Russo Saga Collection

by Nicolina Martin

  “Doesn’t sound good for the receiver.”

  Our uncle is known for sending not too subtle messages to people who fault him or meddle in his business.

  Christian cocks his head and shrugs. He’s an imposing man. Dark and tall, has an inch on me, and that’s saying a lot because I’m six feet two. It was always a contest between us, growing up. I thought I’d catch up, but he won big time. I wouldn’t want to be at the receiving end of whatever he doles out.

  He takes a few swigs from his bottle. “Can I use your shower?”

  “Take what you need. My home is your home.”

  “I don’t wanna smell like you, though.”

  “What the fuck?” I sniff my armpit. “What’s wrong with my smell?”

  “You smell like a sissy.”

  He dodges my punch and disappears laughing.

  Coming from the bathroom, Christian brings with him a cloud of cologne. I’m on my couch, a second beer in my hand, with my feet propped up on the table, flipping through TV channels. Old reruns of comedies with canned laughs that are nothing but painful. Switching it off, I drop the remote on the table and toss him the spare keys to my place.

  “Just not in my bed, you fuck.”

  He lays his hand over his heart. “I’d never!”

  “Yeah, never again after I pummeled the shit out of you last time.”

  Christian tosses the keys between his hands, back and forth, smirking. “Bro, I can take you down in a heartbeat. Wanna give it a go?”

  I sigh and shake my head. “Cuba was shit. It went well, I guess, but these guys… No finesse. I felt like disaster loomed around every corner. My stomach was in knots through the whole fucking op.”

  My brother sinks down next to me and throws his feet on the table. “What are you doing now?”

  “Tonight, I wanna forget about everything. I want booze, women, and rock ‘n’ roll. Tomorrow, I’m off to the Dominican Republic.”

  “Really? Again? Same people?”

  I nod. “Yeah. They were apparently pleased with the outcome last time. But fuck that. I don’t wanna think about that tonight.”

  Christian raises an eyebrow. “Booze and women, then.”

  “Hell yeah.”

  “That’s my man.” He nudges my shoulder. “Where’s the place to go?”

  “Got a new club down the street. It’s walking distance from here, unless you feel lazy. I need to walk off some steam, because I’m still fucking riled up.”

  He shrugs. “Let’s do it. I want to fuck an upper-class bitch who’s never been tied up in her life.”

  I laugh. “They’re all pretty hardcore here. Good luck with that.”

  “Oh, I’m game with hardcore.”

  “Yeah, I know.” I rise and pocket my phone, wallet and keys.

  Christian jumps up and grabs his suit jacket. “Nate, I’m a wuss next to you. You’re insatiable. Leave them alive at least.”

  I scoff as I lock the door behind us. “I don’t hurt chicks. Much. At least not permanently.”

  Chapter 2

  Sydney

  A chance at another life arrives only five weeks later. If only for a few days. With the worst of the tourist season out of the way, I’ve gotten a week off. On a whim I decided on the Dominican Republic. I blame my friend for calling me boring and turning my head. I’ve never been out of the country before and I’m equal parts scared and excited. But first I’m off to see Mom in New York. I love my mother but spending more than a few hours with her is unbearable. She’s the most superficial person I know. I can’t believe we’re related. It’s all about her fancy new life with a stock broker, their residence in the upper east side, and their rich friends. When she doesn’t go on about me getting married and giving her grandchildren. She’s a fun-loving fifty-year-old, and she makes me feel old. I wish I had half of her zest.

  I’m beyond grateful to secure a date with my old high school friend, Jesse. He’s fun, looks like Adonis, is 100% not into girls, and is going to give me a taste of New York nightlife, hitting the hottest club of the month.

  Getting into Le Bain is near-impossible unless you’re Jesse Lopez. He go-go dances there when he’s not studying for his law degree, so we breeze past the long line of people outside the entrance as if we’re A-list celebrities.

  “I could get used to this life,” I shout in his ear. The bass of the music hits me like rhythmic punches to my chest.

  He lays a huge arm around my shoulder. “You’re always welcome, bebe, to crash on my couch until you can set something up for yourself. Get out of that uptight place.”

  “Miami’s not uptight.”

