by Bella King
“Are-are you sure?” Cora stammers, the cutest frown I’ve ever seen occupying her precious face.
I chuckle, unable to hide my enjoyment at her confusion. “Yes,” I reply. “Your father has entrusted me with your safety and wellbeing. I would never do anything to jeopardize it.”
Cora’s face is a mix of excitement and confusion. I’m sure she’ll call her father once I leave and double-check if what I’ve said is true. I don’t blame her for not trusting me yet, but she’ll learn her place soon enough.
Truthfully, I like Cora more than I thought that I would. She’s bursting at the seams with curious energy, nearly falling over herself with a desire to get out and explore what the world has to offer. I can give her what she wants, which means I can take her hand in marriage easily.
“Alright,” I say, turning away from the sofas. “I must go now. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you for our date tonight. How does nine o’clock sound?”
Cora is still too taken aback to process what’s going on, but she nods quietly, agreeing to the time. I’ll return to pick her up after my meeting with the people who made my fake passport. I have a few corrections that I want them to make before I feel comfortable stepping foot on a plane again.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Cora eagerly says as I start to leave. She jumps beside me, her legs taking her much further than I expected for how short she is.
She’s a wild girl, I can already tell, and we’re going to have a good time together once I get everything arranged. She might just be a pawn in my chess match, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun with her whilst playing the game.
“Thank you, Cora,” I reply to her politely, maintaining my proper demeanor for as long as I can.
She seems to have already shrugged off formalities, but I’m not so quick to do so. The mafia life has taught me never to let my guard down, even to a woman as sweet and innocent as Cora. The innocent are often more dangerous than the guilty because they can be manipulated without you suspecting it. Sometimes, much nastier people are the ones pulling their strings.
I walk with Cora down the hallway again, holding her thin arm in mine as we go. She smells like vanilla and coconut, an intoxicating combination, like a dessert waiting to be eaten. It’s difficult for me to believe that I’ll have her to myself when the time comes.
Assuming everything goes smoothly, the wedding will be scheduled for two weeks from the point at which she agrees to marry me. I already have an engagement ring in her size. I had brought it with me, unsure of whether she was expecting a formal proposal yet, or if she would want me to wait. It seems that I must bide my time, however, and lure her in with dreams of traveling the world.
“I’m looking forward to dinner,” Cora says as we return to the lobby.
The guards are still standing in the same positions that we left them in.
I smile down at her, holding her soft hand in mine before I exit. “The pleasure will be all mine. I can assure you.”
Her high cheeks turn pink at my words, and I can’t hide a smirk on my lips as I turn away. She’s going to be like dough in my hands pretty soon, bending to my every desire. Cora Lauder, you’re mine.
Chapter Five
Cora
Viktor Kazakov is a dangerous man. It’s not just because he’s triple the size of me and appears to be able to bend iron in his massive hands. It’s also because he has captivated me in a way that no man ever has, and it’s only our first meeting.
I know that something is off about him, though. He may make me swoon, but I get the sneaking suspicion that he’s up to something more than just trying to marry me. A bogus claim about American citizenship and a deal with my father are enough to make this seem fishy. I need to know more, and dinner is the perfect opportunity.
Gosh, when was the last time I left the estate? It feels like ages, but it hasn’t been more than a few months. Going out simply for pleasure and not for business, however, is new for me. I can hardly contain the excitement bubbling up in my body.
I can finally breathe now that Viktor has left. I let out a sigh as I watch the escort car take him away from the house from the thick, bulletproof panes of glass occupying my bedroom window. His presence puts me on edge, and I have no idea how to act around him.
I wait until the escort car disappears out of sight completely to peel myself away from the window and prepare for dinner. I know it will be a while until he returns, but I want to look extra special if I’m leaving the estate. I wouldn’t miss a chance to dress up and finally be seen by regular people.
I consider calling my father and asking him if this is alright, but I should trust Viktor. Sure, he’s not anything like what I expected my father to find for me, but that’s not a bad thing. He’s a lot more interesting than I expected too, and I feel the firm tug of adventure at my collar as I begin going through my drawers in search of something to wear.
“Is Viktor taking you out somewhere?” Mrs. Johnson says from my bedroom doorway as I pull open a drawer filled with dresses next to my bed.
I spin around as though I’ve been caught doing something wrong. “He said it was okay,” I blurt.
Mrs. Johnson laughs. “Yes, of course, my dear. Your father has given him permission to take some authority over you.”
“I’m an adult, you know,” I say, repeating after Viktor. “I can make my own decisions too.”
“It’s for your safety, believe me,” Mrs. Johnson says, shaking her head. “I’ve seen what happens to women like you when they’re cast out into the public. Politicians have many enemies.”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe they wouldn’t if they were nicer.” I can’t think of a single thing that my father had done in the government that ever benefited regular people. It’s no surprise to me that he has enemies. I often wish I was never part of this complicated system, but I would never voice that to anyone here. They would shame me for even having such thoughts.
