Black Kat

by DeMuzio, Kirsten

  Luke Wells was her brother’s best friend and right hand man, although exactly what work he did for Alexander was rather vague. Natasha’s earliest memories from her childhood had included Luke, and she’d had a crush on him since she was old enough to have crushes. None of the boys she had dated in high school or college had come close to living up to Luke - at least the Luke in her daydreams. She really didn’t know him all that well anymore, because ever since she had moved to Las Vegas he was rarely around when she went to see Alexander.

  Allison shoved a flute of champagne into her hand as well as giving one to Shiloh, who was sitting next to Natasha. The three of them had been roommates since sophomore year when they had moved out of the dorms and into a posh apartment, courtesy of Alexander. This was their last semester of their senior year, and the last year they would live together. Allison was moving to Los Angeles for grad school, and Shiloh was moving in with her boyfriend.

  “To Natasha, for finally turning twenty one so she doesn’t have to use her fake ID anymore!”

  The girls clinked glasses and gulped down the champagne since they were already on the Strip. Natasha was a year younger than her friends due to having graduated high school early. The boarding schools Alexander had sent her to were intensely academic, and she had always excelled in school. Which was one reason she chose UNLV instead of Yale or Harvard like Alexander had wanted. She needed a break from the rigorous education she had devoted her life to up until then. She wanted a real college experience - frat parties, skipping classes and sleeping until mid-afternoon.

  As the limo pulled into the long curved driveway to the main entrance of The Onyx, the girls all straightened their dresses and smoothed their hair. Natasha wouldn’t admit to anyone that she had dressed to impress only one person tonight. Even though he probably wouldn’t notice, because she was just the little sister of his best friend and boss.

  “So who’s the guy your brother has watching over us tonight?” Shiloh asked. “I’ve never had a bodyguard before - this is so exciting!”

  “His name is Luke. He’s worked for Alexander forever.” Natasha looked out the window as the limo slowed to a stop and her breath caught in her throat just like always. She managed to get out, “That’s him. Over there,” and she prayed her friends didn’t notice the slight tremor in her voice.

  Both girls’ heads’ swiveled around. “Holy shit,” Allison breathed. “He’s hot.”

  That’s an understatement, thought Natasha as she took in Luke’s tall hard body standing at alert with his arms crossed over his chest. He wasn’t as polished and sophisticated as her brother, and he still had an edge about him that never went away completely no matter how far he got from where he grew up. He was wearing his usual uniform of worn jeans, gray t-shirt and dark jacket. Luke’s eyes were shaded by his aviator sunglasses, but Natasha felt like he was staring through the darkened windows of the limo and straight into her soul.

  She only had a moment to collect herself before Luke stalked over and swung open the door of the limo. Allison and Shiloh went out first, both nearly falling over their own feet as they got an up close and personal look at Luke.

  Natasha drew in a deep breath of courage and scooted across the seat and out of the limo. As she put her weight onto her black stiletto heels, she caught a whiff of Luke’s clean masculine scent. And she did fall over - right into his rock hard chest.

  Luke was used to ignoring the attentions of women, except when he chose not to. So, it was easy to overlook the two twittering girls that spilled out of the limo. But when Natasha slid a thin leg, bare to mid thigh, out of the limo and then promptly tripped right into his arms, his body immediately reacted like he was a fourteen year old boy copping his first feel.

  Grasping Natasha’s delicate upper arms, he held her at arm’s length. No need for her to know how easily aroused he was when she was around. But Goddamn, she smelled good. The perfume she always wore floated up and Luke inhaled deeply. He would know that scent anywhere. And then she looked up at him - her long dark hair falling in tousled waves over her bare shoulders, her cleavage bared by her low cut black dress heaving as she breathed deeply, and those milk chocolate eyes wide as she stared up at him.

  Luke could have stared into her eyes forever with maybe a few glances down at her full lips, which were coated in slick red gloss tonight. But that would have been highly unprofessional considering he was working tonight.

