by Raven Rivers
“I never would have taken her for a safe cracker.”
“She is clever, manipulative, and deceitful. Do not turn your back on her.”
“Yet you gave her your house key. You must have some trust in her.”
“Miss Bethany, you have absolutely no idea how people work, do you?”
“She is quite naive in some regards. I find it endearing. It also makes me more comfortable having her managing my financial affairs.”
Bethany couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice. “Yep, that’s me, poor little innocent Bethany. You can totally trust me to let you know if I chop down a cherry tree.”
A confused expression fell on the men’s faces. Chensnokov asked suspiciously, “Bethany, is there something you haven’t been telling us?”
Bethany thought it over for a minute. “You know that you have people trying to nail you, right?”
“I am aware that several other enterprising individuals would like to share the fruits of my labors. Local law enforcement is always sniffing around, hoping to catch me with my pants down. What am I missing?”
“Well, the DEA has approached me a couple of times. They’re getting pushy. Any idea what they want?”
Chensnokov’s eyes became perfectly round. “What have you told them?”
“That you’re my client, and as a licensed CPA I have a fiduciary obligation to you.”
“You keep my confidences, like a doctor or a lawyer?”
“Yep, lucky you. Lucky me, too. I don’t think my life would be worth spit if I squealed on the lot of you. Plus, I kind of like you.”
Chensnokov smiled smugly. “You also have absolutely no information on any illegal activity by me, so what would you report?”
“Well, they are the Drug Enforcement Administration. Whatever they’re looking for is probably drug related. I hope you’re not involved in anything like that.”
“Unlike you, Miss Bethany, I am not so forthcoming with my personal business.”
“Let’s just keep it that way, okay? We can have a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. Yep, that would be real nice.”
“I thought it was a ‘kiss and don’t tell’ policy.”
The old man was teasing her again. “I am not kissing you, Timur.”
“Oh, so we are on a first name basis now, are we?”
Bethany rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.
Chensnokov immediately held up both hands in surrender. “There is no need for the warrior’s pose, Miss Bethany. I can always tell when I have gone too far. Your body language speaks volumes. Perhaps we can get down to business, yes?”
She took a step back to the bar and sat down. He opened his briefcase and began pulling out documents. Bethany smothered a smile as Draj, the shestyorka, poured them more coffee. They began working out the details of an IRA for his inner circle of employees.
Chapter 3
Seal Her to Us
~ Timur ~
Timur sat in his study with his fingers entwined together, mulling over his options. A warm fire crackled in his fireplace, the flames dancing hypnotically before his eyes. A glass of vintage wine sat on the marble table beside him, the delectable aroma warring with the scent of burning wood for his attention. Sipping a cool chardonnay after a long day was one of his few pleasures. His older home was furnished with antiques culled from the four corners of the world, making it an exquisitely comfortable refuge. His home was the one place where he could rest his weary body and mind after a long, hard day. It was high time his men learned of the importance of home and family.
Starting over in America had been a difficult endeavor. He came with a small, select group of men looking to make a better life for each one of them. Together they worked night and day for years to make that happen. He couldn’t even count the number of obstacles they had overcome to carve out their little niche in the world. He wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from them. Having no wife and children of his own, his men filled that void in his life. He thought of each one as his own son, for each man had strengths and weaknesses. His job was to develop their strengths and teach them to minimize their weaknesses. Building them up gave his life meaning and purpose.
Then there was little Bethany. She was a gem and didn’t even know it. Being smart and pretty was a double delight. Now to find that she was loyal as well, he wouldn’t be letting her get away from them. She said the DEA were becoming more persistent about pressing her into service. That was worrisome.
Most mob bosses would cut their losses and just whack her. Timur smiled at the odd American expression. In his opinion, the Italian mob bosses were far too fond of whacking people. It felt like using a rocket launcher when a sniper rifle was needed. For instance, with Bethany, why whack her when she had so many sterling qualities to recommend her.
First, there was a natural propensity towards honesty. Timur appreciated that more than most. She was also diligent in her work and didn’t pry into his nefarious dealings. Her lovely little brown face with the sweet smile and large, expressive brown eyes floated to the forefront of his consciousness. No, whacking such a delightful creature was simply out of the question.
What he really needed was to draw her closer, keep her firmly entrenched in his world. He pondered how to best do that.
Dimitri knocked softly on the door and Timur motioned him to a seat.
“Sorry it took a minute to get here, boss. I was across town at the Broadway. Some idiot was trying to pass off counterfeit money at the bar.”
“How very interesting.”
“Don’t worry. I tracked it all down.”
He reached into his duffle bag, pulled out a leather roll, and spread it out on the coffee table. He picked up a copper plate with one gloved hand and held it up. Timur queried, “What do you suggest we do with those?”
“Get the hell rid of them for a tidy profit. Counterfeiting seems like a good idea until you are asshole deep into it, then it normally goes to shit. An operation like that requires specialized resources and people we don’t have. It’s risky, especially if the DEA is trying to get their claws into us. One can only shove so much of it through any one venue before people begin to notice.”
