Protected by a Mobster: A Russian Mafia Romance (Volsky Mafia Book 1)

by Macguire, Jacee

  Vlad: Your princess is tossing back the vodka.

  Vlad: Princess is on the move again. Update again soon.

  Ruslan: Shit V. Don’t let anything happen to her.

  Just as I expected, my men were waiting in my office, kicked back on the leather sofas, enjoying a drink and chatting each other up. Our weekly meetings were as much business as they were social gatherings.

  “Maksim. Bastian. Rat teebya veedet’!” Nice to see you!

  “Where’s Vlad?” Maksim asked glancing over at Bastian.

  “He’s doing a favor for me so he won’t be joining us tonight,” I responded as I poured a glass of Vodka. Taking a hearty gulp, I paused in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the club.

  “What’s up, boss?” Bastian asked.

  Taking another sip, I turned away from the window and took a seat with the men. “When I know more about the situation, I’ll fill all of you in. Right now, things are… let’s just say they’re very delicate.”

  Both men gave me a strained but knowing look, nodding their understanding. We drank for a while and discussed the income from our various businesses around town. Everything was going well for us. Over the last decade, we had begun the move from illegal business practices into legitimate business ventures. It took a shit-ton more work, but on the upside, we didn’t have the police crawling up our asses every five minutes, either. Sure, we still had a few illegal practices to maneuver around from time to time, as is always the case in this line of work, but the large number of legal businesses did an adequate job of providing cover for them.

  After tossing back a few more drinks with Maksim and Bastian, my cell phone rang again. Vlad’s number filled the screen and I smirked. “Da.”

  “Boss, you’re about to have company,” Vlad stammered as if out of breath. “The princess is heading inside the club right now.”

  “What? She’s here? Now?”

  “Da. She’s walking through the front door right now.”

  Jumping up from my seat, I rushed to the window and sure enough, there Liliya stood. Maksim and Bastian were by my side in a matter seconds.

  “Stay with her, Vlad. We’ll just see what she’s up to.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I ended the call and tossed my phone onto the couch, my eyes never leaving Liliya as she pulled back her shoulders and sauntered to the bar, pushing her way through the throngs of sweaty bodies. She was a feisty little thing. She snapped her fingers and I watched in awe as the bartender damn near broke his neck trying to get to her. She leaned over the counter, saying who knows what, and the bartender’s eyes went as wide as fifty-cent pieces. Oh yeah, this girl was up to no damn good. The bartender glanced up at the windows with a stunned look on his face, grabbing the phone at the bar. Seconds later, my office phone rang.

  “Da.”

  “There’s a chick down here that wishes to speak with you.”

  “I’ll send someone down for her.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  With a smirk, I placed the phone on the cradle and looked at my two most trusted men. There wasn’t a reason to tell them who she was just yet. Soon enough, they would know anyway, so why should I spoil the surprise.

  “Both of you head down to the bar and assist the young lady in finding her way to me.”

  “Yes, boss,” the men echoed in unison as they turned and headed for the door.

  “She’s not to be manhandled. Understood?” I growled. They turned and gave me a look of shock, then nodded, even though they didn’t have the damndest clue who she was.

  I returned my gaze to the window, eyes trained on my girl. The smile that worked over my lips felt foreign. Liliya glared daggers at the glass before me, unable to see just who stood behind it. Would she be surprised to see me or did she already know who I was? In a few short minutes, I’d know the answer to those questions, and many more. Was I ready for them? Fuck if I knew, but it was happening no matter what. Her head snapped to the stairs, lips quirking up in the cutest damn snarl I’d ever seen, no doubt watching Maksim and Bastian as they descended the staircase and headed directly for her. My night was about to get very damn interesting.

  I refilled my glass of Vodka as the guys led Liliya up the stairs, and returned to my position at the window. I could hear her bitching at the guys all the way down the hallway. She definitely wasn’t happy. By the time my office door opened, my pulse was erratic, my chest heaving. Liliya’s voice washed over me like honey, her sweet scent filling the room.

