Afon_The Dudnik Circle Book 3

by Esther E. Schmidt

  Glancing down, I see my panties for the first time. Skull and roses boyshorts. What the hell? I don’t even own...oh, no.

  “Yeah, fuck, no. Right here, anger overrules panic. Give it to me, Andy. Spit it out.” He’s back in my face, his own dog at my side again. Clearly Dozor likes me and yet he’s not attacking his boss but does make it known he doesn’t like the two of us arguing.

  My hand digs into Dozor’s fur as he leans against me, giving me the strength I need. “Not my panties. You’ve seen,”

  I can’t even voice the words. I don’t have to because Afon knows exactly what I’m talking about and yet there’s no disgust or pity on his face.

  “I’ve seen what’s mine. Yes. You’re gorgeous, Andy. Every single curl that makes the black mass of hair that flows down to your back, every inch of skin, down to those adorable toes of yours. Did you know you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their toes? Some think it’s bullshit, but it’s a funny little thing I read a while back and sometimes it all adds up perfectly. That third toe for instance tells me that you’re resourceful and extremely energetic. The big toe,”

  “Okay, stop right there, asshole. We’re not going to discuss my toes. We are, however, going to discuss why I’m wearing these panties and where they came from.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and pin him with a stare, demanding an answer.

  “I ordered them especially for you. Tarzan picked them up for me and dropped them off along with a few other things. When the doc stitched you up and was done, I looked after you...cleaned you with a warm washcloth and dressed you in the panties and tank top.” He gives me a hard stare, daring me to make a remark about something he thinks was a good thing to do.

  ‘I’ve seen you.’ I feel another wave of panic flows through me. Afon shakes his head very slowly. That arrogant man. A man who saw me naked. Is still here and in the screwiest of ways claimed me to be his. Sick and twisted.

  Fury pushes away the panic. “Did you see me naked before you signed the contract or after? Because after would have sucked because then you’d know sex wasn’t in the cards for you if you’re married to me. Or will you slip in another tradition? One where you have a mistress?” Unexpected jealousy hits my chest limiting my breathing.

  “Hey,” Afon snaps, wrapping his fingers around my throat in a punishing grip. Yet somehow his touch allows me to regain my breath. “No-fucking-one on this earth can hold a candle to the woman who’s standing in front of me and who’s mine in every way. Do you think a few scars and a past will diminish my need for you? Will diminish what my body craves? You’ve got a lot to learn, anima mia. But we have all the time this world has to offer.”

  “Well, then your right hand will be the third party in this marriage because…I. Can’t. Have. Sex,” I hiss through my teeth. “Not ever.”

  Chapter 05

  Your seven days are up, Afon.

  ***Afon***

  “Ah, my precious one…that’s where you’re wrong.” A light chuckle slips out, making her eyes flare.

  Good. I need for her to be on edge, because those panic attacks? Everyone deals with that shit on their own. But I know them damn well from years ago. Once you’ve allowed one to overtake you…it’s hard to get a handle on it. Anger always helped me to push it down when I feel an uprising. Seems it works good enough for her too.

  “You’ve got two capable hands. Plump lips that seemed to have been touched by a cherry, imprinting that color indefinitely. Magnificent breasts I can’t wait to touch, lick, knead; pinching those nipples into hard peaks. And, sweetness…there’s nothing wrong with your pussy, nor that tight little ring right next to it. The real scars are in here.” I let my fingers softly tap her temple. “I might have mentioned that we have all the time this world has to offer. But fair warning, Andy. I’m not a very patient man, nor am I the kindness I will show your pussy the first time I’ll take it.” I lean in close, right next to her ear, letting my lips feather against it before I add on a whisper, “And you will offer, beg, me to take it.”

  Asexual my fucking ass. She fucking shivers and I need to close my eyes for a very brisk moment to regain control. Fuck. People might have thought she was this little dove that was stolen by ruthless hands. Crushed in every way she was thrown back where she let herself heal. In the end…she healed herself into an eagle. Powerfully rebuilt.

