Forced to Cooperate

by Piper Stone

  “Then why? Please tell me.”

  Sighing, he palmed the glass, scanning the horizon. “You remind me of a time when I truly was happy. I guess I’m being selfish in wanting to feel that way again. I realize how foolish that sounds.”

  “That sounds beautiful but also sad. You could have any special lady you wanted.”

  He smiled politely. “That wouldn’t be fair to anyone.”

  “And me?”

  “At least you understand the danger.”

  Did I really? Could I possibly gather what could happen if this turned south? I wasn’t so certain. “Has there ever been anyone special?” His face clouded as soon as I asked the question.

  “A long time ago.” He consumed half the glass and for the first time I noticed that his hand was shaking.

  Whoever she’d been had ripped his heart apart. “When I returned from college, I started going out to clubs with friends. I met a man I almost instantly adored. The man showered me with gifts, flowers. He took me to expensive dinners. Since I’d been away at either boarding school or college, my experience was limited. I studied, even refusing to go to parties or out with my friends. Maintaining an A average was required of me.” I hadn’t told anyone about the man I’d dated since the horrible experience. Why I was sharing any aspect of the story was beyond me.

  I could feel his eyes watching me.

  “Peter did not approve,” he stated.

  “Honestly, I didn’t think so, at least at first. The very first time he met Angelo, they almost got into a brawl. Thinking back on it, I could swear they knew each other before.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Just a feeling I have now looking back.” My heart raced, the moment of ugliness from the past giving me the creepy crawlies. I swallowed hard, remembering details of the horrible two months that I’d been determined to forget.

  “Did something happen?” he asked in a quiet manner.

  I darted a glance in his direction. “As it turned out, Angelo wasn’t a good man. Controlling, but not in the way you are. Violent. Nasty. I meant nothing to him.”

  “Perhaps he was attempting to get close to your brother.”

  I nodded, realizing the theory made some sense. “That’s a distinct possibility. Anyway, Angelo is out of my life. How much power does my brother wield?”

  Aleksei moved back to the bottle, refreshing his drink. “You honestly have no idea what he’s capable of. Do you?”

  “I suppose I suspected he was into various business practices that were... Let’s just say I have a feeling he paid off various men to look the other way. Did I suspect criminal activities? Maybe on some level, but not to the degree that you’ve shown me.”

  “Who are we talking about?”

  I thought about snippets I’d learned. “Influential corporate moguls like Jeff Gallagher and Marcy Rollins. They are investors in the company, but I do believe he twisted their arms. I had my suspicions that even the chief of police and the mayor were involved somehow.”

  The growl slipped past his lips along with a string of curse words. “The mayor. Trent Willowby?”

  “Hard to believe. That’s another reason I was at the gala. I was curious what you were doing there. I thought maybe that’s why Peter has hated you all these years.”

  “How do you know he’s hated me?”

  I laughed again. “My brother isn’t very good at hiding his feelings. When he directed me to kill you, he was nasty, vehement that you should die. He certainly didn’t provide details, but I’d never seen him so angry.” I studied the various emotions crossing Aleksei’s face then the cold look returned, the one I hated the most.

  “I need to make a phone call. I will be on the balcony. Do not leave this room,” he directed, almost knocking over his glass in an effort to place it onto the table.

  While I couldn’t be certain what had disturbed his level of serenity, my instinct told me it had something to do with the mayor. Whatever power my brother wielded was far more troubling to the Petrov empire than Aleksei wanted to let on.

  “I have no reason to leave.”

  He hesitated, as if needing to say something else then just shook his head before heading toward the door to the balcony. I moved closer to the window, able to watch him as he yanked out his phone. And I could swear his hands were still shaking.

  I walked into the bedroom, marveling at the surroundings. Even the all marble bathroom was almost too elegant, but the gorgeous soaking tub might have to be used. I chastised my thoughts even as I ran my hand over the soft towels. This was already a wonderful trip, but one meant for lovers.

  We were...

  There were no words to classify or even clarify our arrangement. However, I was beginning to believe that the Petrov family weren’t my brother’s enemies. It truly was the other way around. I moved back into the living room, trying to remember anything about my father. I knew he’d worked long hours. I’d almost always been asleep when he came home. What fleeting memories I did have of him weren’t necessarily all good ones. I remembered his anger, a fury that never seemed to go away.

  It suddenly dawned on me that after my parents’ death, almost all their effects had been removed from the house. I had a single locket my mother had given me, but nothing else. I’d been too young to make a fuss over the fact my bother either sold or destroyed everything. When I’d gotten older, I assumed it was because Peter had remained sad, broken up by their deaths.

  Certain ugly pieces were starting to fall into place.

  My brother hadn’t been saddened at all by their deaths. He’d been happy when they were gone. The realization was sickening, even more so than what had occurred in the last few days. Hate festered deep within for a life stolen.

  Three lives, an entire family destroyed.

  My brother had told me they died in a car accident, but what if that wasn’t the truth? What if he’d had them killed? The thought was disgusting but something I knew I had to check out. My stomach lurched, nausea turning into bile. I’d been a fool for far too many years. That wasn’t going to last.

