by Nicole Snow
“I need to ask you something,” she said when I turned around, straightening my tie.
“Spit it out. You don't need to ask permission, babe. You're my wife. Not my fucking student.” I fixed my eyes on her. “I'm gonna keep you out of harm's way. No muzzle required for that.”
She blinked, eyes shining a little more happily now that I was giving her a chance to take one step in, one more closer to me. “What did he do to you? Is this rivalry with my family all about business?”
I stopped cold, looking away from the mirror. The suit looked fine. Dealing with her hard ass questions was gonna be a lot harder.
“It was business before. Lighter shit. Turf wars over supply routes, little truces that never held more than a year. Shit's been like that on four continents since my own father was a kid.”
“This is different...” Anna took the fucking words out of my mouth.
“Yeah.” I stared at my reflection. “Spilling family blood gives shit an edge I can't ignore. You're Italian, love. I know you can't have blood like that without understanding what vendetta means.”
I stared at her face behind me in the mirror. She nodded slowly.
“Earlier this summer, I lost my Great Uncle and my brother in an attack. Your old man ordered the hit that bombed their ship and left them to drown in cold blue sea. Fucker thought I was on that boat too. He thought he'd knock out every Strelkov that matters in the States in one go.”
She gasped. Her face twisted in pain. The girl was a Rossini – no doubting that – but she'd obviously been shielded from the world of violence carrying that name entitled her to.
Fuck her old man. I couldn't wait to feel his hot blood on my hands, crimson death I should've spilled and felt weeks ago.
“God. David, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything he –“
“Stop. I don't need apologies for decisions you never made. This shit's some dark business you don't need to be involved with. I'm not gonna dirty your sweet mind with blood and bombs, but I'm not gonna hide it from you either like he did. I'll tell you what's going on, just as long as you stay the fuck out of it and let me deal with the hell. That's what I'm good at, after all.”
She stood, pulling her robe close. Something about hiding her body from me, the false shame she needed to wipe away, brought me storming across the room. I grabbed her in my arms and pulled her tight, unable to stop myself from cupping her plush ass cheek and giving it a squeeze.
“What do you think you're doing, Anna? You got nothing to be ashamed of. I hate the Rossini name for everything it's done to me, but it's also something to be proud of. Something I'm goddamned glad to keep, to control, to love.”
Her lips twitched, trying to find words. I buried her in a long, hot kiss before she could say anything.
Give it time, I thought. We'll sort this shit out. She'll figure out where she belongs and where she doesn't soon enough. Same as what she'll figure out about how to handle that fucking name.
“I wish it didn't have to be like this,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “I wish we'd gotten together differently, without this forced marriage and my Dad being an asshole.”
“Fuck wishing, babe. Fuck it right into the ground.” I reached for her hands and squeezed them both. Hard. “We're together, right? That's all that matters. I took you by force and pulled your heart out. Had to do it the hard way because I don't do shit easy. And you know what? I'd do it all over again without a second thought because you're here, you're mine, and you're not going anywhere. I'd twist your heart to pieces as long as it's in my hands, and you've got room for my crazy ass inside it.”
I gave her another kiss. Wasn't gonna hear any more words out her lips or kiss away any tears falling from her eyes.
“Now, go get ready.” I turned her by the shoulders toward the large bathroom. “We got a flight to catch in two hours. Suitcase is already waiting next to your shelf in the closet.”
The helicopter ride tired her out. Or maybe it was just the hangover from having my cock tossing her around 'til daylight. Anna was still snoozing on my shoulder when we touched down on the helipad, on top of the casino's fiftieth floor, a quick walk to my private suite's special entrance.
Didn't know how the hell she managed to smell so sweet, and it was all natural too. Sure made my fucking dick strain in my pants. My cock wouldn't quit throbbing, hungry as hell, like it had forgotten all about last night's fucking.
It made it hard to think on the long ride in, but I managed.
