My chest was heaving now with the force of my ire. I was pissed. I wanted revenge. And I was really tired of not having any answers about what had happened to my father.
A muscled flexed in Ruslan’s cheek. Aside from that, he had no reaction to the ugly I’d just poured out all over his table. His eyes were as blank as ever. After a beat he lifted his chin toward a burly guy standing with his back to the wall a few feet away. All the blood drained from my head as the burly guy stalked our way and stopped at the edge of the table next to me. Russian words flew back and forth between them, faster than I could keep track of.
This was bad. This was really, really bad.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
In a flash of movement, Ruslan shoved out of the booth and stood in front of me, next to his burly guard. “Preekhahdeet. Come. With me. Now.”
All my ire and verve had drained out of me when the Russians got scary and well…Russian. I shook my head. “I should probably get going. My mom is waiting for me. She knows where I am, and I promised her I’d be home ten minutes ago. She worries. If I’m not home, she’ll probably call up my uncles Rebel and Axle. They’re like family, you know. And I really don’t want to worry them. So, I’ll just—”
“Get. Up. Now.”
The entire bar went silent. Even the soft background music stopped. I looked frantically around, but again no one would meet my eyes. Everyone kept their faces deliberately turned away.
No one was going to help me.
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
I put my clutch on the tabletop and scooted around the bench seat. But before I could stand up, Ruslan’s goon grabbed my clutch, and it disappeared somewhere behind his mammoth back. He narrowed his eyes at me and shifted ever so slightly in my direction. The threat was clear. And terrifying. This man was huge, and no one seemed to care that both of them were taking me to the “back room.”
My heart pounded so hard the whole walk down the narrow corridor with the goon at my back and Ruslan leading the way. What was I doing? Why was I just blindly following these two men to my inevitable death? But really, what could I do? I wouldn’t get very far before either guy caught me, especially in these shoes. They’d taken my phone, and no one out there seemed to give the first shit about my predicament.
I’d never felt so alone…and stupid.
Ruslan’s keys jangled in the silent hallway as he unlocked a large black door. After pushing it open, he gestured for me to enter.
I really, really didn’t want to.
I looked from him to the open door then back to him with wide, frightened eyes. If I went into that room, I’d never come back out.
Screw it. If they were gonna do me in, I was gonna go down with my head held high. Make my dad proud. Biting my lip, I tilted my chin defiantly then stepped inside and found…a regular office with a huge mahogany desk, a few bookcases, two ladder-back chairs, and not much else since the room was so tiny. Some of the tension left my body. I’d been expecting a rack or an empty room with a concrete floor and a single light bulb swinging overhead.
Apparently I watched too much TV.
I strode into the room. Ruslan followed and closed the door behind him, leaving the goon outside. Ruslan circled the desk, then sprawled in the big tufted, leather chair. He laced his fingers together and rested his hands on his taut stomach like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Meanwhile I was vibrating with tension and waiting for the hammer to fall. Because it would. If I’d learned anything from my dad being in a motorcycle club, it was that men took their business seriously and didn’t appreciate women calling them on it.
Why did I blurt out all that crap about my dad? What the hell was I thinking?
Ruslan surveyed me from his throne. He was deliberately keeping me on edge. His eyes lingered at my hips, my chest, then my face. He took a long time examining every feature. I couldn’t tell if he liked what he saw or if he was planning different ways to carve up my body. His face was blank the entire time. It was unnerving and creepy, and I just wanted to get the hell out of here.
But still he didn’t say anything.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally blurted out, “What the fuck is your plan? Are you going to kill me or what? Because I’ve still got shit to do tonight if it’s all the same to you.”
Crinkles appeared next to his eyes and after a beat, Ruslan laughed. “Just when I think I have you nailed down, you surprise me, moya zvezda.”
I crossed my arms over my chest like it protected me from his penetrating gaze. “You keep calling me that. What does it mean?”