I can tell Mrs. Johnson has to bite her tongue at my comment. Her purpose is to ease the friction between people, not to aggravate it, and I’m sure she doesn’t agree with me. That doesn’t bother me, though, because I know that I’m right. I never liked my father, and I doubt I ever will.
Mrs. Johnson smiles at me and taps her long pink nails against the mahogany doorframe. “If there are any issues that arise while you’re in Mr. Kazakov’s care, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”
“How?” I ask. I don’t own a phone.
Mrs. Johnson steps into the room fully, pulling a slim black cellphone from behind her back and holding it out to me as she comes forward. “This is on our secure private network. You’ll only be able to make calls to security and me.”
I take the phone from her and look black screen with the time displayed in white. It’s not very modern, but that doesn’t bother me. I’ve never had a phone. I own a computer, but it’s not connected to the internet, so I don’t use it much.
“Thanks,” I reply, placing the phone on top of the dresser and leaning back in, searching through the available dresses. I can still feel Mrs. Johnson behind me, her blue eyes burning a hole in my back.
“I’d be careful around Mr. Kazakov if I were you,” she warns.
I turn back to her again. “What do you mean?” It’s unusual for her to comment on the people that come in and out of the estate. She normally very formal about everyone, even if they’re crooked and unpleasant.
Mrs. Johnson purses her thin lips, as though she’s holding back her true feelings. “Just take precautions while you’re out. It’s not something you have experience with.”
I squint at her and tilt my head. “Is there something wrong with Viktor?” I ask, delving straight into the point she’s trying to talk around.
She smiles blankly, batting her eyelashes. “Not at all, Miss Cora. I only want to make sure you’re safe out there, beyond the iron gate.”
I don’t believe the words leaving her mouth. I can tell she’s con
cerned about something, but she won’t say what it is exactly. She’s just about the only person who I would trust not to only have my father’s interests in mind at the estate, but that doesn’t mean she’ll act on her own accord. Instead, she’s dropping hints in the hope that I can piece it together.
Well, it’s not enough to dissuade me from leaving with Viktor. Even if there’s something wrong with him, I’m sure I’ll discover it on my own before the wedding. I don’t have to marry him if I don’t want to. I can even turn on my bitch mode and get him to call off the marriage if it comes to that.
For what it’s worth, though, I hope that I never have to show him the sour side of me. I’m young, hopeful, and willing to go through with this if I gain freedom from it. Romance is secondary, but not out of the question with Viktor. He’s a noteworthy man, and I wish to get to know him much deeper.
I thank Mrs. Johnson for her concern and promise her that I will call if I have any issues. I wonder if it would be too late if I did end up having issues with Viktor, however, seeing how large and powerful he is. I doubt he would just let me flip out a cellphone and call for help should something happen.
On the other hand, my father would have his head if anything happened to me. My father wouldn’t put me in a dangerous situation, or that’s what I hope.
As Mrs. Johnson leaves the room, I return to the dresser, pulling open another drawer and spotting a seafoam green dress. It’s not exactly appropriate for a fancy dinner since it’s more of a sundress, but I’m tempted to wear it anyway. I want to keep the atmosphere casual so that I can get into a real conversation with Viktor.
I pull it from the drawer and hold it up to my torso. The fabric has a swirling pattern layer over it, with lacey trim that blends into the rest of the dress. There’s a big silk bow to synch the waist, and the neckline is cut drastically low. It’s flirty, fun, but not too casual for dinner. I like it.
I drop the dress that I’m wearing now with the door still open. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t care if someone sees me getting dressed. They show no reaction anyway. It’s as though all the maids and bodyguards are lifeless shells, their souls removed before they were allowed to participate in government work. Thank god I haven’t suffered the same fate.
I step into my new dress, smiling to myself at the thought of finally leaving the estate.
Chapter Six
Viktor
Protecting Cora isn’t something I take lightly. My entire plan rests on her safety, even if I’m pulling her into more dangerous territory by taking her out of the Lauder Estate. I must ensure that my bride-to-be isn’t harmed.
In normal circumstances, that wouldn’t be difficult. Even with her being the daughter of an influential senator, I don’t need to fear someone taking her from my grasp. They won’t know that she has left the estate. It’s the girls that freely wander who are eventually snatched up when people realize how easy of a target that they’ve made themselves.
No, it’s not her who I’m worried about. It’s me.
I draw attention to myself like an eclipse in the middle of summer whenever I walk into a room. People know that I’m powerful, which also means they know that I’m valuable to someone, dead or alive. Add my mafia business to that, and you have a recipe for countless assassination attempts and shootouts.
The last thing I want is for a stray bullet to find the pretty little skull of Cora Lauder and end any dream I ever had of marrying into a position of even greater power than I hold now. Not only that, but I might feel bad if something bad were to happen to her. She seems pure, unlike everyone else I’ve had the displeasure of dealing with in the past and present.
I wish to protect Cora, so I am donning something as casual as I can bring myself to wear so as not to draw attention to myself while we’re out. It will appear as though we’re a normal couple going out on the town for a nice dinner, but I’ll have men on every corner, at every stoplight, and replacing every waiter who serves us to make sure that no harm befalls Cora while we’re out.
