Aspen deserved a legit man. She also didn’t seem interested in sharing herself with more than one man at once. At least he didn’t want to think of her being made love to by any man or men except for him and his team. They all wanted her. Hell, they talked about making a move, but the consequences seemed to outweigh their own happiness. If Aspen got involved with them, she would be in more danger than ever before. In fact, their enemies could try to kill her. No, they couldn’t do that to her. She needed a good life, a perfect life made for a woman as sweet and capable as her. He tried to keep his distance from her and not show his true feelings. He warned his team to hide them as well or it could put her life in danger. But every time he thought about her, he thought about who she was sleeping with, who got to hold her in his arms and inhale that delicious scent of her perfume. That just fucked with his head and increased the possessive feeling he had since day one.
He thought about her more often than he wanted to admit. He didn’t need to ask the others if they thought about her, too. Zin and York would be pleased if Aspen accepted a position working for them. But she didn’t seem ready to leave her current position where she was. At least he didn’t think she would want to. She was making crazy money. Sparks Industries seemed to keep her on permanently although she said her work was contractual. Hell, if things went well between Storm, his team and Gary Sparks, Aspen might just wind up being an employee of theirs after all. Wouldn’t that be nice?
He imagined what he would do to her, if there weren’t all these restrictions and fears for her life. She would be his whenever he wanted her. In the office, over his desk, in the private elevator, or even in their penthouse where he and his team could share her.
That was a fantasy. None of them would be so selfish as to bring death to her doorstep and destroy her chance at happiness. No, they had to deny the feelings they had for her and pretend to be the good brothers watching out for their best friend’s sister.
He sought her out and once again saw her talking, socializing with three businessmen he knew pretty well. They were good men. Each would make a great husband for Aspen.
He felt his gut wrench in anger and disgust. Who the fuck was he kidding? He didn’t ever want to see her with another man, in a romantic relationship ever.
She lived in a penthouse suite in one of the best buildings in the city owned by him and his team, and had an outstanding reputation in the business world as well as amongst their own family and friends.
No, staying clear, perhaps protecting her from afar was best.
“You look about ready to kill someone,” Zin told Storm.
“I’m fine. Let’s see if we can get a few minutes of Dmitri’s time. We have that business to discuss and finalize.”
“Well, then you better gain control of that jealous anger from seeing Aspen with Demyan. She’s currently walking arm and arm with Dmitri right now,” Zin said.
Storm looked across the room and exhaled with his fists by his side. Sure as shit, there was Dmitri, the fucking bastard, with his hand practically on Aspen’s ass. As she laughed at something one of his guards said to her, she turned and lost her smile immediately.
There stood Andrei Renoke.
* * * *
“Dmitri, why do you insist on asking me out? You know my answer already. We’ve been friends far too long and I know your history with women.”
“Oh come on now, Aspen, you and I would make a fabulous couple. My good looks, your natural beauty and charm, never mind business sense. Have I thanked you enough for the Clarence job you grabbed right out from underneath Andrei’s fingertips?”
She chuckled, knowing it was more for personal satisfaction that she pulled the multimillion-dollar construction job right from under Andrei’s nose. The slimy bastard deserved to die for what he had done and continued to get away with. Just as she laughed she locked gazes with the scumbag himself. Anger boiled through her bloodstream and she wished so badly they weren’t here at a fundraising event. Perhaps a shooting range with his head as the target would make her happier.
“Once again, Dmitri, you’ve outdone yourself. This is quite the affair,” he said, giving Dmitri the once-over but her, he let his eyes intentionally take their time looking her body over. It gave her the creeps as Aspen unconsciously stepped back. But Andrei reached for her hand and brought it to his lips as he pulled her toward him. His forcefulness, and show of authority seemed to not only get under her skin but Dmitri’s as well.
Dmitri placed his hand on her shoulder causing her to stand between the two men, too close for comfort. She tried pulling her hand from Andrei’s but he didn’t allow it. She felt the gun and holster as he pulled her snug against him. The man had audacity. But as much as she despised him, she, too, had to play her role and show respect.
“Mr. Renoke. It’s nice to see you.” She lowered her head and eyes.
He inhaled against her hair and she tilted her head up, shocked by his move. They locked gazes and she felt the shiver of fear roll up her spine. She was playing with fire. Had been since she took on the job Dmitri offered her in sealing the business deal. She didn’t want to be this close to the man. He had an aura of power, death, and darkness that told every nerve ending in her body to retreat and just let him talk and play his role. She looked toward Dmitri.
“Dmitri, you didn’t tell me that you were having such big shots attending the gathering tonight.”
She felt Andrei’s hand slide down her arm to her waist. He gave her hip a squeeze as he softly chuckled. “I’m surprised he failed to mention he invited me weeks ago. I usually don’t have the time to attend these events. However, I heard that you would be here, Ms. Brooks.”
He pulled her against his side as if he now had possession of her.
