Kanej

Chapter 19

Inej

If Inej wasn't sure if she forgave Kaz before, she was now. Her belly fluttered at the pressure of Kaz's lips against hers and she couldn't believe how a simple kiss could arouse her. But Kaz's soft lips across her skin...

Inej knew Kaz was capable of kindness and could be gentle when he chose to be, yet she wasn't prepared for the gentle kiss he'd placed her on stomach, right before he became desperate and rained urgent kisses across any exposed skin. She briefly wondered what would have happened if her knife hadn't nicked his palm and interrupted him but she forced that thought out of her head. 'We have a more pressing issue,' she reminded herself as she walked to their bed and sat down.

Her fatigue and weariness were obvious as she stretched tiredly and turned to Kaz. Her dress had ridden up and exposed a sliver of her flat stomach and Kaz lazily fixed his gaze on her exposed skin until Inej realised. She blushed and rolled her eyes, adjusting her dress as she exasperatedly waved her hand in front of his face.

'Focus' she said, trying to sound stern but Kaz smirked, his lips taunting as he grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers together. 'Go on, I'm listening.'

Inej quickly narrated how she had snuck in Rollins manor and snooped around his office. He had hired new security but Inej had managed to evade them and sneak in and out, undetected. Rollins' business had lost its profit and shares in the stock market, and other than his manor, he had no other valuable assets, but he had taken a considerable loan from a wealthy merchant.

'How much?' Kaz had interrupted, his face impassive as he absorbed the news. Inej hesitated but answered 'ten million kruge'. Kaz raised an eyebrow, his expression hard to decipher as he stated 'you think Mikhail is working with Pekka Rollins?'

'Don't you?' Inej asked, a little frustrated. She knew Kaz was above all, logical and pragmatic. No detail, however little, escaped him, and that's what made him such a brilliant mastermind. But she also knew Kaz's judgement was a little clouded when it came to Pekka Rollins.

However, Inej kept her true suspicions to herself. She had her reasons for suspecting that Rollins and Mikhail were working together and she had her suspicions as to why. But she didn't voice her opinion. 'Not until I confront Mikhail,' she thought. Besides, Kaz would demand proof and Inej was already working on obtaining some important documents.

'There's one more thing,' she began cautiously. 'I eavesdropped on Rollins' conversation with a member of the Dime Lions. I think he's thinking of taking his gang back.' Kaz stared at Inej, eyes narrowing as he processed Inej's words. '

'No.' Kaz's voice was flat and resigned when he replied. He may not have anticipated that Pekka Rollins would have been so stupid as to reconvene his ex gang, but Kaz also knew he had to prepare and expect for almosot anything. Inej shrugged apologetically. 'I followed him but he didn't meet with anybody or do anything that was remotely suspicious. I can tail him later tonight -.'

'No,' Kaz interjected, shaking his head as he released her hand. He stood up, running a hand through his hair carelessly as he walked to the window. He closed his eyes. When he turned to look at Inej, he had a determined glint in his dark eyes. 'I want you to stay on Pekka's tail. Meanwhile, I'll have a chat with Ivan.'

Inej didn't look convinced. 'The gang leader of the Dime Lions? Are you sure that's a good idea?' She asked doubtfully but Kaz was already shrugging on a coat. He grabbed his hat from the hat stand, barely glancing at Inej as he called, 'Don't wait up, I might be a while!'

...

She stayed up anyway. She was too tense, too bothered by her findings to rest. She knew she couldn't say or do anything until Mikhail showed up and she was eager to confront him. Inej leaned tiredly against the window seat, but became restless and stood up.

She paced up and down the room, glancing at her reflection on the mirror. Her eyes were tired, her mouth grim with tension. She stared at the mirror distractedly, trying to see herself through Kaz's eyes. 'What does he see when looks at me?' She wondered, touching her fingers to her lips as she remembered the unrestrained way Kaz had kissed her earlier.

It was so unlike him, and she couldn't help but wonder what spurred him to kiss her so unexpectedly and passionately. She rested her hand on her belly, tight from all the years she had spent dancing and performing acrobats at carnivals. She could still feel the heat of Kaz's lips against her stomach, and her body flooded instantly with warmth.

Her cheeks tinted pink, remembering the devouring way he looked at her, right before his lips skimmed across her flesh. She had never been touched with such a mix of desire and tenderness and as she went to lay on the bed, tears filled her eyes. Kaz's touch was soothing and welcome, but it didn't diminish the unwanted touches of the countless others before him. But she had faith. She prayed and believed everything would become right in the end. After all she had been through, she deserved that much at least.

She heard footsteps creak on the landing and she hurriedly brushed the tears, turning to her side and closing her eyes. She still had barriers and wasn't as vulnerable with Kaz as she wanted to be. She heard Kaz walk in quietly, careful to not disturb her, and dim the lamp until the room was bathed in long shadows. He disappeared in the bathroom.

Inej was breathing evenly and gently when Kaz crawled into bed with her. Kaz was silent for a few moments before he murmured 'I know you're awake, Inej'. She feigned sleep, her chest rising shallowly with her breathing but when Kaz playfully poked her rib she squirmed. She sighed and turned to face him, propping her head on her hand. 'What gave me away?'

In the dim light, Inej could see Kaz's smirk as he said lowly 'you mean other than the hitch in your breathing when I entered the room?' Inej widened her eyes. 'My breathing is normal. Calm, even.' She said defensively but when Kaz began trailing his finger across her jaw, her breath caught in her throat.

'And your heartbeat'. He whispered, his face dangerously close to hers as he fingered the fluttering pulse on her throat. 'It's pounding like a drum.' Inej looked at him, her chest rising and falling as she tried to control her pounding heart.

'Kaz,' she began to say but he withdrew his hand. He laid down on his back, throwing the comforter over his body before grabbing her hand and raising it to his lips. 'It's late,' he said regretfully, as he entwined their fingers and rested their joined hands against his stomach. 'I'll tell you everything tomorrow,' but Inej was already asleep.