  “Your life there is, Syd. Live a little.”

  His words echo Jayna’s and hammer that nail in a little further. Am I really that boring? It makes me sad. I don’t want to be sad. I don’t want to be boring. When did that happen?

  We’ve been here a few minutes and Jesse’s already in the mood, rolling his hips, snugly fitted against another guy’s butt. Both clearly enjoying it. I tap his shoulder.

  “Jesse!”

  “Yeah, bebe?”

  “Show me.”

  His eyes twinkle as he pulls me in between him and the other guy, his hands on my hips, moving me with his rhythm.

  “Meet Bastien.”

  “Hi,” I yell over Bastien’s shoulder. “Syd.”

  He turns and kisses the back of my hand. “Enchanté.”

  “He’s French,” shouts Jesse in my ear.

  I laugh. “I figured. Are you two an item?”

  “Bebe, I’m much too young to go exclusive.”

  “Live a little, huh?”

  “Mm-hmm. Now let’s go get us some shots!” Jesse takes my hand in his and pulls me with him, his other arm around Bastien’s waist. I feel a pinch of envy. I’ve never had that. I’ve dated a couple of times, but I’ve never felt anything like the heat between these two. Not even close.

  We drink. We dance. I should go home and get some rest before my flight tomorrow, but a couple of shots down the road, I’m having too much fun to care. I can sleep on the plane.

  Nathan

  Le Bain is hot and crowded, heavy techno pounding through the loudspeakers. It’s the go-to club at the moment. Christian is on the prowl. He gives me a predatory grin and disappears into the depths of the venue within a few seconds.

  I haven’t been here even five minutes when I see her by the bar, standing alone, trying to get the attention of the bartender. Mid-twenties. Auburn hair, cascading in soft curls down to her lower back, the hints of red catching the playful lights from the dance floor. Tiny frame, a perfect round ass in a snug champagne colored halter neck dress. She looks regal, cool, her posture a bit stiff as if she’s not used to the mayhem of a place like this. I picture wrapping my fist around that lush mane, pulling hard, hearing her scream as I fuck her.

  “You can keep those on,” I say, coming up from behind, pressing against her back.

  She spins around. “What?” Taking me in, her face turns from a snarky frown to interested in a second, the vision making my cock twitch. The girl is stunning and I’m definitely not leaving without her.

  “Those.” I nod at her high-heeled shoes. “When we fuck.”

  She has big, round doe-like eyes. I can’t discern the color, but the intensity in them makes something stir in the pit of my belly. She crosses her arms over her chest and stares me down, narrowing her eyes.

  “What makes you think we’re gonna fuck?”

  I love that she’s playing hard to get. Moving in on her, I put a hand on the bar next to her, cornering her between my arm and the girl on the other side. Tension crackles between us and I revel in the hunt. This part never gets old. “That heavy sensation in your pussy right now,” I whisper in her ear.

  Her pupils dilate and her breaths quicken. Then she scoffs. “You’ve got some nerve. I’m not screwing some random stranger.”

  “I’m Nathan,” I say and give her my hand. When she takes it, it’s as
if a bolt shoots through me. She must feel it too, because she quickly pulls her hand back and wipes it on her dress, stroking her palm up and down along her thigh. I follow its path, mesmerized by her lush curves and have to force myself to look back up. Her eyes are wide and she looks as taken as I feel, but her face is still guarded, suspicious, and I add, “Now we’re not strangers anymore.”

  She laughs and crosses her arms over her chest again. “Right. In your mind, maybe. Who am I, then? If you know me so well.”

  I eye her, letting my gaze travel along her body, fighting down the urge to just whisk her away. “You’re from out of town. Not used to this—” I tilt my head, indicating the rest of the club. “Single, though I can’t understand why.” I cock my head and narrow my eyes. “You’re also interested, but you’re gonna fight it and I’m not getting anywhere with this, am I?”

  She squirms and glances over my shoulder as if searching for someone, then she bites her lip and meets my gaze.

  “You trapped me good. I can’t say ‘you’re wrong’, because then you’d take it as an invite. I can’t say ‘you’re right’, because then you’d think you are getting somewhere.”

