Dirty Hearts: The Lion and The Mouse (Book Three)

by Wright, Kenya

“Did they have names?”

  “They didn’t tell me.”

  “What did they want?”

  “Anything the woman had touched. There was a handkerchief and a glass of wine she’d left. I gave it to them.”

  I nodded. “Anything else?”

  “They kept asking me if I saw a man called ‘the mouse’ or maybe if you mentioned him. They were really interested in some guy named ‘the mouse.’ They said I would get more money, if I had a description.”

  So, they’re not Bratva. All in the brotherhood know who the mouse is. Who’s this? Could it be Jean-Pierre and his cousins? No. Too low and not that stupid.

  “What did you tell them?” I asked.

  “I-I said that I saw a lot of men, but I didn’t know if any of them were the mouse.”

  “Do you have kids?” I asked.

  “H-huh?” He looked at my men as if he could get help.

  “Do you have kids?”

  “N-no.”

  I eyed him. “A wife or girlfriend?”

  “N-no—”

  “Kill him.” I left the room.

  “Wait. Please. Oh! No!” He screamed as they cut his throat. Usually, I would’ve remained and watched, but there were other things to do.

  More men. I need more of them here. Who could’ve gone after the limo driver? Interpol? No. They would’ve lifted the prints themselves.

  I headed down the hallway and opened the door.

  Apparently, the man’s screams had carried through the suite.

  When I entered the bedroom, my mouse sat up in bed.

  I set my phone down by the night table. “I’m sorry, mysh, did he wake you?”

  “Yes. Who was that screaming?”

  “Our driver.” I undid my robe and got back in bed.

  “And why was he screaming?”

  “Because they were killing him.” I lay down and gathered her in my arms. Emily nuzzled against my chest. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of her against me. “Someone wanted to know information about you. They lifted your prints from the limo and sent it to the FBI.”

  Her body stiffened. “What did they look like?”

  “French guys, but that doesn’t matter. If someone discovered I was here, it would make sense to grab locals to do the job.”

  “And if it’s the Corsican? Your ‘perfumed pansies’?”

  “Then that would be a death wish on their part.”

  “Hmmm.” She lay down next to me, surrounding my body in her warmth. “Well...if they want to meet me, then surely there’s always an open invitation.”

  A dark chuckle left me.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “So many people are trying to bother you...get to know you...figure out your weaknesses or whatever.” I landed a kiss on her forehead. “But little do they know, I’m not protecting you from them. Most of the time, I’m protecting them from you.”

  “Don’t save them. It’s more fun that way.”

  It would be...but I’m too scared to let anything happen to you.

  Chapter 12

  Emily

  That morning, I woke up encased within Kazimir. Those massive arms had caged me to his body. Somehow, those bulging thighs and longs legs were entangled with mine, so much that we probably looked like a human pretzel.

  I lounged in his warmth, holding him tighter.

  The sound of his steady breathing lulled me into staying sprawled across his chest.

  I don’t think I can ever wake up without him.

  I walked my fingers down his thick side. He was so big and bulky. There wasn’t anything soft about his waist, and I delighted in those taut muscles.

  Being in his arms felt like home, and I’d never really had a home in my life. Just a makeshift family and a building holding dark secrets from the past.

  I breathed him in. This felt like the smartest decision I’d ever made. Forever, my life would always be divided into two parts—before Kazimir and after Kazimir.

  This felt like love in the purest form, and I reveled in that too. I was too quenched to fear any consequences that could come.

  All I knew was that I loved Kaz and I could never let him go.

  I can’t believe he took me to Paris. But what about my men?

  Upon jumping on Kazimir’s plane, I hadn’t thought about them at all. I was too preoccupied with the lion.

  I’m sure he did that on purpose.

  Deciding I should check in with everyone back in Moscow, I moved his arm and grabbed my phone.

