She gave him a light shove. “Put your body parts in my face and I may be tempted to bite,” she said, unrepentant. “Now listen boss man. You need me safe while you crush the ones that dare to cross your highness…”
“I’m not enjoying your tone, Jane,” he said skeptically, sitting on the edge of the bed while he buttoned up his shirt.
“Shut up, Vlad,” she replied, ignoring his frown. “You want me safe and I want you protected with that mountain of a bodyguard you have. Well there’s one other giant bodyguard type person I can think of with the skills to protect me and seems to be somewhat fond of me too. You can add some incentive in the way of a contract.”
“If you mean Mack Hudson…”
“Of course I mean Mack, he’s the only guy besides yourself and my dead ex partner that I still socialize with,” she said, pulling a Pirates of the Caribbean T-shirt over her head.
He frowned deeply. “You socialize with this man. Another man who is not related to you?”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t think I haven’t returned a few of his many phone calls? With your extreme possessiveness, my PI business would’ve nose-dived by now if Mack hadn’t been keeping an eye on things and following up on some leads for me.”
“What?” Vlad exploded off the bed. “You have been calling this man from your cell phone? Why haven’t I been seeing this?”
She rolled her eyes. “I do know how to erase a call history, genius. I’d be a pretty crappy investigator if I couldn’t cover my own trail.”
“He’s a dead man,” Vlad snarled, turning to go give the order to Boris.
Jane grabbed his arm. When he didn’t stop she swung herself in front of him and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and reaching for his shoulders. He had no choice but to grip her waist if he didn’t want her to fall. “Jane…” he growled, warningly. “Get the fuck out of my way, woman. You’ve ensured Hudson’s death. If you don’t want a spanking you’ll never forget, I suggest you get back into our bedroom and stay there until I am satisfied.”
“Such a cruel master,” she grinned, then grabbed a fistful of his hair and forced his lips down to hers. She kissed him passionately, in a way she’d never done before. Darting her tongue aggressively into his mouth.
With a groan he responded immediately, crushing her to his chest and devouring her lips. He turned back into the bedroom and tumbled them both onto the bed, rolling them until Jane was on top. She resisted the tug of his hands as he reached for her shirt. Finally she managed to get one of his wrists in her hands and pulled it from her body. He growled in frustration.
“Now,” she panted, tearing her lips from his. “Will you listen to me?”
He shook her hands away and reached up to tug her head back down to his. She laughed and turned her face away. He took this as an invitation to explore the delicate skin behind her ear and down her neck. Unable to resist the sensations coursing down her body from his lips and roving hands she wiggled helplessly, rolling her hips against his.
“Fuck, Jane,” he groaned against her. “I have never wanted a woman more than I want you. Already I want you again, though I fucked you only minutes ago.”
“Fine, yes Vlad, I want you too. But will you just listen to me?” she said, breathlessly.
He growled, his hands tightening on her. “Persistent little detective! You’re going to end up killing me, Jane. I’m not kidding you.”
She laughed, “Do I get your fortune if you die?”
“Ah, mercenary woman. Yes, you would inherit my fortune. You would also inherit the many problems that go with it. Including a cranky bodyguard that eats enough for a stable of horses and speaks broken English. You have my attention, now what is it? You wish to plea for Hudson’s life?”
She rolled off of him and sat cross-legged next to his lanky form on the bed. She shrugged. “Consider it the wedding gift you never got around to buying me. Now listen, Hudson is an excellent partner. He keeps his hands to himself and has from the moment he found out you were in the picture. I promise you Vlad, he’s well aware of your reputation. He’s also an ex-marine as well as a damn good shot. He won’t let anything happen to me up in corn country. And I’ll travel easier knowing Boris is here with you, protecting your back.”
Vlad closed his eyes, considering her words. Jane was not one for diplomacy. She usually fought tooth and nail to get her way and if that didn’t work she lied or manipulated. The fact that she was trying to use logic in an argument amused him and lent her words more credence. He was also not immune to the charm of her wanting him safe. Though he threatened to have Hudson killed, he was well aware that their relationship was platonic. Vlad had watched her every move for more than six months. He would have known the moment Hudson had entered her bed. It never happened.
