* * * *
Rayanna took Fina by the hand and led her away from Hadeon, Paulo, and Andriy while Dmitri, Mateus, and Fedarro spoke to the men.
“I missed you so much. You look fantastic, Rayanna,” Fina told her as Rayanna held onto Fina’s arm as they walked.
Grisha and Olek followed, Bodashka remained with Dmitri.
“I missed you, too. All the ladies, actually. I hope to have everyone together in a more intimate and quiet setting. This place is crazy, but everyone seems to be having fun.”
“Are you, Rayanna?” Fina asked.
“Sort of,” she said and looked back toward Grisha and Olek. Fina looked at them and saw them both give Rayanna a reassuring nod.
“It must be hard, not feeling a bit scared still after what happened,” Fina said to her.
“It is, but things are getting better. Dmitri and all his guards are so attentive and protective. They are a bit wary about me trying to do a little freelance work while we are here.”
“I bet they are. That must be a security nightmare,” Fina said.
“It doesn’t need to be. I honestly don’t even know if I’ll be able to do it. You know, try to act normal and unafraid when really I’m still uneasy, but I want to be a strong woman for Dmitri, not a weak one. He has quite the reputation to uphold and I won’t be a woman that he has to constantly pamper and protect because of fears of the past.”
“By the way Dmitri looks at you I don’t think you need to worry about him thinking you are weak or not a strong enough woman for him. It’s obvious the man adores you. I think it’s great that you’re taking the chance to try and do some work, to have something of your own. It could work out for you.”
“Thanks.”
Fina smiled.
“What exactly is going on between you, Hadeon, Paulo, and Andriy?” Rayanna asked Fina.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Oh, don’t ‘what do you mean’ me. They can’t keep their eyes off of you, and the four of you disappeared for a bit of time earlier. You came out looking pretty flushed,” Rayanna said to her.
Fina exhaled and looked back to where the men stood talking and sure enough Hadeon was in a dead stare at her while Dmitri was in a dead stare at Rayanna. Fina shivered and Rayanna hugged her arm and turned her away from them.
“You, my friend, have snagged the attention of three very dark, mysterious men.”
“I don’t think so,” she whispered and looked down at her hands.
“What’s wrong? Did they try something and you didn’t want them to?” she asked and Fina looked up and shook her head.
“No, nothing like that,” Fina said and looked around them. “It’s crazy, Rayanna.”
“Fast, you mean? Instant?” Rayanna said.
“Oh boy, yeah, fast and instant is pretty much what happened since they arrived.”
“I could tell, but Donata said that they met you before and helped you one night when two guys were bothering you at some club?”
“Yes. They just appeared out of nowhere. We hung out with them afterward but nothing happened. They didn’t flirt or even say a word really. They were quiet and kind of scary.”
“They can be pretty scary. They don’t stick around the estate too much in Chicago. Dmitri has them do various things all over the place. I think they’re like enforcers, like soldiers. I know if there is any kind of trouble that Hadeon, Paulo, and Andriy go in and resolve it.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“I learned fast not to ask questions, Fina, but I would assume they’re positions are dangerous and they do crazy things. Dmitri trusts them and respects them. So, are you going home with them tonight?”
“No! No way, absolutely not. No, no. Why, would you? Oh God. Do you think they’ll want me to?” she rambled and Rayanna laughed.
Fina ran her fingers through her hair and glanced behind them, saw Andriy squinting with concern and she quickly looked back.
“I hardly know them and they’re older, so experienced, and I mean, even you realize that men like that pick a woman and just expect her to spread her legs and be with them. I mean, really? Seriously? Did you see the women throwing themselves at them all night? What about that waitress at Club Magique last night? It was obvious that they slept with her. How many different women have they screwed around here?” she asked, raising her voice.
Rayanna placed her hand over her lips. “Shhh,” she said and glanced at Grisha and Olek, then back at Fina.
“You are totally freaking out. You really like them.”
“What’s not to like, Rayanna? Besides the fact that I would just be a woman they slept with amongst many, many others. My luck with men hasn’t exactly been great lately.”
“You mean because of the two guys who harassed you that Hadeon stopped from bothering you, or the other two guys tonight?”
Fina’s jaw dropped. “Geesh, you make it sound like I need a body guard.”
“I can bet three men right now would be up for the opportunity to guard your body,” Rayanna teased.
Fina shook her head. “If they’re as crazy as you say, and capable, and dangerous and all, then I don’t need any more trouble.”
“What do you mean, more trouble?” Rayanna asked.
Fina looked around them and then leaned closer.
“You can’t tell anyone, Rayanna. I mean it. Not Dmitri and especially not his security guys.”
Rayanna scrunched her eyes. “What is it?”
Fina exhaled. “I’m not in any position right now to get involved with any men. Those two guys I met months ago, that Hadeon and them got rid of that night, just started bothering me again.”
“What do you mean by bothering you again?” she asked.
“Calling, texting me that they want to see me and get together.”
“Oh no, and what did you say? Did you talk to them?”