My boys got out first and scoped things out. It wouldn't take Rossini long to figure out where we were heading. If he didn't know we were in Jersey now, then he'd know soon enough when I sent him my invitation.
“It's all clear, D.” Boris' thin accent crackled over the radio on my belt.
Anna stirred, rubbing her eyes. I threw an arm around her as the pilot hopped out and opened our door.
“We're here already? Damn! I wanted to see the skyline.” Her lips puckered sourly.
“Plenty of time for that shit later, babe. Best part about being rich is riding the skies whenever I damn well please. Come on. I'll show you to your room.”
Nikolai stalked the building's perimeter. He nodded to me as we passed. It was good to have six eyes on the rooftop with my bodyguards and me, instead of just two, but I wasn't taking anything for granted.
If I'd seen the faintest glint of a sniper on any of the towers nearby, I would've thrown my wife to the ground so fucking fast she'd slap me across the face from shock. Too bad, though. Better taking a few bruises with piss and vinegar than winding up dead.
Inside, I relaxed. Anna's eyes went wide when she saw the huge suite where we were staying, easily its own apartment. A menu was laid out next to the liquor cabinet, everything from lobster to filet mignon, and all complimentary. Being owner has its perks.
I let her wander about while I washed my face and combed my hair. The cool water felt good, refreshing, soothing the horny devil in my skin. Took the edge right off staring into the hot, bloodthirsty eyes of the man looking back at me in the mirror.
My fists tightened. Fuck. I wished I could've given her a proper honeymoon – something better than this glitz and glamor under the knife, knowing it might come down and slash our world to hell at any time.
Only gotta draw blood one more time, I thought. Kill that fuck and mop up the minions. Then you can give her the world.
I was about to open the door when I heard her humming. The soft serenade coming from the little reading alcove nearby told me she'd finally settled in. And after several days of pure fucking hell, my girl was content, safe and happy in my presence as a kitten purring her heart out.
My cock started to get hard again for the tenth time since we left New York. I shook my head, forcing away the lust. There'd be plenty of time to have her beneath me later, after business was done.
I popped the door and strode out, heading for the elevator. Had to collect Boris outside and get down to the VIP lounge, where I had a war room of sorts hidden behind the lavish bar. The call I'd set up this morning was due in five minutes.
“Hey!” Anna yelled out to me as I walked past her, looking up from the thick leather volume she'd plucked from the shelf. “Where're you off to? Can I join you? I'd love to see the casino floor!”
“Not now, babe. You're staying put.” I focused stern eyes on her. “Got business to handle.”
Her lips twisted in a frown. “You mean we came all the way here just to sit in this room? It's nice, I mean, but I'd much rather get out and –“
I held up a hand. “Stop right there. I'm keeping your sweet ass parked here for a reason, pet. Doesn't mean we have to live like prisoners in this fucking room. You'll go out later, with me, and only with me. You can wait a little while longer for me, can't you, love? Patience has her rewards.”
Crossing the space between us, I reached out, cupping her jaw in one hand. Fuck, I loved tracing her soft snowy skin, feeling the Rossini cheekbones lining the lips t
hat now belonged to me. Crazy questions flashed in my skull. I wondered if our kid would retain that feature or if they'd take on the squarer, angular features of my Slavic ancestors.
We'll find out soon. I'm not slowing down on this just because her old man's still breathing.
I will breed that fucking pussy, take everything that's mine in the deepest way possible.
I suppressed a shudder. Every time I thought about it shocked my whole system, turned my cock to seething stone like nothing else.
Anna resisted for several seconds, then finally pushed her cheek on my hand, purring into my palm. I smiled as she nodded her head, pushing soft dark locks through my fingers. The girl's hair felt incredible all the time, no matter if I was caressing it or holding on for dear life as I plowed into her.
“Don't keep me waiting forever,” she said. “I'm just starting to get used to this.”
“Rest up. You're gonna need it for all the shit we're doing tonight. Keep that fucking pussy warm for me and a bottle of wine chilled. After I fuck you up here, you're welcome to every inch of this place with me at your side.”
