Primal God (The Defiant God Brotherhood #4)

Chapter 6

6

Dimitri

I’ve been unsettled since Lilith called, and I’m not sure why.

Running my hand over my face, I groan.

That’s a lie.

I know. It’s because she’s going to be back in my house, and I’m not prepared for what that means for me. I thought I was over the infatuation with her, but a few months after Serafina passed away, I suddenly started having illicit dreams about Ms. Wolfe. Dreams that leave me waking up hard. Dreams that have me reaching for her only to find an empty bed. It’s maddening, and yet I’m tempting fate by bringing her into my home.

With everything going on right now, I should just tell her I don’t need her. But I’m a selfish man, which is why she’ll be here in less than ten minutes.

My phone buzzes with a text, pulling me from my thoughts.

Grant Carter

Just checking in. Are you ready for the ceremony?

No. Not at all.

I felt the same way. Let me know if you need anything.

I don’t respond. Exhaling, I leave my office. I should be honored that the President of the United States took time out of his busy day to check on me, but I’m not. Because I don’t want this promotion within the Defiant God Brotherhood. But I have no choice. In three weeks, I become an Elite Member, meaning I sit on the committee that rules over the Brotherhood.

I’ve worked hard to make myself valuable to the Brotherhood without standing out. After years of positioning myself, they finally allowed me to live my life the way I wanted. I work. I spend time with my family. And that’s enough for me. Even though others within the Brotherhood wanted me to take a different path. A path that would have pulled me away from my children.

But now I’m unsure what my future is going to look like. Being an Elite Member changes everything. If Serafina were here, she’d be over the moon happy, not caring that this change might hurt our kids.

The thought has me frowning as the doorbell rings.

I open the large door to find Lilith standing there, smiling. She hasn’t changed much since I last saw her. She still has curves that would drive a saint to sin. Her dark hair is braided, hanging over one shoulder. She’s wearing black slacks and a pink blouse with little flowers on it. Her attempt at looking professional, but all I can think about is what it would be like to rip the clothes from her body as I?—

“It’s good to see you, Dr. Santos.” She pauses. “Again, I’m so very sorry to hear about Mrs. Santos.”

My eyes slam shut as pain washes over me. Fuck. What in the fuck am I doing? I should send her away now before she even steps foot inside my house.

But I say, “Thank you. Please, come in.”

I step aside so she can enter. The moment she does, I know I’ve sealed my fate. Because once I inhale the sweet scent of her perfume, I know I can’t let her go.

Not again.

I lead her to the formal living room—a room that hasn’t been used since Serafina passed—and take a seat in a chair. Lilith sits on the couch, crossing her feet at her ankles.

“How have you been, Ms. Wolfe?”

“Good. How have you been?” She winces, shaking her head. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.”

“Because of my wife?”

She nods. “Again, I’m so very sorry.”

I wonder what she would say if I spoke my truth?

I don’t.

Of course, I don’t.

“Thank you. Joao told you what I’m in need of?”

A blush creeps up her neck and has me intrigued as hell.

“Yes, he said you were looking for some help for the summer.” She reaches into her bag, pulling out a cream-colored paper. “This is my resume. I updated it to add my current employers.”

I lean forward, taking the paper from her. She doesn’t know that I already know all of this. From the moment Joao suggested hiring her, I became obsessed with Ms. Wolfe. That obsession included a new background check and having a PI do a quick dive into what she’s been up to. I wanted to know everything about her from the time she broke up with Joao until today. And I got it. The file isn’t as full as I thought it would be, but it provided insight into Lilith that I didn’t have before. Thus fueling the obsession that has lingered for five years.

She works hard, always staying busy with her two jobs. Last year she took time off from school, changing her graduation date after a visit to the emergency room, but there’s not much more information than that. I snort, thinking of my eldest son. She probably went abroad like he did. She lives with two roommates. Cecely Blight, a college student at the same school that Lilith attends, who works on and off at a local strip club. When she’s not stripping, she works as a barista. Harvey Ashwood, who also attends the university, and who works for his father’s company, which he will take over one day. One of her roommates has a child and all three adults help in raising the infant. God knows it takes a village.

