The fight begins, and I see Jade holding her hand to her chest in worry. Every time Vlad’s opponent connects with him, she winces. When the bell for the first round rings, she’s sitting on the edge of her seat. Looking over her shoulder at me, she mutters, “I don’t know how anyone can watch this.”
“He’s going to be fine.” I know she’s worried about Vlad. Maybe this was a bad idea, but at least now she knows how it is. She sits back, and I automatically place my hand on her leg. Just as the second round is about to start, Ivan leans forward and whispers in my ear. I don’t answer, just nod in acknowledgment. The match continues for another six rounds before Vlad knocks his opponent out.
“Alexey.” Jade leans against me, showing me an ample expanse of her cleavage as we wait for Vlad to leave the ring. She brings her lips against my ear as her hand lands on my chest. “I want you,” she murmurs, making me instantly hard.
My arm is around her waist. At her words, I pull her closer as I breathe in her clean fragrance. My cock twitches at the invitation in her eyes. I’m about to lower my head and kiss her when we’re interrupted by someone calling my name. “Fuck,” I grunt quietly, making her giggle.
Looking around, I see a well-dressed African man standing before Nik, who is blocking his way. When he notices me looking at him, he raises his hand. “Mr. Vasiliev, I need to talk to you.”
“I will be right back, malysh,” I say as I stand and walk towards Nik and the man.
I incline my head at Nik, and he steps back. “Mr. Vasiliev, my name is Tamba Quig,” he says quietly as he draws closer to me. “I’m an attorney for a certain acquaintance of yours, and I have come across some information that I think you might want.” At his words, I tense and raise my eyebrows in question.
“Really? What might this information be?” I ask curiously.
“Before I tell you, I need you to promise me that you will keep me and my family safe. You see, I’ve stumbled across this information, and now I suspect they have found out and will be coming for me.”
“And who might I ask is your client?”
“Mr. Salazar Morretti,” he says as he looks around to see if anyone heard him.
“Why would I be interested in this information that you stumbled across?” I ask suspiciously.
“I stumbled across a deed to a property that Mr. Morretti purchased. After driving out to the property, I found that he holds . . .” He stops and looks around again. “He holds certain goods that I am completely against. There are a few dealings where I look the other way, but I’m afraid I can’t do that now.”
“What goods are these?” I ask.
“Women,” he murmurs.
“And why would you think I would be interested in this?” I ask, but my stomach is clenching in anger. Could this be where Salazar is keeping the women he’s trafficking? I hope it is, or is this a plot from his side to try to ambush me somehow?
“Well, I’ve heard that your umm . . . organization doesn’t hurt women,” he says. I turn and look at Nik, indicating for him to approach.
“Nik, have someone accompany Mr. Quig to the club.” Looking back at him, I say, “We will discuss this in more detail there.”
“Thank you,” he says as Nik guides him away. Pulling out my phone, I send a text. I want to know everything about Mr. Quig in the next hour. Before I join Jade again, I approach Ivan, who has stepped into Nik’s position while he’s gone. While Vlad was fighting, he let me know that they apprehended someone trying to bring in a gun.
“Tell me,” I order.
“At the back entrance, one of the waiters was stopped. He said he was substituting another waiter who fell ill. It was true that the other waiter he spoke about did not arrive, but they were suspicious, so they checked the catering equipment that had been brought in this afternoon, and found a hidden compartment where a sniper gun was strapped to the bottom of a food trolley.”
“Has he been identified?” I ask.
“Not yet. They were still working on it,” Ivan confirms.
I incline my head to Andrei, and he quickly guides the women towards me. Taking Jade’s hand in mine, I start to make our way towards the entrance where our SUV will be waiting. Nik joins us and takes the lead when we’re about halfway there.
“What about Vlad?” Jade asks.
“He’ll meet us there.”
