by V. F. Mason
Then Jake glanced to the side and his eyes widened when he noticed me. “Mommy, you’re awake!” He got down from the chair and rushed to me, plastering himself against my knees. “Daddy is cooking tvorozhniki.” He almost got his lower lip down, trying to pronounce it, and I couldn't help but laugh.
“Is he now?”
“Yep, and I’m helping! Did you see?”
Leaning down and giving him a soft kiss on the forehead, I replied, “Sure, did. Did you sleep well, munchkin?”
“Yep.” Running my fingers through his hair, it didn't escape my notice how Radmir tensed once I showed up. I wasn't stupid enough to think he didn't know from the very beginning I stood there and watched them, but he couldn't predict my reaction or mood in the morning, and it probably drove him crazy. “Honey, how about you go brush your teeth and then come back to have breakfast.” Once his little feet padded softly in the direction of his room, I reached Radmir who flipped the tvorozhniki and put the ready ones on the plate. He still said nothing, waiting for me to make the first move, and I shook my head in exasperation. “Smells amazing.” Resting my cheek on his warm back, his muscles tightened under my touch as my hands rested on his six pack as I rubbed them up and down, tracing every scar, and longing to kiss them all. He had so many new ones, and they looked even worse than his older ones. All the rugged skin and angry red marks, indicating that whoever inflicted them on him wasn't kind. “I haven’t eaten them in ages.”
“Good” was his only reaction, and then he turned off the stove as the last portion was ready. He wiped his hands with a napkin and spun me around, so my back pressed to his front and our positions were reversed. He fisted my hair and pulled it back, so it could rest on his chest while he skimmed his lips on my neck. He squeezed my waist, bruising it lightly in the process, enough to make me feel the sting but not enough to mark the skin. He inhaled deeply and groaned. “I can get off on your smell alone, krasivoglazaya moya.” He shifted my head and gave me a deep kiss, sending electrifying pleasure from the tip of my hair to my toes. “Am I forgiven?” he whispered, as his lips nipped my neck.
With my eyes closed, I slid my hand into his hair and laced my fingers through it, and I hoped like hell he wouldn't get mad after my words or think I was sending him double signals. “I’m willing to try this out. But I have conditions.”
He froze and moved back, and immediately my body missed his heat but not for long as he swirled me around yet again. This time, he trapped me between the refrigerator and his strong body as his hand squeezed my nape. “What kind of conditions?”
“We need to function as a family. We don’t know each other anymore.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m still me and you are still you. We love each other. We have a child. What else do you need?”
My mouth hung open at this. Did he seriously think all this was enough for a healthy relationship? “We are not the same people anymore, Radmir. We… I don’t even know what goes on in your life anymore. And you probably don’t know either.”
His face turned stone cold, but his jaw ticked as if he didn't want to share something with me.
“You know everything about my life, don’t you?” I asked, and the guilt flashing in his gray pools was enough of a response. “I can’t believe this! You put your spies on me!”
“It was for your safety. I won’t apologize for it.” His voice was gruff and confident. Did I expect anything else?
“You had no—” He pressed me deeper into the cold metal, not letting me finish my sentence.
“Don’t. Don’t tell me I had no right, when we both know I have all the fucking rights when it comes to you and our child.” Then he kissed me hard, but it was so quick I barely had time to open my mouth. “Fine. It’s your right to have rules, and I’ll accept them. What are they?”
Blinking at this rapid change of mood, I took a deep breath and fired them all at once. “We will not go to Russia anytime soon. We will go out as a family and spend time together without the mafia hanging around us. Jake is not used to it, and I don’t want to explain the ways of your world to him right now. We talk and try… to act like a normal couple. And no sex, and I think for the sake of Jake we shouldn't sleep in the same house either.” I finished out of breath and was ready to give myself a high-five for this little speech.
Radmir chuckled, slid his hands down to my ass, picked me up, wrapping my legs around him, and attacked my mouth in a long and sensual kiss, as if our mouths made love instead of simply touching. Once my lungs hurt from lack of oxygen and I felt like dying, he let go, clearly enjoying my state of arousal.
He set me down and moved away from me to take out three plates and served them on the table along with tvorozhniki. He poured coffee for himself, tea for me, and orange juice for our son.
In a second, Jake rushed back and sat down at the table, and Radmir followed suit. “Mommy? We can’t start without you.” God bless my kid, really. He wouldn't ever start eating without me, because he convinced himself it might upset me.
Okay, then.
This plan of mine sounded stupider with each moment as it seemed my man didn't change at all during this time apart.
He was still a confident, cocky bastard who got his way almost every damn time.
And for some reason, it made me want him even more.
Go figure.
Radmir
“You ready, buddy?”
Jake peeked through his hockey helmet and nodded, while readjusting his shoulder and elbow pads. He grabbed the stick and walked slowly on the carpeted floor of the stadium until he reached the ice rink, and then he dashed to the middle on his skates, so effortlessly I felt like snapping a fucking picture and sending it to all my Bratva brothers so they’d know it was the sovietnik's son in the rink!