  She tenses and I feel the shift in the air between us, how she pulls back. I got cocky and I pushed too hard. I’m not stupid. I’ve made her uncomfortable. Sometimes that’s what gets me high, but it wasn’t my intention tonight. I push a hand through my hair and realize my heart is thumping harder. I don’t want to lose this.

  “You never told me your name.”

  “Yeah, look Nathan… Forget it. You’re not my type.”

  The disappointment strikes me hard. What is it with this girl? The stupid fucking feeling that I could have taken her home and enjoyed waking up next to her tomorrow comes as a bitter surprise. It’s probably because she rejected me. I never let anyone stay the night.

  “You’re a lovely lady.” I lean in and give her a quick kiss on her cheek. “Take care.”

  Her gaze burns my back as I turn and sneak through the crowd. Cuba felt like shit. I’ve had a gnawing feeling of doom lodged in my chest for a long time and now I’m losing my shit over some chick I’ve never met before. What the fuck’s wrong with me? I grit my teeth as frustration builds and the need for a body, any-fucking-one grows.

  Long, platinum blonde hair catches my attention and I smirk, shaking off the lingering feeling of failure. Hello Vanessa. Our on and off fling has been mostly off the last few months, but she’ll definitely do.

  I snake an arm around her waist. “Come.”

  She jerks and cries out, but relaxes instantly when she sees it’s me. I steer us through the throng of people on the dance floor, pulling her flush against my body, wedging a thigh between hers. We move with the music and with the warm, sweaty bodies surrounding us.

  “What a nice surprise, Nate,” she says huskily in my ear. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”

  I don’t answer. Pushing her in front of me, maneuvering her through the crowd, through a curtain-covered doorway into an abandoned corridor, I try a couple of doors until I find an open one. The room is empty and dark. I already have a hand shoved up between her ass cheeks, pressing into her heat and feeling her soaked against my fingers. She moans as I back her up against a wall and nuzzle her neck. She smells fresh. Soap, a light flowery scent. I appreciate that.

  In one rough move, I jerk her dress up to her waist.

  “Hey!” she cries.

  “No talking.” I push her panties to the side and caress the smooth, wet flesh, circling her clit, her entrance, teasing, but never entering. Then I stop. She buckles in my hold and groans. I chuckle.

  “On your knees. Be a good girl and pull down my pants.”

  She turns out to be a really good girl. All thoughts of Cubans, late night raids, rattling machine guns, and people screaming, blissfully fade as her mouth does wonders on my cock. I grab her hair and pull out.

  “Bend over.”

  “You got protection?”

  I groan. “Yes, I’ve got protection. Now turn the fuck around and bend over.”

  I tear open the little package and roll on a condom, then I move her panties to the side and push inside her, reveling in the feeling of her warm, tight pussy hugging my cock. She cries out and supports herself against the wall. I cup her breasts and find her nipples, making her gasp as I thrust, pinching her peaks until they’re stiff. Then I wrap a thick length of blonde hair around my fist and pull her head back until she arches up. My other hand follows a taut belly down the front of white lacy panties. I caress her clit as I fuck her harder and harder. It’s not Vanessa I see before me. It’s the girl from the bar. A bolt shoots through me and my insides tighten almost painfully. Fuck, I’d have wanted to explore the tantalizing little brunette.

  Vanessa tenses, her breathing turning into erratic gasps. “I’m coming,” she cries. I fuck her mechanically through her orgasm, quickly losing interest.

  “Turn around.” I pull out and toss the condom. “On your knees.”

  She obeys and takes me in her mouth again. It isn’t long before her skills make me come hard, all my pent-up energy finally released. For a few blissful moments my mind goes completely blank. Then it’s over and the world collapses on top of me again.

  When I zip up and walk out the door, she’s still kneeling. “You’re such a dick, Nate,” she yells behind me.

  Yeah. I know.

  Physically, I’m sated, but all I feel is emptiness. In a club stock full of people, I’m still lonely.