JADE 14
I know there is something bothering Alexey as we drive towards the club, but he won’t tell me what it is. I love being out with Alexey. We hardly ever go out, as he insists that it’s still dangerous, but now that I’m feeling better, I’m going to start insisting on taking my life back. Not by going back to my old life, as I don’t think I could leave Alexey even if I wanted to, and not because he would hurt me, as I don’t think Alexey will ever hurt me intentionally. But because I’ve fallen for him. I know he’s violent. I know he’s the most dangerous man in the city, but he’s caring and loving with me.
I’m brought back to the present by his murmured words against my ear. “I have something I need to attend to when I get to the club, but it won’t take long.” His voice is deep with that tone of command that is so him. “Stay close to Nik. It’s safe in the club, but I will not take any chances.”
I turn my head to look into his eyes, and see the frown. Placing my hand on his face, I stroke it gently before I draw closer and kiss him on the lips and then on his jaw. Moving to the side, I kiss his cheek as I draw closer to his ear. “I’m going to be good, but only until you come back. Then I’m going to be very bad,” I whisper, and hear his intake of breath as his arm tenses around my shoulders. I see Lara’s reflection in the car window and notice that she’s not paying us any attention, as she’s looking out her window. I stroke my hand up his leg but am quickly stopped as he grips my wrist just before I reach his crotch.
“You’re playing with fire, malysh,” he growls next to my ear, making my skin pucker in pleasure.
“Mmm, promise?” I whisper seductively. I feel his lips against my ear, but instead of talking, he starts to kiss my neck. The hand of the arm that was around my shoulders dips down, stroking my neck and then the top of my chest before it dips into the neckline and strokes my nipple. I throw my head back as he continues to tease me. I must bite my bottom lip not to make a noise and announce to the other two occupants of the car what we’re doing. When I think that I’m going to lose my battle and sigh in pleasure, Alexey pulls his hand away from my breast and lifts his head.
Only then do I notice that the SUV is stopping. I sigh in disappointment as I feel the moisture between my legs and the empty ache that I need him to fill. Looking down, I notice that I’m not the only one affected by our little play, as Alexey’s cock is straining against his pants.
“If your friend wasn’t with us, I would be taking you right now,” Alexey grunts against my ear in frustration. I’m saved from saying anything as Nik pulls into the garage. I notice that the club even at this late hour still has a queue of about hundred people at least standing outside.
Alexey guides me towards the entrance that only he and Vlad use. Lara and Nik walk before us. When we walk inside, I can hear the loud music even though it is slightly quietened by the door that separates the club from the offices and working areas at the back.
“Nik, take care,” Alexey says as he turns me towards him and kisses my lips. “I will be with you soon. Go with Nik.” He moves away towards his office. Only now do I notice that Andrei and Ivan are already standing outside his door.
“Okay, then, let’s go have some fun,” Lara says excitedly as she takes my hand and starts to pull me towards the noise. Nik is already standing by the door. As we draw closer, he opens the door and steps out, looking around.
“Stay close,” he grunts as he starts to make his way towards a closed-off area with a red cord. There are two men I have never seen before but I’m sure work for Alexey standing by the cord. When they see Nik, one of them pulls the cord away and lets us pass. Their eyes trave
l up and down our bodies, and I’m sure if Alexey was with us, they wouldn’t even glance.
Looking around, I see that this area has a few tables and couches where I’m sure important guests usually sit. At the moment, only two other tables are occupied, one with two men and three women and the other one with five men who look like they could work for Alexey. Nik guides us to the furthest table from the others. He signals to one of the many women I see waitressing in the club, and she quickly makes her way towards us.
“Hi, Nik, what can I get you?” she asks with a smile. Nik looks at Lara with a raised eyebrow, and she orders a glass of white wine. Instead of asking me what I would like, he orders a ginger ale for me and a bottle of vodka.
“I’m guessing the ginger ale is for me as I don’t drink vodka?” I ask when the waitress leaves. When he nods, I grumble, “Would be nice if you asked me. What if I wanted the same as Lara?”
“You don’t drink alcohol. Besides, you’re still taking medication and your favourite is ginger ale.”
