Dangerous Love (Mackenzies Book 3)

by Elizabeth Knox

  “Mind if I take a seat?” I question as I come up behind the bench.

  He glances behind him and scoffs, “When have you ever asked for permission?”

  Sucking in a sharp breath, I figure it’s as close as I’m going to get and I take the seat beside him. I place my hands in my lap and debate how to start this conversation. The only way is to dive in and do it, so I muster up the most courage I have and turn to look at him. “I found the ring.”

  Immediately Keeran shifts and looks into my eyes. I don’t miss the small semblance of hope, how he’s praying he’ll be able to salvage what he thinks we have. “Fuck, I thought I hid it well enough you wouldn’t.” Disappointment flashes over his features and he shakes his head slightly. “Guess my elaborate proposal is out the window now.”

  God, he still thinks it’ll happen. I’m literally about to rip this man’s heart from his chest, and he doesn’t have the slightest idea. “Keeran,” I say his name unlike I ever have. It’s a warning for what’s coming. “I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to come out and say it. I’ve been holding a lot back over the last few months. I’m not . . . I’m not as happy as I was when we first started dating.”

  Keeran pulls his head back and looks at me like I’ve just shot him. “What?”

  I can’t imagine what he’s thinking, but I’m sure it’s not good.

  “I love you, Keeran, but I’m not in love with you anymore.” Fuck, I just fucked up so bad.

  Keeran stands up and shakes his head. “Is this because he’s back!? Where the fuck is this coming from, Sloane?!”

  Now I’m standing too. “You’re kidding me, right? I’m standing here, telling you I haven’t felt things for a while, and you’re assuming it’s because Aleksei is back?”

  Keeran scoffs, “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “No shit, because it’s stupid!” I scream at him with all my might. “He’s been here for what, two fucking hours?! You know what he meant to me, Keeran. You saw how fucking broken I was when we met. You know—”

  “And I put you back together! Are you forgetting that? You were a broken shell of nothing when I met you. You were fucking lost without me.”

  “No, I was lost without him!” Emotion floods over my body, and the weight of what I’ve just said settles in.

  Keeran huffs and starts to walk away. “Exactly what I thought.”

  Fuck, I wasn’t planning for things to go this way, but I can’t do anything about it now.

  They left, and I’m glad they’re not here for this. Keeran and I didn’t end things well, and now I’m back in the sunroom with a bottle of tequila, lying in the garden house, staring up at the bright blue sky.

  There’s a small couch a few feet behind me, but the plush carpet is enough to keep me comfortable for the moment. I shut my eyes and take in a deep breath, hoping it’ll calm my nerves. But how can it? How can centering my feelings aid me at all right now? God, it’s such hogwash. Alcohol and actions are the only way I’m going to get anywhere today. If anyone even attempts to judge me, I’ll put them right in their place.

  “Ugh,” a grunt comes from behind me, so I pipe my head up and spot Alessandra walking in. She’s Caprice’s younger sister, who’s married to my cousin Luca. They married before Greer and I really became one with the family again, but their marriage isn’t one made out of love. He only married her to keep her from an evil man’s clutches. A heroic act, but one which imprisoned them both. Sure, they’re friends, but I don’t see more than that. I hope one day they could grow into something more, but unless someone makes a move, it’ll never happen.

  “Sorry, I didn’t realize you claimed the sunroom for your woes,” Alessandra comments.

  “Anyone can use it.” I shrug, taking a swig of the tequila from the bottle.

  “I heard what happened. If anyone needs it today, it’s you.” Alessandra shoots me a half-grin, and I laugh. Even she knows my life is an absolute shitshow right now.

  “I needed the laugh, so thank you. What’s got you running in here, though?”

  Alessandra licks her bottom lip, and I watch as she debates what to do. She could say exactly what’s on her mind, but I doubt she will. She’s not like Caprice. Caprice is loud, open, and lets everyone know how she feels on any given subject. But Alessandra, she’s quiet and reserved. She only speaks when spoken to. Sometimes it’s hard to believe she’s related to Caprice.

