by D STEP
“Good, but why tell me? Report back to Goragavan and allay Anatoly’s fears.”
Yuri looked off-screen for a moment, then leaned in. “I’ve killed the Krestnii Otets, the ‘Godfather’ of the Odessa Bratva. It was an accident, but now we’ve one less Pakhan to worry about.”
Valeri exhaled in disbelief. “Fuck, Yuri…why would you do that, you idiot? You’re a sitting duck now.”
“I said it was an accident,” Yuri hissed. “I need to come to St. Petersburg for awhile, until the Odessa Brigades are thrown off my trail.”
“A trail that leads here. You’re crazier than I thought.”
“You’ll hide me and say nothing. I want to see Lara.”
“Sophie wants nothing to do with you. Neither do I. Go hide with your biker-scum friends.”
“I let you have her, you money-laundering faggot. And I named her Lara. Let me see her, or maybe I will leave a trail of breadcrumbs for the Odessa, and you won’t even see them coming until there’s a bullet in your chest.”
Valeri ground his teeth. He and Yuri were not good together in the same house. “I’ll tell Taras you’re coming,” he said. “But don’t let me see your face.”
Yuri smiled tauntingly. “You see my face every day, brother. In the mirror.”
*
Sophie lingered in bed, wrapped in decadent silk sheets and wondering what to order for breakfast. The opulent bedroom offered everything in the way of comfort and eye-catching style; not to mention a penthouse view of the majestic City of St. Petersburg. Valeri had already dressed and left for his office a half hour ago, but she had no such commitments. Being a kept woman had its advantages, she’d come to realize; no clock to punch nor paperwork to file. Just hours to fill, waiting for her lover to return and take out his sexual demands upon her.
Valeri had become her whole world, and she would deny him nothing in the bedroom or otherwise. She loved him, God help her. His delicious body, his handsome features and his polished, avant-garde manner that somehow lifted him above the realities of the Mafiya’s cruel business held her captive in a very different way than his brother Yuri had done when he’d kidnapped her from Sheremetyevo airport.
It wasn’t the life path she’d started upon. Until a few months ago everything about her life had been regimented, planned and executed in meticulous fashion throughout her 24 years. Now it seemed pointless, the education and effort she’d put into becoming a foreign service agent—only to live a life of bureaucratic drudgery. Every luxury and vice was at her command now, safe in the arms of a powerful man.
She had no family, her parents long dead and she an only child. Even Andrew, her former fiancé, was little more than a dim memory now. She hoped he was safe, having told him to leave the country when Yuri had threatened to kill him if she stepped out of line. He was better off not knowing what had become of her.
The video call this morning turned her thoughts to Yuri. He would be coming to St. Petersburg, and the idea frightened her. Though she’d been with Valeri for weeks now, it didn’t change what had happened before. She remembered the nights spent in terror at Goragavan, and how Yuri had forced himself on her. Sophie did not want to admit it, even to herself, that she had feelings for him; but deep down it was the truth. And it made the task ahead even harder. She had not menstruated since her arrival in Russia; she’d undergone a lot of stress, including a leap out an eighth floor window but despite all that and without an examination, suspected in her heart that she was with child.
Sophie sighed in restless anxiety. The identical twin brothers would have yet one more thing to fight over, compete over—and no medical test could ever settle the score.
Chapter Two
The high-powered scope allowed a reasonable view into the building from his spot in a church belfry across the square, but the windows of the top two floors of the high-security brick manor had blockout film, making it impossible to monitor any activity there. Evgeni Tretschev debated the timing of his move to recover the girl now that they’d moved her into the shielded area. Perhaps he should just divulge her new location to the authorities and wash his hands of the whole affair. But one more opportunity to twist a knife into the heart of the Kovalenko bratva was too tempting to ignore.