“For your information, I finished my medication this morning,” I mutter, but I’m impressed that he’s noticed what I like to drink. He doesn’t reply as the waitress returns with our drinks. Only then do I notice the top she is wearing that displays her ample breasts and the very tiny mini skirt. I look around and see all the waitresses wearing the same, and interestingly, they all have big breasts and very nice legs.
I wonder who interviews the waitresses. Is it Alexey? “Jade, let’s go dance,” Lara calls as she takes my hand to help me up. I look over at Nik and see him nod. We make our way towards the dance floor, and I notice that Nik accompanies us but stands near where he can see us. I love music and dancing. When I get to the dance floor, I smile as my body starts to move to the beat of the song. I close my eyes and let myself be taken by the rhythm of the music. I don’t notice the men around us looking at me or the threatening looks Nik is giving some of them. I don’t know how long I’ve been dancing, when I feel strong hands on my hips. My eyes snap open, and I encounter Alexey’s smouldering eyes as he draws me close to his body.
“You want men to die today?” he growls in my ear.
“What?”
“You are beautiful, lyubov moya. When you move your body like you were moving when I came back, it makes men stupid, thinking they can look at you.” He’s talking to me, but his eyes are over my shoulder, staring with a deadly look at someone.
My hands go around his neck, and I kiss his set jaw as I move against him. “Alexey,” I call, trying to distract his murderous thoughts. “Baby, kiss me.” His eyes finally lower to me, and then he pulls me even closer to his body and takes my lips in a blistering kiss that leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind who I belong to. When he finally lifts his head, he guides me off the dance floor and towards the table where I see Vlad already sitting with Lara. Boris and Nik are standing nearby.
“Vlad, how’s your face?” I ask as I sit across from him, Alexey sitting next to me.
“My face?” Vlad asks in surprise. “Handsome, don’t you think?” He makes me laugh, but I see that when he smiles, he winces in pain at his split lip. I lean back in my chair, and Alexey places his hand on my leg as he starts to relax.
“Nice to see you relaxing for a change, Alexey,” a woman says as she comes to stand next to the table and places her hand possessively on his shoulder. I feel him tense, but he doesn’t take her hand away. “I have brought your usual.” She bends down to place two shot glasses and a different bottle of vodka on the table. I notice that her tiny skirt rides up her thighs, and in the position she’s bending, Alexey has an open view of her pussy.
My stomach tightens as I realize that Alexey must have slept with this woman before. How many of these women has he slept with? This one is practically throwing herself at him. He told me he was mine, that he would only have sex with me. Is that true? Can I believe that a man like him, who has any women he wants, is only going to have sex with one?
She stands up and looks back at him. “Can I get you anything else?” she purrs in invitation, but he shakes his head and says something to Vlad in Russian, which Vlad answers. I see Lara looking at me with a knowing look, and then she saves me from doing something I might regret.
“Jade, will you come with me to the ladies’?” she asks, and I quickly stand without looking at Alexey. At first his hand tightens on my leg, but then he loosens his hold and lets me go.
“Don’t take long,” he says, but I can feel his eyes watching me as I walk away.
“What the hell was that?” Lara asks. “What a bitch.”
“Do you think he’s sleeping with her?” I ask quietly as we enter the ladies’ room.
“Are you kidding? Have you seen how that man looks at you?” she retorts. I walk towards a plush black couch on the far end and sit. My heart is tight at the thought of Alexey cheating. He hasn’t given me any reason to doubt him, but he has so many opportunities. I see how the women look at him. Can I trust him to keep his word?
What Lara says is true; Alexey looks at me as if I’m the only woman in the world. He’s protective and extremely possessive. Would he be like that if he didn’t care about me? Lara sits next to me. “Jade, he loves you. I doubt he would do anything to jeopardize your relationship. Especially with a skank like that,” she murmurs as a woman walks in.
“He’s never said he loves me,” I answer as I rub my hands on my dress.
“Of course he has. I’ve heard him say it myself,” she says, surprising me.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he calls you lyubov moya. I was curious about what it meant when I heard him say it the other day, so I asked one of the guys when I was riding down the lift. He said that it means my love.” My breath catches at her revelation. Alexey is calling me his love?
