Wreckless Engagement: The Russian Engagement Series

by K. Marie

  What in the hell is going on now?

  Viktor had just taken a defensive stance, and I started to worry. Were the men a threat to Garland?

  Blondie smiled at Viktor; then turned his eyes back on Garland, a look passing between the two of them. There was clearly a history there with Blondie. The shorter man hadn’t yet said a word, so I was guessing Blondie to be the lead in their duo. Perhaps Short was some sort of bodyguard.

  My eyes shifted left as my attention was drawn to Stack, who’d been positioned against the wall at Garland’s back. He now walked away from his post and headed back to our table. As I’d predicted, security was above and beyond tonight. In addition to Viktor and Stack, there was another two of Garland’s bodyguards on the outside.

  No doubt making certain no one’s planting a bomb underneath our car. I thought caustically.

  If I thought things were ridiculous before, I was willing to bet it had just gotten a lot worse. I wondered why Garland even bothered coming here tonight—to someone’s home no less, if he felt so much security would be needed.

  My husband must have a sixth sense, and sensed my gaze on him, because his eyes moved in our direction and connected directly with mine. Seeing me watch him, he excused himself from the group and headed back our way. Neither of us said anything about Blondie after Garland retook his seat, but I could tell his mood was changed.

  We stayed long enough to toast in the New Year, then prepared to depart shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, we ran into Blondie and Short as we exited the ballroom.

  “Vidov, I heard of your recent marriage. My congratulations on both the marriage and the child, is a blessing, no?” said Blondie, accent distinctly Russian.

  I felt Garland’s hand tense at my waist.

  “Vladimir Petroff, but my friends call me Vlad,” the man said to me, offering his hand. “It appears the gossip was no exaggeration, you are as beautiful as rumored,” he added.

  ‘Vlad’ seemed pleasant enough, but for some reason, I hesitated before finally shaking his hand. Perhaps it was his unnerving gaze, or maybe Garland’s reaction to the man that had me feeling cautious.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Vlad. And I’m certain you’ve heard no such rumors, but thank you,” I told him, forcing a friendly smile.

  He responded in Russian—saying something I obviously couldn’t understand. But, his words must have been meant for Garland, because he responded right back in Russian. I looked up at him in question, only to see him giving Vlad a death-glare.

  However, Vlad’s eyes remained on me.

  Seriously, dude’s intense stare was starting to creep me out.

  “It’s late, Vlad, but it’s been a pleasure as always,” Garland said in a chilly voice, words laced with insincerity.

  “May I have a word before you take leave?” the man asked him, as Garland moved to walk away.

  “This isn’t a good time, call me, and we’ll set something up,” my husband said dismissively.

  “How do I call you with no phone number?” the man asked from behind us.

  “It never stopped you before,” Garland told him, never breaking his stride.

  The encounter lasted all of maybe sixty seconds, but I walked away feeling as if I’d just been caught in the crosshairs of whatever had just exchanged between the two men.

  Other than his creep-factor, there was something else about Vlad that nagged at me.

  G A R L A N D

  “Remarkable, though I must say, she is perhaps more beautiful than my dear dead sister.”

  “Don’t fuck with me, Vlad, it won’t end well for you.”

  Fucking Vlad.

  I wanted to wipe that bullshitting smile off of his face with my fist. He’d been trying to provoke me, and it worked.

  Vlad had the unique ability of being able to piss me off like no other. He knew which buttons to push and wasted no opportunity to do so. I knew I would see the bastard sooner or later, but I was hoping for much later, and especially not while I had my wife with me. I wanted to throttle the little shit for touching her.

  I inhaled the sweet scent of Camry’s perfume as she lay across me in the backseat of the car, having already fallen asleep. It was long past her bedtime. She was much like a child when tired; the woman could fall asleep just about anywhere. Brushing back the hair that had fallen across her cheek, I traced the side of her face with a finger, envying her ability to sleep the sleep of the innocent. The sleep of someone whose dreams didn’t haunt them. I wanted to ensure she always slept peacefully.

