I'm not going to lie and make it seem as though giving my baby an ultimatum was something out of the norm because it wasn't. I could tell that Verena was pissed the fuck off when I told her she needed to kill Eirran if he wasn't up to speaking up about his apparent involvement with Davian Sinclair. The glare she was giving me was causing wrinkles to form on her beautiful face. I try to ease the tension between us by smiling, showing all 32 of my white teeth.

"Smile Cherie, you wanted this, so this is how we handle business. You up for it or what". Verena manages to squint her eyes at me, revealing her anger towards this entire situation before she looks down at the Glock present in my right hand as if it disgusted her which was major hypocritical of her to do when hours ago she killed a man with little to no effort. Shocking the fuck out of me. Verena opens her mouth, but I beat her to the punch before she responds.

Not taking no for an answer, something I knew she was ready to tell me. It was becoming one of her favorite words to use against me. I hold my hand, demanding that she listen to what I am trying to say.

"Be cautious of what you are about to say because I have given you more than enough time to decide. In the last few seconds, we have both been standing here. I don't take too kindly of my wife not trusting me". I then place a chaste kiss on her forehead, " You enjoying seeing me put you in your place, Huh Cherie", but Verena pushes me away as if my flirty banter was pure annoyance to her, which I knew deep down it was the complete opposite. She was enjoying every minute of playing this cat-and-mouse game with me.

She avoids making further eye contact with me and sets her attention on the tech genius lying on the carpet floor in front of him as he holding the left side of his body. I'm sure I probably more than likely fractured his ribs. I did not feel an ounce of remorse for harming Eirran. Verena kneels on the ground and places her hand on Eirran's shoulder.

"Tell me where the pain is the most prevalent so I can check," Verena asked him using the calm reassuring voice I've heard utilized with her patients. Eirran shakes his head, "No, I'm good". Verena then removes his hand from his side as she looks at the dark purple bruising on his skin. She then looks up at me with a frown before she places her hand on Eirran's body.

"I believe your ribs are fractured. Being that it takes up to six weeks for ribs to heal on their own, the most I can do is get you an ice pack". Eirran nods in understanding.

"I have plenty of ice packs in the freezer. Help yourself out". Verena nods before she places her hand on Eirran's shoulder for reassurance. "You will be fine".

I was getting quite disturbed and annoyed with Verena at how much concern she was showing toward Eirran. Verena then gets off the ground and before she makes her way to the kitchen she points her finger at me as if she is about to reprimand me for breaking the rules.

"You better keep your hands to yourself. We won't get the answer you so desperately want if you kill another person just for the heck of. Keep your fucking temper in check". Damn, the tone Verena was using with me was not the norm I was used to. Before I can respond Verena escapes to the kitchen.

"Your wife seems to be a lot smarter than what you give her credit for", Eirran responds still holding the side of his ribs. I frown, glancing down at him, "You don't know anything about me and my wife's relationship. You are already on thin ice with me. You better start talking now, fuck what my wife says, you have been sent here by Davian am I correct".

Eirran grunts as he manages to crawl backward until his back is pressed against the medium-sized couch sitting in the den area of his apartment.

"No, you have it all wrong. Davian did not send me. I came here on my own. I needed a fresh start in a town far away from my mendling, controlling, brother". What the fuck. "Davian is your brother?", I ask, not wanting to believe Eirran is telling the truth.

"Yes, Davian and I are brothers, we have different moms. I wasn't raised or brought up in the streets like Davian. I was kept far away from that type of lifestyle by my mother up until I was 18. I went off the college and during my junior year, some dude who looks exactly like me but five years old walks into my dorm telling me I am his brother".

Verena then walks back into the room with an ice pack in her hand, the tension has been broken by Eirran revealing that he is Davian's younger brother. Verena then sits in the armchair adjacent to where Eirran is sitting on the floor as she hands him the ice pack. Verena crosses her legs and then looks between me and Eirran.

"What did I miss", she asks with an urgency in her voice. Eirran then reiterates what he just announced to me. Verena blinks her eyelashes rapidly. "Your brother sounds like the menace I exchanged vows with. He has an obsession with popping up on people".

I frown, "I do not pop up on anyone. Verena lets out a dry laugh, "You could have fooled me, your ass somehow managed to pop up every time I was thousands of miles away from you. You kidnapped me and forced me back here". Eirran then cleared his throat, "I hate to interrupt this apparent couple quarrel, but Davian has no idea I live here".

I am confused at this point because the images we saw on his computer said otherwise. As if Eirran can read my thoughts he responds, "I went off the grid before I came here. I keep in touch with Davian just to touch base with him.

He thinks I live out of the country. For 10 years I've been able to live my life not being Davian's little brother, just Eirran. I love it here. I apologize for seeming like I was being shady, but I had to keep my relationship with my brother a secret just for my safety".

Verena sighs, "Definitely cannot kill you now". Eirran looks shocked at Verena's revelation. "But I've been keeping the truth from you guys". I jump into the conversation. "We can't kill you because we need you to take us directly to your brother. I need to sort out some affairs with him, pick his brain to see if he is going to aid me helping me take down a family that is responsible for murdering my late mother". Eirran looks down at the ground as if he is ashamed of his stance in the entire situation. "I did something this dangerous before, but I want to correct the wrongs I made. I will help you avenge your mother's death".

Verena squeals in excitement and starts clapping her hands. "See how easy that was to resolve an issue without having to kill someone. You should make a habit of doing this". I point my finger in her direction, "Fuck no, this is a one-time thing". Verena smiles back at me causing my heart to stop. "If you say you, but never say never, the answer you seek might require you put your weapons up and to start paying attention and stop being a damn menace all the time".



Happy New Year everyone. The first chapter I wrote in 2025. Glad to be back working on writing this story. It's been a rollercoaster ride for me since I started working on this on August 13, 2024. You guys have gotten this story to over 35k reads and I am so grateful for every one of you. Thank you so much for the support.