  He groaned, grabbed my waist, and pulled me back to him, slipping my body across the bed with ease. “Where are you going?”

  “To check my phone.” I yawned.

  “Expecting a call?”

  “Yes, from all my lovers.”

  He turned me around to face him.

  I smiled.

  “Are you trying to start a new war, mysh?”

  “I thought it was funny. I’m just calling my men.”

  “A joke like that could get someone killed. I’m already suspicious of your men.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Desiring you.”

  I laughed.

  “I’m serious, mysh.”

  “Then, stop being serious. I’ve only had them around for a short time.”

  “And already, I’m suspicious.”

  “There’s no reason to be.”

  “Hmmm.” He kissed my shoulder. The warmth from his lips lingered beautifully. “Never mind Moscow. It can wait. What do you want to do today?”

  I had several thoughts.

  Perhaps we should make sure your president is cool. Maybe just a phone call or something so I won’t be looking over my shoulder all day.

  He touched my bottom lip. “Something’s on your mind.”

  I leaned forward to nip his throat. “I’m wondering about President Smirnov.”

  He frowned. “What about him?”

  “Should we worry?”

  “As much as we would any other day.”

  That’s a lot of worrying.

  “I will deal with him. I’m just tired of reality intruding on us. I wanted one day of peace with you. Just one day.” Kazimir peppered the curve of my neck with several soft kisses and then rose. “I’ll call him.”

  Although I wanted to cuddle closer to Kaz, he did need to call the president and deal with the situation. I rose with him and made my way into the bathroom. Kaz had been heading to the living room. Instead, he smirked and followed me into the bathroom.

  I raised my eyebrows at him. “Wrong way, Mr. Lion.”

  “I can call Smirnov later. It’s not as important as right now.”

  “Oh really?”

  “I’m dirty. You’re dirty. We should clean up.”

  I drank my sexy man in. “True. You never want to call a president while you’re all dirty.”

  “No.”

  I shed what little clothes I still wore. I started the shower before turning around. Kaz’s gaze roamed over my body.

  “And we’re just taking a shower, Kaz.”

  “Of course. I would never assume that since we’re both naked and wet I would have my cock inside you.” He closed the distance between us. “You’re a woman. Your body is to be respected.”

  “That’s right.” I rose on my toes and kissed him. Instantly, Kazimir’s arms wrapped around my waist. He squeezed me until I let out an undignified squeak.

  He chuckled, lifted me up, and walked us both against the wall. “You’re my religion. I’ll worship you the rest of my days. There’s no one above or below you.”

  “Kaz—”

  “You’re my entire world.” Kaz’s heavy-lidded gaze burned into mine. “Mysh, I want you. Here and now.”

  I wanted him too. Very much so. Which is why I hated saying, “We can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because…” I moaned when he dipped down to suck my nipple into his warm mouth. “Because I don’t have any condoms and I’m not
on the pill.”

  Kaz tenderly bit down, pulling my pebbled flesh gently between his teeth before leaving a small sting with his tongue. He repeated it on my other breast. I was two seconds away from losing all sense again.

  “Kaz...” I whispered his name. Lust ignited as my tongue darted in his open mouth. I wrapped my legs around his waist and fisted his hair. His large hands cupped my ass. I shuddered, feeling the goosebumps rise all over my skin. My nipples tightened.

  “See…this is not a shower.” I moaned when he dipped down to suck my nipple into his warm mouth. “You had something to do.”

  “But you’re what I want to do now.”

  “The...president...”

  “Shhh.” That little sound came out like slow fire, licking away at me and compelling me to melt at his will.

  Carnal desire took over. I was naked and in his arms, breathless and yearning to explode all over his cock.

  He licked his lips. “Why would you want me to stop, when it feels so good?”

  I panted, closing my eyes. “I just want us to stay focused.”

  “I’m definitely focused.”

  My fingers curled as he greedily sucked my nipple. “Kaz…”

  Excitement shot through me.

