Page 19 of Captive Union
Kira leans in closer to the screen. “But he’s not seriously hurt?”
“No,” Elena says. “He’s not. He’ll be fine.”
“Elena,” Maxim growls.
“What?” She shoots her brother a look. “Our sister, who has just been kidnapped, asked us how our brother is doing. I don’t fucking care if your enemy is right there. Kira has a right to know.”
“Insubordination,” I taunt. “Better punish her for that, Maxim.”
Maxim gives me a look that encapsulates the phrase “if looks could kill.” To Elena, he says, “Let’s not fight right now.”
She sniffs, lifting her chin. “I agree.” She turns to Kira. “How are you? Where are you?”
“As if I’d be stupid enough to let her know that,” I say. “Kira doesn’t know where she is, so she can’t tell you. It’s a waste of breath even to ask.”
“Is that true?” Elena asks.
Kira nods. “He …” Her eyes flit to me and back to her family. “He stuck a bag over my head on the way here.”
Maxim’s face morphs into serious anger. “You fucking bastard!” I just laugh.
“Maxim, I’m all right,” Kira cuts in. “Please. Where’s Arina?”
Maxim sucks in a breath, trying to control himself. “Arina is resting. I didn’t want her involved in this. I don’t want Erik thinking he can take anything else that belongs to me.”
“Oh, Maxim,” I say. “When has Kira ever belonged to you?”
“She’s my sister. I’m in charge of her. What do you think that means?”
I rest my hand on her shoulder. Kira doesn’t move. All three of their eyes narrow. “I have some news for you, brother.”
“Don’t call me brother,” Maxim spits. “We’re not fucking family. You’re trying to hurt my family.”
“Well, that’s why they call revenge a dish best served cold, brother. Tit for tat and all that.”
“Why do you keep saying brother?” Elena asks.
“Oh, that.” I pat Kira’s shoulder. “Should I tell them, or do you want to?”
Kira looks away from me.
“I guess that’s my answer. We’re getting married,” I tell them.
Silence from the three before chaos breaks out, and they all start speaking at once.
“Never,” Maxim says as Elena says, “What the hell?” and Vasilisa responds with, “This is madness.”
“It’s all true,” I inform them. “Kira and I will be wed.” I look Maxim straight in the eye. “And that will make us brothers, does it not?”
Maxim’s face grows cold. “This is your plan, isn’t it? Death was too simple for you. Instead, you had to hurt me in a different way.”
I smile smugly. “Oh, you betcha, Maxim. This is payback for you killing my innocent father and your stupid fucking brother for blowing up my bar. The bar, need I remind you, that my father gave to me!” My voice is raising. Kira looks at me, her eyes flashing with an emotion I can’t make out. “It was the last reminder I had of him, and your brother literally blew it up!” I rub a hand over my face, composing myself. Kira, for once, is not looking away. No, she’s staring at me head-on.
“So, yes,” I continue. “I wanted you to know what that feels like, Maxim. To lose someone you care deeply about because of your own actions. You’re going to live with that. And you’re going to live with the knowledge that Kira is mine, and there’s nothing you can do about it. And when I say she’s all mine, I mean she’sallmine.”
“If you fucking rape her, I swear to god,” Elena threatens.
“Oh, I’m not going to rape her. No, no. You see, I want Kira to fall for me. And she will, in time. And then you,” I say to Maxim, “will know that not only did you lose your sister, but you also lost her to me. And when she falls in love with me, you’ll have the pain of knowing that your baby sister loves your enemy. Now, how does that sound?”
