“Anybody mind telling me why in the fuck you interrupted us? Especially since you know I’m paying for this whore right here,” Akim asks, hooking his thumb toward Viveka. She flinches and wraps her arms around her middle.
“Put some fucking clothes on. We have shit to talk about,” Yakov states.
Entin shakes his head once. “I don’t have anything to talk to any of you about. You’re not my Pakhan. Now if you’ll leave, I have some more fucking to do before the blow and Viagra wear off,” he chuckles, throwing his arm around Viveka’s neck and tugging her toward his side.
“How about the fact that you’re trying to get ten of my guns from my supply to take out your father. Think that maybe you can put your cock away long enough to talk about that?” Timofei asks. I glance over at him and notice that his gun is pointed straight at Entin’s head.
Akim’s features harden and he has the good sense to look tense. “Didn’t think you of all people would give much of a fuck if I took the old man out. I’m done with his shit. I’m done waiting like a good boy and being fed table scraps. I’m taking Kiska with me, marrying the cunt, then I’m killing the old fuck. If you even attempt to stop me, your little Irish wife is dead, so is your blonde whore of a wife, and yours too,” he says, lifting his chin from Timofei to Yakov, and then to Dominik.
The air around me doesn’t just crackle, it fucking ignites. I don’t look at Akim though. I can’t. My focus is on Viveka who doesn’t look as scared as she looks intrigued. I’ve known her my entire life, I can read her like a fucking book, and she isn’t scared right now. The realization that she’s fucking in on this shit hits me, and it hits me hard.
“And you,” Entin says, looking straight toward me. “I’m going to fuck that little cunt of hers up so much if you even try to take her back, you won’t want it anymore,” he sneers. That’s when I know that Viveka has talked. Her lips tip in a smirk and everything is confirmed.
“Do you really think that we’re just going to walk out of this room? Really? You make a couple of threats against our women, and we’re just going to shrug and walk away?” Yakov asks, almost laughing.
Akim lifts his chin. “Yeah, I fucking do. I have snipers aimed on all of those whores and Josef has my phone, his thumb is on the button to send the kill confirmation to my men.”
I was so focused on Viveka that I didn’t notice the other man who is holding a phone in his hand, a smirk on his face. “One touch and they’re fucking dead.”
Yakov growls but doesn’t respond. I know these men, they do not take kindly to threats, and neither do I, this fuck is dead. Unfortunately, Viveka has signed her fate as well. The six of us leave, but it isn’t without plans to take Akim down. He will die, that is for certain.
“We’ll meet at The Oleandr, midnight,” Timofei grunts before we all separate.
Bronislav wraps his hand around my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “Nothing will happen to Kiska,” he murmurs.
“No, it fucking will not,” I state.
Rehearsal is awful. I’m hoping that it means that all of the kinks are out of the show for tonight’s performance though. Zoe looks at me and makes a face, I know that she’s thinking the same thing that I am. If our performance tonight goes anything like it did today, there won’t be any other weekend shows. Our instructors will surely cancel it.
“Is Bron coming tonight?” I ask her as I change into my street clothes. I want to eat a little something and take a long hot bath before I have to come back here.
She gets that faraway look in her eyes and smiles. “He bought a ticket for every single performance,” she breathes.
“Have you thought about taking your relationship a step further?” I ask, curious to see if Bronislav has talked to her about marriage.
She looks at me in confusion as she hefts her bag over her shoulder. I do the same with my own bag and we both begin to walk toward the exit.
“He asked me to move in already, and I did,” she admits with a smile. “He just mentioned living together, and when I said it sounded like a good idea, he had my stuff packed and moved like a day later.”
Pressing my lips together as I think, I decide to just blurt it out. “If he asked you, would you marry him?”
Zoe stops dead in her tracks, and I turn around to look at her. She looks a little confused, but then she smiles softly. “I always thought you were crazy for wanting to get married so young. I understand now, though. If I did, I mean if he asked me, I would say yes. I would be crazy to turn that man down. But I wouldn’t quit dancing, he’d have to understand that about me.”.