Hockey and skating were probably the most popular sports in Russia, and we were fucking good at it. I couldn't wait to take Jake to our stadiums and let him see all those stars he watched on TV. Not to mention introduce him to the Valeri Kharlamov museum and some of his coaches. He’d go nuts for it.
Jake waved for me to join him. Wearing a mouth guard, I skated onto the ice, swirling in the process, adrenaline rushing through my veins at the familiar surroundings.
Fuck, it felt good to be back on the ice. After prison, I had no time for it and no desire, because it reminded me so much of Vivian and our first date, but now I was glad I didn't do it. This way, I could share this moment with my son.
“Ready to play?”
He gave me a thumbs-up. Vivian got on the ice as well, holding a camera in her hand. She skated back and forth, showing off her skills, and then laughed when she noticed how we both glared at her.
Rolling her eyes, she skated closer and placed the puck in the middle between us and then announced, “Okay, boys. We play till one of you reaches ten goals. Your goals are on the right, baby, and, Radmir, yours on the left. And go.” She whistled loudly, and we spun into action, sticks clashing for the puck, and although I didn't plan on winning against my kid, I was curious to see his technique on the ice.
He shifted to the side, grabbing the puck with his stick and aiming at the goal, but I blocked it, yet instead of losing it, he looped around me and managed to get it back. He hit it with all his might, and it just barely made it over the line, scoring a goal as Vivian shouted, “Good job, Jake!” Then she winked at me. “One-zero, Daddy.”
Saluting her, we came in to the first position again, and this time, I took hold of the puck, speedily aiming for his goal to see his protection reaction, and he didn't disappoint me. He blocked my movement in time and regained it again. He slid so quickly I barely had time to reach him before he scored one more goal.
He swayed from side to side, clearly happy, and high-fived Vivian on the way, as she had her palm ready.
Before going back to the first position again, I managed to snug my arm around her and give her a loud peck, and she giggled. “He is very careful with his left leg,” she murmured into my e
ar. “Be careful or he might fall.” Giving her another kiss as a thank you for this information, I joined my kid again and decided to work on his left side so he wouldn't be scared to use it.
And as Jake had fun and Vivian snapped more pictures of all of us together, I relished the happiness and joy rushing through me and accepted it like a gift.
But with that also came a determination unlike anything before.
No one would ever take away my family from me.
I would kill anyone who tried.
Director
The hockey stick broke under my power as I crushed it against my knee, bending it in two and throwing it away. Anger slipped into my every bone as my eyes watched the perfect family, enjoying their Saturday together without a care in the world.
My hands trembled as I took out my pills and swallowed them quickly so my mind wouldn't be foggy or I’d lose my patience.
Vivian was so beautiful skating, like a swan in the lake, her neck graceful and her hair shining brightly, almost making her seem like an angel. Joy was evident in her every gesture, from the permanent smile on her full lips to her vivid, happy blue eyes. She seemed almost like another person, just because Radmir showed up again.
I thought I was done with him when he moved back to Russia and never bothered to contact her. My plan had almost come to the grand finale. Soon, she would’ve been mine, and of all time, he had to show up again and ruin it for me.
The man had no business sniffing what was not his; even Jake was more mine than his. Where was he all this time? It was me present during his first hockey game, me who got to hear his heartbeat in her stomach, and it was me who sat in the room while she delivered the baby.
I was so worried that fucking bastard would kill her. Trying to get rid of the kid while she was pregnant didn't help. The little shit is tenacious, just like his father, one of the reasons Vivian had to get away from them both.
If only Jake had anything from his mother, but he was the spitting image of Radmir, and in her new life, she didn't need to be reminded about her past.
My beautiful Vivian deserved to have the perfect life she had always dreamed of and a man who’d never leave her. I was by her side through all this time, and even though she didn't realize it, I was her one true love.
I could never hurt even a hair on her head. But I would kill each member of her family if it were needed, in order to ensure we had our forever.
Soon, very soon, my love, I’ll free you from this nightmare and hide you away where no one will be able to find you.
“Hold still, woman,” Radmir growled the words, hugging me closer as his hands wrapped around mine. I held the small gun and raised it to point at the target at the shooting range.
“Umm hello, a gun here?” I felt the need to mention that again, even though laughter bubbled up inside me while Dom, Yuri, and Gleb hooted loudly, chilling on the grass and smoking joints.
“Try not to kill us while you're at it, will you?” Gleb joked.
Radmir barked, “You all shut up.” Then he leaned closer to my ear, his hot breath instantly awakening my body. “Take a deep breath and focus on the target. Let all other thoughts fly away.” Closing my eyes, I inhaled his smell and it instantly calmed me as I willed myself to do the job.
Although I grew up in Texas with a dad who had a gun collection, somehow it didn't transfer to me, and I never in my life held one, let alone knew how to use it. But Radmir thought it was important for his woman to possess the skill, since he lived in such a dangerous world.
“Now, krasivoglazaya.” At his order, I pulled the trigger and it fired right straight through the middle, creating a wide hole as the smoke emerged from the target.
The guys whistled and clapped—those damn idiots.