I’m wearing a simple pair of dark-gray slacks, and a crimson button-down shirt without a tie. It’s not my usual black suit and tie, but I take care to look good no matter what I wear.
I opt for a small gun from my collection to pair with this outfit as though I’m pairing a bottle of wine with my supper. The gun is one that I use for only my most covert missions since I can tuck it in my waistband in a holster that hides its distinct shape. The downside to this is that it’s a lower caliber than my regular .45, which annoys me. I like power, even when I don’t necessarily need it.
I’m sure I can tie that to my tragic past, but I don’t care to psychoanalyze myself. I gain nothing from it because I won’t change. I am who I am, and I do very well for myself. At one point in my younger days, when I was foolish and blind to the dangers of women, I was tempted to change for love. Once my heart was broken, I became colder than ever, and that is how I intend to remain.
“Dimitri, please prepare for another visit to the Lauder Estate. We are going casual. You know the deal,” I say over my shoulder to my driver, who is standing at the door.
“Yes sir,” he replies with a curt nod, then disappears like the smoke of a candle. He was always a quiet man, which comes in handy when you’re trying to go unnoticed.
I retrieve my covert .22 revolver from its padded case and tuck it into the smooth black leather holster in my hand. It may be small, but the cold steel feels heavy in my hand. I slip the deadly combination into my waistband, securing it in place on my front left hip. I can draw it quickly from there if I need it.
I tuck my shirt over the gun, making sure that it’s hidden in the indent of my pelvis. Nobody would be the wiser to its existence, especially not an innocent woman like Cora. I’m sure she’s no stranger to seeing guns, but I’d rather her not be aware that I have one. I must make her feel like there is no need for one.
I brush a small dab of coconut oil through my thick brown hair with a wide-toothed comb, pressing it back lightly against my scalp. My hair can be unruly sometimes, but I refuse to crop it too short. As a rogue, I like to go a bit against the grain.
I’m the type of guy who flows diagonally with the current. My morals are flexible to my needs. I don’t inflict undue harm onto innocent people, but I’m not going to push them out of the way when bullets fly. I follow laws that benefit me and break the ones that don’t. I can go months without arousing attention from law enforcement, something that I’m trying very hard to do now.
I nod to myself in the mirror before I leave, as though to say, “Viktor, you got this.”
Indeed, I am the one in charge of everything that happens from here on out. Cora may think she has a say in the matter, but she’s no match for my finely tuned seduction skills. Words hold serious weight in the political realm.
I walk calmly out of my personal quarters at the unnamed flat that I’ve been occupying until my new house is finished being furnished and decorated on the west end of the state. It’s not terribly far from the Lauder Estate, and the plot of land is nearly as expensive per square acre. It’s just not as large. It will be where I take Cora once she agrees to marry me. There’s no reason to wait once I have her convinced that I’m her prince charming.
The sun is low in the sky, casting a supple tangerine hue across everything it touches. What’s untouched rests in navy-blue shadow, several degrees cooler, but still warm from the heat of the day. I like the evenings more than I do any other time of day. It’s when I feel most alive.
“The guards are posted and ready for your arrival, sir,” Dimitri says as he opens the door to a mock-civilian vehicle sitting in the driveway.
The car is built to look like any regular car on the road, but it sports bulletproof glass windows and a frame that won’t crumble even during highspeed accidents. The shell is also bulletproof, and the engine is more powerful than any luxury vehicle available to the general public. Thankfully, I’m not part of the general public.
> I climb into the vehicle, thanking Dimitri as I enter. He shuts the door with a satisfying thud, then moves to the driver’s side to take me to the Lauder Estate to pick up Cora. The guards there have agreed to bring her to the gate so that we can forgo the car swap ritual that’s normally required upon entry. I want this to be smooth, as though we’re two regular people out for a date.
I think what it would be like to be a regular person with a normal job as Dimitri drives toward the estate. I would go to the office, work a boring nine-to-five, and come home to a beautiful wife and a homecooked meal at the end of the day. I would make love to her in a large bed with crisp white sheets, feeling her soft curves in my hands as I plunged in deep between her sun-kissed thighs. I would kiss her pouty lips as we confessed our love to each other time and time again.
Fuck, I’m thinking about Cora.
I wipe my mind clean, focusing instead on the mission ahead of me. Marry her, become a real US citizen through a few political loopholes, then pursue a spot in the senate alongside her father. I don’t have to do any real work once I’m there, but the position will allow me to pull strings for my new mafia operation in the US.
Russia is old news. I’ve done just about everything I can do there, and yet I’m still hungry for power. The need is deep and primal, like the way I want to ruin Cora every time she looks at me with those big shimmering blue eyes. I bet she’s never had a man before either. I’ll show her what a real one can do.
Focus. I need to focus.
I don’t know why it’s so easy for me to get caught up in thoughts of Cora, but this needs to stop before I find myself actually falling for her. That’s not what I’m in this for. This is business. Love doesn’t exist for a mafia boss. Its poison lacing the bread of power. I can’t succumb to that temptation.
