by Bella Rose
Ella was probably a woman who liked to celebrate monthly anniversaries and enjoy romantic walks on the beach. The very thought made his lips curl.
“How is your friend?”
Her sudden question brought him back to the present, and he blinked. “Yes, my friend. I was able to even the score.”
“You paid your debt? That’s good, right?”
It wasn’t good for Dalinsky, but it was very good for Erik. The elevator doors opened and saved him from having to answer.
“Have you been in California long? Your accent is thick, but your English is perfect. Of course, I hear some people keep their accents for years.”
“I moved from Russia year ago, but I started learning the language at an early age. Are you from here?”
“Born and bred,” she said dryly. “It’s nice, but I’d like to be able to travel a little bit. There is so much more to see than California.”
“A woman with an open mind. I like that,” he said softly. Unable to help himself, he put a hand to her back as he guided her to the cafeteria. Like yesterday, she stiffened under his touch but didn’t pull away.
What would she do if he slipped a hand under her shirt and caressed her skin?
Ella suddenly stopped and pulled out her phone. “Can you give me a second? It’s the nurse’s station.”
He heard the tremor of fear in her voice and nodded. She answered the phone immediately and walked to the corner for more privacy. When her shoulders relaxed and she closed her eyes, he could see the relief written all over her face.
“I’m sorry about that. I’m going to have to get a rain check for the coffee. It seems that my mother forgot to sign one of the release forms for the tests. She’s sedated, and I have health care proxy, so I can sign for her,” she said.
Was that regret in her voice? “Please don’t apologize. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Her smile was hesitant, and she looked awkwardly at him. He thought she might hug him or least try to shake his hand, but instead she just nodded her head and turned quickly to the cafeteria exit.
Disappointed, he headed to the entrance of the hospital. He did need to attend to business, and now he’d just get an earlier start on it. Pulling out his phone, he sent two text messages and headed outside.
In picking the meeting spot, Erik couldn’t resist indulging in the sunshine. He relaxed on the deck of a swanky restaurant and swirled his vodka. Around him, the street buzzed with activity. Beautiful people rushed by with their phones up to their ears. The rich swaggered by with their body guards and purse dogs. Panhandlers made their pitches, sometimes getting a payout, sometimes a glare or shove. They were all too wrapped up in their lives to enjoy the world around them. They were used to the warm sun and easy lifestyle. No one thought twice about it.
Matvei and Leonid sat across from him and waited quietly. He brought them over from Russia because they knew their place in his organization, and he could trust them. They’d worked with him since he was old enough for his father to grant him more responsibility in the business. They never vocalized their opinion about the move to California, but Erik had a feeling that they were enjoying themselves on their days off.
Draining his drink, he sat it gently down and nodded. “Report.”
Matvei was his right-hand man, and he straightened in the chair. “The Black Orchid is doing well. Sales are up, and everything is going smoothly. Everyone has a positive opinion, and it’s being listed as the new place to be. Whatever that means.”
It was about time. Despite the wealth behind him, operating a new club in San Diego wasn’t easy. Anyone with money tried to open the newest and hottest place in town, but the attention span of the average American was short. After a few months, they were bored and looking for the next big thing. Now that the club was gaining attention, the trick would be to keep it afloat. To do that, he needed to make sure he had more than money behind the club. He needed power. Fortunately for him, the whole point of the Black Orchid was to give him power. “My girls?”
“They’re happy with their contracts. We’ve stolen the best from the most high-end and well-trained services.”
Erik nodded. “Good. Keep an eye on them. Money attracts them, but I also need to make sure the environment is safe for them. These aren’t two-bit hookers.”
Matvei nodded solemnly. He had two sisters who he adored, and Erik knew that Matvei was the man for the job. “Of course. No one will touch them without severe consequences.”
“If you even sense that there is a security breach, I want you to handle it professionally. I don’t want there to be consequences after the fact. I want problems handled before they even become problems. Do you understand?”
“Right, boss. Sorry.”
“Leonid?” He turned his attention to his other man. Leonid was in charge of the product flow within his club. Only the best was allowed, and anyone trying to encroach on his territory was to be eliminated. Organizations were already well settled within the city, but turf wars were always a problem. It was easy enough to nudge the current competition out, but now he had to make sure that no one tried to take over. His success depended on clients coming to him for the best, and if anyone showed up selling sub-par product, his reputation would be at stake.
“Shipment just arrived yesterday. I’ve got a few men testing and repackaging it. It shouldn’t take long for the word to spread,” Leonid said softly. “Messages have been sent to the local dealers. There will be no second chances.”
Erik nodded. “Good. I’m tired of just running a club. I’m ready to start phase two. Matvei, I’ve got a few names that I need you to rundown. Send several girls out to lure them in. One free sample, and I’ll compensate them for it.”
Matvei nodded. “I’m on it.”
“I hope you boys are finished talking,” a sultry voice interrupted. “I’m here to have a word with your boss.”
Matvei and Leonid looked at Erik for direction, and Erik nodded and waved his hand. As they vacated their chairs, a beautiful woman took Matvei’s seat.