  When I heard the sound of rapping on the door, I immediately glanced in Aleksei’s direction. His call was as animated as his earlier conversation, certainly not a moment to interrupt him. I checked the peephole before unlocking the door. The volume of packages on a cart by the bellman was yet another surprise.

  “A delivery for you, miss.”

  I opened the door wider, studying the various labels on the shopping bags as Marco walked in. They were all from high fashion women’s clothiers. A moment of giddiness shifted into my mind, like a schoolgirl given fancy clothes for a party. How ridiculous.

  “What are you doing?” Aleksei’s force boomed from behind me.

  “A delivery.” I shrank back as he stormed inside. “I made certain before I opened the door.”

  He glared at me before yanking out his wallet once again, shoving another hundred dollar bill in the young man’s face.

  Marco seemed confused as he attempted to offload the packages, saying nothing as he pocketed the bill and rushed out of the room.

  Aleksei slammed the door after him, pacing the floor and running both hands through his hair. When he finally took long strides in my direction, his rage had barely diminished. “Do you understand what could have occurred? Do you realize that you might have been killed?”

  “Because I opened the door?”

  He huffed, cursing in Russian before glaring at me again. “There are certain people who will stop at nothing to eradicate their enemies. Do you honestly think they can’t infiltrate this hotel?”

  “Enemies. Do you really think my own brother is going to try and kill me?”

  “I have every reason to suspect that he will.”

  I shivered, my own anger brimming the surface. “But I’m his sister, for God’s sake,” I insisted.

  “That means nothing to him. I’m not certain why you can’t understand that what he is involved in is dangerous. Ther
e will be no hesitation to eliminate anything that stands in his way, including his own sister.”

  The tension in the air was palpable.

  “Why do you care so much?” I swallowed several times, anxiety skittering into every cell. I wanted an honest answer, as if a man like Aleksei would give me one.

  He twisted his mouth, the veins on the side of his neck popping. A few seconds later, he closed the distance, grabbing both my arms. “Because I do care about you and your welfare. Because I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”

  “Is that it? I’m nothing more than ransom to you, a means to an end,” I snarked.

  “That’s not it at all.”

  “Then. What. Is. It?”

  There was another hesitation, another wave of electricity running through both of us. I could feel his angst, could almost taste the rage he emitted from every pore.

  “Because I’m falling in love with you.” He seemed almost surprised by his admittance, those burning eyes even more imploring, pulling me into the very depth of his being.

  The statement was brash, bold, and nothing that I would have expected. “You love me?” The words even seemed to echo in my ears.

  His features softened as he cupped my face, brushing his thumb back and forth. “I understand I’m not the kind of man you could ever care about. I’m not good for you, but you mean more to me than you realize. I’m the very monster nightmares are made of, but I’m not always a ruthless pig.”

  I heard the glitch in his voice, the agony that was far too profound. I was thrown, pulled into a pit of darkness. Every part of me wanted to respond, to fall into his arms, but the wary girl inside of me was frozen. Petrified. How could this have happened? How could our connection mean anything more than lust? “I don’t know what to say.”

  His expression of hope instantly shut down, the man resuming his earlier role.

  Protector.

  Abductor.

  Dominator.

  “You don’t have to say anything. I’m no fool, Willow. No matter what you’ve been led to believe, the decisions I make are with the best interest of those I care about in mind, but I thoroughly understand your concerns. When this business arrangement has been concluded with your brother, you will be free to go.”

  He waited as if to see if I would object. “Seriously?” I asked.

  Aleksei took a deep breath before nodding, allowing his fingers to brush across my face in the most intimate manner. “I am a man of my word. In the meantime, you are still required to follow my rules. Every. Single. One. That is the only way you’re going to stay alive. Your brother has a hidden agenda, something I only recently found out. I cannot nor will I tell you the various details. That in itself is far too dangerous for both of us.”

  I wanted to argue, to drill into him about why my brother wouldn’t hesitate, but perhaps it was another aspect of my life I’d known all along. Peter had no real reason to care about me. The only requirement he’d ever been forced to partake in was getting me through school. My dead parents had made certain monies had been placed in a trust, my welfare tied to the business. I was very well aware there were attorneys standing by watching. Waiting like vultures if Peter made a mistake. The rest of this sullied situation had been my fault, allowing me to fall into my brother’s trap. Well, it was time I shifted the balance.

  Past time.

  My brother had no idea what I was made of.

  “What does he hold over you?” Aleksei asked, his emotions thoroughly in check.

  “Does it really matter?”

  “Whatever occurred, sweet cherie, has placed you in harm’s way your entire life. I suggest you confront that evil yourself, determining whether that deal with the devil still has any real hold over you. Until you do, you will always be under his control. And he will ultimately destroy you.”

  The words and the sentiment were suffocating.

  “Your choice how you handle the meeting with your brother,” he added.

  The choice was terrifying but necessary.

