by T. L Smith
“I haven’t been.”
He slams his hand on the dashboard of the car. “Fuck off you haven’t, that was the fourth guy in three fucking weeks. It’s like you’re on a spree. Have you become a mass murderer, or perhaps a serial killer and I’m not aware of it?”
“The first one annoyed me.”
“And the others?”
I try to think of a good excuse that doesn’t include the word ‘annoyed’ but I come up blank so I say nothing further. I stop out front of Death’s house, and he climbs into the car.
I can’t resist and say, “They annoyed me,” as I start driving again.
“You annoy us all the motherfucking time, but you don’t see my knife embedded in your heart,” Viktor says while Death nods his head in the back.
“Do you want a cap in your ass? I’m more than happy to bust a cap in both of your asses.”
“Did you time warp back to the nineties? Who the fuck speaks like that?” Viktor says.
“Just shut the fuck up and drive,” Death chimes in from the back. “I can fuck my wife again, and I need to get back home sooner rather than later.”
I slam on the brakes, both heads go flying forward, and they both swear at me.
“I can fuck again?” I ask. How the fuck did I lose track of the weeks? How the fuck did that happen?
“Yep,” Death says, nodding his head with a slight smile on his face.
I stop the car and get out. Viktor looks at me like I’ve gone fucking mad. Maybe I have.
“I’m off to find pussy.” I salute them. “Sayonara bitches.”
“Fuckhead, get in the car so we can clean up your mess.”
I ignore him and start walking to the nearest bar. I’m going to fuck and fuck hard.
***
She’s not my usual cup of tea. Actually, what is my usual anymore? I don’t even know. She giggles over nothing, doesn’t stop running her hands up and down my torso, and won’t stop smiling. Who smiles that much? I sure as shit don’t, and I’m one of the happiest people I know.
She makes some sort of weird sound that leaves her mouth as I push inside her, my hands cling onto the brick wall behind her head, and all I want to do is to shut her up. Close her mouth up so it’s not her voice I hear.
My cell phone starts buzzing in my pocket again, so I try to ignore it. I really do, but my cock is going soft while it’s in this chick’s vagina. That has never happened. Ever. What the fuck is happening to me?
“Oh God, you feel so good. Don’t stop.”
Lies, this bitch is lying. I’m not even moving, but she’s gripping her hair, her eyes are closed, one hand is on my shoulder as she slides up and down.
Maybe it’s the back alley that’s the turn-off. Nah, I’ve fucked in worse conditions than this before. It can’t be. Then I look at this chick who has on so much make-up I couldn’t tell you if her skin was pale or tanned. Or even what color her eyes are with how much eyeshadow she has caked on. I don’t want to look at her anymore. Pulling out, I stand back. She straightens her dress, pulling it down then bites her bottom lip as she looks up at me.
“Where to now, sugar?”
I shrug my shoulders. “You can go home.” I turn, but her voice carries on anyway.
“You want more at my place?”
Desperate. She didn’t seem that way in the bar. Maybe I didn’t really pay much attention, though. She’s the first chick to touch my dick in weeks. It said hello at the chance of being played with, then died once it was. It didn’t want her.
Walking down the street, I call Viktor, who just swears at me in Russian then proceeds to hang up on me once I tell him where I am. Walking down the street, I wait for his car because I know he’ll come for one of two reasons, so he can bitch me out or punch me. It will be one or the other.
His car stops next to me, but it’s not Viktor’s voice I hear. It’s Kazier who’s telling me to get in. We used to be in competition while we were growing up—who could be better at this or that. Kazier is the skilled killer, we all know that. Death is silent and not to be trifled with. Viktor is in control, with every situation planned for so you can’t be fucked over. Me, well, I’m the smartass, the one that runs my mouth then I’ll stab you while you smile. So Kazier being angry at me doesn’t happen often. Usually, it’s just a few words, and that’s it. He’s never been the type of boss his father was, in other words, a cunt. But the look he’s giving me now and then turns away, I can tell he’s more than pissed. And everyone knows it, because no one says a word as I climb in and sit behind him in the car.