I wrap my hand around hers and give it a squeeze. “I think he gets that about you, Zoe. Don’t you? The man bought five tickets to a ballet that will probably bore the absolute shit out of him. He bought them to support you, and to see all of your beauty up on that stage,” I grin.
Zoe’s eyes water and she nods. “He did, didn’t he?”
Smiling, I wrap her in my arms and give her a hug. Then together we walk out of the studio. I’m not surprised that Bronislav is there waiting for his Zoe. I am, however, completely shocked to see Konstantin there as well.
Bronislav and Zoe quickly walk away as Konstantin shortens the distance between us. “We need to talk, as soon as we’re in your place,” he announces. He sounds, different, and it scares me.
“Konny?” I whisper.
His hand cups my cheek, and he shakes his head once. “Come on, sladkaya,” he mutters.
We walk toward our building, quickly, so quickly that I have to break out into a jog, which scares me even more. Konstantin doesn’t speak the entire way and then he slips his key into my lock and ushers me inside, locking the door behind him. I drop my bag to the floor instantly and wait for him to talk. His eyes scan me, and he lets out a breath.
“Akim is a piece of shit,” he announces, as though I don’t already know that. “I need you to be vigilant. Don’t go anywhere alone and I mean anywhere, especially anywhere alone with him.”
“How do I do that? He’s here for me, he’s going to expect to go somewhere, dinner or something.”
Konstantin shakes his head. “He knows about us.”
“How?” I gasp, placing my hand over my mouth.
Konstantin runs his hand through his hair before he speaks. “He wanted a whore for the weekend. I sent Viveka, thinking that, fuck, I don’t know what I was thinking,” he growls.
“You were thinking that she would do her job, and keep him happy for the weekend. You were thinking that sending her there would prove to her that you had no romantic feelings for her,” I whisper.
“Yeah,” he sighs. “It fucking backfired. She told him we’ve been together. He thinks he’s taking you Sunday night or Monday morning. Doesn’t matter when, he thinks he’s taking you from me and that he’ll marry you now, instead of waiting.” I gasp at his words.
“No, you can’t let him,” I scream as I launch myself against his chest, my fingers fisting in the sides of his crisp shirt.
He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and gives it a squeeze, forcing my head back. His eyes are dark, focused, and serious as shit as he looks down at me. “Never. He is not taking you,” he whispers. “He cannot have what is mine—I refuse to allow it.”
“Konstantin,” I whimper.
“Tonight, you will dance, and I will escort you back here. I have a meeting at midnight with some of the men so Lazar, along with three more Byki will watch after you. Zoe will also be here with you.”
“Zoe?” I ask in confusion.
Konstantin nods once. “Bronislav was with me today. I don’t want him to leave her unprotected, just in case,” he explains.
“Oh my God,” I breathe. “What the fuck? Maybe I should just leave tonight, go home to California,” I ramble.
Konstantin’s fingers around my neck flex, holding me a little harder. I look up, and his eyes are so sharp, and so dangerous looking that it causes my breath to get caught in my throat. “You’ll do
nothing of the sort. I am your man, and it is my job to protect you. Nobody else’s, do you understand me?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
His mouth slams down against mine, and his tongue immediately fills me. His kiss is hard, unyielding and desperate. My fingers tug him closer, needing him so much closer. I need his body against mine, and luckily, he must feel the same way because he pushes my pants down my legs.
“Fuck,” I whisper, realizing that I’m still in my leotard and tights.
Konstantin grunts. “Take it off, or I’ll rip it all the fuck off,” he growls.
As quickly as I can, I disrobe. I throw my oversize sweater across the room as I step out of my pants and flip my slip-on shoes somewhere else. Then I peel my leotard down, catching my tights at my middle, leaving myself completely naked for him.
“Bend over, I need that ass,” he growls.
A thrill shoots up my spine at his demand, and I do exactly what he says. I bend over the arm of the sofa, and I spread my legs for him. Konstantin’s fingers gently glide up the backs of my thighs before he grabs ahold of my cheeks and spreads me apart.
