by NiaKFoxx
“Good and I’ll help you do it. Why don’t you run along now and pack your things while I finish up my business with Alexi.”
He’d just dismissed her, as if she were no more than a bothersome child.
Tiffany stood on unsteady legs, her mind a jumble of thoughts. At the forefront of her mind were methods of escape.
“And Tiff,” Konstantin called once she reached the doors causing her pause, but she didn’t dare caution a look over her shoulder. “Don’t do anything foolish.”
***
Foolish, everything she’d done these last five months was foolish she worried as she zipped her suitcase. From the frying pan into the fire, that’s exactly how she felt. Compared to Konstantin, Alexi didn’t even register on the map. She hadn’t worried about her transition back to her normal life on the east coast when she left Alexi’s household, certain that once he was in the hands of the proper authorities Alexi would eventually fade into obscurity. She couldn’t say the same for Konstantin, not only did the man know her real identity his reach was far and wide enough to cause her serious concern.
The knock at the door made her jump, “Mr. Malovich is waiting for you.”
“I’ll be right there,” she called back. Giving the room a quick once over. She’d changed into jeans, a form-fitting t-shirt, and pulled her hair back into a neat ponytail.
“I’ll get those for you,” she didn’t recognize the man waiting outside her door and surmised he must be one of Konstantin’s guys. Another Russian, and although he wasn’t as big as Konstantin or Alexi there was a definite no nonsense attitude about him. The gun holster she glimpsed as he stepped aside to let her pass only added to her anxiety. In the main foyer she saw both men waiting. Konstantin was the first to spot her and like before he gave her apparel a quick once over before turning his attention back to his host.
***
She felt like a head of state in the luxury SUV with its reinforced bulletproof glass and diplomatic flags flowing in the breeze as it sped down the highway. That is to say if the diplomat was being whisked to a secure location for a quiet execution. Her stomach knotted with the mounting anxiety of her fate. Where were they taking her? Minutes ticked by and still nothing from her back seat companion who seemed completely comfortable with the silence. She stared out the window hoping for some opportunity to getaway. Where was the famous LA traffic which would slow the vehicle enough to allow her make a run for it? Was god in on this assassination attempt because he sure didn’t seem to be on her side at the moment? Maybe her time really was up. The thought wasn’t comforting. A few stay over guests lingered in Alexi’s home which explained why they didn’t bother getting the deed done there. Fear crawled up her spine. There had to be a way out maybe if she knew how he planned to do it she could come up with some way to escape.
“So what happens now?” Her tone was unnecessarily low considering the thick privacy glass separating them from the driver.
“As I said before we’re taking a little trip, shall we call it a getting better acquainted vacation?”
Vacation? Was that how it was known in the world of organized crime? A permanent vacation of eternal rest and relaxation.
“Have you ever been to the Cayman Island’s?”
“No,” she answered truthfully. It was one of many vacations she’d never take. The names of five other locale’s came to mind. All places she’d promised to take herself to someday and now the someday would never come.
“It’s beautiful, we’ll stay at a private villa.”
“Excuse me?”
For the first time since they’d started the car ride he looked in her direction.
“A villa, you know a-”
She held up her hands to silence him. “I know what a villa is, but you just said we’re going there?”
“That’s right.”
“As in at this moment?”
“As in after a plane ride, yes.” He watched her in confusion, his perplexed look seeming completely genuine.
Was he serious or was this all part of some elaborate ruse to calm her. “So this isn’t the long car ride?”
“The what?”
“You know the journey - to the journey - to the great beyond?”
His brows furrowed in question.
“Being fitted for cement shoes?”
Nothing
“Going to meet my maker.”
She saw understanding dawn on his face just before he bellowed, “You thought I was going to kill you?”
His raised tone must have been heard through the privacy glass because their driver gave them several quick looks in the rear view before redirecting his attention to the road. He sure did sound as if her suggestion were outrageous. Very convincing.
She laughed nervously, “The thought had crossed my mind.”
Not only had it crossed her mind but broke ground, poured foundation and planned to build a permanent residence there. The knots subsided slightly although relief didn’t completely take hold. After all, she was still dealing with a criminal and wasn’t sure what he wanted from her.
Chapter Five
The villa was an ode to Spanish hacienda meets Caribbean haven. A private beach surrounding most of the property left only one land entrance/exit. The house gave amazing views which could be enjoyed through large bay windows. Blue ocean rolled in to lap at a white sandy shoreline. Behind her the sound of fading footsteps could be heard on the granite tile followed by the closing of outer doors. They were alone.
“Do you want to go for a swim?”
The question came as she stood soaking in the scenery.
“Not at the moment.”
“Perhaps later?”
She felt more than heard him walk up behind her. She waited for his touch. Feeling oddly disappointed when it didn’t come.