  Fucking hell, in this world the females are the deadliest. With an eagle? The dominant one tends to be a female. They are bigger than the male and even as a chick they kill siblings for the pure reason of survival. She’s a fighter. But we all have our breaking point. And like hell will I ever let the world see her in this moment of collapse.

  Fuck no. She’s going to recharge and strike back, spread those beautiful wings and show the wingspan. I have her back and will always be there for her. Even if she might hate me for pushing her limits. Like I told her, eventually I’ll wipe out that fine line between love and hate. There’s a reason I call her anima mia, my soul. The part of who makes you who you are. The part that will live on forever. And she is my forever.

  Stepping back, I round the bed and tell her, “Get in. I’ve told you, seven fucking days. That’s how long you have.”

  She slides back into bed and pulls at the sheets. “You said three weeks.”

  “I know what I said. The seven days is to get your strength back. No fooling around. But when day number eight awakens, I will show you just what you need and what you’ve been missing. And Andy...nothing sexual about it. Although you’ll soon find out that will all change from that day on too. You’re not asexual. Your body might have been in a slumber, but I will awaken it, and you will crave me, anima mia. I can promise you that.”

  Huffing and glaring. That’s all I get for the rest of the night. Not one more word falls from those lips. The morning after it’s the same thing. Not even a thank you when I bring her coffee. Like I’ve told her, seven days, that’s all she gets to sulk and regroup.

  All the days that follow seem long, one after another and practically uneventful. Well for me they are, and I can’t get inside of her head to really know what’s going on in there. But it’s been enough…it’s time, or make that her time has run out.

  It’s early morning of day eight when I step inside my bedroom. We’ve been sharing the bed and never once touched or had a good discussion. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a struggle each and every moment. I want to reach out, pull her close, let my knuckles run down her cheek, use my mouth in places I know can still both our hunger, yet I can’t. I’ve given her an ultimatum of how things go down.

  It’s needed because of what she went through. Not only days ago, but because of the ugliness in her past. That’s why I’m pacing the both of us. Yet today…that’s all going to change. There will be touching, it’s inevitable. I intend to spar with her, so throwing punches around kinda seals the deal for full contact.

  “Rise and shine, woman.” Sunlight hits her face as I push the curtains to the side.

  Some nice curses spill from her lips before she buries herself underneath the sheets. Yeah, not happening. Ripping them away, I throw them across the floor and place a bag in front of her.

  “Get washed up, get dressed. Meet me downstairs in five minutes,” I tell her and stalk toward the door. “Oh, and don’t fucking tempt me with not showing. Punishment will follow. Your seven days are up, so please…feel free to rebel. That would be a good first day to make you aware how things will be from now on.”

  I don’t wait to hear a reply. I mean why should I? She’s been ignoring me for the last seven days but I promised her…as of today it will be very hard to keep those lips closed around me.

  I’ve created a workout routine to get her back into shape. She’s been eating well for the last few days and the wound on her thigh is looking good. Or so the doc told me once he took the stiches out. Same as my forearm. Nicely healed. But I will build it up light for the both of us because I don’t want to risk injuring either one of us. Can
’t have any more setbacks. I received some information last night about Marco and I intend to tell her during our workout so she can blow off some steam.

  I’m wearing running shoes, a shirt, and shorts. Andy however is wearing black sneakers, yoga pants, and a tank top. She’s dragging her feet but I have to give it to her…she’s showing up. After days in bed, sulking, she’s finally out.

  “Here.” I hand her a new phone with earplugs. “I’ve already put your friends’ numbers in there along with mine. We’re going to start with some stretches, go slow on the treadmill, and we’ll finish with some hand to hand combat stuff. Sound good?”

  A grunt. Good. That’s something, right? Better than the full-on silent treatment. Let’s see if I can get some words tumbling from those lips.

  “I’ve heard some new information about Marco. Be civil and I’ll tell you everything. Keep those lips sealed and I won’t have anyone to talk things through with. Get me?” I raise an eyebrow in question.

  Her eyes widen before they narrow. “Fine. First some stretches you said?”