Viktor drives, and he speeds to the one place I know where we have serious discussions—Kazier’s father’s house. Kazier hates this place, and now we’re here. They all start walking in. I follow behind and I’m last to shut the door as we enter. Then we sit at the table. The table where so many important conversations have happened before, the one where he was told he would be married, then again the one where he declared he would not. He sits in the seat his father used to sit in, this time with no drink in his hand as he would usually have. His fingers tap on the wooden table as he looks at me.
“You’ve been reckless. If you weren’t one of my brothers, I would have had you killed.” The other two sit down and don’t say a word as Kazier speaks. They know better than to utter one single word. Fuck, even I do, sometimes. He shakes his head at me. “What the fuck, man, you’re killing for fun? But the worst part is you’re being reckless about it.”
I have nothing to say, nothing to defend myself with because I’d do it again. The first guy I would one-hundred times over for what he did to her.
“You’re banned.” My back sits up straighter, and he shakes his head. “Don’t say anything. If you kill one more person, it’s done.”
He means I’m done.
And because my family is the highest rank, it won’t be death for me, it will be punishment. That means a trip back to Russia and working for people lower than my maids.
“Have you spoken to her?” Viktor asks after the silence becomes too much. I shake my head. “You should, she’s looking better.”
I nod my head.
“Please go and fuck her,” Kazier says, standing. “And don’t fucking kill anyone while you’re at it.”
“I can’t fuck her,” I say, clenching my fists.
He shakes his head. “Fuck, I forgot.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “Go to her and see her at least, you’re a real prick without her.” He stands from the table, and the rest do the same, then we walk to the kitchen where he grabs a few bottles of vodka. “Let’s get fucked up.”
We each have one. Death doesn’t look interested until Kazier raises his eyebrow to him, to which he opens the bottle and starts drinking. Pretty soon words are flowing, bottles are half empty, and calls are made.
“What has she done to me?” I complain to them, and they all laugh.
“You’re in love, you stupid fuck.”
I shake my head. They don’t know shit.
“You are all controlled by the pussy. Especially you,” I say pointing to Kazier.
He shrugs his shoulders, not giving two fucks. “It’s the truth,” he admits.
“Him, well I’m pretty sure he’s some kind of dominatrix or some shit and Pollie’s his sub.”
Death grunts but doesn’t say a word as he puts the bottle to his lips, finishing it.
Before we know it, all the bottles are empty, the knives are on the table and so are our hands. Viktor is going quickly, a knife between each finger and fast. Death takes the knife off of him to do the same, but to his fingers not his own. Viktor curses him out in Russian when he nicks his skin, spilling blood onto the table.
“Just stab him already,” I yell, throwing my hands up in the air.
I may be drunk. Maybe.
“We had this discussion, no more killing anyone.”
I roll my eyes. “Fuckers.”
Chapter 22
Samara
Time moves fast. I’m
on the mend and I haven’t seen Anton since that night at dinner. His sister I’ve seen on a regular basis. I have great respect for her, even if she does try and push me to see her brother. Anton’s been in trouble, Alyona told me, his temper has been getting the better of him. Tonight though, I’m expecting to see him because he will be at Elina’s birthday party. Trying to decline the offer to attend didn’t work, the girls turned up on my doorstep to formally invite to me and not giving me the option of saying no.
It’s now been a total of two months since I last spoke to him, and that’s a very long time for someone you harbor feelings for. But I haven’t reached out to him, and he hasn’t reached out to me. He’s more than likely moved on, and would be fucking around again, while I can’t stand to look at other men.
“Hurry up,” Raven yells.
The place we’re heading is fancy. We bought new dresses to wear and mine has a low dip in the back which means I can’t wear a bra, but thankfully it’s a nice shade of deep blue, so it covers my nipples from showing through the fabric.