“When you’re all mine. When all this shit is over and done with, I’m taking this sweet ass, sladkaya.”
I shiver at his words, hearing him chuckle behind me, then I let out a moan when his palm slams against my ass. I don’t speak. I feel. His hand slaps my ass, never in the same spot, and with rapid succession. My eyes fill with tears as my body shakes after the tenth blow. He delivers two more blows to each side before I feel his cock enter me in one quick thrust.
Lifting my head back, I push against him, hard. His hand can’t fist in my hair, so he slides it around to the front of my throat and gently wraps his fingers around me there, forcing my back to arch.
“You’re so goddamn good to me,” he rasps as he begins to fuck me, pounding into me, his tempo speed and strength not matching is gentle tone.
I can do nothing but let out a moan. His hips continue to slam against mine, causing another wave of pain each time they brush my tender ass and upper thighs. Then I feel his hand force its way between my body and the arm of the sofa. His fingers press against my clit, but don’t do anything else.
“More,” I plead.
“Nyet,” he scolds. “Feel, sladkaya. Figure out how to get yourself there,” he murmurs against my ear.
I close my eyes and let out a breath forcing my body to relax. Konstantin must feel the tension leave me as his fingers begin to move against my clit. I let out a moan, keeping myself loose, as I feel. Then he pinches me so hard that my eyes pop open and I let out a small scream. “Yeah,” he growls when my pussy tightens, and I come.
He continues his punishing pace through my orgasm and only when my body completely slacks does he come, his hips thrusting erratically until his cock swells and fills me with his release.
“Baby,” I whisper.
He releases my neck and rests his chest against my back, his mouth at my ear. “I love you, sladkaya,” he rasps.
“I love you so much, Konny.”
“Nobody will fucking touch you. I’ll torture him for even speaking the words aloud. For even thinking that he wants to take you from me,” he growls.
AKIM IS HERE, DISRESPECTFULLY with Viveka on his arm, and his friend, on the other side. He’s fucking worthless. They’re sitting in a private box, but I’m directly across from them. If he knows I’m here, he doesn’t show it. I watch as he whispers in Viveka’s ear and they laugh together. Then he turns to the other man and does the same. He’s a piece of shit.
“You know you cannot actually kill him by looks alone?” Bronislav mutters next to me.
I let out a grunt and shift my focus to the stage. The lights are beginning to dim, and the music is softening as well. The show is about to begin. I don’t even know what it’s about, my only concern is watching my sladkaya do what she absolutely adores—dance.
It feels like a lifetime before I see her appear on the stage. When she does, she’s absolutely stunning. Graceful and agile. Each move she makes looks simple as though a novice could do it, they look effortless. When she appears, her black hair is wrapped tightly in a bun on top of her head. I’m unable to take my eyes off of her. It’s breathtaking. She’s breathtaking.
“Save for seeing Zoe dance on that stage, that was the most boring three hours of my life,” Bronislav groans as soon as the curtains lower after the entire cast has taken their bows.
Looking over to him I smile. “No, shit. They did beautifully though,” I state.
“They did,” he agrees.
“I will keep my eye on Entin. You take Zoe to Kiska’s apartment. Lazar is waiting for you there,” I instruct, slipping Bronislav the key to her place. Bronislav lifts his chin and disappears from my sight.
I keep my gaze on Akim and his little entourage, the stupid fuck. He thinks he can threaten the Bratva, threaten some of the most powerful Pakhan’s and get away with it? He’s lost his fucking mind. My phone rings in my hand, and I quickly answer it after seeing who is on the other end.
“My granddaughter is safe?” he asks.
Clearing my throat, I stand as Entin does. Turning around, I hurry to the backstage entrance, hoping to cut him off at the pass. “She will be, sir,” I state.
“Sergei, not sir,” he grunts on the other end. “I hear he wants to take her with him, sooner rather than later.”
I growl before speaking, it just happens, and I’m sure it isn’t missed by Sergei. “She will go nowhere.”
“Then you’re claiming her as your own?” he asks.
