23. Eli

Chapter 23

Eli

“ K eep them open, boy.” Spitall flew from Kent’s mouth as he said the words, and my fingers gripped the wood grain of the chair. I knew the penalty for shutting my eyes. I wouldn’t make that mistake. Even at four years old, I knew better now.

Kent ran a greasy finger over my brother’s bare skin. “Don’t forget he’ll be the one to suffer if you don’t listen. I’ll do it anyway, and then it’ll be the pond for him.” My brother’s head dropped to his chest in defeat.

I came awake in a sweat of tangled sheets, my mouth open to a silent scream, the nightmare fresh and vivid enough to make me want to vomit. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I eased out of bed. Veronica was still dead to the world, and I didn’t want to disturb her. The nightmares didn’t always come, but when they did, they were vicious and cruel. I pulled a blanket back over her and got dressed.

I spent the first part of the morning on business. The nitty-gritty of our empire needed to be handled, but almost ninety percent of that could be done from the wonderful world of my phone. Part of that also meant checking on my side project. Veronica had managed to cover her tracks. My extra precautions were just that — precautions, but that was fine.

The next part of my morning was spent working on breakfast. If Veronica was going to be mine, that meant I would take care of her, and she needed real food.

The smell of coffee drifted through the kitchen, mixing with the sound of bacon sizzling in the pan. The early morning light streamed through the expansive windows, casting soft shadows across the countertops. I wasn’t much of a cook, but I could manage the basics—especially regarding Veronica. The coffee was for me. I’d made her one of those smoothies she liked, but there was no way I could face the day without coffee.

She was still downstairs, probably curled under those blankets, looking small and peaceful, like she hadn’t been up half the night tangled with me. The thought of it—her warmth, her soft gasps—made me smile, something I didn’t do often. I cracked an egg into the pan, watching it bubble as I recalled last night.

Veronica didn’t make me feel safe—that wasn’t what I was after—but she made me feel seen . Like she knew every shadow I carried and still wanted to be close. Letting someone close to the fire was dangerous, but she wasn’t scared. Maybe she should’ve been.

A door creaked open behind me, and I tensed out of habit, turning to see Natasha standing in the doorway, her arms crossed. She was dressed like she always was, sharp and put together, but the way her eyes narrowed told me she wasn’t expecting to find me here.

“Eli,” she said, her voice steady but edged with something harder. “I didn’t realize you were here. You’re making breakfast.” She frowned.

I wiped my hands on a dish towel, keeping my movements slow and deliberate. “Yeah, well, I am.” I had no intention of hiding my relationship with Veronica, especially from her sister.

Her eyes flicked to the counter, the coffee brewing, and the breakfast I was making. “For Ronnie?”

I didn’t bother answering. She already knew .

Natasha stepped closer, her eyes never leaving mine. “I need to ask you something, Eli. What exactly are your intentions with my sister?”

I would have laughed in their face and told them to fuck off if it were anyone else, but this was Natasha. I exhaled, leaning against the counter and crossing my arms. "My intentions?"

“Yes. I know about your past, and you’re not exactly the ‘settle down and play house’ type.” Ouch. “So, forgive me if I’m a little cautious when I find you in my kitchen after what looks like spending the night with my sister.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. Ronnie is delicate. She can’t be just played around with and discarded like trash.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle a little, which caused an immediate frown. “If you have questions about my past, I’ll answer them, but it sounds like you know all about it.” I tried to get the anger out of my voice and tell myself she was protecting Veronica. “I’m not here to play house, Natasha. I’m not pretending to be something I’m not. She knows who I am. Veronica’s an adult and not an invalid, so I’m not discussing this with you behind her back. If you have concerns, go to her. ”

That was a non-negotiable in my mind. I didn’t appreciate people talking behind my back, so I wouldn’t do it to them. There was no doubt in my mind that the one thing I could do to lose Veronica would be to treat her like she was sick.

Natasha shook her head, her expression unreadable. “Ronnie is smart, but she’s also... vulnerable. You might not see it, but I do. She’s been through hell, and I won’t let anyone use that against her, even if you think your intentions are good.”

After sliding the pan off the heat, I focused on the fruit I was cutting and reminded myself not to be upset. Before I could respond, Veronica’s voice cut through the air, “Natty, are you giving Eli a hard time?” She kept it light, but I heard the edge to it. She’d heard what her sister was saying, which was good. I was glad I didn’t have to explain.

“No angel, she’s not,” I said. “Sit your ass down so I can feed you.” Ignoring Natasha completely, I focused on my girl. She was dressed in cropped yoga pants and a cropped t-shirt that was a shocking color of purple. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders in silken waves, and she had done something fancy with her eye makeup that I hadn’t seen before .

