Page 73 of King of Desire

Killian steps around the desk to stand next to me. “He breaks the water for the rest of us. Including you, Win. You’re not here enough to see it, but that doesn’t make it less true.”

My younger brothers supporting me fills me with gratitude. Killian in particular, because we’ve had our differences. But the fact he’s standing next to me now when I need him most, it fills me with a fraternal affection I haven’t felt for a very long time. I clap my hand on his shoulder.

“Is that how you all see it?” Color rises in Win’s face. “That I am some freeloader and not the man who has had to sacrifice for this family?”

I drop my hand. “Sacrifice?”

“You’ve always had each other.” He waves his hand. “I’ve been forced apart from the rest of you my entire life.”

I’ve never considered it from that angle, but he’s right. I give a nod. “You have, Win. It’s true.”

I see his shoulders drop a fraction of an inch as he blows out a breath. “So what you’re telling me is that rushing into the enemy’s den is going to work out for us?”

Mason clears his throat. “I suggested that Killian enact a more permanent solution but?—”

“I said no,” I bite back. Killian’s got my back, and I’ve got his.

It’s Killian’s turn to clamp his hand on my shoulder. “If it comes to that, the safety of this family, and of Chloe, are my first priority.”

“Fuck this,” Win rumbles and then turns toward the door. I don’t stop him. I’m smart enough to understand I can’t.

Much as my brothers backed me as the head of this operation, I will never be Win’s boss.

He slams the office door as he goes. Rush, who’s remained silent, heads toward the door. “I’m going to talk to him.”

Rush has always been the most accommodating, the compromiser. But I don’t care about compromise.

Win can do whatever he wants.

“Now that the pissing contest is over,” Gris rumbles. “What are we doing about Dimitri before we resort to offing him?”

“We make him an offer to buy him out,” I answer. “Give him the sort of money that allows him to go wherever he wants, do what he wants.”

Mason rumbles. “I hate it. He should suffer.”

“Vengeance is a different agenda from stability or financial gain.” If Mason doesn’t want to do it my way, that’s his right. “I think you ought to be clear with me about which is most important to you. It’s time for all us to show our cards, blackjack style.”

Mason’s mouth twitches. “You’re in the mood to hand out beatings today, I see.”

“My priorities are realigning.” I shake my head. “I’ve stopped caring about more money and started caring about?—”

“Honeyeh,” Gris cuts me off.

He’s not wrong.

“If that’s the case, then you ought to understand the importance of creating the most stable environment we can.”

“I agree,” I nod. “Which is why I think buying him out is the best option. No laws broken, no worry about retaliation from one of his family members…”

Mason lets out a long breath of frustration. “Fine. I agree. But whatever amount you agree on, it will be less the amount of money it takes to repair Temptation and Killian’s loft.”

It’s a big ask, but fair. “Fine. I’ll set up the meeting as soon as possible.”

But just as I’m about to call this meeting done, Win walks back into my office, his scowl still firmly in place.

I’m preparing for another round, when he pulls a small velvet box from his jacket and slaps it on my desk.

“What is that?” I ask, looking from the box to him.

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