  Which, brought my thoughts back to Vlad.

  He knew the likelihood of running into me tonight was high. After all, he was now in my world. Like me, Marcel had also known Vlad since he was a boy, so securing an invite for tonight wouldn’t have been hard.

  Vlad being here in Miami meant only one thing; I knew I’d no doubt be seeing him again real soon. Two years ago, I cut him out of my life for a reason, and I’m irritated as hell that he’s here now. Here where I live, where I do business, where my family is.

  I admit to having had a soft-spot for Vlad, and of having gone easier on him than I should have over the years. But, I also knew that both Viktor and Vasily were right, he was a problem that wouldn’t be going away.

  Forty-Five

  C A M R Y

  I awoke late the next morning after the party, to find Garland and Autumn were nowhere in the house. However, I found Marie outside lounging by the pool.

  The temperature out was warm, but not sweltering, and I could feel a welcoming breeze carrying the scent of brine blowing off the ocean. It was weird to realize it’s January, yet, there was no snow or frigid temperatures as is typical of Michigan.

  “Happy New Year!” I sang cheerily, dropping down onto the lounger next to Marie.

  “I was starting to think you were in a coma, I was about two seconds away from calling the paramedics,” Marie told me.

  Relaxed back on the lounger and sporting a pair of black over-sized sunglasses on her face, she didn’t look the least bit concerned about anything except for catching some rays.

  “I doubt you were about to disturb your quest for skin cancer anytime soon,” I snorted.

  “Do you know where my husband and child got off to?” I asked, but not overly concerned. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d awakened to find them gone

  Garland typically sent a text while I slept, so that I knew where they were, but his phone lay forgotten on the bedroom dresser. It was only ten in the morning—a bit later than I typically slept on the weekend, but both Autumn and Garland usually rose at an ungodly hour. At least, it seemed an ungodly hour since I’ve been pregnant. I reasoned I’d better get my sleep in while I can, because in less than three months, I wouldn’t be getting any sleep for a while.

  “They took the boat out—and before you freak, Autumn was wearing both her life vest and floaty things on her arms,” Marie provided, already anticipating my reaction.

  Garland kept a forty-foot speedboat docked at the back of the property, his beloved ‘Darth’. As in Darth Vader. The boat was aptly named because of its all black theme, much like the evil villain himself. Sleek with a shiny black exterior, it had black leather seats and carpeting on the interior, and even the teak decking was specially treated in a matte black. I was pleasantly surprised to learn Garland was a die-hard “Star Wars” nerd; we could spend an entire day lounging on the sofa binge-watching them all.

  However, my trepidation over the boat came from the fact that he drove it much the same way he drives his sports cars, at maximum speed. Garland loves his boats, and it was the one fun thing he actually made time to do. I wasn’t a fan of the speed machine; however, I knew he would never put Autumn in danger.

  “I could get use to this. Being able to lounge in the sun just feet away from the ocean on New Year’s Day, is the life. You might have me sold on moving,” Marie said. “Though, I would never in a million years be able to afford a view like this one,” she added on a
disappointed sigh.

  “Then, you’re amongst ninety-nine percent of the population,” I told her.

  Garland and Autumn returned home in one piece, both looking so windblown and happy, that I swallowed my mama-bear questions and kept my mouth shut.

  We cruised on the yacht later that afternoon, headed to Palm Beach in celebration of another new year. We went to dinner while there, and I had one of the best meals I’ve ever had; and that’s saying something. Since moving to Florida, I’ve gone to some of the finest restaurants the area had to offer. But, though the French-American restaurant wasn’t the ritziest among them, the food is superb.

  I feasted on lobster ravioli, baked oysters, tried escargot for the very first time, and had an almost orgasmic experience when I dug into a salmon wellington with the most flaky, buttery crust I’d ever had.