  On my way toward the exit, I see the little brunette again and come to a screeching halt. She has a bottle of beer in one hand and a wide grin on her face. I wish she’d have smiled like that for me. Her petite body sways with the music, squeezed in between two huge guys who clearly only have eyes for each other. I stalk half a lap around the dance floor, taking her in, forgetting about my misery. She has a shyness to her, and still there’s a heat underneath. I admire her toned, slender body, how her satin dress caresses her curves. A thin sheen of sweat covers her skin as she dances with abandon. My cock twitches to life again and my feet move, almost on their own accord. I need to feel her. I want that jolt of electricity, the unexpected anticipation.

  I’m an arm’s length away when I realize I have nothing to say. She’s not the kind of woman you grab by the hair and fuck behind a dumpster.

  I’m clearly not the man she’d ever look at twice.

  Something dark flares up inside, and I turn away, disgusted with myself. I’m a monster. I have nothing to give. All I do is take. I cause pain and despair. I know it, and somehow she knew it too.

  Pushing through the crowd, I glance behind me once more, and in that moment she turns. Our eyes meet briefly before she averts her gaze. My heart grows heavier than ever. An empty shell of a man is what I am, but I don’t know how to live any other life. Not anymore.

  Sydney

  “You can keep those on.”

  My heart is still in my throat as I escape back to the dance floor and squeeze in between my friends. The bluest eyes I have ever seen are burnt into my retinae, eyes framed by long, dark eyelashes, almost too sensual to fit a man, but with his squared jaw and wicked gaze, it was a killer combination and the memory wreaks havoc with my hormones. I fight the heat that has settled in the pit of my belly. His strong chest pressed against my back, his seductive voice, intimate in my ear.

  “When we fuck.”

  An insanely attractive total dick. Who does he think he is? Why did I feel such a pull to follow this man? Why do I feel loss? It’s not sane. The imprint of his hand on mine burns for a long while. I want to kick myself for at least not practicing talking to a guy, but something about him was just too… male, too arrogant… and too scary.

  Bastien and Jesse show me what they do for fun, and dancing with these two, I realize I am pretty damn uptight. I don’t want that anymore. I want to come out of my shell. A hot club in New York seems like a good start.

  I’m clinging to Jes
se for support, trying to catch my breath, when I feel a prickle in my nape. It’s a near-physical sensation and I turn and scan the crowd, thinking someone touched me. At the far end of the dance floor stands the stranger, his hands in his pockets, tall and lean. He’s unmoving, almost like a statue, which singles him out from everybody else in here. His gaze is intent on me, and something flashes across his face as our eyes meet. I spin around, back toward my friends, my heart beating, my mouth suddenly dry. Crap!

  When I glance over my shoulder again, he’s gone and an unreasonable feeling of disappointment sets root in my chest.

  I couldn’t go with his crazy suggestion. Shit like that gets a girl killed. But there was something in his eyes, in his voice, a longing that mirrored my own. I don’t know how I can extract that out of a two-minute meeting, and of course I can’t. I’m just starved for attention and have a too-vivid imagination.

  Chapter 3

  Sydney

  I hate flying, it makes me jittery and unfocused. The early morning and lack of sleep doesn’t help. Rushing through the terminal, I desperately scan for a monitor with departure information for the Dominican Republic. One wheel on my carry-on bag wobbles and the case topples. I struggle to right it and when I look back up, I bump into someone so hard I almost fall. I stumble and try to regain my balance when a firm hand steadies me.

  “Sorry, sorry, sorry! I’m so uncoordinated today!” My breath catches in my throat when I lift my gaze and meet the same intense blue eyes that had me spellbound last night. I widen my eyes and it’s as if the world comes to a stop. “Nathan.”

  “Mysterious woman.” A glint of something I can’t put my finger on passes through his gaze, then it disappears as fast as it showed up. “Fancy meeting you here.”

  My cheeks heat up. For some stupid reason I find it impossible not to react to this person. “Oh my God. I’m—I’m sorry I bumped into you. I… gotta go.”

  “No worries.” His voice is soft with a slight rasp to it and it sounds as if he’s making love with the words. My gaze travels from his eyes, past a straight nose, soft lips, a two-day stubble on a squared jaw. He still holds a hand on my shoulder. It’s warm through the thin fabric of my blouse and the touch permeates my skin, deep into my chest, making my insides tingle. With a sudden smile he removes his hand, then runs it through his hair. “It happens to the best. Are you in a hurry?”