“Maybe.” Tiffany couldn’t help but be struck by how perfect the day was with its clear blue skies and gently swelling ocean. It was all so right with just one nagging exception. She turned and wasn’t surprised to find him close. “I have to say I don’t understand what’s going on here. Why am I here? How do you know my name?”
“Why don’t you come have a seat?” He suggested extending his hand for her to take.
She thought back to the night before. Should she trust him?
In the end she accepted his offer allowing him to draw her to an overstuffed sofa. He settled next to her angling himself so they could make eye contact.
“I know you’re not a housekeeper Tiffany and the real reason you were at Alexi’s.”
“You do?” She certainly wasn’t going to volunteer up any information.
“Let’s not play games. You put yourself in danger to get a story, which was very foolish. Men like Alexi play for keeps and don’t take kindly to anyone getting in their way.”
“Unlike yourself?”
“We’re not talking about me at the moment. I took you out of LA to keep you safe.”
“Excuse me if I don’t seem grateful, but I can’t believe that someone like you would really care what happens to me. You don’t know me from Adam.”
“Nevertheless I’ve made your safety my concern Tiff, and once I’ve concluded my business with Alexi I’d actually like to get to know you better.”
She wasn’t sure why the thought had her heart hitching, and palms sweaty. Flashes their previous evening together had heat rising in her cheeks. Still she forced a laugh to let him know just how ridiculous his idea sounded.
The look in his eyes said that he was serious, but how could that be?
“Just like that? I know who you are Konstantin and I could no more get involved with you than I would Alexi. We walk in totally different circles and live by a completely opposing set of moral codes.”
“You are partially right, but it’s only a minor barrier.”
“I don’t think so, and while I appreciate you getting me out of Alexi’s house I don’t think I should stay here”
“Why’s that?”
She knew she had to tread lightly, she wasn’t just letting some random guy down in a bar. This was Konstantin Malovich a man who could end her life with the snap of his fingers. It was a very unsettling thought.
“I just don’t think I’m cut out for the type of lifestyle you lead. At my very core I’m a homebody, I enjoy simple things like movies, walks in the park, and local theatre troops.”
“And you’re assuming those things wouldn’t interest me?”
“I’d be very surprised if you said they did.”
“Why don’t we start there, let’s just get all of the surprises out of the way so we can move forward.”
He stood in one fluid motion, “We should start with who I really am.”
Who he was? Well duh, anyone who kept current on international affairs knew who he was both publicly and privately.
“My name is Ramj Oloff.”
She blinked at him several times. Okay so she wasn’t expecting him to start by offering up some alias.
“Ramj, what?”
“My real name is Ramj Oloff,” He offered slower this time.
What kind of game was he playing at? The question was poised on Tiffany’s lips but was quickly forgotten by the phenomena taking place. She found herself backing into the corner of the sofa as Konstantin…Ramj… whoever he was shimmered and shifted right in front of her. It was like nothing she’d ever witnessed. She’d seen illusion tricks performed by magicians a time or two but nothing which could have prepared her for his feat. He’d managed to change his entire appearance. Jet black hair lengthened and shined, gray… no silver blue eyes stared back at her.
“This impossible?” She muttered.
“Nothing is impossible.”
He reached for her but paused as she recoiled. Tiffany wasn’t sure what was easier to take, him as an international mobster or…
“What are you, some sort of magician?”
“No. My people are called Fae.”
Okay, where was the hidden camera? Was Steve behind all this?
“You mean like fairies?”
He chuckled, “No. They’re a bit different.”
Different as in not deranged Russian mobsters who probably dabbled a bit too much in the happy powder. Yet, who she’d known him to be couldn’t explain away what she’d just witnessed for her herself.
“It’s obvious you’re having a hard time believing me.”
“No, no… I think I’m following clearly. You’re a …Fae… impersonating Konstantin Jestkov Malovich, to rescue me out of the kindness of your heart?”
“Obviously there’s more to the story.”
“Obvioously. So where is the real Konstantin, or will he suddenly pop in,” she looked curiously around the room unable to remove the sarcastic edge from her tone.
“No, he won’t be stopping by. He’s dead.”
“You killed him?”
“Why does everyone assume that?” He muttered.
“He killed himself. Years of drug abuse and a bad heart don’t go hand in hand. Please tell me you don’t indulge?”
“What?” How had things shifted to her? “No, I’m drug free.”
He looked relieved. At least it made one of them.
“So if Konstantin is dead why are you pretending to be him?”
“To get close to Alexi, the man has weapons in his possession we would like to see properly disposed of.”
“We?”
“Yes, the Order and several UN countries.”
“You mean governments know about you?”
“A select group of people within countries we trust. It’s necessary for us to work with humans to meet our mutual objectives.”
“Work with you how? Are you planning some type of invasion?”
Ramj chuckled, it was a sexy sound which vibrated through her.
“You do have an overactive imagination.”
“You just changed into a different person right before my eyes and think my brain shouldn’t be working in overtime?”