“Alright,” he said heavily. “I will consider this plan of yours. I will have to meet with Hudson first, get a complete background on him and impress on him how much his hands should keep to themselves if he intends to keep them.”
Jane grinned and then yelped as he grabbed her and yanked her down, rolling on top of her. “Now you will show me exactly how grateful you are for this concession.”
“Yes, master,” she said mockingly. Before he could comment, she pulled his head down for another soul sucking, cock hardening kiss.
CHAPTER TWENTYFIVE
“This is where you grew up?” Mack asked, his tone skeptical.
Jane had him stop the car on the outskirts of her parent’s farm. They’d entered Amish land several miles ago. Mack had sworn at his first sight of a horse and buggy causing Jane to erupt in laughter. He’d nearly swerved into the ditch, cranking his head around to stare in disbelief.
“Yes,” Jane said smiling, “This is where I was born and raised until I left when I was sixteen.”
Jane brought her hand up to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, but the bright light sparkling off her new diamond ring caught her attention. She hadn't expected Vlad to gift her with such a traditional symbol of marriage. The tough Russian was an unpredictable mix of old fashioned and not giving a fuck about societal conventions. The ring was three gold bands intertwined in a knot with a gorgeous blue diamond nestled in the centre surrounded by smaller white diamonds.
Before Jane could climb up into the cab of Mack's truck, Vlad had taken hold of her wrist and pulled her back into the shadows of the doorway. They had discussed the trip in detail that morning over breakfast. Vlad hadn't indicated any concerns at the time. Now he held her, shackled by the wrist, as though loath to let her go. His dark eyes searched her face, taking in each detail, as was his habit. Jane was getting used to this attention. She smiled slightly and shifted her wrist in his fingers so she could wrap her smaller digits around his. A month ago she would have laughed in the face of anyone that suggested she might stand comfortably in Vladimir Sitnikov's embrace without trying to kick his ass.
"I'll be fine, Vlad. Stop worrying," she said softly, so they wouldn't be overheard. She put her other hand on his chest and splayed her fingers against the muscle beneath his shirt. "We have several routes planned out for the trip, we'll play it safe if either of us suspects we're being followed. There's no way to track me once we're in Amish country. And Mack is well aware that even breathing funny in my direction will mean automatic dismemberment. Besides, I can take care of myself."
Vlad grunted. "I would argue with your last point. As long as I've known you, you've managed to get yourself thrown off a fire escape and shot twice. If this is you taking care of yourself, I would hate to see what it looks like when you actively seek danger."
She opened her mouth to verbally slap him, her nails flexing into his chest, but he brought a hand up to cover hers and said, "Hush, love, I don't wish to argue with you right before your departure. What I want is your promise that you will return to me."
He wasn't worried about her safety, he was worried about them. He wasn't sure of her yet. To be fair, she had thought about the idea of leavi
ng him if she got the chance, but she had dismissed the thought almost as fast as she had it. She was a fighter, she wouldn't walk away from the life she'd built for herself and she wouldn't spend her life on the run always looking over her shoulder wondering when he would strike. Because she had no doubts that Vlad would find her and bring her home if she ever left him. For some reason this thought was more comforting than disturbing.
But before she could say anything to him, he had lifted her left hand and slid a ring onto her finger. Surprised, Jane looked where he had captured her hand. His tattooed fingers, one with his heavy ring on it, covered her hand completely. She tugged hers so she could see the ring he'd put on her. She gasped, her eyes widening. It was so beautiful and expensive. And it was so... her. Somehow it fit with her unique style. It wasn't ostentatious or massive like Claudia Cantore's ring. It was mysterious and a little dark.
"Vlad..." she whispered.
He didn't let her finish. He crushed her into his embrace, trapping her hands in between them and captured her lips in a searing, possessive kiss. When he lifted his head, he was close enough for her to see the fine lines fanning out from his eyes, "Say you will come back to me Jane."