I left before she could say another word. No damned way was I gonna let the progress I'd made with her start to slide. All the more reason why I had to spring the trap for her old man now.
“His aide's on the line, sir. Ready and waiting.” I stood, angrily pacing around the circular cherry wood table as Nikolai passed me the phone.
No burner line this time. It was a reinforced landline designed just for the casino, secured from any sniffing by curious Feds or other cartels at our throats.
“Hello?”
“Mister Rossini will speak with you now. One moment.” His aide's contempt flowed into my ears. There was a shuffling sound for about a second, and then I heard the asshole's voice.
“Strelkov? What do you have to say to me after last night? You're the last person in the world I expected to arrange a chat.”
“Hold your fucking excitement. I know what you did, you sick sonofabitch.”
His breath rasped on the other end. “Yeah? You're going to pretend you have the high ground here? Please. Any man would've done the same with his daughter if she was taken by a feral animal like you. Yes, I tried to kill her. I tried to put her out of her misery and protect the family's name from your poison. I tried to give her mercy, and I won't give up until I do.”
Fuck! My fingers tightened so hard around the receiver I thought I'd snap the plastic in two.
Relax. Fucking relax! Wasn't fucking easy, even with every part of my brain screaming to stay zen.
“You're a cold blooded motherfucker,” I growled. “So fucking cold I'm not gonna let that beautiful, innocent girl get snuffed out like an ant.”
“Go ahead. You know you'll let your guard down sooner or later. I wanted to do it quickly, swiftly, prevent her from suffering...but if I have to use poison, then –“
“Shut the fuck up. I know you're yanking my balls around with this shit! You know she's more than meat to me. I can't fuck her and throw her to the wolves like a high class whore.”
He made a sound like hot, tight, ferocious air was hissing out his lips. “So, you've already defiled her.”
If I didn't know any better, I almost thought he cared about Anna. His tone turned to a soft rasp. But no, of course it was all about his ego, his twisted oath to a bloodline that didn't deserve to survive.
Family, I understood. This fuck and I were at war over vendettas, blood, and money. I got it, plain as day. Sacrificing my own flesh and blood for a fucked up sense of honor, on the other hand...
That shit was ice. However hard I tried, I couldn't make it compute in my brain. A whole life in the underworld hadn't made me that fucking sick.
“Look,” I hissed, “I haven't done shit that any red blooded man wouldn't have done to his worst enemy's daughter. The girl doesn't deserve to die. You're a bastard, Rossini, but you can have her back if you promise not to hurt her.”
His breath hitched. There was a long pause – probably shock rattling through his brain, trying to figure out whether or not I was dead serious.
“You want to...give her up?” He said, voice ringing with disbelief. “So easily? The great David Strelkov? Ha!” He broke into real laughter.
“What's so fucking funny, jerkoff?”
“It seems what they say about future generations is right: they're never as determined as their forebearers. Never as strong. Your Uncle Ignatiev would've had his way with her and sent my poor girl's dismembered head to me in a box.”
“I'm not my Uncle,” I growled. “You don't know shit about how my family operates. Shut the fuck up.”
“Sorry, I'm not some peasant you can order around, you mongrel Ivan.” He cleared his throat, chuckling at the lame ass insult. “I'll accept your kind offer and agree to the terms you mentioned. I don't know how, but I'll find some way to wipe away the rotten traces of the animal DNA you've left on my little woman...when would you like me to send for her? My men can be there tomorrow. They'll be disarmed on the casino's premises.”
Good, I thought. He let slip that he'd tracked us to Jersey.
“Not so fucking fast. You want her, then you need to come in person. I know you're not man enough to blow your own daughter's brains out. You want her dead, you'll have one of your men do it.”
Another long pause. “What's the difference? If I really want that, you know I'll take care of her as soon as we've left your territory.”