“ ‘My star.’ You shined so bright in the bar, I couldn’t see anyone else.”
Coming from a regular guy, that would’ve been the sweetest thing I’d ever heard, but hearing it from Ruslan filled me with foreboding. He was a really dangerous guy, given the way literally everyone acted around him, and now I was on his radar. I was so screwed.
I knew better than to piss him off, especially when I was alone with him, but I couldn’t seem to get my brain and tongue to agree. My fight-or-flight instincts were all screwed up. I still had a hint of sarcasm in my voice when I replied, “That’s so sweet.”
“And true. You are special. I could tell the moment I saw you, Amber. Please. Sit. I promise not to pounce on you.” Ruslan bared his teeth in an attempt at a smile. “I save that for the second date.”
“Not with me. I’m more of a get-to-know-the-guy-first kinda girl.” I smiled stiffly as I took a seat in one of the ladder-back chairs in front of his desk. The rigid wood made it difficult to relax, although that might’ve had something to do with the man sitting across from me. I stared at the gleaming finish of his desk and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.
“So, you’re Stitch’s daughter.”
My eyes jerked to his as I felt all the blood drain from my head. How did he know? If anything, I looked like my mom, with her blond hair and facial features. All I inherited from my dad was his slender build and his love of Star Wars. “How did you—”
“You mentioned your father was murdered last year, and given your all-American looks and age, I filled in the blanks.” Ruslan sat forward and placed his hands on the desk. He looked intently at me. “I’m sorry to state it so bluntly, but I have a few more meetings tonight and must…what is the phrase? Cut our chase short?”
I nodded tightly.
“As far as your father’s killer goes, there is nothing for you to worry about, moya zvezda.” He waved his hand in a dismissive fashion, and I saw red.
“I swear to God, if one more man says that to me, I’ll go insane. Why is it only men are allowed to be pissed off? Only men can want revenge? That asshole killed my father. I want to make sure that he bled. That he felt pain and anguish and a million different kinds of hell before his miserable life ended. My father was the best man—the only man I’ve ever loved. He didn’t deserve to bleed out in a fucking parking lot like a common criminal. And I want to make sure that the fucker who did that to him died the most horrific way possible. Or at the very least, get my own jabs in before he’s dead.” My chest heaved with my panting breath, and after a few beats the reality of where I was and who I just shouted at sank in.
Ruslan didn’t say anything for several moments as he eyed me flatly. But the muscle flexing in his jaw belied his calm demeanor. My anger slowly leached from my body as he continued to stare at me. I suddenly felt light-headed and swayed slightly in my seat.
His voice hissed when he finally spoke. “The man who murdered your father has been taken care of. That is what I meant when I said there’s nothing for you to worry about. You do not ever question me about my business ever again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
I nodded jerkily as I avoided his gaze. Fear singed my nerves. Where my rant had been all passion and indignation, his was pure rage. It was
n’t difficult to see why everyone in the bar had been afraid of him. I was terrified. I bit my lip to keep my whimpers inside. I couldn’t let him see me sweat. The only thing I had going for me was that he was interested in me and my swagger. If he believed I was as scared as everyone else out there, he’d no doubt lose interest, and then I’d really be screwed.
I took another second to gather myself then lifted my head and looked Ruslan in the eyes. “I apologize. I spoke out of turn. It’s just frustrating. No one will tell me what happened. He was my father. I just miss him so much.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I determinedly blinked them back. I’d cried so many tears, and I’d be damned before I let him see me so vulnerable.
Ruslan’s expression softened somewhat and he reached across the desk to caress the back of my hand. “I understand, moya zvezda. But you cannot question me about my business. That is why I brought you back to my office. The little bit I can tell you cannot be shared outside these walls.”
I nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”
“I can assure you that the man who murdered your father wasn’t cosseted—the end was not quick—and you’ll never have to worry about him again. But that is all I can tell you.”
