They arrived at the mansion on the side of a hill. It was locked down tighter than the Rossi estate. The house was about twenty thousand square feet and had six bedrooms and six baths. It was massive, and the garage wasn’t much smaller. Most of Nikolai’s possessions had been confiscated, but since he’d been found not guilty of his supposed bad business practices, he got most of his belongings back, including the family estate in Russia along with the many cars he’d owned, none of which were here in the US.
After getting through security, they pulled into the round driveway to the front of the house. The guards assisted Niko and Bianca out the door as Sergei took a look around. Their major threat had been eliminated, but something was bothering him, like this wasn’t over yet.
“Relax Sergei. What is the matter?”
“Nothing. I just got a feeling that things aren’t over.”
“Well, I’ll always have enemies, but that’s life. Now, stop being fucking paranoid. I want my bride to feel safe in her home.”
They walked into the foyer and Bianca’s eyes brightened widely as she saw the sheer expanse of the entryway.
“Nikolai, this is too much.”
“Nothing is too much for you, lyubimaya moya.”
Chapter 12
This past month had been hell on Niko. The whole remarrying Bianca wasn’t what worked his nerves, but all the damn details that her mother and Amber wanted. If it wasn’t truly what Bianca wanted, he wasn’t going to let it happen.
He’d made it through a month of selecting colors, gowns, and flowers. It was easier when he’d done it, but he knew that it wasn’t that fancy. The wedding was yesterday, and he was glad to have that shit over with so he could enjoy his wife.
During the past month he had to leave for Russia to handle some business issues with his factories. He wasn’t gone more than a week, but it was more than enough time away from his wife. He wanted to take her with, but she got sick. As much as he wanted to stay with her, it was too important not to be there for the workers’ contract disputes.
Nikolai had just spent the night buried in his wife’s extra warm heat. He wasn’t in the mood for visitors, especially not today, but he wasn’t that lucky.
The buzzer rang in the bedroom. “Sir, Mr. Rossi is here to see you. He says it’s extremely important.”
“Fine. Send him in.”
Nikolai wanted to deck his brother-in-law.
“What’s up, Luciano? Aren’t I supposed to have gotten rid of you yesterday at my second wedding to your sister?”
“Listen, you fucking Soviet numbnut, there is a detective that is a little too eager at her job. She’s a rookie and hasn’t learned what’s good for the goose is good for the gander yet.”
“What’s her issue?”
“She thinks we had something to do with the disappearance of Santini.”
“Have you talked to her yet?” Nikolai asked.
“No, she seems to try to go around me and you.”
“She knows that you married his fiancée but has yet to question you about his whereabouts.”
“Good riddance to the fuck, wherever he is. What are her superiors telling her?”
“They keep telling her that Santini isn’t worth the effort, but she won’t give up.”
“I’m not concerned by this broad. Let her question me.”
“Same here.”
“Well, I’ll let you know if she contacts me.”
“Okay, well, I’ll let you get back to touching my sister. God, if you only knew how gross that is to me.”
“To me, it’s perfect. So I’ll see you guys next week at little man’s birthday party.”
“Cool. See you two then.”
Nikolai sent his brother-in-law away and climbed the stairs to his waiting bride and another couple of rounds of loving.
††††
Sergei noticed the same broad at several different locations the last several days, and it was starting to make him laugh. He thought to himself that she had no clue that her beauty stood out and that he made her for a cop since their first run-in. But this run-in would be different; he was going to let her know he knew what she was up to.
“So, Officer Grey, is there something I could help you with?” Sergei asked as she lurked in the shadows under a tree.
“What makes you think I’m a cop?”
“Sweetheart, you’ve been following me for the last several days now. Yet, you pretend to try and play invisible, but, sweetie, there was one thing you didn’t count on.”
“And what’s that?”
“You’re absolutely stunning, and your natural loveliness is not something a man like me wouldn’t take note of. So tell me, what is it that you want to ask me?”
She blushed at his comment of her being pretty, but then got professional.
“Mr. Antonov, I’m investigating the disappearance of Claudio Santini.”
“Yes. So why the hell are you following me around?”
“Aren’t you an employee of Mr. Nikolai Rykov?”
“Your point being? For a very sexy woman, you’re losing my interest quickly with these questions.”
“Did you have anything to do with the disappearance of Santini?”
“No. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to the party. Unless you plan on asking me irrelevant questions?”
“They aren’t irrelevant.”
“To me they are. I don’t know where Santini is, and that fact that someone like you actually cares pisses me off.”
“It’s my job to care.”
“No, it’s not. He was a murderous crook who tried to destroy anybody in his path. If you were like the rest of the police force, you’d know his disappearance was a good thing.”
“He was still a human.”
Sergei got in her face. “No. He was a monster, and you’re wasting my time and yours. Good day.”
Sergei walked away, furious, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he’d had a hand in Santini’s demise. This woman’s interest in Santini was a little too much for him.
He drove back to Luciano’s and entered the house for the pool party in the back.
