertainty written all over her face is almost comical. “I’m perfectly capable of finding the report,” his words are clipped.

---