Prodigal Thorn

Chapter 23

Me: can we talk?

I stared at my phone, waiting for a response from any of the guys. While I waited, I went down to the gym, got in a much needed workout, did my laundry, hell I even cleaned out my mustang.

So here I was hours later and not a peep from my boyfriends. Did I do something wrong? I spent all of my dinner wondering what I could've said or did that warranted the cold shoulder.

"Is everything okay, Princess?" Dad asked, his brows furrowed as I pushed my pasta around. I looked between him and my mom and the concerned looks on their faces made me feel like shit. "What? Uh yeah I'm fine. Just a lot of school stuff " I shrugged dismissively. Mom arched a brow before refilling her water glass, "I'm sure with early applications due soon, but sweetheart, you know your dad and I don't care if you don't go Ivy as long as it's what you want."

"I've heard that Harvard has a good fine arts program and their dance team isn't bad either." I state, keeping my gaze on my plate. My dad sighed, "Kiddo, I thought you planned on getting your business degree. Don't get me wrong, you're a talented artist, Alex, but this is your future we're talking about here."

My gaze is sharp as my eyes narrow, defensively. "I take my art seriously, Dad." He frowns, his green eyes narrowing, "That's fine, but that's not going to help you succeed in fulfilling your legacy, Alex."

I toss my napkin on my plate and push back my chair, "I'm gonna finish my homework. Can I be excused?" My mom sighed and nodded, "your dance gear is in your closet for tomorrow."

"Thanks," I mumbled treading up to my room. I noticed my balcony door was open and the figure lounging on my bed, his eyes closed, his fingers laced together as he was deep in thought. "Should you even be here, Dev. I tend to get visitors sneaking into my bedroom, you know."

My uncle chuckled as he opened his eyes, "oh I'm aware, Niece. I'm also aware that Killian isn't home tonight and I need you to get that information off Weston's computer. Now."

My body tenses, Devlin's usually relaxed, but right now there's an urgency in him that I'm unnerved by. "Hey! Breaking and entering is an art, okay." I nudged his legs and he sat up, his brow raised. "Are you worried about the fall back? We've got contingency plans in place. Don't worry so much."

Easy for him to say, he's not doing all the heavy work. I sighed and pulled my duffle bag from under my bed. "I should charge you for all this shit I'm doing, Dev. Also, do my parents even know you're here?" I arched a brow and gathered my supplies into a small backpack.

"Yes and no. They know I'm in town, just not that I'm in your bedroom. I'm worried you're getting distracted by your boyfriends." He sighed before standing up. "This is the only shot at Weston, Alex. Don't waste it worrying about Killian."

I fold my arms over my chest, my brows furrowed, "I'm not, Dev. I know what I have to do and I know that every choice I've made in the last two years is for our family. I fucking died, Devlin and the girl that was brought back from the dead has been fighting like hell for this." Tears sting my eyes and I blink them away. I refuse to crawl back into the hell Tyler put me in.

Devlin's eyes soften and he puts his hands on my shoulders. "I know. Trust me, death changes you and I'm sorry I couldn't protect you then, but Dad and your father trust you to lead our family back to what is rightfully ours. I have faith in you, Alexandra. Keep me posted and be careful. My contact will get you in and out." He kissed my forehead before walking out through my balcony doors.

Right. Game time Alex. Grabbing my backpack and my burner phone, I head out through my balcony. I opted to drive my mustang, probably not the best idea, but in the event that I run into Killian, it's a better cover.

My mind replaying the events of the day and the distance the guys have put between us and an ache builds in my chest. Brushing off my feelings I drove through the gates to the James residence. I breath out a sigh of relief when I don't see Killian's Ducati, but I do check the garage anyway. My jaw drops at all the vehicles in the garage. I shouldn't be surprised, Killian's always been a car enthusiast.

My eyes locked onto the blacked out Mustang GT and I run my fingers over the hood appreciatively. "Look at you all sexy and sleek. What was that? You want me to give you a ride? Maybe next time, gorgeous." I chuckled, but then I spot the collection of motorcycles and notice a helmet in blue with 'Runt' on the back of it. I'm so in awe, I didn't sense that I was no longer alone in the garage.

"You better not be boosting these cars, Lexi." A smile curved my lips at the sound of that slight Russian accent and I turned to face the tall, platinum blond with pale blue eyes.

"Katya Ivanov, what the hell are you doing in America? I thought your father would have you married off by now?" I put my hand on my hips dramatically and she smirked and rolled her eyes. "Please, that man is so busy dealing with Nik it's embarrassing. And who says I'm not betrothed?" She retorts, a hint of a smile on her face.

"Wait a minute..are you...did Devlin send you to spy on Weston?" I asked following Katya inside. "Why does Devlin have you here, Kat?"

She turned to face me, her Russian mob princess face in full effect and I know instantly something's off. "Devlin wants all of Weston's contacts in the black market weapons arena. He's been trying to recruit my father for years, but Father never trusted him." Her eyes narrow and she flipped her long blonde hair. Why is her father after Dev?

"Why would Devlin have you here then? Or why would your father agree to this?" I asked as we walked to the living room. Katya heads straight to the bar and grabs a glass and a bottle of vodka.

"I don't actually work for Devlin, nor is my father. If anything, my being here keeps my safe from the craziness back home. I will say this, Weston James and Gino Rossi are allies both against the tyranny of the Richards. Weston has been keeping tabs on Donovan for your grandfather for a number of years. He's the reason they were able to find you in the woods that day."

"What?! Weston James? Saved me?" I had si many questions. Is that what Killian meant when his father told him to protect me? Katya smirked and shook her head. "No, Weston didn't find you, Gino's men did. Some of those mercenaries Nikolai hired to assist Tyler? A few of them have been in Gino Rossi's pockets for years." She downs her now fourth shot as I started in shock.

"Perhaps it would be better if I told you myself, Alexandra?" The velvety voice of Weston James sounded from the doorway.

What the actual fuck?