She inches her ass back closer to me, and I ram harder and deeper inside her. “Oh, Aleksei,” she moans, digging her nails into the table.
Her pussy tightens around my cock, and I know she’s loving this. She’s growing wetter with each thrust, and I snicker as I continue drilling myself into her tight heat. I lean over and bite into the back of her shoulder while cupping her breasts with my hands. Through the thin fabric of her bra, I twist her nipples, and she moans more. Her legs begin to shake, and I know she’s getting close. She’s going to come for me. I’ll make it look like someone spilled a gallon of water on this floor, and that’s a fucking promise.
Taking one hand, I graze my fingertips along her skin until I’m strumming her clit like a pick on a guitar. She leans her head against the table, and I watch closely as her face contorts while her orgasm starts to ripple through her. “That’s right, take my cock. Fucking take it and give me that sweet nectar.”
“Ooo, Aleksei,” she quips, gnawing on her bottom lip. Her essence floods around my cock, and I drill into her harder and faster. My balls tighten as she’s still riding out her orgasm. My balls unload into her chamber and I keep fucking her until I drain myself. Meanwhile, Sloane’s legs shake violently and she’s barely catching her breath. “Good girl,” I whisper out in a raspy tone, pulling myself from her pussy.
I grab her by the throat and tap her cheek until she opens her mouth. “Now clean up the mess you made.”
Sloane opens her mouth and takes my entire cock down her throat. Her tongue presses against the bottom of my shaft, and I hiss while she starts to give me head. Fuck, she’s not going to stop here, and I’m glad she isn’t.
Sloane sucked my cock and proceeded to until she swallowed my seed. Afterward, we went through the hallway and passed Garrett. I didn’t miss the way he wasn’t making eye contact with us or the flushed redness of his skin. I’m sure he either saw or heard us, but I don’t give a flying fuck. I can take my woman whenever I fucking want.
She chose a gold dress that conforms to her like a second skin. I keep staring at her in awe from the corner of my eye while she drives. “Okay, so where are we going?”
“You’re going to—” Just as I’m giving her directions, Greer’s name pops up on the dashboard.
“Sorry, let me answer this really quick,” Sloane says as she taps the green button. “Hey, what’s up?”
“You need to get back to the estate now, and hurry! God, Sloane, hurry. Please hurry!” Greer ends the call before either of us can ask any questions. Sloane drives through a red light even though a truck was heading straight for us, speeding like her life depends on it through downtown Dublin.
We’re back at the estate in record time, but she slams on the brakes when we get to the gate. No one is there, so we both have to get out of the car, and I have to hoist her up. She falls to the ground with a thud but tells me she’s fine. I grab hold of the iron and climb it like I’m a damn spider monkey.
Once I’m on the ground, we both run toward the house. From the way Greer was speaking, something is very wrong. We get up to the gate near the house and rush through, finding the front door open. We rush right in and hear voices coming from the kitchen, so we head in that direction.
Maeve is on the floor with a pool of blood forming around her face, and all the color is washed from her. Sofia is on her knees beside Maeve, holding onto her hand. Meanwhile, Desmond’s on the phone screaming into it. I don’t listen to what he’s saying as the scenario in front of me unfolds before my eyes.
Sloane drops down on the other side of Maeve and takes her hand in hers. Greer rushes in through the kitchen door. “I’m going to find Keeran. He has medical training!”
“No, get down here. I need the extra hands!” Sloane snaps, going into full doctor mode. She went to medical school, and even though she doesn’t practice publicly, she still knows what the fuck she needs to do. Maeve has blood coming from her mouth and coughs dramatically. Even though she’s coughing, she’s doing her best to speak.
“They n-need to k-know, D-desmond.” Maeve coughs harshly while she grabs onto Sloane’s hand.
“No, this isn’t your time,” Desmond tells her, and Maeve knows it is. She knows there isn’t any coming back from this.
“What’s happened? Someone needs to tell me,” Sloane snaps out while tears rush down her face.