  “Get your damn hands off of me. Do you have any idea who I am?” she wailed, slapping at their meaty hands as they urged her forward.

  “That’s enough!” I said in as stern voice as I turned to face her. “You will show respect or there will be consequences.”

  “You! Fucking hell!” she squeaked, her hand flying to her mouth in utter shock, her gaze dropping to the floor almost instantly. My cock stirred at the submissive display.

  “What is it you want, Miss Markow? You do realize that you delivered yourself to your father’s rival, do you not?” I asked, stalking across the room, closing the distance between us and stopping a foot in front of her. Her breath hitched at my closeness. The throbbing pulse in her neck giving away her… nervousness? Excitement?

  “Y… yes, I’m well aware,” she stammered, clutching her hands before her.

  I glanced down, taking in her luscious little body before me. She was so nervous. Good. That would make this easier.

  “Why are you here? I would recommend you tell the truth. I do not appreciate being lied to.” Reaching out my hand, I gripped her chin, jerking her face upward. I wanted her to look at me, to see how serious I was. Her lips trembled at my rough touch but the lust and hunger reflected in her eyes was stunning. I hadn’t expected that. For a moment, it threw me off my game, made the visions of spanking her hot little ass pop into my head again. I pushed them away. Now was scarcely the time for that.

  Liliya licked her lips and pulled her shoulders back, her full breasts arching forward. Fuck! In a heartbeat, she grabbed me by the wrist and wrenched my hand from her face, thrusting it away with a snarl. I laughed heartily. This woman provoked me in ways no other would dare and I loved the hell out of it. I dropped my gaze for a heartbeat, devouring her with my eyes. “Answer me!” I growled.

  “I… need your help,” she whispered.

  My help? She has to be joking. But now my curiosity was piqued. “You do, do you? And why would I help you? Run home to daddy little girl before you cross a line you’ll regret.”

  With tears in her eyes, she fell to her knees, shoulders slumped as she grasped a hold of my slacks. What the hell? Maksim eased forward, as if to help her up, but I halted his movements with a wave of my hand. He arched a brow in concern and followed my command. I’m sure they were as eager to hear the answer as I was. The words that left her mouth in the next few seconds, barely above a whisper, had my blood running ice cold in my veins.

  Wiping her eyes, she looked up at me. “I want you to kill my father!” Then, seconds later, she whispered her final plea. “Please!”

  Chapter Nine - Liliya

  “Do the thing we fear, and the death of fear is certain.”

  Ralph Waldo Emerson

  My heart hammered like a drum against my ribs as I awaited Ruslan’s response. The shock of seeing him here, and the realization of who he was, threw me the moment our eyes met. How could I not see it? How had I missed the connection? He’d told me his name and I’d never caught on. Idiot! What’s worse is he had been so nice to me at the diner, but now all signs of that man were gone. Was his kindness only an act? Had he known who I was that day?

  So here I sat, on the floor of his office, my knees digging into the cold hard floor, tears dripping onto my denim-covered thighs, head bowed before him. To say I was afraid right now would be an understatement. As I sat here on the floor, a powerful mafia boss towering over me, two of his henchmen at my back, I felt small and powerless.
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br />   The silence continued for what seemed like an eternity, the sound of the steady bass from the club vibrating the floor beneath me. My throat burned. I let out a shaky sigh, forcing my eyes to remain fixed on the floor. I feared that if I looked up, my eyes would meet the barrel of a gun. Then a small voice inside me let me know that I was being stupid. But was I? A shiver rolled over me and I took a chance and slowly lifted up onto my knees.

  Clearing my throat, I dug deep, searching myself for the courage I desperately needed in this moment. I had to prove my salt to this man. I needed him to take me seriously. “If you’re going to kill me, then fucking do it already. Stop playing cat and mouse with me, for fuck’s sake.”

  Then, shaking off the weakness I had lived with my entire life, I lifted my gaze to his sea-green eyes and all of the air in my lungs dissipated in a rush. His gorgeous eyes pulled me in, telling me everything and nothing at the same time. I saw the exact moment his control shifted, and it was exhilarating to see. The corner of his lips quirked up. I licked mine in response.