  “Are you okay?” he asked gruffly as he held onto her arms just long enough to make sure she was steady on those ridiculously high heels. Though they made her legs look real fucking good.

  “Y..yes…sorry,” Natasha muttered, her eyes anywhere but on his.

  A slight shiver ran down her spine and Luke noticed the goosebumps on her arms. “You should be wearing a coat or…more clothes,” he said harshly.

  Natasha jerked her chin up and rolled her eyes, a move he had seen directed toward Alexander on more than one occasion. “A coat wouldn’t go with my outfit. And we won’t be outside much longer anyway.”

  Luke sighed and only then remembered the other girls were there. “Let’s get inside.” He motioned for the women to walk ahead of him through the open door, courtesy of the doorman. Did he think this was going to be a long night? Luke scoffed. Yeah, only the longest night in the history of long nights.

  Natasha was anything but wobbly now as she strode confidently across the lobby, her arms linked with her friends. Luke followed at a safe distance, so he couldn’t smell her. But short of gouging his eyes out, there wasn’t much he could do about the sight of her lean hips swaying as she walked, or the way her very short dress hugged her ass. Shoving his sunglasses in his jacket pocket, Luke cursed as he followed the trio to the swanky seafood restaurant where they had dinner reservations.

  As a guest, he would have been way underdressed. But as an employee of The Onyx and known to everyone else who worked there, Luke got a professional smile and nod from the host as he led the girls to their table.

  Luke took a seat at the end of the bar, so he had a good view of the restaurant as well as Natasha’s table. The bartender brought over his usual glass of Jack Daniels, but Luke waved it away.

  “Just water tonight. I’m on the job.” He tilted his head in the direction of Natasha.

  The bartender looked over. “Oh, isn’t that Mr. Petrovsky’s sister?”

  “Yup. It’s her twenty first birthday. I must have fucked up real good in another life to get stuck on babysitting duty,” Luke said.

  The bartender laughed as he filled up a glass with ice and water. “I wouldn’t mind babysitting her,” he replied with another long look in Natasha’s direction.

  Luke took the glass of water, gripping it so tightly he was surprised it didn’t shatter. In a tight voice, he warned, “Alexander is extremely protective of his sister.”

  The bartender suddenly seemed to remember they weren’t just two guys shooting the shit.

  “Oh, right. Of course,” he said and high tailed it to the other end of the bar.

  Luke took a look around the restaurant and then turned his attention to his water glass. Maybe if he stared hard enough it would give him the answers to how the fuck he was going to get through the night.

  “Luke?”

  Natasha’s soft sweet voice brought his head up real quick. And her hand on his arm made him jump. Jesus Christ. He needed to get a grip.

  “Yeah?” he said a little too harshly, judging from the way she dropped her hand and took a step back. “I mean - do you need something?”

  She bit her bottom lip as she shook her head. Her white teeth sinking into the plump red skin. Luke wrenched his eyes from her mouth as she spoke.

  “I just wanted to thank you for coming out with us tonight. I know my brother can be a bit…demanding. I’m sure you’d rather be anywhere else…,” she trailed off.

  “No,” he lied. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

  “Okay. Are you sure? Because you seem kind of…pissy.�
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  Luke barked out a laugh. “Pissy?”

  Natasha smiled and shrugged.

  Shaking his head, Luke couldn’t help but smile. “It’s really okay, Natasha. I want you to have a good time tonight. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Okay, well…thank you,” she said and flashed him a dazzling smile that nearly knocked him off the bar stool. She turned and sashayed back to her table. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked back at him and nearly plowed into a waiter with a full tray of drinks.

  “Oh, shit!” she exclaimed.

  Luke realized he was still smiling while he watched her gingerly sidestep the waiter. What a fucking pussy he was. One smile from her and he was practically drooling. Luke checked his watch. Ten minutes down. Five hours to go.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kat tilted her head to the side and slipped the diamond chandelier earring through her lobe. She had a feeling the earrings and diamond tear drop necklace that were delivered with the gown weren’t costume jewelry. At least working as a cocktail waitress had given her plenty of experience styling her hair and doing her makeup.

