by Coco Miller
"Well, I know who you are Viktor Petrov. I know you own that strip club, but I know you also deal drugs. You don’t have the kind of money you do without doing something along those lines. So I’m just letting you know now, I won't be doing anything illegal."
Her nostrils flare, and I can't believe how turned on I am by her fire. My balls are full, ready to mark her as I come all over her. I can picture it exactly. It will be glorious.
"My father dealt drugs," I correct her. "I cleaned all of that up when I took over." And I don't tolerate street drugs at my clubs. At least not the kind she's talking about.
The look on her face shows me that she doesn't believe me. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not a good guy. I didn't get where I am by being a sweetheart, but you will be safe."
"So, nothing illegal?"
"Are we asking stupid questions now?" I chuckle.
Her eyebrow raises and I wait for her to respond.
"There are no stupid questions. I'm asking if I work for you, am I going to be doing something that will get me thrown in jail? Because I don't look good in orange."
"Much better question. No, my tax returns for Bliss are in excellent order. I keep my club on the up and up. My other business you won't have anything to do with, and just to be clear, you are working for me. There is no if."
As if she had a choice.
"What if I don't want to work for you?" she huffs out, her eyes darkening with defiance. "We were getting by just fine without your assistance."
"Where are you going to go? I read up on that landlord. Knowing him your apartment has probably already been rented and you haven't even been out of it for twenty-four hours. Plus you were so far behind in your rent that your credit is shot. You won't find another place that will lease to you. I'm offering you a nice place to stay and an excellent salary. My driver will help you get your sister to and from school, and you will be able to get more than a couple hours of sleep with only one job."
Where is the gratitude? I'm waiting. I hate that she is practically forcing me to bring all this up to her. I hate that this was the truth of the matter. But, she needs to understand that what she was doing wasn't working. That this is a better way. The only way.
I always get what I want.
"Why are you doing this?" The desperation in her voice twists my dark heart a little tighter, and I don't like the hard thump it gives at her plea.
"Stupid question, next." I cross my arms over my broad chest.
"So you're sure that Terrica's at school?" she asks with a confused look after I shut her down.
Her confusion and doubt prickles at my skin. I run this whole state; does she not think I can get a sixteen-year-old to school? Or is she not understanding why I brought her in and handed her a better life on a silver platter? Why couldn't she just take my gift and not question it? Because I didn't even know how to answer her ridiculous question without wanting to punch something.
"Of course I'm sure, although, I'm sure she is going to have some words for you when she gets home."
"Why? What did she do?"
This time it is my turn to be surprised. I assumed she was going to think I have done something wrong. This damn chick is fucking with my head, and the worst thing is, I like it. I like being surprised by what she is going to do or say next.
"I made her change three times before I let my driver take her. She was almost late."
Kennedy throws back her head and laughs. Her long neck is exposed and my dick jumps in my slacks trying to get to her. Thoughts of shoving my cock down her slender throat pulses in my head, and I have to swallow the groan wanting to escape.
"Hearing that is almost worth the amount of complaining I'm going to hear when she gets home. That girl has been a pain in my ass since our parents died. Don't get me wrong, I love her. But, she just won't listen to me. I don't know how you got her to change three times. I couldn't even get her to do it once."
Anger has my dick taking a backseat. I am going to have a talk with that little girl. She is putting her sister through hell and that is unacceptable. In my mind, I've decided I am the only one who will be giving Kennedy hell from now on. Or at least until I get sick of her and set her up in her own place.
The laughing inside my head at my plans for Kennedy is ignored. I am a fucking mob boss. Some tiny little thing isn't going to change my views. This is not a forever plan. This is just temporary. Until I’m sick of her.
Kennedy sits down across from me, tucking her legs under her as she props her hands on her chin trying to wake up from probably the most sleep she's had in years.
"You know this is strange, right?" she asks, bringing me back from a fantasy of fucking her on the table while I watch her tits bounce before my lips cover her nipples.
"Do I look like I care?"
Her lips rise as my staff brings in an array of deli sandwiches. Kennedy's stomach growls loud enough that the noise bounces off the walls. I want to feed her before feeding her something else.
"You eat. You're too skinny. I'll fatten you up," Dottie, the lady that runs my house, clucks over her like a mother hen.
Her silver hair is pulled back in a severe bun and her blurry eyes stare at Kennedy until she takes a bite of the sandwich in front of her. When Kennedy moans her approval, Dottie nods her head with satisfaction before walking out of the room.
"So, what do you want me to do?" Kennedy asks after she polishes off her food before I've even finished half of mine.
"Well, I would like you to strip off your clothes, suck my dick, getting it nice and wet before you climb on the table and let me fuck you while you scream my name."
My eyes lock on hers as I watch the heat surface on her cheeks. Interesting that no anger rose, but rather a flicker of interest washes over her before she chokes on the swallow of iced tea she has just taken. It takes her a moment to get herself back together, but the blush on her face doesn't leave.
Very interesting.
"I meant work," she says sternly.
It doesn't matter that she avoided what I said. Her pussy is going to be mine, and it is going to be mine soon. Her eyes don't lie.