He’d found three street girls huddled outside the Sheremetyevo airport terminal, inadvertently managing to slip past security and the clutches of their intended ‘employer’. They shared a single cigarette, passing it between them in turn. He could spot brothel fodder a mile away, and thanks to his disguise, they willingly followed him to his waiting limo and spent the night in the Intercontinental Tverskaya at his expense. The next morning they were on their way to Prague in a drug-addled fog, oblivious to the new trap they’d fallen into, netting Evgeni a good profit for prostitutes that were not even his own—stolen from under the arrogant noses of the Kovalenko bratva.
His luck hadn’t ended there. Unscrupulous agents were everywhere at Sheremetyevo, and Evgeni had contacts. Unclaimed and confiscated luggage were often among the spoils, and that day had yielded the personal belongings of one Sophie Brant. The contents of her carry-on were most interesting; a diplomatic ID and correspondence from the Russian government. It took a bit of hunting, but Evgeni soon discovered she was in the hands of Kovalenko and had watched her for weeks, waiting for his chance.
Hidden in the confines of the Kassir’s headquarters however, now was not that time. Until then, voyeurism had to suffice, and what he’d seen so far rivaled any porn movie. Intentionally or not, Sophie Brant was just as much a whore as the three girls he’d sent to Prague; the only difference being Miss Brant seemed to be enjoying it. Perhaps she was just as much a mercenary as himself, working both sides of the law. This thought gave him pause, validating his decision to wait a little longer before executing his plan.
*
“Your message has been delivered,” Taras confirmed as he entered Valeri’s office and sat down opposite him at his desk. “As to his acceptance, we must wait and see.”
Valeri nodded and leaned back in his chair. “Good. Did our Shestyorka make their meaning of my invitation clear?”
“Of that I’m certain. I believe your offer is of extreme interest to Mr. Borovski. I’m sure he will agree to your terms.”
Valeri inhaled tightly. As much as he enjoyed Sophie’s company, there remained unfinished business. The recently appointed Minister of Industry and Trade, Marat Borovski, had yet to be taught a lesson in ‘diplomacy’. Valeri’s Shestyorka intelligence unit had dispatched the formal message to the Minister, inviting Borovski to turn a blind eye the operations of the Bratva, as all his predecessors had done, and be rewarded handsomely for it. As Kassir, Valeri was in charge of all monetary transactions, most importantly the payment of bribes to government officials. To sweeten the deal, he’d offered an additional benefit.
The Austrian Embassy was not taking the disappearance of their envoy lightly. Borovski was under their microscope and under pressure to find and retrieve a highly-trained diplomat named Sophie Brant. Find her they might; but reclaim her they would not. No longer a negotiating point, Sophie belonged to Valeri now, with her main purpose to draw the Minister into their net of corruption.
He hated the idea of using her as bait, but if things went as planned, Sophie would never be at risk, nor even know it. She was the jewel in his crown, his insurance of supremacy in the Bratva’s succession plan. Yuri would never be the type to assume leadership after Father was gone. Valeri knew it, and deep down, Yuri did too. If Valeri could make his bullheaded brother accept that, he would gladly set him free; allow him to ride off for parts unknown on his Harley and never return, never to worry about “the business” again, in exchange for giving up Sophie.
Taras interrupted his reverie. “Your brother has also arrived. He will occupy the rear apartments below ground level, as you requested. He is demanding to see Miss Sophie.”
Valeri’s stomach burned with indigestion at the idea. “He can wait. He’s n
“I understand, sir. But Yuri probably won’t. You know what he’s like.”
Valeri sighed in resignation. “Indeed, Taras. I do.”
*
“Thank you Irina,” Sophie said as the girl brought her breakfast tray. Sophie had asked for croissants and cream cheese, strawberries, deviled eggs, cold sliced chicken, and tea with honey and lemon. She’d backed off on the coffee, even though she craved it daily, on suspicion of her condition.
Irina nodded and stepped back. Sophie popped a strawberry into her mouth and chewed appreciatively, but noted the girl wasn’t leaving the room. “What is it, Irina?” Sophie asked.
Irina wrung her hands nervously. “I wanted to thank you, for allowing me to stay in your service.”
Sophie swallowed her fruit. Since she’d tricked Irina into opening the window for her the night Sophie had attempted suicide, the girl had been in danger of an extreme reprimand from the Bratva. Careless employees were not only punished, but typically dismissed or even killed.
