You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 75

VOID

I watched the smoke curl from my lips, swirling toward the ceiling. The cigar burned between my fingers with the same heat I felt for the woman tangled in my sheets upstairs.

It was late. Yet, here I was, seated alone in my digital crypt, surrounded by screens but all I could think about was her.

She'd insisted on leaving. I coerced her into dinner, then fucked the fight out of her against the wall. Twice. She gave in to sleep right away.

There was a strange, almost perverse comfort in knowing she was asleep in my bed. Like I'd finally caught the storm and taught it to rest.

I wanted this to be forever. I needed that little bitch like a bullet needs a barrel. Why was it so goddamn hard for her to understand and just accept me? It didn't seem like too much to ask when I was offering her everything.

Footsteps tapped against the floor behind me. I didn't bother to take a look. The trail of her gourmand perfume gave her away instantly: sweet vanilla with warm tonka bean, her signature scent.

I could never understand why she'd wear boots even at night.

She walked at an unhurried pace and came to a stop beside me.

"Boss. Didn't expect a call from you this late."

I took another drag, eyes locked on the white screen in front of me.

"I need a woman's perspective." I tapped the cigar on the rim of the ashtray. "What does a man have to do to get you to move in with him?"

The question must've thrown her off guard 'cause she went mute for some seconds. I tilted my head to study her profile in the dim.

"Um..." She cleared her throat. "Are we talking about a man I do not want to move in with?"

I nodded.

"Well, if I don't want to move in with you, then there's nothing you could ever do that'd get me to change my mind. Even if I get abducted, I'll spend every walking second trying to get away, and that'd be pretty stressful for you."

I sucked in another drag as I gave a thought to her words. Hell no. I didn't want to play that game with Rali. I needed her to stay willingly.

Katya went on. "The only way you could make me stay is if you gave me good reasons. Maybe you threaten me with something you know I can't ignore. Something strong enough to actually make me afraid of leaving."

The cigar froze halfway to my lips.

I turned my head slowly, unsure if I'd heard her right. But I had.

A dry chuckle slipped out as I resumed my drag. Rali visiting a therapist? Did it have something to do with me?

I know I should leave her alone. It was meant to be private. But unfortunately, Rali didn't have privacy when it came to me. I wanted to be involved in every aspect of her life, including her thoughts. This was one way to get it.

"I need to know what they discussed. I believe some sessions are recorded. Check if hers was and bring to me."

"Sure, boss," Katya dipped her head.

This was one thing I liked about her—always getting the subtle information. When I needed information to be gotten through bloodshed, Miles and Eric were my options. And when I needed someone manipulative to get it without raising suspicions, Katya was it. She wouldn't mind fucking the therapist to get that recording.

She knew how to get the job done.