  We both head on over to a large space on the left. Mirrors line the wall on this side and a large window shines on the other side. I’ve managed to make every corner a different workout space. This part is clear and open for stretches, dumbbells, kettlebells, and whatever. The other corner is cardio and in the opposite from this one is a ring where I spar from time to time with either one of my bosses, Ford, Tarzan, and sometimes Yegor, or Jakov.

  Clearly, I didn’t think this shit through. Andy is bending over, waving her tight ass in the air right in front of me. I turn my head, only to see the mirrored version of it. Fuck. Me. Seriously, even when I face the damn window her reflection is still taunting me. I decide to just hit the treadmill instead.

  The time says seventeen minutes before she takes the treadmill next to me. I have to adjust and stop running because she’s signaling for me to talk. I’m good with that. I’ve always hated running on a treadmill, I’m more into running outside. Feels so damn different.

  “Mind telling me what happened when you caught up with Marco a week ago when I found you in that mansion? Then we’ll start from there,” I tell her.

  She shakes her head. “What good will that do?”

  “Just humor me, Andy,” I grumble and turn off the treadmill, turning my gaze toward her.

  Her eyes stay locked on the window. “I tracked him down to the mansion. Saw how many he kept around him at all times. The fucker even slept in the living room surrounded by his men. Fucking pansy ass. The only thing that made sense was to get caught so they would bring me to him where I could kill them all at once.” Her fist hits the stop button the same time she jumps off the treadmill. “The fucker snatched my phone and walked away. He walked away. Right out of the room as if he couldn’t be burdened with handling me.”

  “He’s not as stupid as his brother. He probably saw right through your scheme.” I hate to point that out, but her head drops as she nods in agreement.

  “I should have known. I just…” She sighs and it breaks my heart.

  Yet I can’t reach out and pull her into my arms like I want to. I’ve seen how defensive she is. Even with the nightmares she has every damn night she won’t let me comfort her. The only fucking time I had her in my arms in full surrender was when I pulled her out of the mansion. And only because she was weak from starving herself, from fighting, and the injury to her thigh.

  “You’ll do better next time,” I tell her with a firm voice.

  Her head whips up and there’s a bright smile on her face. One I haven’t seen in a long time.

  “Damn right,” she tells me.

  I keep our gaze locked. “Because I’ll be there right beside you. But, Andy…shit got a little tricky with you wiping out the crew he just managed to scrape together.”

  “Why? It’s easier now that it’s just him. Or maybe he’s already hired a few others to help him.” She gulps down some water, so I take advantage now that she can’t interrupt me.

  “He’s locked out of the Italian syndicate with that little stunt he and his brother pulled a few months ago. When they tried to take out Yegor, his wife, and you guys…there’s a target on his back. None of the Italian gangs, or let me rephrase that, no sane person would want to work with him.”

  “No,” she gasps. “Shit. I knew it…holy freaking…no.” Anger washes over her face. “Was I part of the ‘smooth things over with the Russians’? Did the syndicate demand Ricca to do it? Throw a wife at the third in command to save face?” she seethes and throws the water bottle at me.

  I catch the fucking thing but I’m wet all over. Grabbing the hem, I throw my shirt over my head and let it land on the floor. She eyes my movement and with that lets her gaze trail over my body. Damn. It’s as if she’s stroking me with her eyes. It’s not the first time she’s seen me shirtless and yet she’s grabbing an eyeful, but now is not the fucking time.

  “For fuck’s sake, Andy.” Dammit, she needs to know my point in all of this. “It wasn’t like that…at first. I mean it’s convenient but it started months ago when we met at the party, and you damn well know it. Don’t deny you felt something for me right then, huh? I did. I wanted you. Then you got kidnapped, hurt, then fucking left us all. So yeah, when your brother wrote me down as your fiancé at the hospital so I could go in…I held my ground and claimed you. In the end…it doesn’t fucking matter. You were meant to be mine no matter the reason or how it came about. Now listen up because this discussion is pointless, back to the subject. Marco. He’s on his own. Since you’re the reason he lost the crew he just put together…I damn well swear that fucker will come after you because he’s got nothing left to lose.”