Oh shit.
“You’re very smooth, Mr. Renoke. Do lines like that always work with the ladies?”
He squinted at her and looked her body over then back toward Dmitri who still kept a hand on her shoulder. She wondered if there would be a tug of war over her. She hoped to not make a scene. It seemed they were already drawing some attention.
“I would like a moment alone with Aspen, Dmitri. I’m sure you don’t mind.”
“Oh, well, we were discussing something important. Perhaps later would work better?” Dmitri asked, but Andrei shook his head and a moment later she noticed two of his guards standing near the side looking ready to cause a scene. She wouldn’t want that on her conscience.
“It’s okay, Dmitri. I’m fine and whatever Andrei Renoke has to say to me must be important,” she challenged, and Andrei chuckled low.
“Shall we?” Andrei stuck out his arm for her to loop hers through and to walk with him.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew not to piss off the Russian mobster. Well, at least to his face. Behind closed doors, during a huge business deal? That was a different story. The only way to seek revenge against a man like Andrei was to hit him in the wallet. She could snap a little here and there, and let him know he didn’t have control over her, but she also knew his resources. If he were truly bent about the business opportunity she took out from under him, then he would make her aware of the consequences soon enough. They walked along the crowd of people and out toward the balcony. It was a bit too secluded, almost intimate for her liking but she had no choice. She would hear the man out.
He turned around to face her as two of his guards took position at the entrance to the balcony. Her heart pounded inside of her chest, but she had been around mobsters long enough to know not to show intimidation. Especially around this man she disliked immensely.
He eyed her over from head to toe and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth as he watched her. He was older. By at least ten years, with dark black hair he definitely dyed, and a well-maintained body. Not quite fifty and the man was filthy rich and well feared in certain circles.
“So what was it that you wanted to discuss?” she asked him, trying not to show any fear even though that was foolish of her.
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He stepped closer and she found her back against the railing that looked out over the city. His hand fell to her waist and the other over her shoulder and against the stone balcony railing.
She could smell his cologne combined with expensive cigars as the sleeve of his tux brushed against her bare shoulder.
“Your business savvy may cost you a bit of making up with me,” he said, eyeing over her lips as if he were going to kiss her. She tilted her head up with confidence despite his six-inch difference in height and his position in front of her. He squeezed her hip and let his hand glide along her ribs.
“Making up for what?”
“Well let’s see, Aspen. How about sneaking behind my back and stealing a forty-million-dollar construction job right out from under my nose and giving it to that weasel Dmitri? Do you realize how many people you’ve pissed off?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Andrei.”
His grip tightened. “Are you really going to play this game with me? I know it was you. I know you were on his yacht, had meetings with Clarence. Maybe even fucked him on his yacht to seal the deal.” He brushed his thumb along the underside of her breast.
She inhaled. “I don’t spread my legs to seal deals. Never have, and never will. I would check your sources. Sir,” she added with attitude.
He gave a short chuckle and looked over her breasts. “Yes, I’ve heard you’re very particular with who you spread your legs for. But you see, Aspen, you’ve gone and got involved in something that you should never have touched. I’ve allowed you to get this far in business.”
“Allowed me?”
“You negotiated a deal that was set to be mine.”
“The construction job was Dmitri’s opportunity eight months ago. He called me and hired me on as a consultant with experience in all aspects of this type of business because he was too busy with a few other business ventures he was partaking in.”
He pressed closer, his hand inches below her breast.
She gasped and he used his other hand to grip the back of her neck under her hairline. Teeth clenched he whispered to her.
“It was mine and you fucked me over. Do you know what I do to women like you who think they can play in a man’s world?”
She knew she was in trouble, but then again she knew when she negotiated with Clarence in Texas for the huge job that she was indeed manipulating the situation to take Andrei and his company out of the running for the job. After all, because of his participation in an illegal sex slave business, she had been abducted, tortured, and nearly raped before she was sold to the highest bidder in some corrupt underground operation. She didn’t even remember being saved she was so drugged out from the sedatives they forced on her during transport. The man was a monster.
She needed to play this cool. To make him think she would respect him because of his position and his role as a mob boss. Truth was, she hoped he got killed in one of those old-fashioned hits. The kind where some hit man filled Andrei with lead as he fired off a semi automation machine gun tearing his flesh to pieces. The thought sickened her.
“You don’t scare me, Andrei. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was negotiating a deal for a close friend. It was all business.”
He raised one eyebrow at her. “I should scare you. I can make you disappear. For good this time,” he threatened her.
Was he admitting to being involved in her abduction? Was she supposed to play dumb here? Maybe tell him to go to hell and fuck off? He had a gun on him. He could take her out right here. She could reach for the gun and blow his head off. That would take courage and her life would be over. Was he worth it? As these thoughts went through her head, she realized that she felt nothing. Not accomplished. Not proud. Not stronger. She didn’t feel scared or fearful. No, she felt nothing. He made her this way.
