Page 14 of King of Shadows

I lean back in my chair and stare at him. “I think it’s a little too late for that.”

His expression changes. “What does that mean?”

“I like her. And I’m going to keep seeing her.”

Lev looks at me like I’ve finally lost my mind. “This is a very bad idea, Kazimir. With everything going on with Vadim coming after us, this isn’t the time for this.”

He leans forward. “We need to keep our attention where it belongs. We can’t afford divided attention right now. We need to focus on fighting Vadim and your taking the position as Pakhan.”

“I am doing exactly that. She isn’t going to distract me.”

He gives me a skeptical look. “Really? You’re already getting distracted in meetings because you can’t stop thinking about her.”

“Relax, I still have my head in the game. Nothing has changed.”

Lev shakes his head, not looking any bit convinced. I know he has a point. With Vadim coming after me, being involved with Chloe isn’t exactly safe. She is a civilian. She has nothing to do with our world, and bringing her into it could put a target on her back.

But the truth is, that target might already be there. The moment I stepped into her apartment that night while Vadim’s men were chasing me, there’s a chance I already put her at risk. Which means staying away from her won’t necessarily keep her safe.

That night, I had been following one of Vadim’s men, hoping he would lead me to where Vadim was hiding. Instead, I walked straight into an ambush. I’d taken out two of them before more men came rushing in. Then one of Vadim’s idiots managed to catch me with his knife.

When more of them appeared, I tried to lose them. And then I saw the entrance to Chloe’s building. I didn’t know whose apartment I was breaking into. I only knew I needed somewhere to hide. I never expected to find Chloe. And I certainly never expected her to become the one thing I can’t seem to stay away from.

The Chicago Bratva has been without a clear successor since the Pakhan announced his retirement a few weeks ago. It’s long overdue, considering he’s in his sixties and battling lung cancer. He has no sons, and his two daughters got married to civilians. That means the council has to choose who comes next. And most of them already know who they want. Me.

I’ve spent years building the Bratva’s businesses and making the council money. I’ve expanded operations, increased profits, and proved that I can keep the organization strong. The numbers speak for themselves. But Vadim wants the position for himself and his son.

The two of them have been working behind the scenes, bribing council elders and trying to turn enough men against me to stop my appointment. So far, it hasn’t worked. The council still leans in my favor. Which means Vadim has stopped trying to win fairly. Now he’s trying to eliminate me.

Lev leans back in his chair. “Just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”

I meet his eyes. “I am.”

He sighs and gets back to talking business. For the rest of the day, I take Lev’s advice and stay away from Chloe’s apartment. I don’t even let myself think about her. At least, that’s what I tell myself. But by the next day, I’m fighting a losing battle.

And after a meeting, I get into my car, and I find myself driving toward the hospital where she works. When I pull into the parking lot, I glance at the time, it’s almost her lunch break. I shut off the engine and sit there for a moment, staring at the hospital entrance. I have no business being here. But I’m already here, so I’m going inside.

By the time I reach the hospital cafeteria, I spot her almost immediately. She’s standing at the food counter, waiting for the woman behind it to finish serving her. She’s still in her scrubs, and scrubs have never looked any sexier. Her dark hair pulled into a tight bun, a few stubborn strands framing her face.

She looks tired. Beautiful, but tired. I walk up behind her, then I look at the woman serving her. “I’ll have what she’s having.”

Chloe gasps. She turns so quickly that her eyes widen when she sees me.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey yourself,” she says, narrowing her eyes.

I grin. I deserve her anger. After all, I did leave without saying a word. She turns back to the counter and continues ordering, but before she can reach for her wallet, I pull mine out.

“I’ve got it.”

“You don’t have to—”

I hand some cash to the woman before Chloe can finish. “Keep the change.”

Chloe looks at me like she’s trying to decide whether to be annoyed or amused. I pick up both trays. It’s salad. I glance down at Chloe’s chicken salad, then at mine. Apparently, this is what we’re having. I carry both trays toward an empty table. I notice a few nurses and doctors watching us. Some are openly staring.

We sit across from each other. “How are you doing?”