Timur held up one hand. “Enough, Dimitri. I happen to agree with you about a counterfeiting operation. We have no expertise in this matter. In a risk-versus-reward analysis, it does not seem worth risking all our other ventures by getting caught up in something we know so little about.”
Dimitri let out a relieved breath. “I think I may be able to unload them for a quarter tonight. If you like, we can keep looking for buyers…spread the net wider. We could probably double that profit with some minimal risk.”
“Shop around discreetly, Dimitri. I want them out of our hands in the next twenty-four hours. You have done well, my friend. Even a quarter million spread among the ten of us is still a nice bonus. For your diligence, I will instruct that your share be generous.”
Dimitri smiled slightly for an instant, clearly pleased with the compliment. He quietly rolled the plates back up and stuffed them in his bag. “Now, what did you need, boss? Why did you call me here?”
“The situation with Bethany worries me, Dimitri.”
The younger man ran his hand through his hair nervously. “Is this the point in the conversation where I suggest we whack her? I really don’t want to whack her, boss.”
Timur shook his head. “I have decided to give her to one of you.”
“That is smart. If the DEA do get ahold of her, they cannot legally force her to testify against her husband.”
“Would you like to have Miss Bethany for your wife?”
Dimitri stared at the older man for a moment before shaking his head. “She is sweet, but not my type.”
“Do not think that I have failed to notice your type of woman has an Adam’s apple. I may be an old man, but I am not stupid to the ways of the world, Dimitri.”
“I keep my professional life and my personal life separa
te.”
“You are like a son to me. Do you think I care about such things?”
When Dimitri didn’t respond, Timur continued. “Such things bother me not. Now, back to Miss Bethany. I say we give her to the pretty boy.”
Dimitri’s mouth twitched slightly. “He’s already taken.”
Timur’s mouth fell into a round circle. “I see. Draj is out of the question, then. What do you suggest?”
“Steiv overheard her talking with Dina.”
Timur stated dryly, “I’m sure nothing productive came of that conversation.”
“Nothing of note, except she mentioned that she thought Valisy was prettier than Draj.”
Timur looked surprised. “That doesn’t sound like accurate information.”
“My Draj is definitely the prettier of the two.”
“No, I mean Miss Bethany discussing how attractive our men are. That just doesn’t seem like something she would say.”
“I believe women say things to each other that they would never dare tell us. Besides, you must have seen Valisy staring at her.”
“You all stare at her…well, everyone except you and Draj.” The older man sighed dramatically. How had he missed that? “Valisy it is, then. I hope he can manage to win her over.”
“I certainly hope so as well. The alternative is distasteful. You know how much we hate harming women.”
Timur leisurely sipped a drink of his chardonnay. “Well, there are a lot of options between marrying her into our little family and whacking her.”
Dimitri looked perfectly serious. “Yes. We could always hold her cat hostage to gain her cooperation if things get desperate. Perhaps frighten her by putting a gun to its head or something.”
Timur’s lips crumpled into a small frown. “Are you perchance developing a sense of humor, Dimitri? If so, I don’t approve.”
“A thousand apologies, my liege. I will get moving on our plan to unload these plates. I’ll let you know what offers come in.”
Timur waved Dimitri away with one hand. Miss Bethany had a cat. How interesting. All the evil villains on the television had cats. They were bad for scratching up furniture. Timur decided to look into acquiring a cat the very first chance he got. Plans within plans, just what he needed to keep his mind occupied.
The more he turned over the situation in his mind, the more convinced he became that Valisy and Bethany would complement each other. Both of them were young, smart, and attractive. The two were eve-tempered and unafraid of plunging headlong into new experiences. Each had even shown an interest in the other. Yes, this would work out nicely. His Valisy deserved a woman of worth, someone as honorable as he was. Nothing less would do. Timur swallowed the last of his wine. He loved it when necessity and convenience converged to create genuine happiness.
He could see it all unfold in his mind’s eye. Valisy and Bethany getting married and then falling in love. Naturally, they would have lots of children for him to spoil. It was enough to put a smile on an old man’s face. He would finally get to be a grandfather. Just thinking of filling them with sweets, taking them to the theatre, and sending them presents at Christmas was enough to get him moving towards the phone.
Bethany’s sleepy voice answered when he called.
“Miss Bethany, I need you to stop by my home tomorrow evening. I need to go over some figures with you.”
“Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“Wake up and pay attention, you impertinent woman. There will be important people at this meeting, so be sure you are looking your best. You must wear white.”
“What on earth are you talking about? You’ve never said anything like that to me before. What’s up?”
Timur let out an exasperated huff as his mind scrambled to compensate for his stupid comment. “They are Japanese. They expect women to be well put together. That is all and goodnight.”
He hung up quickly before he messed up again. He was feeling more lighthearted than he could ever remember. Matchmaking was proving to be a most gratifying experience.