No boyfriend. Not even anyone serious since she dated my son. I have to admit that gave me pause. Why someone hasn’t snagged her up is beyond me.

I say, “This is impressive, Ms. Wolfe.”

The blush climbs higher. “Thank you, Dr. Santos.”

It would be so easy to tease her. To see how high that blush would go. To see how low it goes… I glance at her chest and then look away.

Clearing my throat, I force the thought out of my head.

“Joao was correct when he stated that I need help for the summer. During this time, I will be actively trying to find a permanent live-in nanny. I will expect you to sit in on the interviews. As someone who has been a friend to this family, I trust your intuition.” I continue, “You will be expected to live here, taking care of the children 24/7. I will keep you informed of my schedule so that I may spend time with them when I can. Diego goes to speech therapy twice a week. Clara is in ballet and has a schedule as well. Little Isadora has set play dates with a mommy-and-me group to keep her engaged. You will be required to ensure each child maintains their schedule.”

“I must insist that you drive my SUV when taking the children anywhere. Of course, I will take care of any gas or maintenance. While staying here, you will have your own room near the children. If you have any dietary needs, please let the chef know.” I pause. “I do ask that you don’t entertain guests here. Also, I see that you have two jobs. You will have to quit them, but you will be well compensated in the form of triple your current salary. Do you have questions?”

I’m sure I’ve just overwhelmed her with information, but she needs to know that I will expect all of her time while she’s here.

As I said before, I’m a selfish man…

“You have a chef?”

I dip my head. “Serafina didn’t feel like cooking when she became pregnant with Isadora.”

“Of course.” She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. “I don’t have any questions. When would you like me to start?”

“How about tomorrow? Will that be enough time to sort everything out on your end?”

I want to say tonight, but I’m sure she does have things she needs to take care of.

She nods. “Yes, I think so.”

“I’ll have a contract drawn up for the duration of the summer with your duties outlined, as well as your pay.”

“Okay, that sounds good to me.” She stands, holding out her hand. “Thank you for this opportunity, Dr. Santos.”

As soon as our hands touch, I feel a spark. Fuck. How is this possible? I haven’t seen her for five fucking years…

Letting go of her hand, I say, “See you tomorrow, Ms. Wolfe.”

“One thing before I go. I’d really feel much better if you called me Lili.” She smiles. “After all, we’re friends, right?”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ms. Wolfe.”

The sexy blush is back.

We’re both silent as I walk her to the door. She gives me one last smile as she steps onto the porch. Beyond her, I see her car and frown. It’s an old Toyota that looks like it’s on its last leg. Definitely not safe for my children, but it’s also not safe for her. I’m humming under my breath as I close the door. I guess it’s a good thing she’ll be driving my vehicle after tomorrow.

Now, for my next task. Time to fire the current nanny.

I climb the stairs just as Diego runs out of the room he shares with his sister, silent tears streaming down his face. He rushes toward me, which makes me pick up my pace.

“What’s wrong, meu garoto ?”

Diego says nothing, throwing himself onto my leg, hugging tightly. I bend, scooping him into my arms. He immediately wraps his arms around my neck, and his tears soak into my shirt. Pain rips through my chest because my sweet boy doesn’t have the ability to tell me what’s wrong.

“Do you want to go to Papai’s room and watch TV for a bit?”

He nods, so I carry him the opposite way to my room. Once he’s settled on my bed with his favorite cartoon on, I hurry toward the room that he and Clara share.

Rage courses through me when I take in the sight before my eyes. The former nanny has Clara pinned in the corner of the room. I can’t see much of Clara, but I hear a muffled cry, and I can see that her feet aren’t touching the fucking ground. A sound unlike anything I’ve ever heard before leaves my lips and has the bitch turning.