“Are you sure?” I ask hopefully.
“Well, that’s what he said, and I doubt he would lie about something like that.” I can feel myself smile, but before I can answer, I feel my phone vibrate in my purse. Pulling it out, I open the message without seeing who it’s from and then catch my breath as a photo appears. There on my screen is Alexey standing before the woman who was a few minutes before serving him. His hands are on her hips, holding her close to him. Her hand is on his cheek, and they are looking at each other lovingly.
I can feel the tears fill my eyes. I notice the date on the photo. It is today, and when I look at Alexey, I recognise the shirt and tie he was wearing when he left this morning. “What’s wrong? Is it your mother?” Lara asks worriedly when she sees the tear slip out the corner of my eye and trail down my cheek. I can’t speak. I lift my phone and show her the screen. I see her eyes widen and then darken in anger.
“What the hell?” she mutters.
“I have to get out of here. I can’t see him right now,” I mutter as I hurriedly get up and make my way to the door.
“Wait, Jade,” Lara says, but I’m already opening the door. As I step outside, I come face to face with Nik. When he sees my face, his face darkens in anger.
“What’s wrong?” he thunders, but before I can come up with a lie, Lara is wrenching the phone out of my hand and placing it in front of his face.
“Your asshole of a boss is cheating on her, that’s what’s wrong,” she says angrily, but I can’t stand here and listen to them anymore. I turn towards the door where the offices are and start to hurry towards it.
“Wait, wait, Jade,” Nik says as he grabs my arm and stops me. “This isn’t true.” He holds up my phone, but I shake my head and try to continue walking, but he holds me still.
“Please, Nik.” I gasp as a sob erupts. “I can’t see him right now.”
He stares at me for a few seconds and then nods. “Okay, come. I’ll take you home.” He starts to guide me towards the garage. I can hear Lara hurrying behind us. He helps me and Lara into the car, and then we are making our way home. I see him pull out his phone and dial. After a minute, he speaks in Russian. His voice is clipped
and angry. He doesn’t talk for more than a couple minutes before he disconnects the call. He still hasn’t given me the phone back, but I don’t want it. The image of Alexey looking at that woman is engraved in my mind. Lara is holding my hand while I cry silently. She has always been there for me through the good and the bad. When we arrive in the basement, Nik goes around the SUV and opens my door, helping me out and then Lara. We’re walking towards the lift when we hear the screeching of tyres as a Mustang comes flying towards us.
I look at the car in a daze as it comes to a squealing stop right in front of us. Only then do I see that it’s Alexey as he wrenches the door of the car open. His eyes are deadly as he looks at me, and then he’s walking around the car and towards me. He’s so angry that I swear I can feel the energy crackling around us. I step back as he approaches, but I know there is nowhere I can go that he won’t find me if he wants to.
When he’s standing right in front of me, he doesn’t say anything. He just continues to stare deep into my eyes as he stretches his hand out, and I see Nik place my phone in his hand. His eyes finally leave me, and he looks down at the phone. I see his jaw tensing with rage. He thrusts the phone back into Nik’s hand, and then he has his hand on my arm and is pulling me behind him towards the lifts.
I hear another car arriving, and looking back, I see that it’s Vlad followed by Andrei and Ivan, but I don’t see anything else except for Nik holding Lara back as the lift’s doors close. Alexey doesn’t say anything. He just continues to hold my arm in a punishing grip as we leave the lift and enter the apartment. He doesn’t let go of my arm until we’re in the room, and then he stands before me with his hands low on his waist.
When he finally speaks, his accent is so heavy that I have difficulty understanding him. “Did I not tell you that you’re the only woman for me?” I nod in answer, because even if I wanted to speak, the tears are clogging my throat, stopping me from talking. I step back, but he follows me. I take another two steps back, but then hit the bathroom door with my back and stop.
TORMENTED: Bratva Fury (book 1) Page 11