“You’re back,” Luciano said as he helped Sergei with the extra ice.
“Did she show up again?”
“Yeah, she did. She’s on my fucking nerves. I want to take her over my knee and spank her young little ass.”
“You act like you’re an old fucking man, but I’ve been there and that woman sends me into those moments often. She hasn’t approached Nikolai or myself yet, but that’s because she’s been warned off by the mayor and her chief.”
“She thinks if she gets at me that I’ll give her the answers, but something about Santini makes it personal for her.”
“Do you think she was in love with the fuck?”
“Yes, your sister loves me,” Nikolai said as he walked up to the men and grabbed the rest of the shit from the truck.
“Not you, you asshole. The little nosy officer and Santini.”
“I was thinking the same shit. We need to learn more about her. If she keeps her shit up, she’ll end up getting canned. They already told her to stay away from us. That should include you. I’m going to call the police and file a harassment suit on her ass.”
“That might keep her ass away, but then this pussy wouldn’t get a chance to see her,” Luciano said as he laughed.
“So I want to fuck her, big fucking deal.”
“Then steal her away and fuck her into forgetting about Santini,” Nikolai said jokingly.
“Just cause it worked for you doesn’t mean this broad was going to give up her chase for Santini.”
“Sergei, don’t make me kick your ass. My wife never cared for him. Get that shit straight,” Nikolai growled as he opened the front door with the bags.
Bianca was in the kitchen with Amber when they came in, and Nikolai’s jealousy came to the front of his mind and took over. He walked up to his smiling wife and took her in his arms
. His mouth came down, crushing hers in a no-holds-barred kiss. His hands gripped her hair and her ass. There was nothing that was going to stop him from proving she was his. Bianca never had a problem with this—in fact, she enjoyed it.
“Umm. This is a kid’s party,” Luciano said with a laugh.
This got Bianca’s attention, and she pulled briefly away from her husband and said, “Please. You’re worse than he is, and none of the kids are in the kitchen.”
“Yes, but I am, and I’d rather not see you two practically fucking in the kitchen.”
“Well, then, excuse us for a bit,” Nikolai said with a wink as he tossed her over his shoulder and carried Bianca up the back stairway and up to the bedrooms with a big grin.
“Niko! What are you doing?” she squealed as he pushed open the door to the spare bedroom and closed it behind him.
“What does it look like, baby?”
“It looks like you’re acting all barbaric and caveman on me, Mr. Rykov.”
“I’m going to do a lot more than that,” he growled as he slid her down and pushed her against the door. He was grateful that she decided to wear a light summer dress so he didn’t have to waste any time.
“Tell me who you belong to, Bianca,” he grunted.
“You, of course,” she purred.
Nikolai’s heart started to race as he kissed her hard. She reached for his pants and unbuckled his belt while he attacked her neck. His mouth made it difficult for her to concentrate on her task as she tingled with desire. She finally accomplished her goal and slid down the top of his jeans over his ass and down to his knees.
His cock bobbed angrily, and she gripped it hard.
“Mine,” she growled as she stared at Nikolai’s large cock.
“Yes, it is,” he said as he pulled her panties off to the side and pushed his way in.
He looked into her eyes as he drove into her. When she closed her eyes in pleasure, he growled, “Open them. I want you to look at me when I am fucking you.”
She opened her eyes, and the hunger was unmistakable. She loved his forcefulness. She cried out, but he caught her sound with his mouth.
“I love you, Niko!” she cried as she started coming hard on him.
“Did you love him?”
“Love who?” she asked, still lost in her orgasm.
“Santini,” he jealously growled.
“Never. You know that,” she said as she caressed his scarred but handsome, possessive face.
“You’re mine, Bianca,” he grunted as he came in his wife.
He placed his head against the door beside her face as he calmed his racing heart. He knew he was being ridiculous, but she almost married that scum. That was something that he couldn’t get out of his head. Nikolai knew that she didn’t care for Santini, but he’d almost lost his chance to win her.
“Niko, look at me,” she commanded. He complied, looking completely miserable.
“I love you. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved. I’m sorry that I ever even spoke to him, but I don’t want you to think about it anymore. It’s over and done with. He’s gone, and you’re the only one I breathe for. Well, almost the only one.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
She smiled as she placed her hands on his cheeks. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Nikolai grinned from ear to ear as it dawned on him what she was telling him.
“I’m going to be a father,” he said slowly as he smiled and thought about it.
“Yes, you are, my darling husband.”
“Thank you, my wife, for everything. You love me despite the scar and the past.”
“I love you for the man that you are, and I always will,” Bianca said as she kissed his swollen lips.
He pulled out of his wife and placed her on her feet. She straightened her clothes as he tucked himself back in his pants.
“I love you, Bianca.”
“Oh shit!” he said anxiously.
“What?! What is it?” she asked nervously.
“Was I too rough? I didn’t know, and I was slamming you hard.”
“Relax, my Niko. I’m fine. I already asked the doctor about it, and she said sex is safe as long as I’m feeling great.”