  “I will do as you ask, Aleksei. I will help you destroy his empire, but I will not stand by while you murder him. I’m finished with bloodshed. I’m not that woman any longer,” I said under my breath.

  “You never were.”

  I choked back tears, trying desperately to keep from crying. At this moment I felt hopeless, a stupid little girl who’d been blackmailed into performing heinous acts. There was no decent reason for me selling my soul, no amount of time or effort to retrieve the good that could matter. I was lost to the madness my brother created. A pawn.

  A fool.

  He maintained his gentle touch, perhaps hoping that I would gush over his sentiment. I was just too numb inside, unable to trust in anything or anyone.

  Then he kissed me.

  Sweet.

  Gentle.

  Loving.

  The fire roared between us, the passion that had nearly blinded me wrapping around both of us, pulling us back to the very precipice that could mean our demise. If we lost control now, allowing my brother to grasp the upper hand, the end game would be horrific.

  Yet I was unable to thwart Aleksei’s power over me as the kiss continued. I clung to him, my fingers wrapped around his shirt, pulling him against the heat of my body. Stars floated in my field of vision even though my eyes were clenched tightly, as if to ward out the rest of the world. All I wanted was to fall into his arms, succumb to his dark and dangerous needs.

  He fisted my hair, holding me close as his other hand slid down my spine, cupping my bottom and dragging me tightly against him. The feel of his throbbing cock sent a wave of thrilling sensations through every cell and muscle, his savage growls only fueling the intense fire.

  I found myself falling further into the spinning fog, desperately longing to have him inside of me. I was so wet, my nipples aching for the mere touch of his fingers.

  Twisting.

  Pulling.

  Perhaps I craved his domination, his controlling method of keeping me in line, forcing me to face all the blissful darkness that I’d avoided my entire life.

  Since Angelo.

  Since the horror.

  Since the change in my entire life.

  He slipped his tongue past my lips, exploring the dark recesses of my mouth. As the moment shifted into searing heat, consuming the both of us, sadness used its bony fingers, slowing ripping away at my insides. I couldn’t do this. Not now.

  Not to the man I cared desperately about.

  I pressed my hands against his chest, pushing hard when he refused to let go.

  His eyes were wild, laced with extreme lust. “What’s wrong?” His voice was barely audible, husky and ripe with need.

  “I can’t do this. Not right now.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head, fighting all the desire, knowing whatever happened, I had to get through the meeting first before anything else mattered.

  An ending.

  A beginning.

  Perhaps a full demise of the woman who’d been created by lies.

  “I appreciate how much you want to protect me, but I am pretty good at watching out for myself,” I whispered.

  That seemed to break the spell. He pulled away, moving back toward the champagne, pouring then staring out the window.

  “Aleksei, I do care about you. I just can’t think clearly right now.”

  He waved his hand, his expression stoic.

  What had I done? I bit my lip, reining in the myriad emotions. I’d been played my entire life, forced into doing things that were far too wretched to even think about. Aleksei didn’t deserve that.

  No one did.

  “We are going to the Kennedy Center for a performance of the Melbourne Orchestra. I bought a few things that I hope you’ll like. They are appropriate attire for the evening. We’ll have dinner then the concert. Of course, I’ll sleep on the couch tonight. We will leave promptly at six tonight and the restaurant will not hold the reservation.”
His words were succinct, devoid of any emotion.

  “What else? The yin and yang of your personality is killing me, but I know you well enough to realize that business comes first. What the hell are we really doing here?” I realized my demand could infuriate him again, but I was finished with games.

  “As I said before, you are a very intelligent and observant woman and you’re right. This is an important viewing for both of us. There is certain to be press there, dignitaries. By being together, it will send a direct message to Peter’s organization.”

  Oh. My. God.

  Now I saw the entire picture. A perfect way to crush anything my brother was planning.

  “Why didn’t I see it before? You’re merely using me to get to him, ruffle his feathers,” I hissed, now incensed. I should have guessed this trip had an ulterior motive. I backed away, angrier with myself than with him for not seeing the larger picture. “God, how stupid you must think I am.”

  He slowly turned his head, another hard gaze falling toward the floor. “I handle business in a certain manner, keeping my enemies off guard. If your brother believes we are together, he will think carefully about trying to move against me. That wouldn’t be in his best interest. You are a person to be reckoned with. This will help both of us.”

  The bastard.

  The asshole.

  He’d fooled me again. All the lavish crap; the plane and the hotel, the expensive evening planned were merely part of the game. “I can’t believe you. You make me sick, Aleksei, but I will tell you this. When this ruse is over, I never want to see you again.” I heard the anger in my voice along with a hint of anguish. I’d actually bought his line of bullshit.

  “This is important, Willow. You’ve always known that. Take some time to rest before we go. I have some business to attend to.”

  “Why don’t you trust me enough to tell me the truth, Aleksei? I can tell you’re hiding something significant. That’s the reason that you were so distant this morning. Wasn’t it?”

  He seemed uncomfortable, but I was determined to get to the truth.

  “There are things you shouldn’t know about,” he said quietly.