I dropped the gun, which became heavy in my hands, spun around, and wrapped my arms around Radmir, who gazed at me smugly.
“Not bad for a newbie,” he mused, and I laughed, while he swirled me around.
Was I ever this happy? As much as I tried, I couldn't remember having this peace yet deep desire to live that settled inside my heart once Radmir showed up in my life.
We had been together for the last month and a half, where we traveled around Russia as he showed me his favorite places, while conducting various business. He never spoke about it and I didn’t question, understanding he couldn't and wouldn't share it with me.
After our first night together, he gifted me a camera and told me to do whatever I wished with it, and I did. I loved snapping pictures of people and nature performing their tasks. I took pictures of everything I loved and what called to me.
Baikal Lake during the storm as the waves angrily crashed against rocks, and boats rocked while humans seemed powerless against nature.
Sunny days on Red Square as tourists wandered around, admiring beautiful architecture and the rich history of the place. I could walk through the souvenir shops for hours, loving the golden figurines they had and their national artwork.
Grand Ballet, where my eyes drank in the outstanding dance techniques while emotions poured into the performance, and even I couldn't hold in the tears.
Ice skating classes, because Radmir loved hockey and found it hilarious I didn't even know how to skate. While most of the time he tried to protect me from a fall, I did have several bruises plastering my ass.
Afternoon walks on the outskirts of the town as the guys watched over me while Radmir had to do his job. He even took me to church; I had never been to an Orthodox church before. Basically he gave me an amazing tour through the beauty of the city, teaching me to fall in love with it as much as he had.
I could envision our future together, and he even bought us a house, the crazy man.
However, I had a hard time accepting the whole Bratva thing, especially that their pakhan acted as if I didn't exist, which angered Radmir a lot. But since Vasya mostly dealt with some issue in Provence and Radmir had to take care of Moscow business, it worked.
Still, I realized we had lived in a bubble here: we were engaged, had a house, and all in a span of a month and a half.
Common sense nagged at me that it wasn't possible, wasn't wise, considering he was a mafia member. But then he’d look at me with love, we’d have fun with the guys, and it didn't seem like being with him was wrong.
That these people, even though dangerous, had hearts and were capable loving as much as the rest of us.
“Get a room if you wanna kiss,” Yuri called, flashing a grin for a second but covering it up with faux annoyance. Mostly he stayed silent or showed zero emotions, although he had his nice moments. I was kind of used to all of them by now, so I didn't mind.
The gates opened loudly in the headquarters, and a second later, an unfamiliar black car drove in hastily. It stopped abruptly. To my shock, my father got out of it.
He was accompanied by a man wearing a suit and grim expression as he scanned all the guys.
Radmir tensed and pushed me behind him while my father called out, his face red with rage, “Vivian!”
Oh, God.
What is he doing here? How has he found me?
Once I arrived in Russia, I wrote to them that I was fine and needed a vacation from the life they had pushed on me. They were furious, but I didn't bother to do anything else. I was old enough to have my own life, and they could deal with the Jordan family on their own.
Apparently, Dad didn't agree.
“Do not use that tone on her,” Radmir growled, while I shifted my stance to stand next to him.
“Dad—”
He held eye contact with Radmir. “You will not tell me how to speak to my child who ran away with a criminal!” he shouted. When his voice rose, I noticed the guys stood up, all traces of humor gone as they gathered behind us, providing protection.
Why though? My father wouldn't kill anyone!
“She is my woman, and you will not disrespect her.” Radmir’s cold voice chilled the temperature around us, and shaking my head in exasperation,
I took a step toward my dad.
“Shut up! Vivian, get in the fucking car!” he bellowed, stopping me in my tracks as my eyes widened. “Or this man”—he pointed at the guy in the suit—“will take him straight to prison.”
Freaking what?
Unbelievable! Truthfully, I didn't understand why was he acting this way. “Dad, I’m twenty-three years old. I’m not an underage kid you can control.” My heart panged painfully at the distance between us, but I wouldn't let him dictate my life. My choices and desires mattered too, and it wasn't like I gave up on my old life or anything. We had been planning a trip back to the States, so Radmir could be introduced to my parents, and then I’d properly move here.
Dad’s jaw ticked as he fisted his hands while breathing heavily, his eyes blazing with fire as he sent daggers Radmir’s way but spoke to me. “You will come with me, Vivian, or he goes to prison,” he repeated.
Radmir asked with a chuckle that lacked any humor, “Based on what? You are in Russia. Your laws don’t apply here.” His voice held nothing but coldness, and even I shivered from it, and not in a good way. While I didn't appreciate my father barging in here and shouting threats, Radmir had no right to speak to him like that either.
“Radmir, Dad—” I started, but neither of them cared, as they faced each other off.
“She is a US citizen and I filed a missing person report.”
“I’m not missing, Father!”
The man in the suit cleared his throat, opening his mouth for the first time. “You haven't answered your phone. They couldn't locate you, and since you traveled here and were spotted in the company of, well, Russian mafia, it became an FBI case. We have spoken with FSB and Interpol and have permission to take you back.” Blinking several times, I tried to absorb this information and not lose my mind.