  The jewelry was too beautiful to be hidden, so Kat had curled her hair and piled it on top of her head, leaving a few tendrils to curl around her face and neck. Smoothing her hands over her hips, Kat wondered how Alexander knew what size she wore. The strapless teal lace gown hugged her slight curves and flared out as it fell to the floor. It was a gorgeous dress, and it came with matching shoes and a silver clutch.

  Working at The Garden of Eden had also helped Kat get over her fear of feeling exposed. Wearing next to nothing every night at work made this dress feel modest. Leaning into the mirror, Kat turned her head to examine the bruise on her left cheekbone. Makeup had covered most of it, but in the light she could see the slight darkening of the skin. Oh, well. Nothing she could do about it now. And finding out what she had and bringing down at least one small sex-trafficking ring was worth it.

  A single bark from Blade alerted Kat to the sound of a car door shutting outside. It was exactly 7:00pm. Mr. Petrovsky was punctual.

  Two loud raps on the door sent Blade into a barking frenzy. Kat peered through the peephole to see Alexander waiting on the other side decked out in black tie, which wasn’t surprising considering what she was wearing.

  “Blade, go to your bed,” Kat ordered with a snap of her fingers. Blade dutifully obeyed, though he remained on full alert even as he sat on his dog bed in the corner.

  Kat unchained the door and slipped the deadbolt. Alexander stood on the other side, as tall and dark and confident as she remembered. In a fleeting thought, Kat wondered what his weakness was. What would bring this enigma of a man to his knees?

  “You look lovely, Katya,” Alexander’s smooth voice said as he looked her over from head to toe. “Janice did well.”

  “Oh, you didn’t pick this out yourself?” Kat replied sarcastically.

  “No, but I did instruct her to find a dress to match your eyes,” he said as his dark eyes met hers. “It seems she did quite well.”

  The semi-compliment made Kat want to squirm, so instead she turned away to pick up her clutch and the matching shawl to keep her bare shoulders warm on the way to the gala.

  When she turned back around, her eyes widened as Alexander slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled out two large dog biscuits. Leaning down slightly, he offered them to Blade, who greedily snatched them up and started crunching.

  “Do you always bring dog treats on your dates?”

  Alexander’s eyes twinkled wickedly. “Only for you, Katya. Only for you.”

  Kat rolled her eyes. “We’d better get going.” She wasn’t one for small talk. She would rather get this night going and over with. Just because she was holding up her end of the bargain didn’t mean she was enjoying it.

  “After you,” Alexander said, gesturing her through the door ahead of him. He waited while she locked the door and then followed her down the stairs to the waiting limo. Kat bet this was the only time a limo had ever been in this neighborhood that wasn’t stolen.

  It was a bit tricky to get herself and her dress with its short train into the limo in somewhat of a ladylike fashion, but she finally managed while Alexander waited patiently for her to get settled before getting in across from her. Kat was glad he didn’t choose to sit next to her. The rules of their business arrangement were clear, but he was a man. And the only male she completely trusted was Blade.

  Fussing with the skirt of her dress, Kat asked, “So, what’s this thing we’re going to?”

  “It’s a charity gala benefitting the Children’s Hospital. A very worthy cause.”

  “Yeah, you seem like such a philanthropist.”

  Alexander raised one dark eyebrow.

  “It seems you have strong opinions about me, though we’ve only just met recently.”

  “We may have just met, but your reputation precedes you, Mr. Petrovsky.”

  “Ah. My reputation. And what is it you have heard about me, Miss Rossi?” Alexander asked, mirroring her sudden formality.

  Kat’s eyes flicked around the dim interior of the limo and landed on Alexander’s dark curious eyes. “Let’s cut the bullshit, Alex. We both know The Onyx isn’t your only business pursuit.”