“Valeria,” Erik said coolly. “I’m surprised to see you here. I wasn’t sure you could actually be out in the sun without bursting into flames.”
She chuckled and reached out to brush a finger over his hand. “When are you going to get tired of playing hard to get, Erik? We had a deal. My father is expecting an answer, and you’re ignoring his calls.”
“He’s been calling me?” he mocked. “I’m so sorry. There must be something wrong with my phone. I’ll have it looked at immediately.”
“I’m sure you will.” Her soft fingers moved to his wrist, and she caressed the area where his pulse beat. “I heard that Trent Dalinsky coded at the hospital early yesterday morning. It’s so strange, because he was on the mend. He must have died while we were there.”
“Really? I hadn’t heard. It’s a terrible tragedy.” He let her continue to play with him, and he studied her. Valeria Yashin was a beautiful woman, and there was a time when he would have relished such a treasure. With perfectly coiffed blonde hair and long shapely legs, she turned every head in the room, but her dark eyes were cold and cruel, and every perfect curve of her body was bought and paid for.
“Quite a few people are unhappy with his death. He was responsible for the largest influx of cocaine into the city. His surprising demise will leave quite a hole that will need filling.”
Erik smiled. “I had no idea he was such a threat to the city. I’m sure the authorities are quite happy that he’s gone.”
“I doubt that. I heard that Dalinsky was quite familiar with the authorities. When someone does take his place, he’ll be an unknown. That can be dangerous.”
“I wouldn’t worry about anything.” Erik pulled out of her grasp and leaned back in his chair. “I doubt that you’re here to talk about the death of a complete stranger. If all you wanted to do was inform me of your father’s impatience, consider your errand complete.”
“We can have a little bit of fun, you know. I’ve heard that you know how to show a woman a good time.”
Erik stood and pulled some cash out of his wallet to cover his lunch. “Tell your father not to rush me. The first part of the deal was to establish myself within the city. I’m still working on that. There are things to consider, and afterwards, I will consider his offer.”
Valeria stood and shook her head. “I don’t understand you, Erik. What more could you possibly want? Consider things quickly. The offer won’t last forever.”
He watched her hips swing as she walked away, and several men turned their heads to admire her curves. Unfortunately, nothing about her turned Erik on. If she did, things would be much easier.
The redhead from the hospital was another matter entirely. Just the memory of her was enough to harden his cock. Now that business was over, it was time to look into some pleasure.
His driver picked him and drove him straight to his home. Lucky for him, the rich didn’t particularly stick out in California, so it wasn’t unusual for someone to have armed guards surrounding his home.
Erik was no different.
His men greeted him respectfully as he strode into the mansion. All of them were trusted employees that Erik had brought with him from Russia. He wouldn’t leave his safety in the hands of soft Americans. He needed people who he could trust. “Danil,” he called out. “Danil!”
“Boss!” There was a crash, and Erik grumbled. Danil was brilliant, but he was a nervous klutz. Erik paid the man well, but Danil would never be comfortable around men with guns. He was an information specialist, and lucky for Erik, Danil owed the Chesnovak family quite a bit of money. Rather than taking his money the usual way, Erik offered Danil a deal. He could work off his debt in information.
“Leave it, Damil,” Erik growled. “And come here.”
The door opened, and Danil slunk into the room. He was a small man, still relatively young and despite years of service, still timid.
“Yes, boss?” Danil asked.
“I want you to run a background check on Ella Davis. She appears to be in her mid-twenties, and her mother is in the long-term care unit at San Diego Grace hospital. Ella may just be a nickname. Try Eleanor or Isabella.”
Danil nodded and pulled his computer out from his bag. “How deep do you need me to go? Is she a threat?”
“No threat, but get me everything you can. I want the results within the hour.” Erik eyed the information specialist, but he was already in the zone. Once he started looking into something, he ignored everything else.
Confident that Danil was handling the job, Erik left him and strode into his office. He’d only been in California for a year, but already he was unimpressed. The population was perfect for what he needed. Tons of people with lots of money and nothing better to spend it on than drugs and women.
It made setting up a sector of the Russian mob on the West Coast all too easy.
In a few hours, he would make his first appearance at the Black Orchid. He’d stayed in the shadows until now, but if his girls did their jobs, he’d be meeting with three of the most powerful men in the city tonight.
They just had no idea.
He looked through the papers on his desk, but his mind was on the girl. Red hair. Creamy skin. Gorgeous blue eyes. There was something so innocent and pure about her, and he desperately wanted to dig up something dirty about her.
Something he could use.
When Danil finally walked in, Erik straightened up eagerly. “Tell me what you have.” Danil put the laptop down and turned it to face Erik. He had a huge smile on his face. The man relished his presentation.
“Meet Ella Caitlyn Davis. She’s twenty-five years old with a sterling record. Davis excelled at everything she did. She was awarded a full scholarship to Atherton University, an extremely selective, and expensive, school. Two years in, she dropped out when her father was diagnosed with cancer. He died within the year but not before leaving the Davis family with a mountain of debt. She took a job at Bellevue Industries, but she was fired a couple weeks ago, when her mother became ill, because she was taking too much time off in the middle of the day. Kind of cruel if you ask me.”