  “You know, same old thing. I’d better get going, though. It’s time for me to uh, do something.” Alessandra fails at lying and walks off before I can get another word out. Whatever. If she ever wants to vent, at least she’ll know she has someone she can speak to.

  I take another swig of the tequila, personally wanting to call my uncle Alejandro and thanking him for creating such a decadent drink. I’ve had so many bad tequilas in my lifetime. It’s a rarity to find something as crisp as this.

  Footsteps can be heard behind me, and I’m pleasantly surprised with Alessandra. I didn’t think she’d come back. “I promise, I won’t bite.”

  Only, the gruff chortle ringing through my ears isn’t that of a young woman. No, it happens to be a man whose laugh I never thought I’d hear ever again. “What a shame.”

  The hairs on my arms rise, and goosebumps cover my entire body. I inhale deeply through my nose and pinch myself, certain if this is a dream, I’ll wake from it. “Stop that before you bleed,” Aleksei chastises me and takes a seat beside me.

  Even in his current condition, frailer than I’ve ever seen him, he’s . . . fuck I don’t know how to put this into words. Tears form in my eyes and slowly slide down my cheeks. I reach my hand up to touch his cheek, and the moment my fingertips glide against his skin, I lose it. Every emotion I’m trying to keep control of breaks through, like water through a dam.

  “Ya tak davno mechtala potselovat' tvoi guby, moya prekrasnaya zhena.” Aleksei’s accent comes out thicker than normal as he speaks to me in his native tongue. It’s been many years since I’ve heard Russian, but I know a couple of the words he’s said. He called me his beautiful something at the end, but I haven’t heard this word before. The beginning was said too quick for it to sink in my mind, but I hope he’ll tell me what he’s said.

  Aleksei brings his face closer to mine and releases a pent-up breath. His eyes scan over my features and he smiles. “You’re more beautiful than I remember.”

  “And you’re more charming. I thought you were the asshole who somehow found his way into my bed.” I laugh, and then a hiccupping cry shoots through me.

  Aleksei runs his thumb under my eyes. “Stop this. There are no more reasons for tears. I am here once more, and we are together again . . . unless there is someone stopping you.” I know what he’s asking in few words. His eyes were on me earlier today when I was talking to Keeran. I could feel them on me. The same way a deer feels the threat of a hunter.

  Immediately, I shake my head. “No, no one is stopping me.” I scoot closer to Aleksei and bring my lips closer to his. They’re dry and cracked, but I don’t care. I can’t care any less than I do right now. He could have blood coating them, and I’d still want to kiss him as much as I do at this moment. So badly my heart aches for it, my insides yearn for it, and I feel as though my entire body is on fire.

  “Ya khochu trakhnut' tebya tak, kak ty i predstavit' sebe ne mog, lyubov' moya,” Aleksei whispers, but I’m about to choke him. I have no idea what he’s saying. A chill runs down my spine while heat flushes over my chest, neck, and cheeks.

  “I missed you so much, so fucking much,” I confess, trying to hold my tears back. I’m trying and failing at the same time.

  “You won’t ever have to miss me again. I’m not going anywhere. This I promise you.” Aleksei wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me on top of him. My legs are on both sides of him, and he has his hands cupping my face. His eyes rake over my body like he may never see me again. I can’t take this anymore. I have to do something.

  I lea
n down and brush my lips against his. Instantly he tenses, and I do the same. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and kiss him like I might never kiss him again. I can’t help but ferociously devour his lips, not when we’ve been through so much. Not when there’s so much to make up for.

  He tastes like cinnamon and nutmeg, so I’m sure he had cheesecake when he was at Maeve’s. Normally this would be a turnoff, but Aleksei isn’t like any other man I’ve been with. He’s strong, damming, intelligent, and puts others above himself always. It’s how I fell in love with him so quickly, and it’s why I hated being without him. It’s why I wanted to die when he was no longer with me. Because a life without him was torturous. I compared every man who ever showed interest in me to him, and Keeran was the closest thing I ever had. Even then, Keeran wasn’t the man I wanted him to be, but no one could ever fill Aleksei’s shoes.