  He lifted me higher with those huge hands. I straddled him. He moved one hand away, grabbed his cock, positioned that fat length just right, and then pierced me.

  All logic left as I dug my fingers into his shoulders and bounced up and down. He was heaven.

  Kazimir purred as my core flooded. I leaned away and studied him through lust-filled eyes. His expression went wild. Feral. Staring into his intense gaze, I felt part of my soul fall away from me and spill into him.

  And then a knock came at the door.

  We ignored it as usual.

  But the knock persisted, a light tap that boomed and went heavy. He took his mouth away from mine.

  The knock came again.

  I hope he doesn’t kill this guard.

  He rested his head against mine and swore, “Mat'-podguznik!”

  A voice came through the door. “Sir, General Yahontov is here.”

  A Russian general? Here? In Paris?

  The guard continued, “He has several soldiers in the living room.”

  I studied Kazimir’s response. He was a man who’d been in lust and had been forced to homicidal rage. His eyes went from desire to death. His body hardened against me. He released my waist, lifted me off his cock, and gently lowered my body.

  No traces of humor lay on his face, yet murder lay in his voice. “I’ll be right back.”

  At the airport, Kazimir had only been mildly annoyed. Still, he’d slapped the shit out of that general. Now, another general had interrupted our first sex session of the morning. Kazimir didn’t like to be disrupted when it came to us making love.

  I blurted out, “I’m going with you.”

  “You’ll stay in here.” Wet, he did a quick towel dry, left the bathroom, grabbed his pants, and slipped them on.

  “Nope.” I hurried into the room and put my robe on. “I’m coming, Kazimir.”

  I thought he would continue to argue as he finished tying his pants and stared at me. I continued to tie my robe. He didn’t have time to argue with me, and I wasn’t going to sit in the bedroom like a good little girl while he stood in the room with this general and his soldiers.

  He walked over to me and pressed me against the wall. “You’re coming?”

  I leaned back, trapped between him and the wall. “Kazimir?”

  “I don’t want you in there.”

  “I don’t care. That’s too many men for you to go alone.”

  “I won’t be nice.”

  “That’s nothing new.”

  Frowning, he gave up. “When we go in, you don’t say anything.”

  I nodded.

  He pressed me harder against the wall. “If someone pulls a gun on me, don’t do anything.”

  Shit. I’ll kill that motherfucker.

  I gritted my teeth.

  “Emily?”

  Okay, but they better not point a gun at you. If someone does, I won’t shoot him today, but I’ll get him later.

  A tiny smile hit the corner of his lips like he’d heard my thoughts.

  My heart hammered in my ears. “What?”

  “I’m not used to someone thinking they are the only person who can protect me. Usually, everyone looks to me for protection.”

  “We’ve got each other’s back.”

  “We do.” He held an intense gaze as he tucked some curls behind my hair. “But we also have to consider other things when it comes to you. Teaching you about my world is one thing. Having you directly involved at this time...is another.”

  “I’ll be safe.”

  “Stress could affect the baby.”

  Jesus Christ!

  I cleared my throat. “We don’t even know if I’m pregnant. If you keep this up, you’ll speak it into existence.”

  “Then we find out as soon as we return to Russia.” He studied me. “Okay?”

  I wanted to force his attention elsewhere. I didn’t like being this open with anyone.

  He waited patiently despite the silent seconds ticking by and the general waiting for us. He didn’t push or prod me further, and I had a strong suspicion he’d wait until the end of time. There was no avoiding this topic anymore.

  Why did he have to look at me that way? And why did he have to always sound like he was serenading my soul?

  “Okay. That’s fine. I’ll check when I get back to Moscow.” I moved my gaze from him. Sometimes staring at him, being bound by his gaze, flayed me too close to the bone. In these moments, Kazimir had complete access to my insides. And, at this time, my heart was too raw from death.

  A knock came.