I leaned back in my chair, breaking my contact with Ruslan and nodded. “I understand. Thank you. It’s more than my father’s club shared with me. I appreciate it.”
The words and my placating tone burned my throat, but I said them anyway. I just wanted to get the hell outta here and away from him.
Ruslan nodded slowly as he continued to watch me. “Now I’m sorry to say I have another meeting.”
“I believe you mentioned that.” I smiled charmingly and tilted my head. “If I could get my things back from your guy, I’ll get out of your hair.”
Ruslan chuckled. “Ah, moya zvezda, you are not a trouble. Come, I’ll have a car deliver you back to your home.”
I opened my mouth to reply when he spoke over me.
“That wasn’t a request. I have claimed responsibility for you, and I can’t have anything happen to you on my watch.” Ruslan pressed a button on his desk and after a beat his office door opened and the goon poked his head in. Ruslan barked something in Russian and the goon nodded before backing out and closing the door again. “You may get your things from Viktor on your way to the car.”
Taking the hint, I stood up and gave Ruslan an awkward smile. His declaration that he’d “claimed responsibility” for me filled me with foreboding. I knew what that meant in the motorcycle club world. But we’d just met. It couldn’t mean the same thing for him. Could it? No part of that sounded good. I’d be damned before I became anyone’s property.
Shit, I never should’ve come here.
I took a step toward the door when Ruslan sprang from his chair. Steeling myself for whatever came next, I tried not to let my nerves show.
Ruslan walked around his desk like a lion stalking his prey. Stopping in front of me, he clasped my hand, then pulled me away from the doorway. “It is disrespectful to the domvoi to say goodbye near the threshold.”
I didn’t even have time to process that before his lips were on mine. My eyes shut reflexively, and I swayed slightly toward him. But that was only because I was off balance and had nothing to do with his kiss. Mostly. Ruslan’s lips were soft and supple as they moved against mine. It’d been so long since I kissed a guy, but it was like riding a bike. And Ruslan was so damned good at it. A beat later my lips moved of their own accord with his. Despite my utter dislike for him, I felt my nipples tingle as he took the kiss deeper. Before I knew it, my arms were wrapped around his neck, and I was rubbing my chest against his as we continued to kiss.
I vaguely registered a sound somewhere behind me, but we continued kissing. Then I heard a few Russian words followed by my father’s friend, Axle, shouting, “WHAT THE FUCK?”
Chapter 2
Bam
This wasn’t how I’d wanted to spend my Wednesday night. I’d planned on hanging out at our club’s bar, maybe getting lucky with one of the girls, then hitting the hay. I had to be at work in six fucking hours. I sure as shit didn’t want to be playing bodyguard for our hotheaded VP, Axle.
Tonight wasn’t the first time the guys had used my size to their advantage since I’d gotten my patch. Hell, they used it before I became a member, too. At six-six and two hundred and eighty pounds, I cast a pretty big shadow. Half the time I didn’t even have to say anything; I just gave a look and assholes ran the other way. But all that went out the window when you were dealing with the Volkskya Bratva. Those fuckers were crazy and not afraid of much. A scary combination.
There was no way this “simple meeting” our prez had sent us to was gonna end quick and easy with Axle at the helm.
“We have a meeting with Ruslan,” Axle barked at the linebacker standing next to the closed office door. We’d already gone through shit with the guy at the front door of the club, another one at the bar, and now this one. Between Ruslan’s goon squad and the security cameras, there was no way to sneak up on this place.
But with every checkpoint a little more of Axle’s already slim patience disappeared.
“Ruslan’s not available.” The linebacker barked back.
I closed my eyes with a muttered curse.
“Bullshit,” Axle drawled. “We got a meeting. I’m going in there.”
The linebacker at the door smirked but didn’t say anything.
Axle shrugged, grabbed the doorknob, and pushed the door open.
The guard cursed something in Russian, but it was drowned out by Axle’s shouted “WHAT THE FUCK?”