“Good point, but our purpose is not quite so nefarious. In fact if mankind wasn’t in such a hurry to destroy the planet we all inhabit there would be no need for contact.”
“Contact, there you go sounding like an alien again.”
“Trust me Tiff I’m just as much an earthling as you are.”
“Ah ha… you said you were a Fairy.”
“No, I said Fae which, like humans, are inhabitants of the Earth.”
He was crazy, had to be… or maybe it was her. What if Alexi had slipped her some type of hallucinogen? When? She had to think, but her mind kept hitting brick walls. She hadn’t eaten or drunk anything all day, had no desire to.
“Maybe some fresh air might do you good.” Ramj suggested as if reading her jumbled thoughts,
Her first reaction was to decline the offer but thought better of it. At least outside there was a chance she could put some serious distance between them. He allowed her to precede him onto the open deck and followed her example when she slipped off her shoes and abandoned the wooden surface for the beach.
“Better?” He asked after insisting she take a couple deep breaths of ocean air.
She filled her lungs one final time, bare feet sinking into warm sand as they made their way to the shoreline.
“A bit, thanks.”
“Should I continue?”
She nodded feeling better prepared to handle the rest of what he had to reveal.
“There are many types of earthlings. Humans and Fae only make up a small number. We’ve coexisted since the dawn of time. Many of your ancient “myths” are filled with factual human and magical interactions. But, as man pursued more technological avenues we magical folk were content with living life as we always until we faded into antiquity.”
“But you were always here with us?” She wasn’t sure if it were a question or a statement.
“Through every phase of man’s intellectual evolution. The nuclear age has been of specific concern. We’ve lost many while we stayed quiet.”
“And now?”
“We can’t afford to turn a blind eye, which is why I need to secure these weapons and turn Alexi over.”
“But if you’re magical, why not just use your talents to make people do the right thing?”
“It’s not that simple. Magical earthlings are not without faults. We’re susceptible to being corrupted by our abilities. History is not without some hiccups in our interactions with humans. There’re only a select number of us allowed to use our talents in dealing with non-magical beings. Those of us who are permitted don’t possess overly dangerous skills.”
What exactly did overly dangerous mean?
She could understand why an edict would exist to regulate the use of magic. People today might easily succumb to the lure of it and the creatures wielding the powers.
“How long before you finish with Alexi?”
They stopped at the water’s edge, and Tiffany enjoyed the feel of foaming water engulfing her feet before receding back only to repeat the process.
“A week should be more than enough time to wrap things up. Our operative, Agent Rasa, will be ready to take him into custody at the final drop.”
“And then I can leave?” Even as she said the words she knew she’d never be able to go back to life as it had been, not with her newfound knowledge and most definitely not after knowing Ramj.
Ramj stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her view of the vast ocean.
“Are you really in a rush?”
When she would have answered his thumb stroked her chin and temporarily distracted her from her next thought. Why was she so drawn to him? He traced her lower lip and she surprised herself by parting her mouth. Her tongue darted out to flicker over the top of his digit. She heard Ramj’s swift intake of breath, his gaze locked with hers and she was lost.
She took the lead drawing his thumb deeper into her mouth, enjoying the salty taste of his skin and the sultry look taking hold of him.
Just this one time, she would throw caution to the wind. The decision was in her mind but hadn’t manifested itself to her vocal chords when he withdrew his finger and she was lifted off her feet. He managed her as if she weighed nothing. His determined steps left no doubt as to their destination.
Arms locked around his neck as soon as they were over the threshold.
“Right here,” she demanded before their lips met in a desperate tango.
If Ramj wasn’t in line with her train of thought she would never have known it by his actions. He seemed just as eager as she was to be rid of the clothing. The sound of ripping penetrated her fuzzy mind a few times, but was pushed aside just as quickly in their frenzy.
Something akin to a growl escaped his throat when she stood in front of him completely nude. Her own reaction was very similar as she forced herself to take a few steps back to drink in his sheer grandeur.
“We’ll have none of that,” his voice had deepened to a very primordial sound and he closed the gap in one movement. Large hands gripped her ass lifting her until they were eye level.
“For the record, I wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Good, now let’s keep it that way.” Her bottom touched down on the bar none too gently and she was forced to crane her neck to meet the demands of his mouth on hers. She gasped into him when her legs were pushed apart, leaving her bare for his every exploration. He trailed hot kisses down her neck bending to allow his mouth access to her breasts. Sensitive nipples stood at the ready waiting for the moist heat of his mouth. She wasn’t disappointed. Her fingers gripped the back of the bar as she arched into his new brand of kissing. His hot tongue swirled around one nipple before teeth grazed against the pebbled skin. Tiffany groaned, squirming when he lavished the same attention on the next breast. Warmth spread through her body settling in her center until her body quivered. She craved more and wasn’t ashamed to show him. Releasing her grip on the back of the bar she allowed one hand to travel between their body’s, taking hold of his hand to place it between her thighs.