I walk out of our room. We’re still sharing the same apartment, I haven’t had the energy to search for a new one, but I know Raven has been checking out other places. I’ve been trying to occupy myself and keep busy.
Jamie’s partner hasn’t been around much lately which is good. I still see him, lurking, there’s no denying that. He hasn’t spoken to me since he took me in for questioning, and since then, he lets me know he’s there watching me. He never hides the fact and is quite open about it. Mitchell makes me feel trapped. How did I escape one and gain another?
Every time Raven sees him parked on the street, she goes down there and asks him to leave. Mitchell takes notice of Raven, but to be the smartass he is, he never leaves straight away. Jamie’s face has been on the news as a missing person. Raven asked me outright if I knew what happened to him, but I lied through my teeth. Who knew I was good at fabricating the truth? Lying isn’t something I’ve practiced until now. I’ve always tried hard to be that person—the one who’s law-abiding, and who holds conviction and veracity in her words. But I realize now, sometimes not being completely honest is the right way to go. I know Raven suspects something because she knew what he did to me, but she doesn’t push it because she understands what kind of man he actually was.
“Oh my God, a limo is here,” her voice screams through our apartment.
I met with her boyfriend last week, he’s quiet and very unlike Raven. They make a beautiful couple, and I’m determined now to start looking for somewhere new to live so she can have him stay over, because as of right now that will never happen in this tiny apartment. She grabs her clutch, pulls my hand and starts toward the door. We move through, and I lock it behind us. Freya is dressed in a long soft purple dress. Alyona is sitting next to them inside the limo, and she’s dressed in gold. She smiles and waves as I climb in.
“He’s going to talk to you tonight. Just a word of warning,” Viktor says quietly as the limo pulls out into the busy traffic.
My head starts shaking. “He won’t.”
Freya’s eyes roam me up and down. “Have you seen yourself? He will! Shit, if I was a lesbian I would so fuck you right now.” Freya laughs and nods her head, her words causing Viktor’s eyes to go wide. “Your quiet beauty is something I want,” Freya continues, making my cheeks red.
“You’re fucking gorgeous, babe,” Viktor tells his wife.
Freya’s hand goes to his thigh. “And for that you will get laid tonight.” She winks at him, and it’s cute as shit. Viktor’s head goes to Freya’s neck, and he kisses her there.
“Who wants to bet? I give him five minutes once he sees her to make his move,” Freya says, clapping her hands.
Viktor tsks. “I say ten. Give him time to warm up.” Viktor tsks again, and all eyes go to him. “How the fuck did I end up in this car?” he asks us.
“You stayed late because you were hungry…” Freya pauses then continues, “… for something between my legs.”
Viktor smirks. “I say the moment he sees you, he’ll make a move.” He ends it at that. His hand rubbing Freya’s thigh. She told me her story, and who she is. How she wasn’t meant to be his. How she was to be married to Kazier, because her family is Bratva royalty in Russia. She is basically a Russian Mafioso princess.
Raven nods her head like she agrees with him then the subject is changed to Elina. Everyone is trying to guess what she’ll be wearing. She’s always the most vibrant in any room. So we make more bets on her dress color. I’m going with red to match her lips.
Pulling up to the venue, we all slide out, and a man offers us his hand. We walk along the red carpet. I wait for them to go ahead. Just before I start walking, I turn to the side and spot him—Mitchell is here, and he’s watching me with a smoke dangling from his lips. He looks like he wants to say something but refrains.
“Who’s that?” Viktor’s voice startles me, and I jump. I shake my head as the detective raises his eyebrows at us.
“Jamie’s partner, his name is Mitchell.”
“Detective?” he asks.
Freya is standing next to us now.
“Yes.” I turn away.
There’s only the three of us left out here now, and the music is blaring from inside.
“Didn’t Jamie stalk you, too?”
I close my eyes, his name said out loud causes demons to rise up in my mind.
