Page 33 of The Sinners Touch

Nikoli ran his own company?

And what was it with the f-bombs that dropped out of the Kincaid men’s mouths? It was like a permanent part of their vocabulary. Angel glanced at Kade and saw his panicked expression. A giggle bubbled unbidden. He looked so terrified right now. It reminded her of the time they’d gone swimming in the ocean and a jellyfish had gotten near him. He’d been stung as a child, and the things scared the hell out of him. He wore the same expression now as Nikoli talked.

“We have a sister, that’s what’s so fucking urgent.”

Kade snarled, and Angel let her head hit the table, all her amusement gone with that bold statement. Why couldn’t Nikoli keep a secret a secret?

“What the hell are you talking about?” Viktor snapped, sounding more irritated than anything. “I’m in no mood for jokes,brat.”

Angel laughed when she heard him call him a brat. Hewasbeing a brat at the moment. At least Viktor called him on his shit.

“It doesn’t mean what you think it does, Angel.” Kade tapped his fingers on the table. “Although the American term fits right now.Bratin Russian means brother.”

“Kade?” Viktor sounded confused.

“Yeah.” A sigh rumbled out of him, and Angel turned her head sideways so she could see the kaleidoscope of expressions flickering across his face.

“What’s going on, and who is Angel?”

“Angel, say hello to Viktor.” Angel raised her head long enough to stick her tongue out at Nikoli, which only made him laugh and blow her a kiss. He was such a sweetheart.

A wave of tears threatened her as she looked at him. In that split second, she caught a glimpse of the old Kade she’d known when she was nineteen in his brother. The devilishly charming, fun, and adventurous man who’d won her heart. She missed him. So very much.

“Hey, now, what’s wrong?” Nik asked gently.

“Nothing.” She wiped her tears and sat up. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Viktor’s voice growled.

“Well, it seems Kade went and got himself married and didn’t tell us.”

“I swear to God, Nik, I told you not to say anything…”

“No, you didn’t.” Nikoli held up a hand. “I only told Viktor because we need his help.”

“Married? What the hell are you talking about, and why do you need my help?”

Kade took a deep, steadying breath, wrestling between his desire to strangle his little brother or maybe thank him. Nikoli ripped the Band-Aid off without even understanding how much it freed him. It brought him a step closer to admitting what he really wanted.

“You remember me telling you about the Boston serial killer case I’m working?” He scrubbed at his face with both hands, suddenly tired. When Viktor grunted his version of yes, he continued. “Angel got a look at him, and now he’s set his sights on her.”

“And Angel is…?”

“My wife.”

“The fuck you say.”

He gazed at her, and the wide green eyes were more than shell-shocked. She might be trying her damnedest to hide howaffected she was by not only the serial killer, but by him, and it showed in the hollow, haunted look in her eyes.

“I do say. It’s a long story, Vik, but I need help. I’m working this case, which means I can’t watch her twenty-four-seven, and I need someone who can. People who are trained to see and deal with this type of psychopath. Nik tells me you hire only the best, and that’s what we need.”

“You’re serious?” Viktor’s tone got very soft. “You’re married?”

“Da.”

“Well, fuck. We finally got a sister. Do Mama and Papa know?”

“No, and I’d prefer to keep it that way until I tell them.” Kade shot a glance at Angel, who looked ready to argue, but he warned her with his eyes and hoped she’d heed him.

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