“She’s been poisoned, love.” I fill her in, seeing this same situation happen many times when Aleksandr and I were with Valentin in Russia.
“Why would someone poison Maeve?!” Greer cries out, rubbing onto the older woman’s shoulders.
“B-because I’m not a h-helpless o-old woman.” She coughs, getting into a fit before ultimately catching her breath. “I’m sorry for l-lying to you lasses, but I h-had to. My r-real name is Clodagh F-fiona M-mackenzie.”
Fucking hell.
Is she Desmond’s mother?
Both Sloane and Greer gasp, but no one else here does. No one else in the room seems shocked in the least bit. So, Sofia, Desmond, and Liam must’ve all known her true identity.
“Why would you not tell us? Why would no one tell us who you were?” Greer cries out the question first, but I can see it’s on Sloane’s mind. Sloane’s now gone quiet and simply cries. She knows Maeve won’t make it through this and it’s sinking in now.
“B-because being a helper h-here on the property m-meant, I could see you a-all grow. We changed my l-life, so I didn’t have to be w-without my family, and I’d do it all. . .” Maeve breaks out into another coughing fit, spitting blood out onto the floor. “I’d do it all again,” she rasps, sounding as though it’s growing harder for her to breathe.
Maeve looks over to Sofia and takes her hand, holding onto it tightly. “You n-need to tell t-them about her. It’s t-time, Sofia. You have to tell the girls.” I don’t know what she’s begging for, but something is obviously important to her.
“Sofia, p-promise me you will tell them about their kin. They need to know their sister.” Maeve coughs harshly at the end, and as she tries to take in another breath, she rasps. It sounds like someone breathing in water, and quickly her eyes fade to nothingness.
She’s gone before the women even realize it, they try to speak to her, but the men in the room know she’s no longer here. She’s gone, and she’s not coming back.
Whoever’s responsible for this will pay greatly. They have no idea what kind of war they’ve started.
Chapter Seventeen
Sloane
She’s gone. The life washes from her eyes and I know it. As if the choking sound and her natural body reactions weren’t reason enough, I still check for a pulse, but there’s nothing. I look at my father with tears rolling down my cheeks and know these will be the hardest words I ever say. “I’m so sorry, but she’s passed.”
He sucks in his lips and takes my words with grace, giving me a curt nod, but says nothing else. I turn back to look at my mother and sister. My sister isn’t keeping her emotions in check at all. Tears stream down in an effortless flow, and my mother continues to hold onto Maeve like she’s only sleeping.
“W-who would d-do this?” Greer cries as if she’s asking the world.
My mother looks at her and speaks with the most seriousness, “An enemy of the family.”
Greer shakes her head. “This is going too far. This isn’t okay!”
I don’t disagree with my sister, but I’ve always had a hard time showing emotions in the manner she does. I look at my mother, and my father comes into view. Greer probably is in such shock she doesn’t remember what Maeve said, so I’ll ask them. I know the timing is horrible, and I know I could be seen as callous, but I have to ask. “Who was she talking about?”
“Hmm?” my father mumbles.
“She said we have a sister,” I state, keeping my eyes focused on my father. If anyone’s going to tell me, it’ll be him.
He inhales sharply through his nose and nods. “This isn’t the way I ever wanted to tell yo
u, but yes, you both have a sister.”
Footsteps come from behind us, and I turn my head, seeing Aleksandr walk into the room. “The children are safe, all of them. Luca and a couple of the men have taken them someplace safe. They’re all getting medical examinations by a trusted source as soon as possible.” His eyes fall onto Maeve’s lifeless body and he frowns, shaking his head in sadness.
“I was just telling the girls about something, and I need to tell you as well.” My father speaks up, looking at Aleks.
I narrow my eyes. Why would he need to tell Aleks?
“No, this isn’t your job. I need to tell them. This is on me,” Mom states, causing everyone to look at her.
