9. CHAPTER 9

9

JULES

What the fuck was that? Did I just flirt with Kai? Why the hell does it matter? The little shit is getting mouthy, and going by his reaction to being strangled, I’m not sure if that will be more of a reward for him than a punishment. Images of choking him while fucking him play like a reel in my head, tying him to the headboard where he can’t break free as I destroy his body piece by piece.

Where the fuck is this all this coming from? I’m straight. Plus he’s Kai…my sister's boy.

I can’t wait for today to be over. Talk about exhausting. I kinda get where Kai is coming from, but he doesn’t understand that whether or not you agree with the Kozlov’s dealings, it’s a legitimate business. Very different from being in a stupid ass group of thugs who have no rules or direction and just want to cause harm and chaos. I don’t want him to piss off Lev and Dima as I didn’t predict Kai needing such an attitude adjustment. Simon was ready to knock him out earlier, and Kai will need all the support he can get while he settles into life here. I want it to work out for him. Going back home would be the worst outcome for him right now.

Kai strolls out of his bedroom and meets me at the door, avoiding eye contact, and I’m not sure if that’s because of how I made it awkward by mentioning his hard dick. Still no idea why I did that, but here we are.

“Come on. Let’s introduce you. Be polite and keep the attitude at bay.”

“Yeah, yeah. Otherwise I’ll be taken to, what was it called? The holding pen? Do I want to know what that is?”

“It’s a room below the house where we deal with problems.”

“ Problems . Code for torture chamber.”

I look over my shoulder at him as we walk to the main house.

“Yep. Although many don’t leave alive. And I mean bad people.”

“Great. How the hell did you get into this? You talk about violence and death like it's normal.”

I come to a stop and turn to face Kai. It’s easy to forget when you live amongst the scum of evil that others on the outside still have light in their life. Striving to be good.

“I had nothing when Lev and Dima took me in. I was nothing but a resentful and angry abandoned kid, who would’ve ended up either dead or locked up if it wasn’t for the brothers. Even at my worst they’re beside me. All they ask for is loyalty.”

“Do you enjoy hurting people? Have you killed anyone?” Kai’s question is asked with both innocence and intrigue. I don’t detect any disgust, but his tone is judgemental.

“Yes I have and I don’t feel bad for it. It’s not like we pick up strangers, Kai, and kill for fun. It’s a job. It keeps us safe. Do I enjoy it? Now that’s a very different question.”

“Well answer it then. I’m not going in there until you tell me who you are, because to be honest, you sound like a monster,” Kai says as he stands there with his arms crossed like he can intimidate me.

“Fair enough. The brothers taught me how to fight, how to use guns and knives. I’d watch them work until they felt I was ready to be more involved. The first time I interrogated anyone in the holding pen, it was with my fists. Hurting someone with my bare hands has been my preference since that day. When I punched that fucker, the loud crunch of his broken nose did something to me where the heavy weight in my chest disappeared, replaced by a clarity that I didn’t need to think or feel anything but the raw power of my hands, and the adrenaline rush it gave me.”

Kai is staring at me wide eyed, surprised by my brutal honesty. But for some reason, I don’t stop. Exposing myself for who I am is necessary for him to be here. To accept this life.

“Then after the adrenaline dropped like a passing storm, an intense relief filled me where everything was calmer and quieter. As time went on and the more people I hurt started to mount, the more I craved that feeling. It replaced all the shit your grandparents threw at me and it was the best thing to happen to me because I wouldn’t be where I am right now. Does that answer your question?”

Kai swallows hard, letting his arms fall to his side before he puts them in his pockets and lowers his head, looking at the ground.

“You really are a stranger.”

“In some ways. Don’t be naive, Kai. This place will eat you up too, and you won’t even realize it. Or even feel bad. Believe me, the fuckers we bury deserve to be there.”

“You’re not God, Jules. None of you are.”

I smile at that response. So sweet.

“We’re gods here, Kai. Nothing that you or anyone else says will change that.”

“You’ve taken me from one bad situation into a worse one, Jules. I’m in more danger here than I was back home.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Nothing will happen to you here because I won’t allow it. They’d have to crawl over my dead body to get to you, Kai.”

I don’t wait for a response, and turn to walk into the main house via the kitchen patio doors where Kai follows me.

“Wow, this house is awesome,” Kai says behind me.

“Yeah, it is.”