“You’re admitting to taking me from my family years ago and trying to sell me as some sex slave?” she asked, her voice cracking with anger.
He smirked as he looked her lips over again. “I’m not admitting to anything. I’m just saying, knowing through my close sources what happened to you, if it was me it wouldn’t have happened that way. You would be all mine. The guys screwed up, probably sedated you and shipped you out. It was a major screwup. What fool would give up this body, this spunk, and these tits to another man? Not when he can keep you as his own sex slave to fuck whenever he wanted.” He caressed the hair from her cheek and rubbed his thumb along the skin on her cheek.
She gave a snort and stared up at him wanting nothing more than to punch the pompous bastard in the mouth. “You ruined me. Made me feel nothing for anything. So you’re pissed off about a business deal you lost out on? That’s your problem. I’m sure you can make it up somewhere along the way in your corrupt, violent world.”
“It would be my pleasure to take you the right way this time, Aspen. But you see, there’s so much more at stake here. More than you can even begin to comprehend.”
“You have some nerve coming here and talking to me like this after all this time. I should have died.”
“You didn’t though. Next time I’ll handle you myself.”
Her eyes widened. “Next time?” she asked, feeling and sounding outraged. The sick fuck was out of his mind.
He ran his thumb along her throat and then gripped it snuggly, shocking her.
She reached up and covered his hand as he leaned closer maintaining the choke hold. His mouth was right next to her lips. She could feel his spittle and his teeth graze her mouth.
“Don’t fuck with me, Aspen. I will get you back. I will make it so that you’ll never see your brother or any other asshole who thinks it’s their job to protect you. You think Storm and his buddies can protect you from me? You’re wrong. I’m more powerful than them. They’re weak, they want out of a life they’re connected by blood from. It doesn’t work that way. You’re going to get them killed and your brother killed. How is that for just business?” He applied pressure to her throat shocking her and making her panic. Would he strangle her right here on the balcony where hundreds of people stood only ten feet from the entrance? She was shaking, her eyes wide with fear, and he smiled.
“One day I’ll have you all alone and to myself. You’ll learn the obedience necessary to be my woman. When I call upon you, you better come. If you don’t, then the consequences will be great. Those men in your life that you think can protect you will die because of you. Do you understand?” he asked. He pressed his body snugger against hers and cupped her breast as he still held her by the throat with his other hand.
“I understand,” she softly whispered then tried swallowing, but he held her tightly.
A moment later she heard a grunt. As Andrei and her looked, his men were pressed against the walls with guns at their throats, and both Zin and Storm were standing there along with Dmitri and his men. Storm and Zin stepped closer.
Andrei had already released his hold on her and she started coughing.
“Get the fuck away from her. I don’t ever want to see you near her again,” Storm threatened as two men stood by Andrei and began walking him out.
“There’s no need for hysterics, Storm. Aspen and I were just discussing something important. I think we’re clear on things now. Aren’t we, Aspen?” Andrei asked as he held her gaze.
She nodded.
“Get him out of here. Escort him and his buddies to their car. Keep your hands off of Aspen,” Dmitri ordered as three big men in suits took over removing Andrei. But one look at Andrei and Aspen knew this wasn’t over.
She was in a shitload of trouble as she turned around to face the balcony and catch her breath. Her body was numb. No tears emerged. She never cried. That was how separated she was from emotions, from feeling anything. Although she was physically shaken up from Andrei’s threatening hold, she still had an ability to lock down her emotions and hold them inside.
Never show weakness and fear again.
* * * *
Zin hurried to Asp
en’s side as Storm argued with Dmitri over keeping an eye on Aspen and how he let Aspen be alone with that man. He felt his own blood boiling and he damned himself for listening to Storm about not making a scene the moment they caught sight of Andrei. The man had no boundaries, especially when it came to women and manhandling them. Why was he even speaking with Aspen? Why did she walk away with him to the balcony?
“Aspen?” he whispered.
“I’m fine, Zin. I just need a minute.”
He stepped closer, placed his hand on her shoulder, and she tried stepping away. She was scared but she was stubborn and tough, always having something to prove.
“It’s okay. You’re okay now,” he assured her. She turned to look at him and he saw the fear in her glistening sage eyes and his heart ached. Then he locked on to the redness on her throat.
“That fucking bastard.” He reached for her and pulled her closer to examine the marks.
He gently glided his thumb along the skin that wasn’t marked.
“What’s wrong?” Storm asked and Aspen looked away.
“I’m fine. He was just trying to scare me.”
“Well, he did a good job,” Zin told her then reached for her chin and gripped it making her look up into his eyes. She was so freaking beautiful. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her tight. Take that fearful expression from her face and make her see that she could lean on him, on the rest of the team. Yet here they were, having to hide their feelings from a woman they honestly already loved.
The American Soldier Collection 10: Compromising Love (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 5