“No need to thank me,” Sophie said, her heart going out to the girl. “It was my fault—I got you into trouble. You wanted to help me, I know that. I couldn’t let Valeri punish you for doing your job. I’m just glad he listened. You don’t have to be grateful to me, and I promise to be honest with you from now on, if you’ll be honest with me, alright?”
Irina smiled and nodded. “Then if I may be honest ma’am, I’ve not had to bring you any…” she struggled with the English words. “Feminine pads. Are you alright?”
Sophie froze, her fork full of cold meat halfway to her mouth. Irina was sharp despite her innocent and meek demeanor. There was no one else Sophie could confide in. “Yes,” she answered, flashing a warm smile. “I am fine. When you are shopping for me next, would you bring me some?”
Irina seemed to have been holding her breath. She exhaled visibly and nodded. “Of course. Pads or tampons?”
“Some of each,” Sophie answered. “And a pregnancy test kit.” Irina blinked and said nothing. “Just in case,” Sophie added with a comforting smile. The girl bobbed her chin and turned to leave the suite. Sophie hoped she hadn’t made a big mistake in discussing the topic, but too late now. She finished her breakfast, then curled up in an armchair to enjoy her tea.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see the leaves turning on the trees outside, telltale signs of the coming winter. It had been August when she left Vienna; barely two months previous but it seemed a lifetime ago. In a few hours, Valeri would return, escort her to dinner and possibly a walk in the square. He’d been relaxed enough to allow Sophie some outdoor time, as long as she was accompanied by himself of any of his trusted staff. She longed to visit the nearby churches and parks that glistened in the distance. Then at night, they’d return to this sanctuary and she would be instructed in yet another method of sexual gratification, another erotic adventure that see-sawed between pain and exquisite pleasure.
She now understood Valeri’s words to her the first time he’d taken her; that pain and pleasure were two sides of a coin, equal and interchangeable. Soon they became indistinguishable, inseparable, inextricably paired so as one became heightened by the other and at times, not even existing without the other. Anticipation of his return already had her inner thighs quivering and her pussy throbbing.
She set down her cup and leaned back, relieving pressure on her tender backside that still tingled from the delicious spankings delivered by Valeri. She hadn’t yet dressed for the day, not that there was need to, most often. She let her knees relax apart, the skirt of the simple summer shift she’d thrown on after getting out of bed draping in between them. Valeri’s ways in the bedroom knew few boundaries. To him, sexual pleasure was an extension of everyday existence, as natural as breathing and just as shameless. Even self-pleasure was something they regularly engaged in, often watching each other masturbate. It was yet another spin of the pain/pleasure carousel, denial followed by punishment, then mind-blowing ecstasy.
Sophie closed her eyes and slid the hem of her skirt upward, the soft cotton caressing her thighs as it moved. She imagined Valeri’s fingertips trailing the same path, seeking the wet warmth between her legs. Her palms smoothed the skin of her inner thighs in slow circles. At the moment, there was no one in the room to watch, no one to tease nor punish or reward, except herself.
A gush of cream moistened the coarse hairs that covered the soft flesh of her pussy. She parted her swollen lips with one hand, and stroked her dripping clitoris, up and down with the fingers of the other. She exhaled in a moan, the freedom of controlling her own pleasure without the permission or observation of her partner exciting her in a forbidden way.
She drew her knees up and apart, resting her feet on the edge of the chair, opening her pussy to the air. She stroked more rapidly, pausing to dip her middle finger inside her vagina, then stroking again. She felt the slow burn of orgasm ignite within her belly and begin to crawl downward. Her breathing accelerated, short aching grunts spurting out with each breath, anticipating the blissful explosion to come.
Voices sounded outside her door, the sharp and deep shout of a man contrasted with the elevated whines of a female. The electronic lock buzzed, and Sophie dropped her hands, pulling her skirt down and wincing in pain as she turned abruptly toward the noise, her butt cheeks brushing roughly against the chair’s padding.