“I’ve never seen a kitchen like this,” he mutters under his breath.

“You cook?” I say, stopping to turn to him.

“Yeah, I can cook. Mom taught me, and it always relaxed me. Stop looking at me like that,” he snaps.

“I’m not looking at you like anything. I’m just surprised.”

“I’m not a total failure.”

“I never said you were, Kai.”

Kai is so damn defensive, it’s painful to watch. I hate seeing that insecurity in his eyes. We all make mistakes, but Kai can’t seem to move past it, and berates himself. Compared to the shit me and the brothers did when we were younger, he really needs to accept it’s not a big deal.

“Who the fuck is this?” is demanded behind me. Dima. Subtle as ever.

“This is Kai. My step-nephew.”

Dima frowns like that isn’t an explanation. Lev follows in behind him and walks over to the kitchen island and leans against it. A smirk crosses his lips as he slowly appraises Kai, and my protective instincts kick in. I want to punch him for looking at Kai like he’s a piece of meat. Lev fucks anything that moves and is willing. Plus Lev is popular with both men and women, he’s built like a greek god, tattoos cover his arms and chest, and his black hair is cut into a tight military cut which makes those vicious green eyes of his pop. Dima is built the same, but has thick black hair and a cropped beard. Every fucker wants to bed these guys, and believe me, they have taken advantage of that.

“Kai, these are the brothers, Dima and Lev,” I say, pointing to them so he knows who is who.

“Yet I still don’t know why he’s here?” Dima complains.

“He’s Zayn’s replacement,” Lev says, with his eyes still on Kai. I can feel Kai tense beside me, shifting from foot to foot. Today couldn’t get any worse.

“Err, since fucking when?” Dima asks Lev.

“Since I said Jules could bring him on.”

“Why wasn’t I informed?”

“I’m informing you now, brother.”

“I’m the head of this family, Lev. It goes through me, I make the decisions,” Dima snaps at Lev, who just smiles at him.

“I would if you didn’t have your cock up Seb’s ass twenty-four-seven. And I don’t blame you, it’s a hot ass. But I made a decision. Deal with it.”

“I’ll fucking deal with you, fucker,” Dima says.

“No, you won’t. Now, let’s get to know the new boy.”

Dima and Lev turn to Kai, who looks like a hunted animal that wants to run as far away from this house as possible. I’m not sure who to look at as Lev stares at Kai like he wants to eat him up, and Dima seems to want to tear him apart for answers. Awesome.

“So, Kai. Has fuckface here explained who we are and what your job is?” Lev asks.

“Yes,” Kai replies faintly. The lack of confidence in his reply has me regretting momentarily my decision to bring him here. Is he strong enough for this life? I was too impulsive ripping him away from his home, assuming he would slot into this world like I did. I can only hope it works out, otherwise he’s toast. And it would be my fault.

“Yes, what?” Lev asks.

“Yes, sir ?”

“Hmm, hell yeah , I like the sound of that,” Lev groans.

“Lev. Stop ,” I say, as he pins me with a death glare.

“Protective much? He needs to hold his own here,” Dima says, still assessing Kai. Kai adjusts his body, stands taller, shoulders back, shedding the unsure version of himself. Good .

“I can hold my own. You have no worries here.”

“Do you know how to use a gun? Knife?” Lev asks, excitement lacing his voice. He loves being down in the holding pen. While Lev gets off on the violence and fear, Dima loves the blood. Sick fuckers.

“Yes. I was in a gang, and they taught me.”

“Really. What’s the gang called?” Dima asks.

“The Skins. I hung around back home with my best friend. We were in a bar fight; that's why I got arrested.”

“They sound like amateurs. Okay. We’ll take Jules’s word that you’re trustworthy. But take this as a warning. You fuck us over, and we won’t only end you, but Jules too. Understood?” Dima says.

“I won’t let you down,” Kai says, with a firm resolve.

“Interesting as this is, I need to head over to Desire. Jules, bring Kai so we can get him caught up on the business. I want him to cover the club with Simon. I think eventually it will be best that you two work apart,” Lev says, and the way he is looking at me with a raised brow says he’s goading me. He saw it. My protectiveness and underlying sick lust for my nephew. Fuck. Step -nephew. Who is also a guy, but that’s another detail that doesn't seem important to my eager dick.

“Fine,” I grit out, which earns me a satisfied grin from Lev. The bastard.