"Come on. I'll show you." I stand and purposely adjust myself giving her a show of what she will be getting soon. Her eyes pop at my large bulge and I smirk, sending her a wink when she glances at my face.
She moves to pick up her plate, and I stop her. "Dottie will get it. She runs this place, and you don't want to disrespect her by doing her work for her."
Kennedy nods quietly as I lead her to the office she will be working in. The office that will be right across from mine. I've never seen her this quiet before.
Obviously, I've given her something to think about.
Chapter Eight
VIKTOR
It's been almost two weeks now and having Kennedy in this house is stifling. Like a goddamn elephant sitting on me. I feel her presence bearing down on what's left of my conscience everywhere.
It gives me a headache---she gives me a headache.
I jam my thumbs into my temples, trying to drive her condemning brown eyes out of my head. Fuck. She is still there.
Krissy peeks her head into my open office door. "Everything's all set up for your trip."
"Has Davoff secured everything?" I ask. It's a needless question. He is a damn genius in technology, with a knack for hacking into anything undetected. She nods yes.
"Good, when he gets here, I want to see him first thing."
"Of course." She steps inside. Krissy has been my personal assistant for five years. She doesn't question things, she doesn't complain, if I need something tomorrow, it's done today, and I know from the slight twist of her lips something is up. "So, I know you wanted to give Kennedy some work to do..."
I wait for her to finish. She does that a lot. Leaving me in suspense. It's a small price to pay for an employee who doesn't question that I now have a woman and her little sister basically living with me for no good reason. I make a mental note to give her a hefty r
aise.
"Well, perhaps you could give her access to a few of the old Kimball files to organize?"
I lean back in my chair. My headache intensifies, like a jackhammer drilling my skull. "Sure, that sounds like a good idea.
"I'm on it." She smiles and turns to leave. "Also, I've emailed you the final documents for the Slayers purchase."
My new plan now is to give Kennedy some busywork as Krissy suggested, and then afterward I'll take her shopping for new clothes. Terrica has nothing to wear to school, and Kennedy could use a few new things as well.
I'll admit that having her sort the Kimball files is just an excuse to get her close to me. To sell her the story that she is actually working for me. Because if I am being honest, all I really want right now is to fuck her pussy into submission. Fuck those files. That's why I have this goddamn headache. I think my body is actually in some sort of moral conflict with itself.
What a gangster I am.
A Bratva joke.
I usher Kennedy into her new office inside my house, letting her get familiar with the files I will need her to file. It's busywork because the Kimball property has long been sold, and we don't really need all of that old paperwork, but she doesn't know that.
"I'd like to buy Terrica some new clothes," I tell Kennedy. "The clothes she wears to school are not acceptable. They're either too tight or too short."
Kennedy laughs. "Good luck with trying to get her to wear something that is acceptable."
"I have my ways."
That was all I really needed to say to get Kennedy on board with the shopping excursion. Terrica is still at school, so I figure Kennedy will be able to know her size and help to grab her a few acceptable things.
"You can pick out the outfits. We'll go now."
"Want me to bring the car around, boss?" Nicholai asks.
I grab the Ranger Rover keys from him. "No, Kennedy and I will be going alone."
Her eyes widen at my words, and we walk down the hallway together, entering into the garage.
I have to be alone with this woman. I don't want Nicholai hanging around, listening in on our conversations. I want to get to know her on a personal level because her smart mouth and her determination both intrigue me.
I open her car door, ushering her into the soft leather seat. I walk around and hop inside and start the car. I head off in the direction of the closest shopping center, not really sure how to shop for teenagers. Most of my clothes are hand-selected or custom-made especially for me. This is all new to me, but I'm willing to embrace it just to be closer to Kennedy.
I don't know what this woman is doing to me. It's like she is taking my perfectly structured life and throwing a wrench right in the middle of it, and I'm unable to figure out how to fix any of it. It's as if she is this enigma, and I have to figure her out.
I pull into the West View Shopping Center and park the car. "We can pick you up a few things too," I say casually to her.
Her eyes hit me with a stare I can't read. "For what?"
"What do you mean, for what?"
I am trying to be nice.
"Well, I don't need anything. I'm fine."
"I just thought..."
She turns her nose up. "And what would I have to do for these new clothes?"
"Nothing." I know what she is trying to imply and it is pissing me off. "If you haven't already realized yet, I don't pay for pussy."
She crosses her arms as she gets out of the car. "Sure you don't."
I reach her side of the car. "What are you implying, Kennedy?" I want to hear her say the words. I want to hear what she thinks of me.
"All you want is sex. All you think about is sex. All you do is sell sex in that club of yours. If you buy me clothes and buy my sister clothes, you'll want some sort of compensation. I'm not stupid."
I feel the anger rush through my veins. "You've been here for weeks now, and have I laid a hand on you? Have I touched one hair on your head?"
"Well, no-"
"So is that what you think of my kindness? That I am doing all of this because I'm so hard up for you?"
I'm full of shit.
That's exactly why I'm doing this.
She loosens her arms, her facade crumbling. "I...well, no...I'm sorry."
"Let's go." I leave her and walk toward the entrance to the mall.