“You cook?” Her voice was colored with amusement. “I’m surprised.”

“Why? Got to eat.” Just because I could make an egg didn’t mean I could cook anything fancy, but I could manage most things. YouTube was a wonder. “Here’s your smoothie.”

“Wow, this is some service.” She grinned at me as I pushed her glass forward and dished her up an egg, two strips of bacon, and some fruit. I knew she kept it light, but I hoped she’d eat her egg. “I’ve got some exciting news, too.”

“Can I make you some eggs, Natasha?” I asked, figuring I needed to make up some ground. She was still standing, glaring at me as if trying to decide how to kill me. I was sure Veronica was intentionally ignoring her as she dipped her bacon into her egg yolk.

“No thanks, Eli. I’ll get myself some coffee.” She shook herself and made her morning coffee, moving around me like I had the plague. Every once in a while, she would glance in Veronica’s direction with a look filled with meaning. I did my best to ignore her as I made myself a couple of eggs.

“What’s your news?” I asked, looking at Veronica. She looked excited, her eyes bright .

“Reed said she was coming. I sent her a ticket, and she’s flying in today. Isn’t that great?”

Not really. I wasn’t much on sharing. It was great she’d have her friend to visit, but it meant that I wouldn’t have as much access to my sweet girl as I wanted. I’d been thinking this morning of getting more of her, not less. I fought a frown and injected enthusiasm into my voice.

“That’s awesome. I can’t wait to meet her. What time does she arrive?”

“At two.” She bit her lip. “Do you have time to go with me to pick her up?” Veronica asked, looking at me from under her lashes with those eyes of hers as she put a bite of food in her mouth, her lips parted. The question warmed that beast inside me that wanted her with a burning intensity that would scare the shit out of her if she knew how much. Or it should.

Before I could respond, a knock echoed from the front door, cutting through the tension in the room. Natasha’s eyes shifted toward the sound, her brow furrowing. “Who the hell…?”

The door swung open, and I heard footsteps—heavy, familiar. I stiffened before I even saw him.

Maxim Volkov .

The air in the room shifted when he walked in, his dark eyes scanning the kitchen like he owned the place. Well, he did, technically. It was my understanding that he’d originally bought the house for himself.

Natasha brightened and rushed forward with relief as if I were holding them hostage. “Max! What a nice surprise.”

He hugged her but didn’t take his eyes off me. “Eli,” he said, his voice calm but laced with warning. “I didn’t expect to find you here.” His words said one thing, but we all knew I was exactly where he expected me to be, which was why he’d come.

“Hello, Max.” Veronica was unconcerned as she continued to eat, swirling her bacon in the yolk and swinging her legs from the stool.

“Good girl,” I praised, looking at her plate, making her blush, but I nudged her smoothie closer. “Don’t forget your smoothie. You’ll need your energy. We have a big day.” I winked at her.

I would have taken a picture of his face if I could have. Maxim was seething as much as Veronica was preening under the attention. I wiped my hands on the towel again, keeping my posture relaxed even though I could feel the tension ratcheting up with every passing second. “ Wasn’t planning on an audience,” I said coolly. “Just making breakfast.”

His gaze flicked to the stove, the food, and then back to me. There was a pause, then something like a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. “You’re playing house now?”

I clenched my fists beneath the counter, keeping my expression neutral. I wasn’t about to explain myself to Maxim fucking Volkov. He didn’t get to waltz in and judge me—or Veronica. “Just making sure my girl eats.” I sent her a smile.

Natasha tugged him forward, and I was surprised she dared with how much energy he was putting off. “Why are you here, Max? Not that you aren’t welcome. Can I get you something? Coffee? Juice?”

His gaze shifted to her, but the smirk didn’t drop. “I’m here for business, but it looks like a bit of a domestic situation is happening here, so I’m glad I came.”

“Max, I love you, but this isn’t your concern,” Veronica said sharply, cutting off whatever remark he was about to make. “I’m an adult. What happens between Eli and me is none of your business. I’ll … we’ll,” she pointed to me, “help you with Spato, but you stay out of our other business. ”

Maxim’s shoulders straightened. “Everything involving my family is my business, Ronnie.” He turned back to me, his eyes narrowing. “But she’s right about one thing—she’s an adult. She’s free to make her own decisions. Just be sure you understand the weight of what you’re getting into, Eli. This isn’t a game.”

“I’m not playing games,” I said, meeting his gaze head-on. “Not with her. She’s mine.”

Maxim stared at me for a long moment, the silence between us thick and charged. Then, finally, he nodded. “Good. Keep it that way.” He helped himself to a cup of coffee, but he kept his hostile gaze pinned on me, and even though Veronica was happy to chat with him about Reed’s visit, I knew that Maxim Volkov would be glad to see me gone if he could.