I stood at the back of the pack behind the guard, Axle, and our other impressively large member, Tank, but whatever was going on inside of Ruslan’s office, shit had already hit the fan. Closing my eyes with a muttered curse, I mentally braced myself for the inevitable fight. Everything Reb had warned us against, Axle was doing. I could practically smell the burning bridges. Hell, from here it smelled like the whole damn village was on fire. Crossing my arms over my chest, I scowled.
“What the fuck are you doing here, princess?” Axle yelled as he tussled for a second with the guard. Finally Tank waded in and shoved the Russian aside. Axle pushed past them both and into Ruslan’s office with everyone hot on his heels. “And with your fucking lips on his?”
I half expected to see one of the club girls, or that one chick that Axle had fucked for a month straight before dropping her for suddenly being “too clingy.” But when I pushed my way into Ruslan’s cramped office and saw Amber, Stitch and Brittany’s fucking daughter, standing in Ruslan’s arms, I hesitated—too shocked to react—for a moment.
Amber’s wide, ice blue eyes passed over her audience then narrowed as she glared at us. The fuck? Stitch’s daughter and Ruslan? What the fuck was going on?
Ruslan kept one arm around Amber and barked something in Russian to the guard who was hovering in the doorway. The guard mumbled something back in Russian then beat a hasty retreat.
They could’ve been an advertisement for a perfume ad or something. With Ruslan’s suave three-piece suit and unshaven model looks against Amber’s slender blond gorgeousness, they were the perfect couple. Aside from the fact that Ruslan was the scariest guy in the whole damn Bratva. Hell, probably the whole damn city. What the fuck was Amber doing with that asshole?
Ruslan ducked his head and kissed the top her head, staring at us the whole time. “I’m sorry we were interrupted, moya zvezda. I will deal with Viktor later, but I’m afraid my next meeting is here. I believe you know these…gentlemen?”
“That’s not fucking funny, malcik.” Axle leaned forward and pointed a finger at Ruslan. His voice was practically a growl as he continued. “I know who the fuck you’re fucking, and it stops now. Amber is club property. No one fucks with True Brothers property.”
Amber put her h
ands on her hips and turned her glare Axle’s way. “Fuck you.”
“What did you just say to me, princess?” Axle’s voice went low and deep in that way of his when he was really, really pissed.
Oh shit. There was no way this was gonna end well.
“Fuck. You,” she said slowly like she was talking to a toddler, only with cursing. “I’m not club property. I’ve never been fucking club property. You all can take your precious club and shove it up your asses.”
Axle let out a strangled sound as he clenched his fists. A muscle flexed in his jaw when he finally spoke. “Bam, get her the hell out of here before I—”
I stepped forward, bent over and leaned my shoulder into Amber’s stomach, and had her over my shoulder before she or Ruslan could mutter a protest.
Amber shrieked and banged her fists against my back. “Put me down, you goddamn behemoth.”
Ruslan yelled something in Russian behind me, but I didn’t pause in stride. I was halfway down the hall before the doors at the other end slammed open. There was more yelling in Russian, but three steps later I was out the back door and standing in the quiet parking lot. Well, quiet except for the yelling and creative cursing coming from Amber.
“Ooomph.” I tightened my grip on her flailing legs when she managed to connect with my stomach. Crossing the parking lot, I eyed my bike with resignation. This was probably the only time I wished I’d brought a cage—my truck would’ve made getting this wildcat home a hell of a lot easier. Unable to avoid the inevitable, I stopped next to my bike and gently lowered the girl to her feet.
“Finally,” she huffed. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Me? You’re shitting me, right?” I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. “You were in there dry-humping the craziest guy in the fucking Russian Mafia, and you think there’s something wrong with me?”
“I wasn’t dry-humping him,” she muttered while her cheeks flamed red. It would’ve been endearing if she wasn’t being such a pain in my ass. “Ruslan kissed me.”
Rough Ride Page 2