“So are you feeling great?”
She gave him a saucy look as she responded, “I feel great now.”
He kissed her again, and then there was a gentle knock on the door.
“Hey, you guys, you may have kept your voices down, but everyone kept thinking someone was knocking at the front door. You couldn’t have used the bed?” Luciano said as he walked by the closed door. He was just messing with them, since he’d only heard them as he was walking to get a change of clothes for his son.
Even with her sex-flushed cheeks, it was clear she was blushing brightly. “OMG. How am I supposed to go down there now?”
“Don’t listen to your brother. He’s full of shit. Come. Let’s clean up and then we’ll deal with your brother.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Baby, I wouldn’t let anyone say anything to you anyway. Calm yourself.”
They walked to the bathroom and rinsed off quickly before heading downstairs. When they got to the backyard where everyone was gathered, to Bianca’s surprise no one noticed their arrival save for Amber and Luciano who had grins on their faces.
“Shut up, asshole,” Bianca hissed at her big brother as she stood next to him.
“Such a dirty mouth. Rykov, don’t you have control of her tongue?”
“I do. All the time. I happen to like when she talks shit to you.” Nikolai smiled as he took Bianca’s hand and led her over to the birthday boy.
“Anca, it’s my birfday.”
“Yes, it is. How old are you now?”
“I don’t member,” he said with a cute and confused look on his face.
“You’re two, nipote,” the Don answered for his grandson.
“No name nipote, me Luci…annno, Grandpa,” little Luciano said like his grandpa was the one who was confused.
“Piccolino, nipote means ‘grandson.’ Are you my grandson?”
“Yep.”
“Good. I love you, nipote mio. Go play, okay?” the Don said. The little mini version of Luciano scurried away to his group of playmates.
“So tell me. Are you well, my baby?”
“Yes, Papa. I’m well.”
“So, when is the announcement to be made?” he said as he looked pointedly at Nikolai’s hands that were wrapped around Bianca’s waist.
“You can tell?”
“Yes. You have that look about you like your mother did.”
“Yes, my wife glows.”
“So do you. Like you are full of pride.”
“I am,” Nikolai replied.
“But I don’t want to tell anyone until after the party. It’s for Luci, and I don’t want it overshadowed.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t say a word,” he said with a grin and walked toward his wife.
“Bianca, are you hungry?”
“Yes. I am a little bit.”
“Come, let’s feed you and my son.”
“Son? What if it’s a girl?”
“Then I’ll apologize to my princess when she is born,” Nikolai said as he looked into her eyes before stealing another kiss.
“Can’t you keep your hands off her for a minute?” Sergei asked.
“No. Now go away.” They all laughed, and Sergei walked away with a shake of his head.
They stayed another hour, and Bianca started to grow tired. “Niko, I’m ready to go home.”
“Okay. We’ve been here for a while now. Let’s say goodbye and go home.”
††††
It was two days later when they learned that Detective Lana Grey was suspended for refusing to follow her chief’s orders to leave the Rykov and Rossi families alone. Sergei didn’t seem okay with the idea, but noticed that even after the suspension, he still saw her around, even more often than he’d se
en her before. It ticked him off because she wouldn’t give up. He was on the verge of doing something crazy, and the woman drove him insane.
He gave Nikolai a call the next day and told his friend that he’d be away for a while.
“What’s up, Sergei? You don’t sound well.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just annoyed with that broad.”
“What broad? The cop?”
“Yeah. I’ve seen her all around town. Every time I walk downtown, she isn’t far away from me. I don’t know what she expects to happen.”
“I can make the call again.”
“No. That’s okay. I’ll deal with it,” Sergei said gruffly before disconnecting the call. Nikolai didn’t like the sound of that, but he knew Sergei had integrity and wouldn’t kill her.
The following week, Nikolai had a strange conversation with his wife when she stormed into his home office.
“Nikolai, did you know that Detective Grey just up and left town?”
“She left town?” Nikolai asked as he recalled his conversation with Sergei last week.
“Yes. Her apartment had been packed and cleared out. She sent a letter of resignation based on being suspended for doing her job.”
“Well, maybe she went back home.”
“That’s the thing. The rumor is that she didn’t have anywhere else to go. I hope nothing happened to her.” Bianca was looking pointedly at her husband.
“Don’t worry about it. She’s a grown woman that you don’t even know. She’ll be fine. I’m sure she went looking for a better job,” he said, placating his pregnant, emotional wife.
He returned to the papers in his hands. Everything was running smoothly at his company. The contracts had everyone working hard and getting the job done. He could rest easy knowing that everything was in order.
Then he thought back to the sudden disappearance of the cop and Sergei’s sudden need for a vacation. He’d already knew that it had something to do with Sergei, but what he didn’t know was how much he was involved. Did she leave to get away from him? Did he chase her away?
“Hell, I hope he didn’t off her,” Nikolai said aloud to himself before returning the documents that required his attention.
Epilogue
The Russian's Captive (The Captive Series Book 2) Page 12