“Because seeing her again will knock some fucking sense into your rotten skull. You won't tell anybody to pull the damned trigger or serve her poison when you've held her in your arms again. And as an insurance policy, if I find out the girl's not breathing after you take her back, your ass is dead.”
“That won't happen.”
“Don't fucking let it, Rossini. Hope you remember how fucking easy it was for me to slip into your office. I held a blade to your throat once and only drew a trickle. Next time, I'll bathe in your fucking blood if you lay a single finger on Anna with your claws out. I'll paint roses in your shitty blood and lay them on her fucking grave. If sending her ass back to you wasn't the only way to keep her safe...”
I let my teeth grind. The script I was following in my head was a fake, and so were all the promises I was making. But the frustration, the hatred, the need to kill that sick sonofabitch was all real, and it came out like nails ripping over a thick chalkboard.
“I accept. We'll meet in neutral waters, and I'll bring her aboard my yacht.”
“Then I never, ever want to hear from your ass again.”
“Until we butt heads over routes to the Mediterranean, of course.” Rossini breathed deep, smug and self-assured that he'd humiliated my ass.
Keep laughing, chuckle-fuck. It'll be one of your last before tomorrow.
“Of course. Until then.”
The line went dead. I slammed the phone down so hard the whole fucking table shook.
Boris and Nikolai were at my side in a heartbeat. The other two private bulldogs who were there for casino security shuffled near the door, uneasy with the wicked glimpse into the business that really secured their paychecks.
Fuck 'em. They'd do their fucking jobs, nervous or not, and that was all that mattered. Every man on my books was vetted for skills, background, loyalty, and the two boys closest to me had family ties to mine going back generations.
“Well? Is that it, D? Just like that, we're turning her over?” Boris looked at me like I'd lost my fucking mind.
“Business comes first. This shit's what's best for biz and the girl's safety too. Much as I'd like to have her on my cock a whole lot longer, I gotta do what's gonna bring the least pain. Stop looking at me like my brains are rolling out my fucking ears.” I looked at them both, from Boris to Nikolai, staring hard 'til they lowered their eyes. “You two got your orders. Be ready tomorrow. Set the tradeoff for ten o'clock when the bastard's assistant calls.”
Nobody ever fucking challenged me.
Not seriously. The instant they did, I'd have them up on their feet, one hand around their throats, rattling their bones the way insubordinate ragdolls deserved.
I started to walk toward the office door, and stopped near the other guards, turning to my men. “One more thing – make sure the security around here's tight. This is gonna be my last night with Anna, and I want to give her something to remember.”
I pinched my jaw tight 'til I was down the hall. Then – and only then – I allowed myself a thin smile.
They'd taken the bait. Everyone had. Now, I just had to keep my girl safe when old man Rossini double-crossed my ass. He'd come for her before the hand off and probably try to kill my ass dead, sure as the fucking sun would come up tomorrow.
And when he did, his asshole minions would lead me right to him. Soon as they did, I'd string him up like the savage fucknut he was, and feed his worthless carcass to all the razor toothed monsters deep beneath the ocean.
V: Heaven to Hell (Anna)
I woke up to the bed shifting underneath my legs. My body jerked and my eyes snapped open. David was glorious naked, more than two hundred rock hard, heavily tattooed pounds crawling toward me like a tiger.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he was too quick. Jerking me up in his huge arms, a mad kiss smothered my lips, thick and sultry and longing, as if we hadn't locked flesh for months.
David's tongue found mine, whirling me around in the same bedazzled dance as before. God, I wished I could've sorted out my feelings for this man in one kiss. But they were all layered like the finest wine or the most decadent mousse. He infuriated me, frightened me, and stirred my lust like no one ever had.
Would I ever unravel him – hell, unravel myself? Would a million tastes of his lips ever tell me anything?
His hand went between my legs, sliding up my bare thigh. My early shyness was gone, and now I proudly wore the skirt for him that I'd picked out that morning. I was glad I did when his fingers went further, easily sneaking through my panties to find the steaming wet heat.