He’s my brother, but he’s weird as fuck. I don’t remember the last time I saw him sleeping properly in a bed.
But then again, he does have trouble sleeping and can only do it in odd places and in odd positions.
I came down to tell Maya we shouldn’t wake him up for dinner if he actually falls asleep, but I found her spying in what’s considered our second home on the island.
At first, I contemplate scaring her, but I think better of it and lean sideways to see who got her attention.
Jeremy and his new senior guard, Ilya, stand by the kitchen counter. Jeremy is a few years older than us, is Nikolai’s best friend, and is possibly the only person who can stop him from launching into a full-on suicide mission.
He's huge, handsome, grumpy, and serious to a fault. His father is a big deal in the Bratva, and Jeremy is the heir to that legacy like Nikolai is expected to take over my parents' duties.
Mom said Maya and I can definitely have our place at the table if we want to. Maya said, “No, thanks. I have better things to do with my life.” I also prefer to be a businesswoman with my own company.
Back to the present and Maya, who’s spying on Jeremy, the Heathens’ leader and the one she’s had her claws out for. Since we were children, she’s always thought she’d make him her husband. One, she likes to vie for the strongest man in the room. Two, considering his father’s influence and wealth, he’s, in my sister’s words, a catch.
The fact that he has a girlfriend has never deterred her. When we heard about that, Maya just flipped her hair and announced—smugly, I might add—that he’ll realize his mistake and come begging at her pedicured feet.
But there are two points that contradict the fact that she’s spying on him.
One, Maya never hides. A few weeks ago, she put on her favorite perfume, walked to Jeremy with a sway in her hips, and asked him when he was going to stop making a mistake and pick her.
She tried to run her red nails down his jaw and flirt with him, to which Jeremy respectfully pushed her away. Not only is he painfully not interested, but he also knows that if Niko catches her hitting on his best friend, there’ll be carnage.
Two, she’s not even looking at Jeremy and actually seems more interested in following the movements of the guard, Ilya. A tall, silent blond guy whose voice I’ve only heard a couple of times.
I know because Jeremy is leaning against the wall, but Ilya is the one who’s moving around, getting some ingredients from the cupboard and adding them to the pan on the stove.
They’re talking in Russian—something about the Serpents and the Elites and retaliation. Maya doesn’t give a fuck about any of that.
But I do.
Especially when I catch a name in Jeremy’s dialogue.
“…Landon needs to be put in his place.”
My heart rate skyrockets and I hide myself, mimicking Maya’s criminal-like behavior.
I glare at my chest as if I can see my heart floundering and getting on a metaphorical high.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me? Just the mention of his name and I’m immediately in this state.
My cheeks flame at the reminder of last night. Punishing darkness, a sinister voice, and unapologetic lust.
I was more confused about the strength of my reaction than his psycho self. Landon is who he is, but I’m not him.
How could I be attracted to an unfeeling narcissistic psychopath who’d eradicate me and everyone I care about in a heartbeat?
“What did you have in mind?” Ilya asks while still focused on the pan.
“We’ll discuss it with the others later, but one thing’s for certain. Once I get my hands on that motherfucker, I’ll break his hand and destroy his little sculpting hobby.”
It’s not a hobby, though.
I’ve read articles about his first exhibition a few years back, and I’ve seen the disturbingly beautiful statues he won multiple awards for. He’s a global talent, and while it’s annoying that he knows it and even gloats about it, that doesn’t take away the fact that he’s an actual genius.
A psycho genius, but oh well.
“I need someone to follow him at all times without drawing suspicion,” Jeremy continues.
“I will do it,” Ilya says.
“No. You’re too obvious, and he’s too smart for his own good.”
I walk out from my hiding place, catching the two of them—three if we’re counting Maya—by surprise.
She has no choice but to clear her throat and follow me out as if we were just walking past here by chance.
“I happened to overhear your conversation,” I sign to Jeremy since he understands. “I’ll follow Landon around.”
He straightens. “Out of the question.”
“I’m going to do it anyway, so either you back me up and get whatever information I’ll gather, or you don’t.”
“Nikolai will kill me if he finds out about this.”
“Which is why he won’t.” I smile at Maya. “Right?”
Her face is red as she fiddles with the strap of her Chanel bag. Maya never fiddles. Seeming to sober up, she releases it and shakes her head. “No way in hell. You’re not getting in the middle of this.”
“I already am.”
“Mia.” She grabs my shoulders. “The whole pig blood thing was reckless enough as it is. You don’t need that guy’s attention.”
I already have it anyway, so might as well use it for the greater good. Including, but not limited to, bringing the asshole down.
Besides, I need to find an explanation for my strange attraction to the bastard. I’m sure the more I find out how amoral he is, the less attractive I’ll find him and then I’ll be happy to throw him to the wolves—aka the Heathens.
“I’ll be fine,” I sign to my sister, then disengage from her hold to face Jeremy. “Do we have a deal?”
“No, Mia. I’m not pushing you into his lethal orbit.”
“I’m already there.” I lift my chin. “He thinks I’m his muse or something like that, so I’ll use that to my advantage.”
Jeremy’s eyebrows shoot too close to his hairline. “Since when?”
“Since I’m getting revenge for what he did to Nikolai.”
“We’re planning that. Seriously, stay out of it.”
“Too late. Remember the blood bath he got at his own club’s party?” I point a thumb at myself. “That was me.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” he says with more bewilderment and pride than anything.
“No god can stop the psycho but I can.” But let’s ignore the fact that I’m hiding in my brother’s mansion because this is the only place where he won’t be able to pull any shit.
I brought Maya along, too, so he won’t be able to threaten me with her either.
“Be careful and retreat the moment you sense any danger,” Jeremy says.
“You can’t possibly be serious?” Maya directs her attention to him.
“You and I both know we can’t stop her once she puts her mind to something.”
I grin like a Cheshire cat and nod approvingly.
Maya points at Ilya, who turned off the stove and is about to leave. “You, talk some sense into him.”
Ilya looks at her as if she’s nothing but the dirt beneath his shoes. That’s the first time I’ve seen anyone disregard my sister’s bigger-than-the-world presence.
“He’s not a you,” Jeremy says calmly. “His name is Ilya.”
“He’s not important enough for me to recall his name, but he has a job of advising you not to make stupid mistakes, like throwing Mia in the middle of a war.”
“Hey.” I push her. “I decided this. Don’t overstep, Maya. Neither you, Jeremy, nor Nikolai get to tell me what to do.”
“But…I’m worried about you.” Maya’s brow furrows.
She’s always been overprotective of me since that incident, even more than our parents and Niko, and that says something since those three could’ve been mistaken for my wardens the first few years following what happened.
Still, Maya needs to learn that I’m capable of making my own choices—mistakes included.
“I can take care of myself.” I shake hands with Jeremy. “Apologize to Ilya on Maya’s behalf.”