“Let me in, now!” he shouted as he pushed his way in.
“Miss Sophie,” Irina’s shrill voice followed. “I’m sorry…”
The door slammed shut again and Sophie collected herself, her aroused genitals screaming in frustration. As she twisted uncomfortably in her chair, the intruder bulled his way inside the sitting room, stopping short as he laid eyes on her.
“Yuri,” she gasped. “You shouldn’t be here.”
Chapter Three
“I had to see you,” Yuri said as he stood a few feet away. His eyes scanned her face then dropped to her neck and chest. Sophie raised her hands to her throat, attempting to hide the red marks, but it was no use. “What has he done to you?” he asked, his voice hard.
“Nothing I did not want him to,” she answered, turning away from his gaze and the vision of his forgotten yet familiar face. “You should leave. Valeri told you to stay out of sight.”
Yuri stepped closer. “Out of his sight. He said nothing of yours. Let me look at you.”
“No,” Sophie said, rising from her chair and moving to the window, keeping her back turned to him. “I don’t want you to.”
He followed close behind, his free-spirited animal magnetism radiating from his body and washing over her like a breeze from a forest. She dared not look at him, the unexpected power of his presence threatening to overwhelm her. She hated him for what he’d done, taken her from everything she knew, tossed away the life she’d built, forcing himself upon her like an animal, and yet she spoke lies. She did want him to look at her—see the marks on her body left behind by his own kin.. See the results of his selfish, unthinking nature. See what he could have had.
He stood just inches behind her, breathing heavily. “I can smell you,” he whispered. “All alone like this, hot and bothered.” He inhaled deeply. “I smell a bitch in heat.”
Sophie whirled, her hand raised to slap his face. He caught it easily in his fist before she could strike. “Leave me alone!” she snarled, struggling to pull her hand free. “Whatever Valeri has done to me, you’re the cause of it.”
“Is that so?” he replied, pinning her against the glass and pressing her fingers to his nostrils. He sniffed, and smiled. “Did I cause this, too?” With his other hand he hiked up the material of her skirt until she felt her burning butt cheeks touch the cold windowpane. “Then I should fix it, don’t you think?”
“Go away,” she said, more as a warning than a command. His hand on her bare hip and the cooling chill on her ass made her still-wet pussy ache. His freezing blue stare held her hypnotized, unable to look away. His eyes were so like Valeri’s, and for an instant she felt the two men had become one, claiming her as their joint property.
His lips came down on hers in a crushing kiss, leaving her no quarter to resist. His mouth was warm and insistent, his tongue thrusting forward and his beard scraping her chin and cheeks. His hand slipped between her legs, his fingers swimming in her wetness. Sophie bucked as he found her begging clit and pinched it between his thumb and forefinger. She was gone, all control lost to the sizzling grip of his fingers and the brute force of his tongue, and came for him in shuddering spasms.
As her body quieted, Yuri eased up, breaking his kiss and gently cupping her still-convulsing pussy with his palm. When he withdrew his hand he brought it to his mouth and licked her juices from his fingers as she watched, taking in panting breaths. “I could eat you alive,” he whispered. “Keep you inside me, where Valeri could never reach you.”
“You’re crazy,” Sophie whispered back, fearful at the implications of their actions and shamed at her body’s treacherous submission to his will. “Crazy to come here, crazy to murder the Pakhan of the Odessa. Crazy to think I’d want you after your brother has claimed me.”
“Claimed you? As I recall, he asked you to choose; I heard no promises made to you, or any intentions declared, my Lara.” He traced the patterned bruises on her neck with his index finger. “You volunteered for his treatment, whereas I offered to marry you. Now who is the crazy one?”
“You’re a dead man,” she scowled, shaking her head side to side. “If the Odessa don’t kill you, Valeri probably will.”
Yuri smiled and released the pressure of his body against hers. Sophie clutched at her skirt to pull it down over her iced buttocks. “We have threatened to kill each other many times over the years,” he said, gesturing dismissively. “Yet here we are, still alive. I’m not afraid of him. Blood is thicker than water.”
-->