the idiot jealous. First time for everything, he supposed. Hilarious.
Not so hilarious was the worry that hit Caleb’s face every time his sister came up. V got it. When it came to the weaker sex—and, yes, he was well aware any woman who learned that’s how he viewed them would cuff him in the ear—they needed protecting. The simple truth of the matter was, most females just weren’t equipped to defend themselves against men who were typically bigger and stronger, and usually that much crazier, than themselves.
“You have no more control over what your brother is doing than I do, Gabriel.”
All attention went to the only female in the room when her response to hers and G’s quiet conversation carried, letting them all hear her relieve their boy of a fault they already knew wasn’t his.
Vincente fell in like with her right then, and he wasn’t the only one, judging by the way G looked at her as he inclined his head her way.
Eva’s voice was soft but firm as she focused her attention across the table. “Just as you have no control over what your sister does, Caleb. No matter how much you hate it.”
Paynne’s expression was grim but deferential, his lifted brow showing he’d taken notice of Eva’s defense of Gabriel. “Yeah. I get that. Free will sucks sometimes.”
“Yes, it does,” Eva murmured, straightening the cutlery in front of her. She did it absently, almost as if she wasn’t aware she was doing it. She tweaked Gabriel’s, too, lining the bottom of those eating utensils in a precise line. She took her time and then sat back with a sigh that was somehow content. Funny little thing.
The sound of the door had all heads turning to see the second Russian in their closely-knit group saunter in like he owned the universe.
Maksim Kirov was a jacked six-seven, built like a streamlined tank, with tattoos covering a solid portion of his muscled body. As was the norm, his criminal history was hidden away under a three-piece suit that Vincente thought looked damned uncomfortable, even though it probably cost as much as his Harley. The guy took in the scene with those silver eyes of his. Paired with his dark hair and ultraprecise goatee, he looked like the well-dressed nightmare he was as Gabriel got up to greet him.
Two big boys right there, V thought as he caught Eva’s dazed reaction to the giant.
“This is becoming a real ass burner, my brother,” Maks drawled, the ink on his neck shifting as he spoke. “Lucky for you, I enjoy being revered as a savior.” His huge mitt clasped Gabriel’s nape and pulled him in for two loud kisses to each cheek to show he was forgiven for dragging Maks away from who knew what. “Vasily should be here in a couple hours.”
“What?” Eva gasped, popping to her feet. “My father is coming?”
Aaand, as one would expect, Maksim—who had the attention span of a cracked-out monkey—was instantly riveted. He shifted to the side, shouldering G out of the way to tower over the beautiful girl, not hiding the fact that he was clearly checking her out.
“Finally, in the flesh,” he murmured.
Eva waved away the bullshit with a flick of her wrist and an eyeroll that endeared her to Vincente forevermore. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but was it my father you were talking about? He’s coming here? Today?”
“Yes.” Maksim took her hand and brought it to his lips. “It’s an honor to meet you, Evangeline. Being the Pakhan’s daughter, I am now at your service for whatever you need. And I mean that in the truest sense. Whatever. You. Need.”
Vincente sighed. Fucking Kirov and his necessity to disturb the shit.
“I’m pretty sure your boy is taking care of her needs, Kirov,” the biker piped up with an edge to his voice. “Back the fuck off.”
“Caleb…” Eva warned.
“What. You don’t fuck with your buddy’s old lady, Priss, not even verbally. Doing so is fucking disrespectful.”
If he wasn’t so far away, V would have offered a fist for a pound.
“That how you got the shiner, gearhead?” Maks inquired silkily.
“Sit down, Maks.” Gabriel motioned to the other side of the table. “Over there.”
With his totally unrepentant silver eyes still on the biker, Maksim pulled out the chair that was between Eva and Caleb. “Sorry. But I think I’ll be much more comfortable on this end. Scenery is incredible.”
Before he could sit—fucking children—Vincente heaved to his feet, not relishing the idea of someone ending up with a