“Mr. Santos! I didn’t know you were home.”

“Clearly.” I move toward her. “I suggest getting the hell away from my daughter. Now.”

She moves away from Clara, who rushes toward me.

“Go to my room, minha querida ,” I tell her in a soft tone. “Your brother is in there, watching TV.”

“Okay, Papai ,” Clara says before running out of the room like the hounds of hell are after her.

I turn to the bitch who had her hands on my child.

She must know her life is in danger, because she holds up both hands and says, “Mr. Santos, I swear it’s not what it looks like.”

“Oh? What exactly was it, then?”

“Clara wet the bed after her nap. When I told her to get in the corner, she wouldn’t listen.”

“And so you thought it was wise to put your hands on her?”

Her eyes widen. “Sir, you said I had free rein in dealing with the children.”

“I did,” I agree. “But I believe there’s a clause in your contract about punishing my children. Did you not read the contract, Mrs. Shockley?”

“I did! I?—”

“Then you know that putting your hands on any of my children is an instant termination.” I pause, willing my rage to settle. “I expect your room to be cleared out within the hour.”

“Yes, sir.” She hesitates. “Will I still get a recommendation from you?”

My anger is close to simmering again, but I say, “Of course.”

She’s visibly relieved, and tears fill her eyes. “Thank you, sir.”

She rushes past me, leaving Clara and Diego’s room. Closing my eyes, I have to inhale deeply to get my anger under control.

When I’m sure I won’t scare the children, I go to Isadora’s nursery, finding her asleep in her crib. I touch her soft curls before going to my room where Diego and Clara sit next to each other, watching TV.

“Can you tell Papai what happened, Clara?”

Clara’s dark green gaze meets mine. “Nanny got mad at me because I wet the bed.” Her chin wobbles, but she doesn’t cry. “I didn’t mean to, but she wouldn’t let me go to the bathroom.”

“Wouldn’t let you?”

“She said I would get in trouble if I got out of bed, so I didn’t.”

“Did she hurt you?”

Clara’s chin wobbles even more. “A little.”

Her gaze goes to her arm, where I see several dark bruises that look like fingerprints.

“I’m sorry she hurt you, Clara.” I turn to Diego. “And I’m sorry she scared you, Diego. Neither of you did anything wrong, and Nanny Shockley won’t be back.”

Diego and Clara look at each other, as if they’re having a private conversation, before Clara says, “We’re glad, Papai .”

I say, “You two can stay in here and watch TV for a while. I’m going to make a phone call in my study.”

They nod, turning their attention back to their show, and I slip from my room. Mrs. Shockley is leaving the room she was staying in and dips her head at me before rushing down the stairs.

“You can run, bitch, but you cannot hide,” I mutter.

I wait a moment and then head downstairs to my office, where I pull out my phone.

Alessandro Moretti

Do you still handle the things that need to be cleaned up for Members?

Yes. Why do you ask?

I send a photo of the former nanny and a copy of her driver’s license.

She laid hands on my daughter. I want her dead and I want it to be painful.

Proof?

And before you get all shitty with me, I have to ask everyone for proof.

I sit at my desk, pulling the security feeds, where I get to see the scene play out just as Clara said. Fury makes it hard to breathe, but I manage to save the file and send it to Moretti.

Proof is on the way.

A few moments go by before three dots appear.

It will be taken care of tonight.

Send apologies to your wife for pulling you away from home.

We’re actually at the house in Dallas. You should stop by and visit us when you can.

I’ll think about it.

But I have no intention of going to Moretti’s house with his bride, who looks at him in ways I only dream Serafina would have looked at me, especially when they start talking about their new infant son.

If not, I’ll see you in three weeks.

See you at the ceremony.

Dropping my phone on my desk, I go to the dry bar and pour myself a drink.

Everything is about to change in my life because of the Brotherhood. I just hope it’s worth it this time.