by Miranda Kavi
He parallel parked in front of the small, dingy building and knocked on the door. Mark was waiting with a small velvet box and shadows under his eyes.
Dmitri opened it. He was not very knowledgeable about jewelry, but this piece shocked him. Mark had delivered on his promise.
The beautiful pear shaped ruby was a deep, fiery red, set high and free and clean so its natural beauty showed through. The rest of the ring was black gold, detailed with an Edwardian style filigree, marked with glinting black diamonds. There were even diamonds on the setting that held up the ruby.
It was opulent and beautiful, yet tasteful.
“You are pleased?” Mark said. He was watching Dmitri anxiously.
“I am. It is perfect,” Dmitri said. He closed the box, forcing himself to tear his eyes away. “You have received payment?” Dmitri said.
“Yes, sir. You are most generous.”
“Then we are done,” Dmitri said. He pocketed the ring in his black jacket. “Your discretion is appreciated.”
Mark nodded with a smile. “And it will be given, sir.”
Dmitri left, driving through the city with a smile on his face. It took him a while to get to the country estate. Only Gram and he knew the location. They’d planned it that way, though if Sophia wanted to venture out in the city she would be able to do so now, guarded of course.
He pulled in front of the estate. He hadn’t seen it in person yet, and he suppressed a shudder. Gram had really outdone himself. Dmitri had instructed him to get something very nice for the ladies. Gram had taken his instructions literally, renting the massive monstrosity in front of him. Dmitri laughed out loud, knowing Gram had done it just to elicit a laugh from Dmitri. Fucker.
He produced the key from his pocket and entered the tall front door. It was lush inside, especially for Russia. Everything from the tawdry, large chandelier to the marbled floor screamed ostentatious.
Gram stepped out of the hallway, gun drawn. He shoved it in the back of his pants when he saw Dmitri. “What do you think, brother?”
“You know what I think,” Dmitri growled. “It is opulent. Cold.”
Gram shrugged, laughter dancing in his eyes. “I kind of like it.”
“Where is Sophia?” Dmitri asked.
“Third floor. Master suite. I believe she is asleep.”
“Good.” Dmitri shook his head. “We have much work to do, but we all need to rest first.”
Gram wiped the grin off his face. “You have acted fast, brother. He did not talk?”
“No,” Dmitri said. “But Rodrigo will get us the information we need.”
Gram crossed his arms over his chest. “There are not many who could try to do this. Who do you suspect?”
Dmitri shifted his weight. “S-Triangle. Perhaps your fuck-fest has pissed them off.”
Gram rose to meet his eyes. “I thought I had your support.”
Dmitri clapped his hand down on his shoulder. “You do, brother. We will crush them.” He squeezed his shoulder and lowered his voice. “But we have to also consider the possibility that Hitoshi is involved. Naomi could be—”
“No,” Gram stepped out of his grasp, “she is not. She cannot be.” He walked away, climbing the staircase with rapid steps and squared shoulders, disappearing out of view onto the second floor, no doubt returning to Naomi.
Dmitri watched him go, pondering his words. His chirping phone interrupted his thoughts. He pulled it out. “What?”
“There is a woman here. Dark hair. Asian. Pretty. Says she needs to talk to you. Says it’s important.” The voice of one of his men came over the line. He was keeping a line of watchmen at some hotspots in St. Petersburg, making sure there was no further movement against his interests.
Dmitri’s fists curled. Kana. Fuck. His ex-wife had a knack for finding him anywhere. She was smart and cunning, bored and beautiful. Born into a rich crime family. She’d built a fantasy in her mind of their future together, but he didn’t want to build it with her. She’d been angry he’d become so powerful after they’d parted. She’d been a nuisance to him over the years. “No. She can convey her information to you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dmitri hung up the phone.
He needed his woman.
Chapter 19
Dmitri opened the door to the master suite. He could see why she’d chosen it. Cool black marble floors unfolded under his feet, an oppressive black chandelier over his head. All dark and cold.
His favorite part was the large bed, for it contained the sleeping woman that was his. Her blond hair spilled over the black sheets, her back to him, rolled up tight in the blankets to keep out the chill.
He stepped out of his shoes and shut the door behind him.
She stirred in the faint light and then rolled over to face him. “Dmitri?” she said in a sweet, sleepy voice, raising her head off the pillow.
“Yes,” he said.
She sat up, one shoulder peeking out of her too big sweater, showing him several inches of smooth skin. “Dmitri!” she said again, the unbridled joy in her voice wrapping around him, bringing his heart to life and suppressing the cold killer he held within.
He patted the velvet box in his jacket, almost tempted to run to her, to slide the beautiful ring on her finger and watch her eyes widen. He was like a child with a new shiny toy he couldn’t wait to show off. But the time was not right.
“Lubimaya,” he whispered.
She smiled with her beautiful, full lips. “You are my beloved, too.” She pulled back the covers, inviting in him.
He shed his jacket, carefully so the ring wouldn’t fall out. He shrugged out of his pants, leaving on his undershirt and boxers. He accepted her invitation, sliding into bed next to her.
