Page 47 of Kane
“Of course,” I reply, a knowing smile on my face. “You lead the way, my darling boy.”
We step out into the crisp morning air a short while later, two takeaway coffees in hand. William sips his happily, his free hand occasionally brushing mine as we walk.
The city is waking up around us—pedestrians hurrying, delivery bikes weaving through traffic, the distant hum of construction. William looks so normal, so perfectly suited to this world of books and lectures. And yet here he is, holding the hand of a man who spent half the night planning bloody revenge.
We arrive at the grand stone steps of the famous Uppington Building.
Students mill about, chatting and clutching notebooks. William spots his friend immediately…
“Davey!” he calls, waving.
Davey turns, curly hair bouncing, and beside him stands a clean-cut man… Charles, I assume based on what William has briefed me.The new Daddy. He has that safe, polished look: neat beard, friendly smile, the kind of man who probably has a 401k and never had to bury his brothers.
William beams as he makes the introductions. “Davey, Charles… this is Kane. My…boyfriend.”
The word sounds strange coming from his lips, but it sends a possessive thrill through me.
I shake Charles’s hand first, firm grip, but I can already read the suspicion in his eyes.
Davey is more obvious. His smile is polite, but his gaze is sharp, protective. He knows enough about me to be wary.
They both do.
“Nice to meet you,” Charles says, though his tone suggests otherwise.
“Likewise,” I reply, keeping my voice even.
The conversation is short and stilted. Davey asks William about yesterday’s seminar notes. Charles makes small talk about the weather.
But I feel it… the undercurrent of judgment.
The way they look at me like I don’t belong in their clean, academic world. Like they can smell the blood on my hands even though I showered twice this morning. It makes my jaw tighten. I’m used to commanding rooms full of hardened criminals, not standing awkwardly beside a PhD student andhis pastel-wearing friend while they sip coffee and discuss literature.
I check my watch. “I have a meeting I can’t miss,” I say briskly. I turn to William, cupping his face gently with one hand. “Have a good day, little one. Text me when you’re done.”
William smiles up at me, soft and trusting, completely unaware of the tension. “I will. Thank you for walking me.”
I lean down and kiss his forehead, then his lips… brief but possessive. When I pull back, I catch Davey and Charles exchanging a look.
I don’t care. Let them suspect. Let them worry. William is mine.
I turn and walk away without another word, shoulders squared, footsteps purposeful. The moment I’m out of sight I pull out my phone and message Padraig…
KANE: Update on the meet with Viktor?
A new text arrives faster than I could have expected, but it’s not from Padraig…
VIKTOR: New information on your brothers’ killers. Credible. We need to meet in person ASAP. Neutral ground. Today.
My blood runs cold, then hot.
This could be the break we’ve been waiting for.
Or it could be the trap I’ve been expecting.
Either way, it’s big. And it could be deadly—for them or for me.
I stop at the corner and turn back toward the Uppington Building. William is just disappearing through the heavy doors into the lecture hall, backpack bouncing, arms swinging with excitement. He glances over his shoulder once, almost like he senses me watching, and offers a small wave.