  Seriously, it’s the best gastronomic experience I can recall having. Or else, I’m just a greedy pig. Granted, I’d ticked off three entrées to the server; along with appetizers and side dishes. Everything on the menu sounded fantastic. But in my defense, the portions were skimpy.

  “I hope you pumped some iron this morning, because you might have to carry me out of here,” I told Garland, slumping down in my seat.

  “I’ve never seen you inhale that much food before, this must be a record,” he said, sounding as if actually proud.

  Resting a hand on my rounded belly, I widen my eyes in feigned shock. “Oh my God, you’re right! Do you think I could be pregnant?” I asked with a straight face.

  He let out a bark of laughter. “I think that if you aren’t pregnant, I’ve got to start getting you down to the gym more often to get rid of that gut,” Garland responded.

  “Hey!” I objected in affront.

  He chuckled, eyes dancing with merriment. My husband delighted in my goofiness, and I loved making him laugh. I’ve long gotten the impression that it isn’t something he’d indulged in quite a while.

  Garland rested his arm around my shoulders, providing the perfect pillow in which to rest my head back on. “I intend to sleep the entire way back to Miami, eating is exhausting,” I declared on a sigh.

  He smiled down at me, brushing a kiss against my cheek. “I believe it, you just ate enough food for five people. There’s definitely a boy in there,” he told me.

  “Oh, don’t mind us. Should we step outside to give the two of you privacy to suck face?” Marie asked from across the table.

  Autumn giggled. “What does suck face mean?” she asked.

  I gave Marie a disapproving look. “I’ll let you answer that question,” I told her.

  There were six of us seated around the large table. And though there was a total of four security guys aboard the boat, only Viktor and Stack had joined us at the restaurant.

  I was enjoying Marie’s predicament right now, of having both men with whom she’d flirted with relentlessly, sitting at the same table. It served her right. Though if I had to guess, I’d say she’s more interested in Viktor. Prior to last night at the party, I hadn’t seen him in a couple of days; he’d obviously had some time off. I was curious as hell to know what he did when he wasn’t working.

  “Sex, and lots of it,” Marie answered, when I verbalized my thoughts the next day. We’d been in her room chatting, like we always did back in Michigan.

  I shook my head over her dirty mind. “Seriously, you don’t think a man like Viktor gets more ass than an ashtray? I’m sure he’s got women lined up waiting on his off-days, just standing in line outside his door like, next!” she said, looking as if she knows what she’s talking about.

  I burst out laughing. “You need help, you’ve got sex on the brain,” I told her, eyes watering from laughing.

  “I do when it comes to Viktor, it’s all I can think about,” Marie confessed with a grin. “Though, if he were to offer me a ride on his magic-stick, I would probably run like hell,” she added, surprising me.

  “Really? I thought you liked Viktor?” I asked skeptically. Could I have misread things?

  Marie sighed dramatically. “Oh, I like him just fine…he just scares the shit out of me. A man like Viktor could turn a woman into a stalker; I’m sure he’s already got a few restraining orders out on chicks,” she said, voice comically wistful.

  “Are you serious, you of all people?!” I exclaimed in disbelief.

  I’ve never heard her express fear or trepidation over having sex with a man before. Marie’s always loved both men and sex; but had adopted a love’ em and leave’ em attitude. She never became seriously attached to any of the men she dated. Her last serious relationship was over two years ago, and since then, she’d advocated casual sex as the best form of sex. But, could she have finally met her match in Viktor? Interesting.

  “I might flirt with the man, but I’m no fool, I know when I might be out-gunned. Tangling with Viktor can only end one way; with a satisfied smile, and a crushed…ego,” Marie said, an edge of seriousness to her words.

  I’m flabbergasted, speechless. Marie?

  This is a vulnerable side of her that I hadn’t seen in quite a while. She must really like Viktor. “So, what exactly are you afraid of? I thought that was what you wanted—that you were the queen of casual sex and no commitment?” I asked.