  “Hmmmm. Smart. I think you’re right. Well, that makes things easier, don’t you think?” she fucking beams.

  “Easier?” I snap. “That means we can’t ever let our guard down, Andy. You also can’t leave the house without bodyguards. Not until he’s dead.”

  She fucking shrugs.

  The door swings open just as I’m about to shake some sense into her. Tarzan, Ruby, and Karma stride into the room.

  “Your seven days are up, Afon. Hand her over…it’s girl time,” Tarzan states.

  Fuck.

  Chapter 06

  The heat of a hand meeting skin.

  ***Andy***

  Happiness blooms within me. My friends. The three women I met the same night I met Afon. All of them connected to the Dudnik Circle. Yet Karma not so much because her husband has his own gang. How I missed them over the last few weeks. Karma just became aware she was pregnant right before I left. Ruby, I just heard, is also pregnant. Even though we did stay in contact with a quick text here and there, it’s not the same as hugging them close.

  Running forward, we all hug until I suddenly realize something. Pulling back, I look at Tarzan. “Hey, how did you get in?”

  I didn’t hear a doorbell, or did they sneak their way inside? Afon has a security system in place with cameras. He told me that he’s got around the clock surveillance. Either Jakov or Vinci keep an eye on things and they both know who these girls are. Did one of them see them coming and open the door? Oh, and let’s not forget Dozor, he would have barked too, yet the dog didn’t make a peep. I’m sure he was in the living room and not locked up in his own room.

  Tarzan shoves a hand down her pocket and holds up a key. “This is how.”

  I can’t explain what feelings are running through me but it’s unsettling. That’s the reason I snatch the key away from Tarzan. Her eyebrow raises but she doesn’t say anything. The other two stay silent too but their eyes aren’t on me or Tarzan. Nope. They are locked on Afon’s chest. Bare. Inked. Hard. Muscled. Upper body naked on show and for all to see.

  “Hey,” I snap. “Ya’ll have husbands. Act like it and stop gawking at...” I swallow my next word because if I didn’t I would have spit out ‘mine’.

  Although it will be the truth because two weeks from now Afon an
d I will be married. Ever since I was a little girl I knew this day would come; to be handed over as a wife without any choice of who my husband would be. My mother prepared me for this ever since I was a little girl who dreamed about a big wedding with a pretty white dress. She used to tell me about a partnership instead of love. No matter what age, or how many times she would explain, I would always get angry. Yet when I look at Afon I have to admit that my anger is not directed at him. The thought of being passed off to him…yes, that does make anger rise.

  Ricca swore after what happened to me that he would hold off as long as he could, promising it would turn into me not being married off altogether. The syndicate keeps track of unwed Italian females within the high-class families. Seeing I run my gang along with my brother, Ricca got a lot of requests for my hand in marriage.

  “Are you waving your hand at the man? Forgot his name there, Andy?” Tarzan chuckles. “Ah, it’s the muscles dipped with ink, huh? Yeah. I don’t see him like that, he’s more like the brother I never had. That, and I’ve kicked his ass too many times.”

  “Out. All of you. Go to the living room, kitchen, whatever. I’ll go change and be right there,” I tell them and start shoving my friends, who are laughing their ugly asses off, out of the room.

  Rushing up the stairs, I head for the bedroom and start to strip and walk naked into the bathroom. Turning on the water, I see movement at the corner of my eye, the mirror showing what’s behind me. Afon.

  It takes everything in me not to cover myself up. Ever since he told me that he saw me…really saw me, as in all the scars on my body, I’ve been trying not to get self-conscience. That’s the reason why I force myself to ignore him and step underneath the hot water.

  “Why did you snatch away Tarzan’s key?” His voice rumbles through the air.

  Keeping my eyes closed, I act as if he hasn’t spoken, letting my fingers slide through my wet hair. Because for real…how should I answer that one? ‘Why does another woman have a key to your home while I don’t even have one?’ Ugh. I damn well know she’s his boss but for real...I’m not jealous, I just don’t want any other woman having a key. The touch of a sponge on my back makes me freeze.