  “Leave us!” he shouts, his eyes never leaving mine. “Now!”

  His men scramble out the door. And just like that, we are alone. When the door clicked closed, I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I held.

  “Get up.”

  I push up from the floor, standing on shaky legs. My knees are knocking as I realize I might just be in over my head. What had I done? Oh yes. I stormed into his club, demanded a meeting, and then disrespected him in front of his men. I was fucking screwed, and I knew it. I’d let my mouth run away with me, not thinking of what he might do in response.

  “I’m… I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t want to die.”

  He laughed. The bastard actually laughed at me. “I’m not going to kill you, Liliya. I have no reason to.” He turned away from me, headed for a small bar near the floor to ceiling window overlooking the club, and fixed himself a drink. “Would you like a drink?”

  I didn’t respond. I was transfixed by the way he moved with ease and grace, like a jungle cat tracking his prey. His powerful body was a thing of beauty. And those eyes – Dear God – they were hypnotizing. I could get lost in them if he let me.

  “Have a seat, Liliya. I think you have some explaining to do. What you ask of me is not a small thing.”

  Shuffling across the room, I took a seat on the leather couch, hands trembling. “My father had my brother killed, you know. He… he’s up to something. Dane and my father killed Malcolm. All because they…” my voice cracked, and the tears came in earnest. I couldn’t stop them.

  Just when I thought I couldn’t be shocked by anything, I felt Ruslan’s large warm hand grip my shoulder. The couch dipped against his weight and his strong arm pulled me into his side. It felt like home, and without another thought, I let him hold me, exhaustion overtaking me, my eyes closing as I felt truly safe with this man for the first time in what seemed like ages.

  Sometime later, I awoke to the sound of men talking. I struggled to a sitting position, my head pounding from the liquor I had consumed. Rubbing my swollen, aching eyes, I glanced around the room and gasped at the sight of several men sitting around me, all their eyes on me.

  “What the hell are you looking at?” I growled.

  “Calm down, little princess,” Ruslan’s warm voice boomed from my right, wrapping me in its velvety warmth. I shivered. With a nod, I scooted back on the couch. “We have much to discuss,” he stated.

  “I suppose we do.” I laughed. It was a small weak laugh. I wanted him to kill my father and the man I was intended to marry. Much to discuss, indeed.

  “What you ask will cause a war between the families. Why should we risk that golubushka?” little dove

  With a heavy sigh, I laced my fingers together. “My father wishes me to marry Dane Duskin because they want to merge the Markow and Duskin families and overthrow the three other families. Malcolm was against this. I am against this. I do not know the rules of the Bratva, but I cannot marry that murderous bastard. You say war will come if you help me… but it will come even if you don’t.” I let my eyes work from one man to the next, finally falling on Ruslan. “War is inevitable.”

  “How do you know this?” one of the men asked pointedly.

  “I heard them discussing their plans. With your help, they can be stopped. Without it I... I will continue to be a pawn in their game... or die trying to stop them myself.”

  The room erupted in conversation almost immediately. Thick Russian accents boomed back and forth between the men. So much power and control laced the air in thick currents. Ruslan sat at my side casting sideways glances at me. He didn’t speak; only listened to his men. After a few minutes, his voice broke through the chaos. The men went silent, their heads snapping in his direction.

  “For years, we have known Markow to be cutthroat and shady in his dealings. Never have we had a situation such as this. The five families are set to meet soon, but waiting that long to handle this would be foolish. If the princess is willing to stand before the Commission and tell them of her father and Duskin’s plans, it will be left in their hands. Whatever punishment the Commission decides to hand down will be carried out as they see fit. For now, we will protect Liliya and treat her as our own.”

  “And what if they come for her, Ruslan? That rat-trap motel is not safe,” a man named Vlad asked, his eyes darting to mine, then away just as quickly.

  “Collect her things and bring them here. She will be staying with me.”