“No. I just hang up the phone and ignore them. I told them I wasn’t interested and then this morning I said that I was going to the police and getting an order of protection if they didn’t stop. So you see, I can’t get involved with them right now.”
“Oh honey, this isn’t good. It’s like they’re stalking you. Maybe you should tell them and let them take care of it?”
“No. Oh God, no way. Please, Rayanna, I trusted you with this. I won’t start some sort of relationship or even let a temporary affair with them begin with my problems causing them trouble.”
“What if these guys show up at your apartment or at a club one night while you’re out or while you’re walking home, then what?”
“I’m taking the proper precautions. Like I said, if I have to go to the police, I will.”
“You fooled around with these guys, the police might not believe you because so many women make false accusations.”
“I thought about that, too. I recorded their phone messages. I also recorded their cars parked outside of my apartment building and even me answering the phone and stating that I’m not interested and asking that they please stop bothering me.”
“I don’t like this. I think you should tell one of the guys, hell maybe Adelina. That woman seems to have pull.”
Fina chuckled. “Not yet. If it gets worse and they don’t stop then I will. Please, Rayanna, don’t say anything.”
“Okay. For now. But what are you going to do about Hadeon, Paulo, and Andriy?”
“Be truthful. That I’m not interested in being a one night stand, or a play thing.”
“Honey, you don’t know much about these Russian men. If they’re anything like Dmitri, you won’t be going home alone tonight.”
* * * *
“Invite us in,” Paulo stated firmly against Fina’s neck as he made out with her against her apartment door. Fina was breathing heavy, her heart raced and, holy shit, this wasn’t going like she planned.
“Paulo, we can’t,” she said to him and he shook his head and cupped her breast.
“You feel it like we do. Let us
in and we’ll talk,” he said to her. She stared at his lips, felt his heart beating just as fast as hers.
“God, this is so hard, but I can’t. I hardly know you guys and I don’t do things like this.”
“Like what?” Andriy asked and stroked her hair and let it slide over his palm.
“Make out with men so wildly and then bring them home with me. I don’t. I know you’re probably used to getting whatever woman or women you want but—”
Paulo pressed a finger against her lips stopping her from speaking.
“No need to bring up any of that. Just focus on what we all feel right now,” Andriy stated.
“I think it’s best that we end the night here,” she said and pressed down on Paulo’s arms and he lowered her to her feet. She fixed her dress and then ran her fingers through her hair. Andriy pressed a hand to her door and whispered into her ear.
“Next time, you’ll invite us in, da?” he asked her. She turned to look at him, Paulo, and a very angry looking Hadeon with arms crossed and a scowl on his face.
“We’ll see, Paulo. Goodnight, and thank you for the ride home,” she said and then opened her door and stepped inside. She locked it and leaned back against it, still smelling their cologne and feeling their lips, their hands on her body. Hell, she came in her panties. What the hell was she thinking making them leave? She could be in fantasy heaven right now with those three men. She thought about her life and other relationships. She did this every time.
Never once had she brought any man home to this apartment. Her sexual experience consisted of two lovers. One she lost her virginity to in college and definitely would never forget, and the second hurt her terribly. Brian made her feel like she wasn’t good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or sexy enough to make him stay with her and not cheat. She thought she loved him, but he hadn’t loved her. No, he used her, and that broken heart left her pretty damaged for quite some time.
She felt the upsetting feelings fill her gut and pushed off the door and put them behind her. Then she smirked. She saw Brian a year ago and he flirted with her and tried to finagle his way back into her life seeing how successful she was, how well put together, and she blew him off. He was so pissed, and especially when all his business friends started hitting on her and asking her out. Karma was a bitch, but love on the brain could make a woman lose her identity and succumb to the command and degrading control of a bad man. She never wanted to feel so used, like a doormat, or just another woman some guy got to take to bed. She wanted the real deal. A man who cared deeply for her, would move heaven and earth for her, and put her first, compliment her, and simply hold her, love her, be her everything. She would never get used again. She would never ignore her gut instincts and definitely not let love on the brain, or in this case, being horny, make her decisions for her.
Chapter 3
Paulo walked through the security room in the basement of the third hotel. He had been at this all day. There were only a few minor glitches and just a couple of changes to make. Another few days and all three hotels would be in sync to one another and security at its highest level. There wasn’t a corner, a side hallway, a closet, an elevator, a stairwell, or any other area that couldn’t be seen through cameras. Nor could the cameras be tampered with without some kind of signal to the main security power board.
“There she is. Like clockwork,” one of the security men stationed in the main center stated. Paulo looked up and saw the woman enter the main lobby and go directly to the bar area of the hotel. She had shoulder length brown hair, wore a very tight fitted red dress, had long legs, high heels, and scanned the bar area.
“Who is she?” he asked.
“A regular. She comes in at least once a week, usually meets a few men, talks to them and finally chooses one to leave with,” the guy told Paulo.
“A hooker?” he asked.
“High priced one if she is.”
