Kade POV
Mr. Wilson is already waiting near the reception desk, his expression unreadable.
“Mr Volkov,” he greets, offering his hand.
I shake it quickly. “You got the paperwork?”
He nods, handing me a folder. “Everything is here. The mother signed before leaving. There are no complications on her end.”
I flip it open, scanning over the signatures, the legalities of it all. “I’ll need to take these with me. Rook has to sign too.”
“Of course,” he agrees. “It’s all legally binding from her side. Once Rook signs, everything is finalized.”
I exhale, closing the folder. “Where is he?”
Mr. Wilson gives me a small smile, one I don’t quite know how to read. “Follow me.”
I do, walking down the hall behind him. Each step feels heavier than the last, my mind still struggling to catch up with the reality of this. I knew t
Kade POVMr. Wilson is already waiting near the reception desk, his expression unreadable.“Mr Volkov,” he greets, offering his hand.I shake it quickly. “You got the paperwork?”He nods, handing me a folder. “Everything is here. The mother signed before leaving. There are no complications on her end.”I flip it open, scanning over the signatures, the legalities of it all. “I’ll need to take these with me. Rook has to sign too.”“Of course,” he agrees. “It’s all legally binding from her side. Once Rook signs, everything is finalized.”I exhale, closing the folder. “Where is he?”Mr. Wilson gives me a small smile, one I don’t quite know how to read. “Follow me.”I do, walking down the hall behind him. Each step feels heavier than the last, my mind still struggling to catch up with the reality of this. I knew t
Kade POVDamon, the asshole, doesn’t even try to help. He just watches, completely entertained, as Rook practically shoves me out of the way and drops to his knees in front of the carrier.“Holy shit,” Rook breathes, hands already fumbling with the straps. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing him home today!”“That’s because I couldn’t get hold of you!” I glare, rubbing my shoulder where I slammed into the doorframe. “Maybe if you weren’t busy building a fucking pillow kingdom, you would’ve answered your damn phone.”Rook doesn’t even pretend to listen. He’s too focused on carefully unfastening the baby, his hands surprisingly gentle despite his excitement. As soon as the last strap is undone, he lifts him out, cradling him against his chest with a soft look that immediately makes my frustration waver.Damon, still standing off to the side, crosses his
Kade POV7 Months later.The glow of the computer screen casts a cold light over the office, the only illumination in the dim room. I lean back in my chair, scrolling slowly, staring at the latest set of pictures.Amelia, standing in the dirt streets of some place I’ve never been, her veil caught in the wind, the sleeves of her habit rolled just enough to keep them from dragging in the dust as she hands out supplies to a line of waiting children. A small boy is tugging at the edge of her simple gray tunic, looking up at her like she’s some kind of angel. And she...she’s smiling. That soft, peaceful kind of smile I haven’t seen in years. The kind that makes it seem like she’s found something better than what we had, better than me.I exhale slowly, jaw tight as I move to the next image.This one is blurrier, probably taken by some reporter who didn’t care enough to focus the camera. She&r
Kade POVThe room is filled with the kind of silence that speaks louder than words. The kind that weighs heavy, pressing against my skin like a second layer. It’s not quiet because people are unsure, it’s quiet because they know.This is a moment of history. The kind that is spoken about in hushed tones years later, the kind that determines the future of an empire.I walk forward, my steps slow, measured, my face unreadable. Every person in this room is watching me, their gazes heavy, waiting for the moment that solidifies what they’ve already known. That I am taking over. That the seat of power no longer belongs to Nikolai, but to me.The long table standing in front of me is made of dark, polished wood, deep scratches marking the years of decisions made over it. It’s not just a table, it’s where orders are given, where alliances are made and broken, where men have bled for the choices they made sitting here
Rook POVThe hardest part of yesterday was Amelia. While she was gone he could tell himself stories, make himself feel better. The fact is, when he saw her, he then felt it. He realised what he had tried to pretend wasn't there.He was brooding for the rest of the day then, and I know it's because Amelia didn't stay, she didn't ask to see Harlow. She didn't come back for a coffee, does she even drink coffee? I don't know, I thought nuns didn't do anything fun.He's still brooding today, I didn't hear what she whispered to him. I saw it though, the way his face broken, the way he gave up trying to get her home.I watch Kade from across the room, the way his fingers drum against his knee, his jaw locked tight, his eyes distant. He hasn’t said much since yesterday. He’s here, but he’s not. His mind is somewhere else, somewhere far from me, far from this house.I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Kade,&rdqu
Kade POVSo I bite back my own selfishness, and I nod, keeping my voice even. “You made it.”She nods once, her fingers tightening slightly on the strap of the bag over her shoulder. “They allowed me to come.”I frown. They allowed her. Not she wanted to. Not she decided to come home for this. I told Rook to leave it and now I'm obsessing over the 'allowed' comment. Even I know it's not like that, she has a choice to stay.Before I can say anything, Rook speaks up, arms crossed. “They let you out, huh? What, did you have to sign something to promise you’d go back?”I glare at him, but Amelia just smiles, small and patient, like she’s already expecting this from him. “Not exactly,” she says. “But I do have to return after the funeral. My time outside is limited.”Her words settle like ice in my chest. She’s here, but she’s not staying.Cain shifts uncom
Kade POVSuddenly, his fingers shift, moving up to my neck, sliding into my hair. He tightens his grip slightly, tilting my head to the side before his lips brush against the exposed skin. A slow kiss. A teasing drag of his lips before he bites softly.I shudder, torn between the pull of exhaustion and the sudden spark of heat curling low in my stomach.He goes back to massaging my back and I try to relax, but then he grips my hair again.“Rook,” I mumble, half-asleep, half-aware of the way he’s messing with me.“Hmm?” His breath is hot against my skin as he kisses down the side of my throat, his fingers still tangled in my hair, giving the slightest tug.I groan, my body sinking further into the bed, but at the same time, heat starts to coil in my gut. I was falling asleep, and now, now I don’t know whether I want to drift off or flip him over and fuck him into the mattress.“You’re pla
Kade POVThe day has been great, but it’s made me realize just how many of these moments I’ve missed. Christmas, Easter, all the little things in between. Harlow wouldn’t have noticed, she was too young, but Rook definitely did.“Right, I’ll make hot chocolates,” Rook stretches, and Harlow grins excitedly.“I don’t trust her,” I say quickly, making him laugh.“One more present!” Harlow scrambles under the tree, pulling out a wrapped box. I frown, wondering why she left this one until now. “You both have to open it together!”I help Rook peel back the wrapping and groan at what’s inside.“We’re all going to match!” Harlow squeals, clapping her hands.“Couldn’t you have picked pajamas? Why a onesie?” I grumble, rubbing a hand down my face. I can deal with matching pajama sets, but a full one-piece?“Quick!
Kade POVLifting it, I run my thumb over the back, pausing when I see the engraving.“I would have waited forever.”My chest tightens at the words, then I notice the initals. I know this watch.“This was my dad’s,” I whisper, my throat suddenly dry. I glance up at Rook, my hands tightening around the leather band. “How—”He leans forward, elbows on his knees, watching me carefully. “Your mom,” he says simply. “She told me who she sold it to. It's taken a lot to track down, but I found it for you. The strap was replaced with an original one as the one that it came with was broken.”I swallow hard, gripping the watch. It’s heavier now, weighted with something more than just time.“You had mentioned it, and I asked her and she told me a week before…” He trails off, but we both know how that sentence ends. Before she died. Before I ev