  Hearing them discuss me and my hotel and collecting my things both shocked and thrilled me. Had they been watching me all of this time? Honestly, I wasn’t all that surprised. Ruslan seemed to run a tight ship. What’s more, I felt safe amongst these men, and thankful that they believed my story. I hadn’t lied to them. I wouldn’t. Whatever happened now was out of my hands. The justice I wanted was coming and I wanted to watch it all happen.

  Chapter Ten – Ruslan

  “Without obsession, life is nothing.”

  - John Waters

  It has been a week since Liliya Markow strode into my club with a story that rocked my world, halted my breath, and stayed my heart. Power amongst the families was being threatened by one of our own, and that is no small thing. The strength to do what she’s done has made me want her even more. The memory of her standing before me with power and grace, then falling apart still grabs my heart. No woman has had that kind of power over me. It’s a dangerous thing.

  I’m not a weak man, but I am where she is concerned. I want to protect her. I want to possess her. Even now, as she flutters around my home, I find myself wanting what is not mine. I see the way she looks at me when she thinks I do not see. Stolen glances and longing between us are becoming harder to resist. My control is slipping. Each day that passes, I yearn to have her in my bed beneath me, writhing as my cock thrusts deep within her. I want to hear my name fall from her lips as she comes on my cock. I want to feel her delicate soft skin against my own as she gives herself to me. I need her to submit to me.

  “Good morning,” she says as she pads to the table, her whiskey-colored eyes finding mine, her cheeks tinted a lovely pink as she slips into her seat.

  “Da. A very good morning.” I have tried to resist my urges, but I don’t know how much longer I will be able to stay away. A low growl rumbles deep in my chest as I notice the worn jeans and faded shirt she is wearing. Days of seeing this beautiful woman in clothing unbefitting her status has finally reached a boiling point. “These clothes you wear do not become you. We will go shopping.” The smile on her face and a slight nod are her only response. She has been quiet for days. Respectful.

  “If that is what you wish. Thank you, Ruslan, for… for everything. I know this… having me here is not easy,” she says softly as she sips her coffee.

  “Having you here is not a problem for me.”

  The smile she gives me is nothing short of angelic. The way she sucks her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying it back and
forth, drives me to distraction. Her cheeks tinge a gorgeous pink and she looks away. Like a dam breaking free, my control shatters. Before I know what is happening, I’m on my feet, striding to where she sits. My hand grasped her arm, pulling her from her seat and against my body. I’m rewarded with a squeak that only makes my cock grow harder.

  Her whiskey eyes grow wide as I lower my lips to hers. Her soft lips open as my tongue glides along her seam before darting inside, dancing erotically with her own. She moans and I swallow it, wanting – needing – to take all that she will give me. Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me into her soft luscious body. She feels so fucking good. She deepens the kiss, stealing my breath as she pulls away ever so slightly, her teeth biting down on my lip, tugging it away. A sharp pain follows and a metallic taste washed over my tongue and I let out a growl. Liliya breaks away and the wicked little smile I see nearly brings me to my knees.

  “I may be a princess, but I’m no angel,” she purrs.

  Fuck!

  Control gone.

  I scoop her into my arms, loving the sound of her gasp as I look into her eyes. I see the same lust and need I feel reflecting back at me. Rounding the corner, heart galloping, I catch sight of Vlad at the base of the stairs, mouth in a thin line. I know he doesn’t approve of this… but I don’t fucking care. Liliya made her choice when she entered my world. She asked for my help, my protection, and that’s what I’m giving to her, but the woman’s siren song is too strong to resist and I’m powerless to stop myself from giving her what she wants and taking what I need. Vlad shakes his head and walks away in silence. Thank fuck.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, Liliya turns her face into the crook of my neck and plants small wet kisses along my neck and jaw, nipping and laving as she goes. I squeeze her tighter against me and she releases a moan that nearly has me coming in my fucking pants like a young boy. Blood rushes in my ears as I cross the threshold into the master bedroom, kicking the door closed with my foot. She whimpers softly as I stop next to the bed, easing her body down to the floor.