“Danil,” Erik said warningly.
“Sorry, boss. She works as a cashier at Supermart. They must let her work overtime up to sixty hours a week because her paychecks are too high for normal working hours. When she’s not at work, she’s at the hospital. Her mother has liver failure, and she’s on the transplant list, but she’s low. Unless something happens to get her bumped up, chances are good that she’ll die before the surgery.”
Erik settled back and watched the pictures that Danil had set up for him. As a kid, Ella seemed full of life. She had a grin on her face in every picture, and she was surrounded by friends and family. There were awards and trophies, and it was obvious that she’d been very loved. Her family probably encouraged her in everything that she did. Erik, on the other hand, was cultivated to do one thing and one thing only. It didn’t require love or support.
“Tell me you have more than this, Danil. I gave you an hour,” Erik scowled.
Danil nodded his head and cleared his throat. “I do, boss. She didn’t date in high school, but in college she dated this man.” Another picture appeared on the computer, and Erik frowned. “His name is Josh Turner. They met during something called a freshman mixer, and they were hot and heavy for two years.”
Erik eyed Josh Turner and scowled. The man was good looking, but in a preppy kind of way. He was the complete opposite of Erik. If this was the type of man that Ella went for, seduction was out of the question.
“Where is he now?”
“He graduated top of his class and now works as an FBI analyst.”
“Of course he does. What did she want to major in?”
“I believe she was to major in veterinary sciences.”
Erik rolled his eyes. “Of course she did. She seems the type to want to cuddle with animals. How was their break-up?” he growled.
“Quiet. It looks like once she dropped out of school, he didn’t have time for her anymore. I don’t have the specifics.”
“Fetishes? Addictions?”
Danil shook his head. “None, boss. Davis was an exemplary student in school, and she shows no social life whatsoever after she dropped out. Her job at Bellevue settled only a fraction of her father’s debt, and she applied herself to the company. She probably would have been promoted quickly had she stuck with it. Obviously her new job doesn’t pay nearly as much. All the woman does is work and visit the hospital. No social life to speak of. I can’t find any current friends or lovers.”
Tapping his fingers on the desk, Erik stared at the pictures. None of this was helping. He angrily shut the laptop and pushed it aside. “Thank you, Danil.”
“Boss,” he said nervously. “If you are looking for a way to control her, I might have an answer.”
“Explain.”
“She’s barely staying afloat with the hospital bills. If a liver is found for her mother and they go ahead with the surgery, they will be in debt tens of thousands of dollars, and that’s on top of the debt from her father’s bills. She would be very motivated by money.”
Erik cocked his head and studied the man. “Is that something that you can do?”
“UNOS isn’t hard to hack. I can get her moved to the top of the list. From there it’s just a matter of finding her a match. That could take weeks or months.”
Nodding his head, Erik smiled. “Do it. Tonight. I want to see the look on her face tomorrow when they tell her the news.”
“And be there when she realizes how much she’ll need to pay?” Danil said with nervous laughter.
“Exactly.”
“If I may ask, boss, what is your interest in this woman?”
Erik stood. “I’ve been thinking of adding to the staff. A maid service would be nice.”
“You al
ready have a maid.”
“Yes, I do. But none like her.” His staff was well-trained, and there was no need to add to it, but he didn’t just want Ella to be in his debt. He wanted her around all the time. He wanted to drink her in and reach out to touch her. He wanted to whittle her down until she could offer no resistance when he finally made his move.
Chapter Three
Ella sagged against the wall and tried not to fall asleep as she waited for an elevator. She’d only gotten three hours of sleep, and she wouldn’t be able to enjoy a bed for another fifteen hours. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she widened her eyes and fished it out.
“Hello,” she murmured sleepily.
“Ella? It’s Trevor.” He was her manager at Supermart. “Did I wake you up?”
When she’d first applied for a position at Supermart, she’d been desperate. After being fired from her last job, she knew she needed to work immediately. Even if she fought the company for unfair termination, it would take months and money she didn’t have. Looking for another corporate job would also take time. She didn’t have time. Even with the money that Bellevue had paid her, she had nothing in her savings account.
When she’d stood in front of Trevor with her resume, the first question he’d asked was why someone with her experience was applying for an hourly cashier position. She’d burst into tears and explained exactly what she needed. A flexible schedule and overtime.
He’d agreed, going against corporate policy.
“No, I’m at the hospital,” she said warily. “What do you need?”
“Sweetheart, I have some bad news. Corporate has come down on me for the extra hours I’ve been giving you and are making me cut you off. No overtime, and with all the benefits that they have to offer full-time employees now, they’re only hiring part-time. All hourly employees have a twenty-nine-hour weekly limit. I’m so sorry. I’ll still give you as many hours as possible, and you’re first on the overtime list, but that’s the best I can do.”