  “Sir?” This time the guard’s voice came out shaky. “The general asked me to hurry you along.”

  Kazimir watched me as if he could see through every inch of me.

  “Sir?”

  Softly, he whispered, “One day you won’t be so afraid of being vulnerable. And you won’t be afraid of us either, or what we can become. I know this because I’ve just stopped being afraid.”

  I damn near lost my voice. “I believe you.”

  His soft expression shifted back to a harder one as moved away from me. In that moment, I knew Kaz—my passionate lion—was no longer in the room. Now it was Kazimir Solonik, one of the most wanted men in the world.

  “I don’t want him to know what you look like.” An edge lay in Kazimir’s tone. “But he already knows. They all know. I’m sure they know everything about you. Where you live? Where you were born? Your past. Definitely your present.”

  While I was used to people looking into me, I’d never had a large government stalk me.

  “Go in. Be yourself. Just stay silent.”

  I nodded.

  “Do you understand why you’ll stay silent?”

  I wasn’t sure, but I tried to give him my thoughts. “Because I don’t understand Russian business and politics. I might mess up somehow, and besides...you have control of this. I just want to have your back.”

  “You make my cock hard when you talk that way.” He groaned and pressed his body against mine, planting my frame further between him and the wall. “But no, mysh. You’re going to stay silent, not because you may mess up or because you don’t get my country’s politics. You’re going to stay silent because none of Smirnov’s generals deserve to hear words come from those beautiful lips.”

  He made me feel invincible. Even in danger, he took time to adore me. That would either get us killed or keep us alive, forever.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  I stiffened, feeling weak in a way I’d always despised—especially in front of Kazimir. There weren’t many times where I became anxious dealing with someone. It only came when the players involved people I cared for like Darryl and Maxwell. Other times, when I’d had to maneuver out of some crazy cri
minal’s plot, I’d found joy in the breakdown.

  But with Kazimir, more and more I experienced fear. Life with him was too good. Every moment in his arms gave me hope for the future. He made me believe in things I’d never thought would be my own reality. Other women would get the kids, the happy marriage, the nice retirement party surrounded by family and friends. In the back of my mind, long ago, I’d secretly thought I would die by a bullet or someone’s sharp blade, and it would be over the love of money—mine or the killer’s.

  Kazimir changed that.

  How easy had it been to play dark games with criminals when I’d had nothing to lose.

  Now, I had everything that could be destroyed. I had love. I had hope. Some sort of fabulous future forming ahead of me. I even had the audacity to dream.

  I’d been on top in Harlem, and I’d thought it was my brain that got me there. But it was my lack of a heart. Now, I stood on the other side of the globe, heavy with love. I just prayed this love didn’t make me too slow and have me losing it all.

  They better not point a gun at him. Not one.

  He kissed me again and then pulled away. “Let’s go.”

  I focused on breathing and followed him.

  He opened the door and tension rose around me. Soldiers packed the entire space. They held guns but weren’t shooting—their weapons remained at their sides.

  Kazimir’s men also had their guns out, and I could tell that not one person with their gun out wanted to be there. It didn’t look like the Bratva wanted to have a shootout with the Russian military, and the soldiers damn sure didn’t want one with us.

  The general rose from his chair and spoke in Russian.

  “English.” Kazimir walked over with a steady stride. My heartbeat hammered in my chest. He looked like he was heading over to slap him.

  Don’t do it. I’m enjoying Paris.

  A couple of my uniformed men exchanged glances. I had no idea what I would do if Kazimir acted on his anger.

  Breathe and focus. I’m in the middle of a possible shootout between the Bratva and Russian military. So...basically, it’s just Tuesday with Kazimir.

  The general gave him an odd look. “English? Why?”

  Kazimir stood in front of the general and towered over him. “You come here to my suite, ruin my vacation with guns, and you ask questions?”

  The general turned to his men and gestured for them to put the guns away. They did.