She sighed as he pulled her on top of him. Her hair fell around his face, and her breath washed over him.
“I missed you,” she said. She kissed the tip of his nose.
“And I you.” He kissed her sexy mouth, demanding her tongue. She complied, kissing him like she’d been waiting for days.
He pulled away, pushing his hands through her soft hair, running his hand down her cheek, re-memorizing every detail of her beautiful face.
“What is happening?” She rolled off him, resting on her side, her elbow propping up her head so they were face to face. “I was worried.”
He ran his finger down her face, unable to stop touching her. He would always need to touch her. “I have eliminated the immediate threat.”
Her eyes widened. “What? So fast?” She pressed her palm against his chest, almost as if she needed to feel that he was really there. “How is that possible?”
“Because I knew of trouble. I deployed men to my vulnerable places. I offered a bounty for information. I increased loyalty through pay. I had men in the streets wherever we were staying. Then I waited until they made their move.” He put his hand over hers. “I was not expecting the attack at our hotel. I did not see it coming. For that, I am sorry.”
She bit her lower lip. It took everything he had not to press his mouth to hers.
“I brought Tariq on you. Had I not hired him—”
“Stop,” he whispered. He pressed his finger to her lips, which she promptly kissed. “That may have sparked his interest, but he was swayed by a third party with very deep pockets.” She was sucking on his finger now, distracting his thoughts, making his cock twitch and grow hard and long. “Besides, I own his network now. It will be of great value to me. To us.”
She released his finger from her warm mouth. “Wow. That’s pretty hot.” She smiled.
His heart swelled. How freely she welcomed him back. How open she was. “What is so 'hot' about it?”
“You.” She raked her fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends, just like she did when he went down on her and she was screaming in ecstasy. “You are so fucking powerful. I would be lying if I didn’t admit it turns me on.”
He loved her honesty. The cool tone of her words. The way her mouth wor
ked his finger. His cock begged to be inside of her.
He grabbed her hips and pulled her on top of him. She sat up, looking down on him with a sultry smile as he ground his hardness into her. “I turn you on, Sophia? Tell me more.”
“Everything about you. The way you command a situation. The way you handle yourself. The way you’re looking at me right now.” She rocked her hips against him, running up and down his shaft through their clothes.
“Take off your top,” he commanded.
She did, slowly pulling her shirt over her head, tossing it behind her. Her breasts were full and heavy above him, sweet round perfection with pink nipples. She touched herself, squeezing them together. “Do you like what you see?” she said hoarsely.
Fire coursed through his veins. His desire for her was its own hungry monster. He grunted in his response, but answered with his hands. He cupped the back of her neck, gently forcing her to him. He kissed her lips, tasted her tongue. She made little moaning sounds in her throat that filled his body with lust.
When he was done with her sweet mouth, he kissed a trail down the side of her mouth and her soft neck. He slid his mouth down to her pink, erect nipple and covered the surface, flicking the sensitive nub with his tongue.
She moaned and slid herself over him.
Her pleasure spurred him on, licking and sucking until she was writhing on top of him, her moisture soaking through the thin fabric of his boxers. He moved to the other breast, squeezed, and then sucked on her nipple.
She writhed again and frantically pulled down his boxers as he took her in his mouth. Once his cock was free, she slammed her tight, wet core down on it without ceremony, surprising him. She always surprised him.
He threw back his head and watched her sink down on his firmness. As he filled her up, she welcomed it with a soft sigh.
A moan fell from his lips. She leaned back, resting her hands on his thighs, slowly riding his length up and down, her eyes closed.
Pleasure rocketed through his body, lighting his nerves from head to toe. Only this woman could do that to him. Her body undulated with her movement, and her breasts swayed sensuously. She was his. And so fucking beautiful.
He squeezed her breasts. Her beautiful icy blue eyes flicked open, and she watched him. She rode him harder, faster, working to her own pleasure, moaning his name as she came closer and closer.
She climaxed on top of him, her eyes wide, her mouth open. She screamed his name, squeezing him to his completion. He grabbed her shapely hips and pounded into her while they both rode out waves of ecstasy.
She collapsed on top of him, pressing her chest into his. She kissed him, and their tongues gently mingled.
She rolled to her side, planting herself firmly at his side, her chin in the crook of his neck, her arm draped over his chest.
He ran his fingers gently up and down her arm, his touch saying everything he sometimes could not. I love you. I need you. I want you.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and her breathing slowed as she slipped into sleep, comfortable and safe in the arms of the monster that he was.
She was naked, vulnerable, and his.
He closed his eyes and joined her in sleep.
SOPHIA
Sophia woke up first, her eyes feasting on the man in the bed next to her. It was dark again, and she wondered if they had slept the whole day away.
It was fine, though. They needed their rest. Especially him. He’d saved their lives. Recaptured their empire. He’d done it all with efficiency.
He was a fucking genius.
Her heart fluttered and thumped as she thought of the intense sex they’d had. He’d kept his eyes open and on her while she rode him, greedily using his cock in the way that felt good to her.
She’d felt his hand on her skin as she went off to sleep. She was always amazed at how gentle and loving he could be.
