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Stairs led up to a pitch black door with decorative green plants on either side. The large glass window above the door with a dim orange glow on the inside caught my attention. A figure moved across the room, and I straightened up slightly.

Charcoal walls wrapped around the exterior with large rectangular windows, tall trees caging the house in.

I glanced up at the sky, noticing thick grey clouds rolling in. An icy breeze whipped by, and the front door opened. A petite blonde stepped out before the man I came to see slipped into view.

Kaden Moretti.

He was next in line to take over his grandfather’s embassy, but when he didn’t agree to the arranged marriage, the bratva wasn’t pleased. They killed his grandparents for not upholding their end of the deal, and I quickly learned that Kaden, who was nineteen at the time, didn’t understand, or know, the consequences.

The Russians were sick bastards who didn’t ask twice. It didn’t take long after Kaden’s refusal for them to wipe out the Chicago don and his wife.

I’d say I felt bad for him but the display he made of hanging the pakhan in the centre of Moscow allowed what pity I would’ve had for him to wither away.

Revenge had been carved with a blade into their pakhan’s chest, and that was the last time anyone heard from the infamous Kaden Moretti. He disappeared. Went off the grid. No one, not even with help from other syndicates, could locate him. Until now.

And when everyone gave up, I knew having him on my side would be advantageous eventually.

As soon as Moretti’s eyes landed on me I stood upright, raising both hands. Didn’t need the motherfucker blowing my brains out.

The blonde’s Mini Cooper sped by me and I stepped forward, approaching him. “I just want to talk.”

His voice was clipped. “I have nothing to say to you.”

Reaching the stairs I lowered my hands, not missing the slight twitch in his fingers at his side.

“I’m not here on any kind of business.” I gave my head a slight shake and his eyes scanned the area behind me before landing back on me. “No one else knows I’m here.” I offered reassurance.

“You know who I am?”

“I’d be stupid not to.” I shrugged.

“How’d you find me?”

I almost grinned. “I have my ways.”

“I don’t want anything to do with whatever you’re doing.” He stepped back and I climbed the stairs.

“You have some information I need.” I stopped in front of him.

My words froze his movements. That seemed to intrigue him.

“Seriously? What’s taking—” A soft voice spoke from inside the house until she cut herself off, big brown eyes landing on me. Both Kaden and I’s attention was on her. “I’m sorry,” she squeaked, fear racking her body as she eyed me longer than necessary.

I grinned, my head slightly tilting to the right as my eyes purposefully lingered on the little silk robe she was dressed in.

“We’ll talk in my office.” Moretti turned to look at me and without tearing my eyes from the brunette, I nodded. His sudden compliance was proof that he didn’t want me near her.

Stepping inside I didn’t miss the slight bob in her throat as my steps drew closer to her.

“Don’t even think about it, De Luca.”

I halted when I glanced up. Chase Madden. Then it hit me. I glanced back at Moretti, then the brunette. Ah, yes.

“You know I don’t like my woman…” I purposely trailed off. “Submissive.”

I had done business with Chase a couple years back, and I quickly learned that he had no interest in monogamous relationships.

I stepped past both of them before Moretti led me up to his office.