  “I am, when I’m the one in control,” she snorted. “But, with all of that sexy, smoldering intensity; next thing I know, Viktor will have ownership of my kitty-cat the same as Garland has ownership of yours,” she concluded, eyeing me as though in pity.

  “Oh yeah, my man has got the deed and copyrights to my kitty-cat. He’s also got his name tattooed all over it,” I told her proudly.

  “You’re like seven months pregnant for Pete’s sake, when are you two going to stop humping like rabbits? Can’t that put you into labor?” she asked incredulously.

  “What can I say?” I answered with a shrug, smile smug, “Anyway, it’s not like I’ve stopped being horny just because I’m pregnant,” I told her.

  Why did people think pregnancy somehow precluded sex?

  “But, getting back to you—I must say, I’ve gained a whole new respect for Viktor. Any man with the ability to scare you away from riding his magic-stick, is to be revered,” I teased.

  Though admittedly, she and Viktor becoming involved was probably a bad idea. Not that I knew much about him, but I do know Marie, and I’d prefer no family drama.

  “Oh, I haven’t given up on the idea completely, I’m just demurring for now,” Marie asserted.

  My mouth dropped open. “Liar! You are afraid of Viktor!” I accused, now thoroughly convinced. Marie never backed down from anything she wanted.

  “I’m not afraid of anything, I’m just smart. Nobody’s getting the deed to my kitty,” she scoffed.

  I laughed at her snooty expression; as if such a thing would be beneath her. “Ending up like me doesn’t seem so bad,” I told her with a smile.

  “That’s exactly my point, you never stood a chance! But, at least in your case, Garland didn’t just sample the menu, he bought everything on it. Your powerful kitty-cat brainwashed him,” she conceded, giving me a that-a-girl wink.

  We both cackled. But, I gasped a moment later—clutching my stomach, when the baby gave a forceful little kick. It was a sober reminder of the journey that had brought me to this point.

  Two short days later, I’m in tears when I hug Marie bye at the airport. She was homebound to Michigan, and I was an emotional mess.

  I felt suddenly homesick. Having Marie in Miami made it glaringly obvious how much I’d missed having my family around, and just how badly my social life was lacking. I had no family here, and I’d yet to make any real friends in the short amount of time. But, I determined not to whine about it. My home was now with Garland, and I didn’t regret that decision in the least; I believe I would move just about anywhere to be with him, even Russia.

  Besides, it wasn’t like I was stuck in Florida like a hostage. And there were worse fates than being able to fly
back to Michigan whenever I wanted on my husband’s own plane. Yep, there was that. Even though I sometimes managed to forget it.

  I definitely had no cause for whining.

  So, canceling my pity-party, I decided to take action instead. I made plans to visit my family the following weekend; plus, they would be coming here after the baby was born. And if I were really lucky, I’d finally wear Marie down and convince her to move to Miami permanently.

  Forty-Six

  G A R L A N D

  “You’ve not returned my calls, and you refused to see me, brother! How else was I to get your attention?” Vlad complained, sounding like a petulant child.

  The dumb ass.

  He’d just caused a scene in the lobby, and damn near got his head blown off by security. It would have probably been no less than he deserved for being a moron.

  Would I ever be free of his idiocy?

  “In case you haven’t noticed, you getting my attention isn’t exactly high on my list,” I told him, feeling like I’m speaking to a ten-year-old.

  And it was for exactly that reason, I couldn’t seem to deal with this particular problem the way I’d normally deal with any other. Because for reasons only a psychiatrist could probably identify, I still viewed Vlad as a child. God knows he behaved like one.

  “I’ve given you space for two years, Vidov. I thought perhaps you’d be in a better mood by now, preferably, in a more forgiving mood,” he said, completely delusional.

  I stared at him disbelievingly, before rising from my perch on the corner of my desk. I was baffled as to whether Vlad just played at being brain-dead, or actually was.

  “My mood is no more improved than your apparent comprehension, or lack thereof. I made myself clear two years ago, and I don’t like repeating myself,” I told him, struggling to hold onto my patience.