Paulo watched her. She took a seat at a small high table with two stools. The bartender immediately brought her over a martini. Paulo looked at his watch then saw a guy who was sitting at another table walk over. She nodded and he took a seat, they talked, she slid her phone over to him and he looked at her phone, nodded and then took out his phone as she typed on hers. He glanced at his phone then downed his drink, got up, and walked away. He placed his empty glass on the bar and left. She glanced at her watch, took a sip from her martini and then typed on her cell phone before putting it down. Several minutes passed, then another guy approached. His actions were identical to the first guy.
“This is different,” one of the guys said to him.
“Different how? Looks pretty simple to me. She’s setting the men up with dates, a madam or just the middle person. Maybe making sure they don’t look like creeps before she sends them to the location to meet their dates.”
“You think so, Paulo? Because some nights she comes in here and a few women join her, young, beautiful ones and they talk and then leave together.”
“You have to have hookers to run an escort service,” Paulo said and then spoke into his cell phone.
“Andriy, meet me in the main lobby,” he said and then looked at the men.
“Zoom in on her and everyone she meets. Take pictures so we can find out who she is in case she isn’t cooperative or decides to return after I have a conversation with her.”
“You got it,” the guy said, and Paulo left the room. When he got to the lobby he gave Andriy a brief description of what he had seen on the surveillance video. Before they entered the bar area Paulo noticed several young women walking into the hotel.
“Wait a minute,” he said to Andriy and as the women passed they headed into the lounge and bar area and right to where the brunette was.
They watched them talk, not order any drinks, and then the brunette typed on her cell phone and two of the women looked at their phones as if they got messages and then one by one spoke to the brunette who smiled and nodded or shook her head. It was like they were asking questions. Then one got up and left, then another, and a third. Two others took positions elsewhere. One at the bar, one at a single table.
“Let’s wait this out. You see what it is?” Paulo asked Andriy.
“Da, and it needs to be relocated.”
“Exactly.”
They waited several minutes when a man walked in, in a business suit and looked a little nervous. He headed toward the bar and right to where one of the women were. He said something to her and she nodded, placed money down on the bar next to the drink she took two sips of and then escorted the guy from the bar area. They watched this happen two more times and then Andriy and Paulo walked over to the brunette.
“Enjoying your last night here?” Andriy said firmly and she looked at him and at Paulo while licking her lips.
“Is that some sort of line telling me you’re going to take me away from here and never return?” she asked and slid her finger over the rim of her martini glass.
“More like a warning that your kind of business isn’t welcome here any longer. We don’t expect to see you, or any of your staff or clients back again,” Paulo told her. She suddenly didn’t look so confident and smug.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, you know what we mean. We’re giving you option one, and that’s to never return here again. Conduct your little business elsewhere,” Andriy said.
“What’s option two? A little head for the two of you to turn your gorgeous cheeks and let a woman make a living?” she asked.
“Jail time for running a prostitution service in our hotel. Police, an entire investigation, even confiscating that phone you seem to do all your business on and more than likely have contact information and credit card info for all those wealthy clients. Option one or two?” Andriy asked.
She slid off the seat and grabbed her things.
“Thought so,” Paulo said and watched her walk away. He looked at Andriy.
“Some of those women were young,” Andriy said as the
y headed out of the bar area and saw the woman leave through the front door of the hotel.
“They were.”
Andriy remained quiet.
“Attractive, too. It’s a shame,” Paulo said.
“Not as beautiful as Fina. What’s the plan of action?” Andriy asked.
“You heard Hadeon. We wait.”
“I don’t want to wait. Men look at her and want her. We are here in New York now. We take what we want.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Andriy. She fears, for reasons we need to work through.”
“Ahh, we work through by claiming her, making love to her, spending time with her. All resolved,” Andriy said in annoyance.
“It’s different. You know it, so why fight it?” Paulo asked.
“Fight it? I don’t want to fight it. I want her. In our bed.”
They walked toward the main office upstairs.
“You do realize that she is not like other women. You won’t be able to just fuck her and get her out of your head, your system,” Paulo said.
Andriy was silent a moment as if thinking about Paulo’s words and Paulo wondered if he would deny that this attraction was more than just sex or lust. That a woman like Fina was special, young, and would want a commitment. They didn’t do commitments. Not ever. It was easier when women they slept with knew up front that it was meaningless sex. A good time, and a way to fulfill their needs. However, Paulo knew Fina was different. He looked at her and saw more, wanted more, and he feared that. The instant power she would have over him, and his need for control. Yet, he wanted to take the chance. He thought of Dmitri with Rayanna. The moment their boss laid eyes on her, it was different. He became different. None of them could understand it, but now he did.
Paulo knew that she would become an addiction. There was an instant possessiveness, a need that came over him when she was close. He wanted to claim her, make love to her, mark her, yet not hurt her, but somehow make her all his. Knowing his brothers wanted her, too, just heightened that desire and need, shocking him, and turning him on making him feel desperate.
Made Men 7: Love on the Brain (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Page 5