“Let’s just go inside. He can’t come in there,” Viktor says, his eyes trained on the detective and not looking happy at all. Walking away, I can hear them whispering behind me. I don’t stop to listen nor care what they are talking about. The night hasn’t started out great, and what’s waiting inside will probably give me a headache, or worse than that, heartache.
As I walk through the door into the gorgeous room, I notice everything is in shades of gold and red. The tables are set up with red tablecloths and covered in fine glassware with gold trim. In the middle of the table is a tall golden vase which is filled with red flowers and tiny gold bows. The chairs are covered in elegant gold satin and tied in red bows. Shimmering fairy lights dangle from the ceiling in clusters over the large dance floor, and there’s a bar off to the left-hand side. Glasses of champagne are being served, and there are people here that scare me with just their look as they stare. Some you know instantly they belong with—what was it? The mafia or was it Bratva, I don’t even remember.
The music is loud, but not as deafening as a nightclub so you can still hear people speaking. I spot Elina in a red dress, a large split up the side. Kazier is attached to her side as she talks to people around her, his hand on her back as he stands there. Viktor and Freya walk past me and go straight to them, but I hang back, watching. Death and Pollie are off to the side, not too far away sitting down at the bar. There’s wine in Pollie’s hand while Death’s eyes are on her.
Scanning the room I spot him, his back is to me, and I know it’s him by the color of his hair and his stance. It’s sex. He’s sex on a stick, and he knows it. A woman is standing right next to him, looking him up and down, probably the same way I did the first time I saw him, with lust written all over her face. Turning away, I head in the opposite direction, and luckily enough I find Raven. She’s sitting next to Elina’s brother and is talking to him. He stands from the stool he’s seated at when I walk up and offers me his hand. I give it to him because his smile is kind. He kisses my hand, offering me his seat.
“Elina has told me a lot about you.”
I smile, despite how I feel on the outside. Elina is probably the most trusting and caring person I have met, so I’m not unwelcoming of his words.
“Same for you, Elina idolizes you.” She does, the way she speaks about her brother is beautiful, it reminds me of how close Raven and I are. “I see you’ve met my sister?” He looks between us then back to me.
“I see it now, I didn’t at first. I think the resemblance is in the eyes,” he says, pointing out the obvious. Where Raven’s are li
ght, mine are almost pitch black.
“It’s always the eyes,” Raven says, sipping her champagne.
A hand lands on the small of my back as I’m facing Maso.
Maso’s stance straightens, and his eyes follow that hand. “Anton.”
My breath hitches as he squeezes just slightly on my bare skin where his hand is touching. Not having the courage to turn around, I wait for him to speak.
“I see you were invited.”
Maso nods his head. “She is my sister.”
Anton laughs then steps closer to me. “I have come to steal this lady. Excuse us. Otherwise you may get too excited by what you see.”
Raven chuckles at his words while I pale as he tugs me, just barely, to get me moving. Walking with him, I can smell him, his scent invading my senses. My nipples harden at his touch, and I try to not get excited because I haven’t let anyone touch me since him. I won’t allow anyone to touch me. We stop in the hallway with both our eyes now locked on each other.
“Sam.” My name drips from his lips. His eyes leave mine and he appreciates what I’m wearing, or just my body, I’m not sure which. “I could tear that off you, and have you against the wall in five seconds flat.”
My heartrate picks up, I want to squeeze my legs together, but I don’t. I take a deep breath and look at him straight in the eyes again. “Anton, how are you?”
He cocks his head to the side. “Are we formal now? You know I’ve seen your pussy, right? Tasted it even.”
My eyes bulge. Someone walks up behind us, looks then walks the other way. “We’re friends aren’t we?”
His eyes sparkle with mischief. “We playing the friends card, are we?” The amusement in his voice is entertaining.
“Whatever are you talking about?” I play with him.
My name is called, so I turn away from him and Elina is there. Looking back to him, I smile softly then turn away. I hear him curse under his breath, but I keep my head high as I walk over to Elina and give her a light hug.