"I will come back," she repeated automatically.
His face was grim as he lifted her into the passenger side of the truck and slammed the door shut. He gave Mack one long, hard look and then turned on his heel and disappeared into the house. To his credit, Mack kept his mouth shut about their intense good-bye. He let her stew for a few solid hours, while she sat in silence, twisting her ring around her finger.
"Jane." Mack's voice brought her attention back to the present.
Jane brought her head up and looked to where Mack was staring. Her lips parted and tears instantly filled her eyes. The truck slowed and finally stopped. A young woman stood several feet away on the side of the road looking at the truck with unalarmed curiosity. A large tan dog was frolicking around in the field off to her side.
"Look at her..." Jane said, her voice drifting off.
"I am," Mack replied grimly, never taking his eyes off her.
Lucy Miller’s resemblance to Jane was undeniable. She was taller and in many ways softer, but her face was a younger version of Jane's. She wore a blue smock-like dress that covered all of her skin, with a small white bonnet perched on her brown hair. Her delicate features glowed with health and youth. Her expression was serene and happy with a smile for the newcomers tilting her lips upward.
"Stay here," Jane instructed Mack and reached for the door.
Lucy's eyes widened in surprise as she saw a woman she didn't recognize step out of the truck into the bright sunlight. Jane had taken some pains with her wardrobe so as not to give her family a reason to toss her ass off the farm before she even got a chance to speak. She was wearing dark blue jeans, ankle boots, a plain black T-shirt and a long-sleeved, wine coloured cardigan. Her hair nearly always went severely straight to her shoulders, so she didn't bother trying to do anything with it.
"Can I help you?" Lucy asked cheerfully, stepping closer to Jane. She didn't have even a moment's fear about approaching a stranger on her family's land. Jane frowned in annoyance. They could easily snatch the girl and be away from the area in a matter of seconds.
The large dog, one Jane didn't recognize, bounded over to her and sniffed at her boots. Jane patted his head and then stepped around to the front of the truck presenting herself to the sister she hadn't seen in sixteen years. Lucy had been five when she'd left.
Jane knew the moment recognition hit the girl. It was impossible not to see it. Except for some differences in their bodies and hair, it was like looking into a mirror at her older self. Lucy gasped, her hand coming up to cover her lips. Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at Jane, taking in every inch of the other girl. Jane stood stiffly under the perusal, wondering how Lucy would feel about having a sister that abandoned her all those years ago suddenly reappear in her life.
Jane didn't have long to wonder. After a few seconds of shocked silence, Lucy's face lit up in a beautiful smile and she flung herself at Jane. Jane, who was smaller by several inches caught the young woman and stumbled back a few steps. She laughed and held tightly as Lucy hugged her with enough force to make her ribs creak.
"I knew you'd come back eventually!" Lucy said in a breathless rush. "I've always wanted to know what happened to you and how you were doing in your chosen life and now I finally get to find out! You're so beautiful. Oh Janie, I'm so very happy to see you!"
Lucy backed up and firmly took hold of Jane's hand. "Let's go find father, he's going to be very pleased to see you! He’s missed you terribly. Though he doesn’t say it often, I know he has. Come with me, he's in the barn mucking out the stables."
Lucy would have dragged Jane down the road to the farmhouse, but Jane dug her feet into the dirt. "I need to let Mack know where we're going."
The younger woman turned to look into the driver side of the truck and seemed surprised to see a person there. Her eyes met his and she flushed and looked away. "Of course, I'm sorry, please tell your husband he is welcome to go up to the house."
Jane smiled as she approached the driver side window. "He's not my husband, dear. Mack? I'm going to walk over to the barn with Lucy. Why don't you stay here for about fifteen minutes while I prepare them and then drive up to the house."
Mack nodded, his eyes lingering on the blushing Lucy who had determinedly turned her back on the truck. He'd heard her comment about being Jane's husband through the open window and she was likely embarrassed about them traveling together and being unmarried. Jane wasn't particularly fond of the speculative look in his eyes as he took in Lucy's tall curves under her dress.