  I break our kiss for a moment and tell him something I need him to know. “I’ve missed you for every day of my life, every moment, every second.”

  “You won’t ever have to again. I’m not going anywhere, Sloane. I knew one day I’d have you in my arms once more, and here we are.” Aleksei pulls me toward him and crushes his lips against mine. Our kiss is hungry, demanding, and downright hot. I don’t know how far we’ll go tonight, but I don’t care. The only thing I need is to be right here in his arms.

  Chapter Ten

  Aleksei

  Four days have passed since I’ve been out of Valentin’s prison. Over the last few days, I’ve spent much time with my brother and nephew. We’ve shared meals, he’s brought me on business with him, and has taken me to buy new clothes. I wish I could say it felt like I never left, but the fact of the matter is, the time I spent away haunts me.

  When I’m with my brother, I see my little girls playing out back with their cousins. I watch their smiles grow big and hear their laughter. I should’ve been there when Sloane gave birth. I should’ve held them in my arms when they couldn’t sleep at night because a monster was under their bed. There is so much I should’ve been there for, and I won’t ever be able to get that time back.

  “Brat, I need you,” Aleksandr tells me lowly as he walks into the sitting room. I watch his facial features and see the seriousness plaguing him, so I nod and rise.

  “Where are we headed?” I question as I unbutton the first button on my shirt. I’ve tried keeping my dress shirts prim and proper, but the reality is I’m not the type of man who’s prim and proper. I’m a thug, a high-paid thug. Now my brother, on the other hand, has always done well being the classier one. But why wouldn’t he? He was supposed to inherit the Bratva. His entire life, he was taught how to be the best of the best. While I watched my brother be trained to inherit his birthright, I was taught by Valentin’s best guards. I was never going to become more than my brother’s shadow, and they’re the ones who broke the cruel reality to me. I wouldn’t be anything more unless I made something of myself, so I became the best guard a man could ever be. My reputation instilled fear in any man who looked in my or my brother’s way.

  Aleksandr motions with his head for me to follow him, so I do. I follow him until we’re walking out through the front door, down the path, and we’re heading for the gate. “What’s going on, brat?” My tone’s serious, knowing something of great importance is bothering him.

  Aleks glances around our surroundings. “I don’t wish to say here. Please, come with me. We have someone to meet.”

  I don’t question him any further, only get in the passenger side of the black SUV as he gets behind the wheel. We both buckle our seatbelts, and Aleksandr drives down the lane until we reach the gate. As soon as we’re within sight, whoever’s manning the gate opens it and Aleks flies through. His speed indicates whoever we’re going to meet today is important, and I’m already leery of who it is.

  “You’re packing, yes?” Aleks turns for a quick second as he asks his question.

  I nod. “Da. Have been since you gave me this bad boy.” I tap my holster that is holding a 1911 Colt. Aleks gave it to me the night I returned, pulling it from his safe. He told me a story about how he won it in a bet, but he knew he’d never be able to use it. Said how it reminded him of me and it would be something I’d use. So, he locked it up like an art gallery would do to an impressive piece.

  “Good. I don’t know how things will go when we arrive,” Aleks murmurs. Something in the tone of his voice tells me I shouldn’t pry further, so I don’t. I simply sit in my seat, survey the surroundings, and wait while he drives.

  About forty minutes pass by before we’re in the city of Bray, pulling up to an old shipyard. We cross over a small bridge, and Aleks parks along the street. To the left of us, there’s a two-story garage with a rusted-out door, and the street continues to go in front of us and on our right-hand side.

  “What’s the plan?” I ask, and Aleks doesn’t respond. He exits the vehicle, and I follow suit. We both head to the left when he finally clears his throat and looks at me.

  “We’re visiting a colleague of mine, someone I haven’t seen in ages, but for good reason. I’m hopeful we can get some updates on what’s been happening back home in Russia. I haven’t had facts or proof as of yet and I’m tired of rumors. I need to know what’s happening.”

  I nod in understanding. “Alright.”