She releases Maeve’s hand and her hands begin to shake, showing how afraid she is. “I’m sorry I haven’t told anyone sooner. I should’ve, but until I knew a thousand percent that Valentin was dead, I didn’t want to say anything. Then Aleksei came back, the things with Maxim, and well, the timing will never be perfect. As you all know, I was engaged to Valentin before I married Desmond. You all know the circumstances about how I got here, so I won’t bore you with those details. Something I haven’t told you is that I was pregnant. When I got here, I was pregnant and didn’t know until later on. I gave birth to a baby girl and gave her to my brother so he could adopt her.”
Holy fuck. I know what she’s saying and I’m . . . I’ve never been in such shock before.
“Leticia is your half-sister, Aleksandr, Greer, and Sloane. Valentin was her father, and she was the best-kept secret of my life. I’m sorry I never told you before, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk this getting out, Valentin discovering she was alive . . . he would’ve . . .”
“He would’ve caused irrevocable harm to her and anyone close to her,” Aleks speaks, and my mother nods. “I know the life my sisters lived, and you did what was right. It may not seem like it, but I promise you, you did the best thing.”
My mother bows her head and tears slide down her cheeks. “Does Leti know?” I ask, and one look from her is all I need to know. Leti has no idea.
“All I ask is for you not to say anything to Leticia. I need to be the one to do so. Me and Alejandro, at least,” Mom tells the group and while I know Aleksei wouldn’t say a thing, even he nods, a silent promise not to stir the pot.
Dad clears his throat. “I hate to do this, but we need to put my mother in a safe location and have her body tended to. I’ll call the family priest and we’ll arrange something.”
I stand, releasing her hand, and Aleksei wraps an arm around my waist, holding me to him. “Where are the kids?” I ask, turning to Aleks.
“They’re safe. It’s best we don’t follow where Luca has taken them. They have a majority of the security team with them, so don’t be worried.”
“Asking a mother not to worry is like asking a sinner not to sin,” I tell him, and I know he understands. There are no doubts in my mind he’s worried too. Men just have a better way of hiding it.
Aleksei pulls me away from the crowd and takes me up to the bedroom. We both walk into the room, and I kick off my heels. He takes off his suit jacket and helps me out of my dress. Only this time, it’s not as sexy as before. We both get undressed and we walk together to the en-suite. Aleksei turns on the shower and steps inside with me, assisting me while he washes the blood off my body. He shampoos my hair, conditions it, and presses chaste kisses against my forehead. For such a dangerous man, he sure knows how to love me.
I’ve never told him this, but I adore his dangerous love. It’s the best kind.
We finish showering, and he proceeds to wrap a towel around me, then takes me to the bed. We get under the covers, and he holds me against his chest, running his fingertips along the side of my arm.
It’s when everything hits.
The tears come rushing out, and I have no way to stop them. Aleksei simply holds me, allowing me to let every emotion out.
I look up into Aleksei’s eyes, and he stares down into mine. Deep down, I know the answer to this question, but I find myself needing to ask it. “Maxim is behind this, isn’t he?”
He swallows hard before answering me, “Yes.”
Chapter Eighteen
Aleksei
It’s been less than twenty-four hours and we’re already in Russia. Settled deeply into the heart of Moscow, my brother and I couldn’t sit around and wait for more to happen. We’ve received word where his sisters are and given Maeve’s death, or rather Fiona’s, we both felt the need to move quickly. It’s also caused me to pause my plans on proposing to Sloane. Now isn’t the time, and it would be inappropriate as hell given the circumstances.
Before we left, Desmond approached my brother and me, saying how he’s sorry, but the moment he has the opportunity to end Maxim’s life, he’s taking it. Neither of us took it personally. We told him we’d do the same. Maxim is worse than Valentin, and we all know it. He’s more unpredictable, thinks with his emotions and not his mind, and is downright cruel.
While we’ve been gone, I’ve gotten a message from Sloane saying she was able to talk to the girls on the phone. Keeran is one of the men assigned to guard the children and while I’m not a fan of him, I know our daughters feel much safer having him around. After all, the man was part of their lives for years. They’re comfortable with him. He’s a dick, but he’s good to my kids. At the end of the day, that’s what matters the most to me.