Regardless of the fact that her accusations may be laced in some truth, she pisses me off. Is it inconceivable that I'm just trying to do a nice thing for her and her sister? Gah! I can't even rationalize at this point why I'm still helping her. I really can't. Maybe it wasn't my place to step in. Maybe I wasn't supposed to help her. Perhaps this is my karma for not being in control of my own dick and letting it make decisions for me.
She walks up behind me, tapping my shoulder with her fingers. "Viktor," she starts as I turn around.
I stand, watching her.
"I shouldn't have questioned your intentions. You've been nothing but good to me and my sister since we've gotten here. I'm sorry."
That was a genuine apology. It's rare for me to hear such honesty in my line of work. Is it a mistake to want to kiss her right now? Hope not, because I’m going to.
I pull her close to me, wrapping my arms around her waist. I lean down, letting my lips meet hers. She opens her mouth for me, letting me taste her sweetness, letting me roll my tongue across hers. I can't stop kissing her in the middle of this random parking lot.
I tug her closer, trying to get as close as possible to this woman. To this minx that has all my cylinders firing. She is insanely hot and I can't get enough of her. I've been waiting for this moment for what seems like forever.
I kiss her for a few seconds longer, getting acquainted with her mouth, until the moment she pushes me off her.
"I thought this wasn't about sex?" she asks me with heavy breaths.
What in the damn world was I thinking by kissing her? Proving her damn point. I shouldn't have done that, but God, that kiss. Not going to lie, I've wanted to do that for quite a while now. I run my thumb along my bottom lip.
“It isn’t but I couldn't help myself."
She has that look back on her face. The one that says she isn't buying my bullshit.
"Fine...Miss Howard, I won't touch you again until you're begging me for it."
She smiles at that, agreeing to my terms.
"Don't hold your breath," she says.
I scoff at her words. Like she wouldn't be begging me soon. That is one thing I can guarantee. I felt her body melt under mine. She will beg. And it will be a magical night when she finally does. I’ll wait.
We shop for the rest of the afternoon, buying mainly for Terrica, but occasionally she lets me purchase things for her too.
And for some odd reason, it makes me happy to do so.
Chapter Nine
VIKTOR
As the weeks go by, Kennedy surprises me again. She is extremely smart, and after the first week, she starts taking on more and more tasks that Krissy finds for her. Real ones that grow into even more work. Valuable work. After the first month, she is practically managing a good portion of my real estate holdings. She's a quick learner, a people person, and damn near brilliant. I can see why she was close to getting that business degree.
Once we get into a rhythm, she and her sister soon make themselves at home, and I find myself not making any effort to move her into her own place. Instead, I find myself spending more time in my home office instead of at the strip club where I normally take care of business. I trust Nicholai enough that I know the club is running smoothly and Gary has the pharmacy together. My runners have been doing it so long it is second nature to them.
My favorite part of the day is when Kennedy saunters in, with excitement in her eyes, and she parks her sexy ass on the edge of my desk as she pitches new ideas. At first, I didn't even listen to what she was saying. My eyes were glued to the apex of her thighs where that sweet pussy was, but when she called me out for not listening to her, it was
then I realized that her ideas were actually good. Really good.
Terrica has finally seemed to resign herself that she is going to school, fully clothed and that she isn't going to pull the shit she had on her sister anymore. She was pissed when she came home and found out that I had Dottie throw all her clothes away and replaced them with clothes a sixteen-year-old that wasn't trying to be a stripper should be wearing. The fact Kennedy was by my side agreeing with me as I told her made me happier than it should. It was like we were a couple.
I've gotten pissed at myself because of it. These new feelings. I cannot allow myself to become domesticated. I'm not Terrica's father and I'm not Kennedy's new "man". I'm just their temporary benefactor.
I even tried going to the club and fucking one of my girls, but none of them held my interest or could even get my dick's attention. It's actually pretty sad. I'm fucked. Luckily, I seem to be the only one who knows it.
Dottie walks in wringing her hands in worry. Her state of mind alerts me immediately. Kennedy walks in right behind Dottie, but when she notices the worry on Dottie's face she puts her hand on her shoulder. "Are you ok?"
Dottie pats Kennedy's hand and gave her a tight smile. Dottie has taken to Kennedy, and the bond between them is apparent.
"Yes, I just need to talk to Viktor. He has a visitor."
"Oh, I'll just leave you." Kennedy's eyes seek mine, and when they connect I see the fear in them.
The short time she has been here, things have been going nicely. I'm sure she has convinced herself that the mob part of my life is minuscule, but this visit will serve as a good reminder for her to know that I'm not the good guy.
"I'll talk to you later."
Kennedy nods and walks back to her office, closing the door behind her.
"Officer Sampson is here to see you," Dottie says once Kennedy is securely out of earshot.
My gut clenches. Officer Sampson is on my payroll, and he only comes by when bad things are happening.
When I took over the business, Officer Sampson came by to threaten me. He had been close to getting Boris thrown in jail for drug trafficking. I was next on the list. When he realized it was my intention of getting the heroin and the meth out of the city, he sided with me. Now he is on my side and keeps me in the loop on anything that I don't know about.