  Aleksandr walks ahead of me, and I stick close behind him. He walks up to another rusted-out garage door and knocks three times, in a very specific pattern. The door opens, and a man wearing an all-black suit reveals himself. Aleksandr pulls out a heavy wad of cash, and he counts it before he nods for us to go through.

  My brother must’ve been here before. It’s all I can think, especially as he weaves in between the crowd, past the chain-link cage, and goes back into a corner. Lights are on the cage, and I know what type of place we’re at. Underground fights. High stakes, high cash, and a lot of risk.

  Aleksandr takes us back through a doorway, and we walk into a small room. A man who looks to be in his early thirties sits at a table, smoking a cigar and drinking what I believe to be vodka. Must be Russian.

  “Long time no see, my friend.” The man stands and smiles while he looks at my brother.

  Aleksandr takes a seat in the chair across the table, and his friend sits. “We have no time to waste. Tell me all you can.”

  “No vodka first?”

  Aleksandr shakes his head. “No, time is very pressing.”

  “Understood. Your brother is a mad man. He has a name on the streets, Mad Maxim. His men are even locking their wives and children away. His own people, the ones entrusted with keeping him safe, don’t even trust him. Fuck, he is as crazy as your father was.” Aleksandr’s friend fills him in, and I listen to the conversation closely.

  “Nikolai, what of my sisters? I’ve heard many things and I need confirmation now,” Aleks says, completely focused. He’s always had a bad relationship with his father and brother, but his sisters aren’t as vile as them. He always wants to protect the girls, as any older brother would.

  “Maxim has them held hostage. He killed Natalia after your father was murdered and lost his wits. He’s losing his mind, Aleksandr. Unpredictable.” Nikolai shakes his head and takes a sip of his vodka.

  “Where?”

  Nikolai shrugs his shoulders. “A building in Moscow. I have friends watching over it, keeping a keen eye on them.”

  “From what I’ve heard firsthand, your brother is going to sell them off to the highest bidder.” Nikolai fills us in more and Aleksandr balls his hand into a fist. He wants blood, and I can see it. “Now, I hate to cut things short, but your brother is expecting a call from Anatoli in a couple hours. Anatoli is supposed to be in London.” Nikolai winks and I expect Anatoli is the name Maxim knows him by.

  I step out of the doorway and Nikolai exits the room. Meanwhile, the room is silent, and I won’t speak just yet. Aleksandr needs time to think, and more importantly, when he wants to speak up, he will let me know.

  Af
ter a couple minutes of silence passes us by, I clear my throat. “How are we handling this?” I ask Aleks. He turns in his chair and has his arm draping along the back of it.

  “I don’t know. All I know is I want his head.”

  “Still attached or severed?” I jest with him, causing my brother to smirk. At the end of the day, I know all he wants is his sisters to be safe.

  “Depends on what he’s done to the girls. If he’s hurt a hair on their heads, I’ll kill him myself. I mean it, Aleksei. Maxim has never been like you or me. He’s worse than my father and I’m the first one to say it,” Aleks grits, balling both of his fists.

  “We’ll go get them. That’s what we’ll do,” I state. Sure, we’ll make a plan and get them out of Maxim’s evil clutches.

  “Da, we will, brat. Nikolai will get back to Moscow, get us the information we need, and we’ll make a plan. Nikolai has men closer to Maxim, men in his pocket. He’ll make sure nothing too bad happens to the girls.”

  Nothing too bad. His words repeat in my mind, and I know better than he does when it comes to this. Everything they’ll experience will be bad. Deep down, he knows it too. I don’t want to make things worse, so I won’t say anything.

  “Perfect. We’ll get them as soon as we know more. They will be okay.” I may sound positive, but I have my reservations. Maxim could lose his mind and kill all the women before we have the opportunity to get there.

  “Mmm, you want to stay and watch the fights?”

  “Da, it would be good,” I tell him, but the one place I want to be is in bed with Sloane. I haven’t had her in my arms since the other day in the sunroom, but it’s alright. I’ve waited years to hold her again, so I can wait a bit longer.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sloane