Chapter 4
An Indecent Proposal
~ Bethany ~
Bethany’s eyes went perfectly round. She couldn’t have possibly heard the old man correctly. It sounded like Timur Chensnokov just said something about her becoming his bodyguard’s wife. Why would he be trying to get her to marry his bodyguard? Had his favorite game morphed into him thinking he could really match couples up? No, that didn’t make sense. Then again, her marrying a man she hardly knew didn’t make sense either.
She stole a sideways glance at Timur’s hulking bodyguard, Valisy. He was somewhat older than her, maybe around thirty-five. He towered over most of the other men in the room. His pale blue eyes were a sharp contrast against his dark hair. The buttons on his expensive button-up shirt bulged with the effort of holding in all his muscles. Arms the size of tree trunks were folded over his chest.
Valisy’s face was totally impassive as his ice blue eyes stared straight ahead, like the conversation at hand didn’t pertain to him. The only details alerting her that he was aware of his pending fate were his tense body posturing and a taut muscle twitching around his jaw line. She wondered if he was as incensed at the proposed match as she was.
A quick glance at her reflection in the large hallway mirror was revealing. The woman staring back at her was surrounded by large men. The brown eyes peering out of her flawless bronze face appeared thoroughly shocked. Her hair was pulled back on one side. It was a sharp contrast to the types of formal hairstyles normally worn by women in her age group…women on the wrong side of thirty. Her clean, simple clothing and minimal makeup made it clear she was no seductress lying in wait to snag a good-looking Russian husband.
Bethany had a momentary twinge of compassion for the nice man in danger of getting saddled with her. She had seen him with enough women to know he preferred curvaceous, top-heavy blondes with a little mileage on them. She stared at herself in the mirror. Nope, she did not fit the bill. She was small, delicate, and had teacup-sized breasts. Though she had a unique, quirky style, most men passed right over her in favor of beautiful blondes. As for mileage, she had enjoyed exactly three lovers in her long life. That didn’t exactly make her experienced.
The offer—demand—was so unexpected that she felt blindsided. Maybe it was related to the crossfire she got caught in a few weeks back. Then again, she might be missing something.
Silence seemed to have swallowed up the small space. As everyone stood looking at her, she could feel their gazes boring into her. They were clearly waiting for a response.
Glancing back over at Timur, she saw his cold black eyes glaring at her impatiently. There was no doubt in her mind that he was waiting for her to acquiesce to his demand.
“Excuse me. Can you repeat that last part? I’m not sure I caught the general gist of it.”
The man sighed, and his voice reeked of forced tolerance. “I told you, I have assigned Valisy to be your husband. You will be a wife to him.”
Well, that was simple enough. Bethany understood him completely. The old man was stark raving mad, but she definitely understood what he was saying. He wanted her to marry his bodyguard. It was not so much what he suggested, as the way he said it. His tone broke no refusal, and seemed to her ears to be very final.
For some godforsaken reason she couldn’t quite fathom, the idea was not nearly as off-putting as it should be. She must be getting desperate, if rough-looking mobsters were now a subconscious possibility. She shoved back all her internal ramblings in favor of dealing with the pending offer.
“Thanks, but no thanks, Mr. Chensnokov. I’m not in the market for a husband. Therefore, I’m afraid I must decline your generous offer.”
The man’s voice dropped an octave, sounding slightly more menacing than before. “You are not afraid enough, I think. The mistake was mine for leaving you with the impression it was an offer. There was no offer for you to accept or decline. In my world, I decide such things for m
y men. I have determined the two of you suit one another. My friend needs a wife, you need a protector. The match is made.”
“I need a…what? Working for you is the only reason I’m ever in danger. Now you want to assign me a husband? That is one hell of a way to correct a problem that you yourself created.”
“I have made the match, and you will honor it. It is my decision.”
His thick Russian accent made the whole speech sound vaguely threatening. What an arrogant little prick. Bethany could feel her anger rising like a dark tide. “It is not your decision to make. I know you are king of your own little world. Go ahead and run your sprawling empire. Just know this: you don’t run me. This is at-will employment for me. I can quit anytime I like.”
The man took an intimidating step towards her. “You will do as I say, Bethany. I know what is best.”
Arguing with him was getting her nowhere fast. Then it hit Bethany like a ton of bricks. Perhaps his primary motivation was to fit his bodyguard with a wife, rather than her with a protector. If so, it didn’t necessarily need to be her. “Have you given any thought to what qualities Valisy might like in a wife? Do I look anything at all like the women he normally sees?”
Timur’s irritation clicked up a level. She could see it in his eyes. “Do you think you’re too good for him?”
Her brow quirked up and she took a step closer to the older man. “Of course not. I do think he prefers buxom blondes. As that’s what he likes, it makes sense to try to find him one. I’ll even help you. There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of them in your world.”
The gangster looked incredulous. “Do you think this is some sort of negotiation? Or perhaps you think me weak. You will do as I say.”