I wonder how in the fuck he came up with this, all the way from Russia? Who is telling people that I want Kiska for my own? Not that I’m ever going to deny it, especially not now. Clearing my throat, I answer him. “I choose her, just as she chooses me.”
Sergei stays silent for a few breaths. I pull my phone away from my ear, thinking that perhaps the call has been dropped when he finally speaks. “When she’s yours, what are your plans then?” he asks, his voice low.
Finally, I find myself in front of the backstage entrance so I lean against the wall across from it. I watch as dancers and family file in and out, but my focus is for Akim and only Akim. The fuck.
“My plans? She is a woman of free will, mine or not, she will choose what she wishes to do.”
“If she wishes to dance?” he asks, his words coming out slowly.
“Not that it would really be your business, but you are her grandfather, so I’ll entertain you,” I offer.
He chuckles. “Please do.”
“I would be greatly disappointed in Kiska if she wasted her talent and all of her hard work and only performed a handful of shows. She is truly meant for the stage, and I would not only demand she continues with her career, I will wholeheartedly encourage it.”
The phone is silent once again. I wait for him to speak, to respond to me, and when he does I am stunned speechless. “You have my consent. You have my complete support at your back. If any man or contract stands in your way, you let me know, and I’ll send some men to use as you need,” he states before he ends the call.
“Konstantin?” a sweet voice says.
I look down to see Kiska standing right in front of me. She’s changed out of her sparkling tutu and is wearing a pair of loose sweats and an oversized sweatshirt. Her makeup is still heavy, her hair still up, and she looks absolutely gorgeous.
“You were amazing,” I hum as I cup her cheek with my palm.
She smiles up at me, and I allow that smile to soak into my soul. “Thanks,” she breathes.
Lowering my head, I brush my lips against her mouth before I straighten and wrap my hand around hers. I’m sure Entin is somewhere, and I’m keeping my eyes open, but I want to get Kiska back to her apartment as soon as possible.
“Have your fun, Skumin,” Entin’s voice laughs as we walk outside of the performing arts center.
I spin around, keeping Kiska behind me. He’s standing on
the street, his Josef at one side and Viveka on his other. I feel Kiska’s fingers grip the back of my shirt in fear, I would calm her, but I’m not about to look away from this snake in the grass.
“You’re soon to be fighting a losing battle,” I simply state.
He laughs, looking far too smug, as does Viveka. “Yeah. You’ll think that when I’ve got that suka tied up and all of her holes filled. It’s going to be great fun, my fiancée, just you wait and see.”
“Take your filth out of my sight,” I growl.
He laughs again and wraps his arm around Viveka’s waist, his hand sliding up to squeeze her breast. “Jealous, Skumin? You know I wouldn’t mind sharing this whore with you. She’s rather fond of you, too. Kiska could watch how a real woman takes more than one cock at a time. She can see what her fate will be once we’re married.”
The fucker laughs and turns around, his blow seemingly delivered. He lacks imagination, and I suddenly feel a tad sorry for the fat fuck.
“Konstantin?” Kiska whimpers behind me.
I pull her in front of me, still focused on Akim’s retreating form. “He will not touch you, Kiska,” I announce.
She lets out a long exhale and presses her cheek to my chest. Automatically, I lift one of my hands to press against the back of her head. “He will not touch you, Kiska. You are mine, and I fucking will not allow it.”
“Okay.”
She doesn’t believe me. I don’t blame her. This asshole is too cocky and fucking stupid, but he was smart enough to at least claim he had snipers on the other Pakhan’s wives. Something that none of us anticipated. A theory none of us wants to test to see if he’s bluffing or telling the truth.
With everything going on, I decided to drive tonight, and will for the next two days, or until Akim is dealt with. Kiska settles in the passenger seat of my car before I start the engine and ease toward our apartment building. She doesn’t speak on the short drive to our parking garage. I’m thankful for the quiet. I know she’s probably scared. Admittedly, I am too, but I don’t want her to know.
Chosen by the Badman (Russian Bratva Book 9) Page 16