Jane smacked him in the side of the head and muttered, "Eyes off. That’s my sister pervert!” before turning back to Lucy, who took her hand again and led her toward the barn.
Knowing the other girl was wondering, Jane said, "I am married, just not to Mack. He's kind of like my... temporary driver or bodyguard. Something like that. He's a trusted friend to my husband."
She didn't bother explaining he was more her friend than Vlad's. It wouldn't be a concept easily understood by her family. Best just to delegate Mack to a servant position so there wouldn't be questions. She threw a smirk over her shoulder enjoying that idea. Mack was far from subservient. He was big, tough and about as dominant as her husband, except Mack was a little more reasonable when it came to Jane's detective work. He also immersed himself in the world of crime, constantly putting himself in harm's way to get his pay day. She pitied any woman that would get involved with a man like Mack. His job would always come first.
"Ah, I see," said Lucy slowly. "So your husband, he must be an important man then?"
Oh god. How did Jane go about describing Vladimir Sitnikov to her family? Hey persons who birthed me, I'm all grown up now and married to a crazy possessive Russian mobster who insists I be accompanied everywhere in case one of his enemies tries to get to him through me. But no need to worry since I'm proficient in the use of many different types of weaponry, as well as hand-to-hand combat. Yup, that would go over spectacularly.
"He's..."
Jane had no idea what to say, she searched her brain. Small talk was hard enough for her, but even worse when she had to avoid certain topics. "Vlad is a very wealthy man who comes from an old country. Russia, in fact. So he's a little old-fashioned, he doesn't like me traveling places by myself and he couldn't accompany me on this trip."
"What wonderful news," Lucy said happily, squeezing Jane's hand. "You have married well and your husband must love you very much to be so concerned for your well-being. Father will be pleased with this news. And have you children?"
Jane swallowed a snort. At least in this society it wouldn't seem so weird that her husband would have her cared for when he was unable to. She would be able to get away with saying that Vlad was into restaurants and construction without anyone being the wiser. No one would think to ask a wom
an the particulars of her husband’s career. Thank goodness!
As they approached the barn, Jane replied, "I had an accident and there was scarring, so its not likely children will be part of my future."
Lucy stopped walking and turned to look at Jane, her gaze sorrowful and earnest. "I am very sorry to hear this, sister."
Jane frowned a little and shrugged, "In my world, in the city, having children isn't as important as it is out here. I didn't really lose anything important."
"You misunderstand me Jane," Lucy said softly, her light brown eyes shining. "I am sorry for your accident, you must have been hurt very badly for this to have happened. I wish I could have been there when you were in need of care. And I am sorry for your loss. Perhaps one day you will decide you do want children. If this does happen, you can perhaps adopt a child in need of a family."
Jane couldn't picture her and Vlad adopting. Mostly because it would be extremely unethical to bring a child into Vlad's world. Her accidental sterilization was probably for the best where children were concerned. Jane was somewhat floored by what a wholesome and kind person her sister was turning out to be. She had expected resentment or ignorance. At best, she'd thought her sister would be uninteresting and completely brainwashed by her community. Instead, Lucy, while quite innocent, was also intuitive and thoughtful. She would have to spend more time with the girl, discover other facets of her nature.
"Thank you Lucy, its kind of you to say that."
Lucy smiled and turned to open the door. "Let's go see father."
CHAPTER TWENTYSIX
When Jane entered the shadows of the barn, the familiar smell of hay and warm livestock hit her, sending her back sixteen years. She closed her eyes and stood still, simply enjoying the nostalgia. She hadn't thought it was possible for her to miss any part of this life. She knew when she left on her Rumspringa that she wouldn't be back. Her parents had known it too. Her father had hugged her for a long time, while her mother had taken Lucy by the hand and firmly walked away from the daughter she'd never understood. Jane had left and moved to the city. She changed her surname in an effort to distance herself with anything Amish to one of her favourite characters, a woman detective named McKinley, in a novel series she had smuggled into the house as a teenager.
Savage Vendetta (Fire & Vice Book 4) Page 20