  Alexander let out a harsh laugh. “There’s always a bit of truth to rumors. You are correct, Katya, that I have other avenues of income other than The Onyx. But let’s not beat around the bush. Ask me.”

  “Ask you what?”

  “The question that has been burning in your mind since the moment you saw me in Dane’s gym.”

  Kat chewed on the inside of her cheek and turned her head to the side. Alexander’s sharp intake of breath had her turning back to face him. His eye were burning with a dark heat as he focused on her cheekbone.

  “What happened?” he asked, raising his hand as if he wanted to touch her.

  Kat shrank back against the seat and raised her own hand to her cheek. “Nothing.”

  Alexander narrowed his eyes and drummed his fingers on his knee. “Very well. Ask me what you want to know. I will answer truthfully, and then you will tell me why you have a bruise on your cheek.”

  Kat thought back to the empty spot on her wall where Alexander’s picture had once hung. She had taken it down because her instincts told her he wasn’t a part of this. And she trusted her instincts more than the words of this powerful man. But she asked the question regardless. “Are you involved in the business of…women?”

  Alexander didn’t even flinch. He had known what her question would be. “No. Absolutely not. I have a healthy respect for women, and though my business dealings may not be approved of by the law, there are some lines I will not cross.”

  Kat released the breath she had been holding. It felt good to hear him speak the words, but her innate skepticism had her voicing a follow up question. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

  Alexander reached into his jacket and pulled out a smooth black leather wallet. Flipping it open he withdrew a picture and held it out for Kat. She reached across the space between them and took the picture. It was of a beautiful young woman with long dark hair and a radiant smile. Kat frowned. She hadn’t even considered the possibility that Alexander was in a relationship. And for some reason that thought put a sour taste in her mouth.

  “That is my sister, Natasha. She is the light of my life, and because of her I have a healthy respect for women. I would never treat a woman with any less respect than my sister deserves.”

  His sister. Kat felt a strange sort of relief flood her. Why should it matter that this was his sister and not his lover? Kat was so lost in trying to decode her unfamiliar feelings that she didn’t notice that Alexander had moved to sit beside her until he spoke next to her ear.

  “Now it’s your turn, Katya.” He was so close his breath ruffled the tendrils of hair against her neck. Kat jerked away and turned to face him while putting some space between them.

  Handing the p
icture of Natasha back to him, Kat said, “I followed the lead you gave me and went to question Jill Stuart myself.”

  “You did what?” Alexander’s voice boomed through the limo, causing Kat to jerk back for a second time.

  Kat squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her. This was her life. Her revenge. She had every right to do what she did.

  “I went to find her at the address you gave me. She was there with several other women who were tied up and drugged. Jill was too out of it, but I was able to talk with one of the girls. She confirmed they were being held against their will and forced to…” Kat trailed off, not able to say it out loud.

  Alexander’s jaw was clenched so tightly it was a wonder he didn’t crack a tooth. “That doesn’t explain how you got the bruise,” he ground out, clearly on the edge of losing his restraint.

  “A man came to wake up the girls, and he caught me as I was trying to leave.”

  Alexander just looked at her, not satisfied with her short answer.

  “He pushed me. I hit my cheek on the wall going downstairs. Then I shot him in the leg and got out.”

  Alexander closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Finally he opened his eyes, and the intense look in them bore straight through Kat.

  “I did not give you that information so you could risk your life following up on it yourself. I have people to do that.”

  Kat opened her mouth to object and reiterate that she could take care of herself, but Alexander held up his hand.

  “This is not a joke, Katya. The people you are looking for will think nothing of killing you or worse. I will not have you out there on your own. Are we clear?”

  Kat crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t tell me what to do. This is my life.” Even to her own ears she sounded like a pouty child.

  “Yes, and your life is precious. If you want any more information from me, you need to promise me one thing. You will not go out alone. If you are dead set on it, you will call me first and I will go with you.”