His strong brow and handsome Slavic features were relaxed in sleep. She wondered how many people he’d killed in the past forty-eight hours. How much evil he’d perpetrated on the world.
She felt a twinge of guilt in her chest, but she pushed it away. She’d made her choice and that was that. This was her man. This was her life. Dmitri did what he had to do, and she, of all people, understood that.
This was her world now. He was her world now. She’d have to deal with the death that came with it.
She was glad he was safe, at the cost of any life. She was cold to others now, only focusing on her and Dmitri. And she was fine with it. More than fine with it.
Dmitri stirred next to her. His body tensed as his eyes fluttered open and darted around the room, relaxing when he saw her.
“Good morning,” he said.
She laughed. “Good evening, you mean.”
He touched the side of her face gently. He did that now, always touching her. Something she loved. “This is our world, Sophia. Whenever we wake, it is morning.”
She rested her hand on his, pressing the palm of his hand to her face. “Did you get some rest?”
“Yes,” he said. “Did you?”
She nodded. “What is next for us?”
He exhaled. “We can stay here for a little while, if you like it. But then I will have to leave.”
“Where will you go?” she said.
“Once I find out who orchestrated this, I will destroy them.”
Her heart clenched and fear seeped into her bones. He was headed for a bigger battle, and she didn’t like it. “How? Where?” she said.
“I will know soon.”
He sat up, facing away from her, tension evident in his arms and back. She sat up too, resting her cheek against the scarred skin of his back. “How did you get all these scars?” She touched them gently.
“I will tell you. One at a time. Over the course of our lives.”
She reeled at his words.
He turned back to her and kissed her, cupping her face with his hands. Her skin lit up at his touch, and the energy hummed between them. “I must go.”
He stood and then dressed. “You can do outings in the city, if you would like. I will assign guards. Your clothes and things should have been delivered.” He turned to her, patting the pockets of his jacket as he slid it on. “This is your home, for now.”
“What am I supposed to do?” she asked.
He paused at the door. “Whatever you would like.”
“When you leave, I am coming with you.”
His eyebrows rode up. “You should remain separate from my business. It is in your best interests.”
She stood up from the bed and moved towards him. She was still nude. His eyes grew soft as they roamed up and down her exposed flesh. She stopped a few feet away from him, waiting for his eyes to return to her face. When they did, she finally spoke. “I am your partner. I will go with you.”
He blinked rapidly, as if he was fighting back tears. “You honor me,” he said gruffly. He pulled her close, kissing her temple, his hands skimming down the curve of her back.
He pulled away. “I really must go.”
She watched him leave.
Chapter 20
DMITRI
Dmitri reluctantly left his woman behind. She was naked and soft for him, pledging her devotion to him in every possible way. It was a gift he did not deserve, but in order to ensure his future—their future—he had work to do.
He patted the ring in his pocket. Again. He’d showered in the small guest room—so as not to distract himself by showering with his naked, beautiful woman—and he’d changed into some fresh clothes that Gram had picked up for him.
Gram was waiting in the office along with a few other men. They’d let more people into the house, only the very trusted ones.
Laptops were set up, satellite phones running.
“Have we heard from Ahmed?” Dmitri asked. Ahmed was Dmitri’s tech guru. He could break into any network, hack any site, and trace any wire. He was expensive, but he was discreet and effective and worth every dollar.
; “Yes,” Gram said. “It has been filtered through a couple of banks in the Cayman Islands, but he thinks it is coming from Asia.”
“Asia is a fucking continent. Can he be more specific?” Dmitri said.
“He is working on it.”
“Hitoshi,” Dmitri murmured. “We need to talk to him.”
Gram ran his fingers through his hair. “I doubt he is involved in this.”
One of the men spoke up. He was quiet and intelligent; a former Israeli Defense Forces soldier Dmitri had picked up several years ago. “We cannot assume.”
“That is correct. We cannot assume. Have you told Naomi anything?” Dmitri asked, directing his question at Gram.
Gram plucked his hand out of his hair. His face reddened, with shock or anger, Dmitri wasn’t sure. “Of course not. But she has nothing to do with this. I have not even let her call him.”
Dmitri tossed a phone to one of the men. “Get him on the line.” He would deal with Gram’s anger later.
The man paced around the room and dialed the number. When the other line was answered, he spoke in Japanese. Then he handed the phone back to Dmitri.
He left the room while he spoke to Hitoshi, walking down the hallway.
He was angry, understandably, that Naomi was with Gram. But after an hour long phone conversation, Dmitri had very serious doubts that Hitoshi was involved. He had his own demons—someone was infiltrating his own organization, stealing large amounts of money from him. That worried Dmitri. Hitoshi would still be a suspect, but his instincts were to look elsewhere.
Dmitri hung up the phone and returned to the room where his men were waiting. “I do not think it was Hitoshi, but you need to keep an eye on Naomi. She does not leave this house. She is your responsibility.”
Gram nodded, glancing down at his hands. “I understand.”
“Good. Find them. Send a group to tail Hitoshi until we know for sure. Get me intelligence on the S-Triangle.”
He left the men in the room. He had other business that needed his attention.