The Volkolv estate Maxim has the women at is on the outskirts of the city. I assume he chose this home in case they had to get out quickly. They’d have a variety of options to drive in and endless possibilities when it comes to their destination.
We’re parked around the corner of the street, and thankfully, this isn’t in a gated location. Aleksandr and I exit the vehicle and we both have a key to the van. It’s a little past one in the morning, so Maxim’s men should be drinking vodka and playing cards right now. Stupid shits don’t know what’s coming to them.
Aleks and I hop the gate and head up to the side entrance. It’s an old door that hasn’t locked properly in years, and luckily we know how to pick it. It’s on the ‘dirtier’ side of the house, as the men call it, considering it’s in the basement, so no one ever checks that area. There’s a good chance the women are being held upstairs, but I’m hopeful they’ll be down here near the storage area. It would be the perfect place to keep them if they were screaming. Not even the neighbors would hear them.
Aleks works on getting the door open and with a small pop, we’re both venturing inside. The lights are off, but it doesn’t matter. We know this house like the back of our hand. We go down the tight corridor and come to another doorway, but a gasp causes us both to stop. I tap on Alek’s shoulder and he turns, “What?” he whispers.
“Did you hear that?” I ask him.
“No, what?” Aleks replies back, keeping his voice as low as possible.
“Aleksandr?!” two strained voices cry out loudly, and I mean loudly.
“Fuck, quiet girls!” Aleks snaps a little bit louder. They’re to our right, so we go to the door and push it open.
Both of them speak in Russian, saying how they’re so happy we’re here.
“Be quiet. If you keep speaking loudly, Maxim’s men are going to find us,” I snap as I kneel and shine a flashlight on them. Their wrists and legs are tied up with zip ties, and I cut through the harsh plastic with my knife.
The girls stand but rely on Aleks and me to hold them straight. Fuck, has Maxim been drugging them this whole time, or is he barely feeding them? They feel like skin and bones. “Get us out of here. He says he’ll sell us,” Darya comments.
“Yes, we don’t want this,” Ivanna adds in.
“Please get us out,” Tamara begs with evident desperation in her voice.
I hold onto Tamara and Ivanna while Aleks helps keep Darya upright. We walk out of the small storage room and head down the hallway, but much to our surprise, we’re not alone. A shadowy figure stands in the doorway, and my stomac
h drops.
“I knew you two would come for them. How predictable you are. Pathetic men, coming in to rescue the sweet girls.” Maxim cackles and flips on the lights. As soon as the lights are on, I don’t miss the gun he has pointed our way.
“Aleks, get them out of here,” I grumble lowly, signaling him to go back into the room. There has to be some way we can get out of here. We can’t go through Maxim, and we surely can’t go further into the basement. I know there isn’t a way out. Aleks steps back and takes the girls back into the storage room. I nudge Tamara and Ivanna to go with him and I reach my hand behind my body in an attempt to get my gun.
Only, as I do, Maxim fires. He hits me in the shoulder, and I retreat to the storage room. Aleksandr and I force a metal cabinet in front of the door and put every piece of furniture we can in the room against it. “Let me guess, the windows are locked?” I question.
“Yes,” Ivanna replies.
“We need to look for something else. He told me he always had ways out in case anything was to happen. Press against the stones, look for hidden doors, anything,” Aleks tells us.
“You have to be kidding me. He was that paranoid?” I question.
“He was only ever paranoid. He had hidden ways to get out in every home.” Aleksandr’s words sink in, and I help the others search for something.
Fuck, I had no idea Valentin was this insane, but it makes sense.
“Something’s here,” Darya whispers lowly, and I flash my light on her. Sure enough, there’s some sort of small door. It’s not big enough to walk through, but we’ll have to crawl. I go over and use all of my strength until it budges open.
“Can you ladies crawl through?” I ask them.
“If it means getting out of here, we will do what we need,” Ivanna comments. She’s the first to go through, and Darya is next, then Tamara.
Dangerous Love (Mackenzies Book 3) Page 9
