by Stone, Piper
“And you did,” Giliana said quietly as she reached for my hand, her fingers wrapping around mine.
“Yes. I was desperate to find her, altering my usual methods of hunting. By then, she’d been kept hostage for days, their brutal treatment of her enraging me. With the help of Pavel’s best soldier, we were able to save her.”
“But in turn, you took the brunt of freeing her.” She studied my face, her eyes opening wide. “You made an exchange. Didn’t you? You became the prisoner in order to allow her to go free.”
Once again, I could only nod, the raw emotions almost too much to handle. “It was a foolish move, my decision costing several of my soldiers their lives.”
“Jesus. What happened to Katina?”
There wasn’t enough wine to stop the sorrow or the guilt I that would ultimately consume me. “She died of her injuries.”
Giliana gasped, her grip becoming firmer. “I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry.”
“My recklessness got her killed.”
“That’s why you turned off your emotions.”
I jerked to a standing position, moving away from her. “I had no other choice. I still had a job to do.”
Another moment of utter quiet was deafening.
“Did this Godfather know you were in love with her?” Giliana asked.
I laughed, darting her a look. “No.”
“You weren’t the reason she was killed, Kostya. You did everything you could to save her.”
I finished off the wine, staring at the empty glass. “I failed.”
“I was told my mother died of a fast-moving form of cancer, but she never showed any signs of illness, at least not to me. My father seemed heartbroken, becoming absorbed in his work. That’s when I began to act out, committing crimes just to garner his attention. Almost four years ago, a letter was mailed to me from my mother.”
I shifted to face her, curious as to where the story was going.
“It seemed insane and I thought my father had found it in some of her things, mailing it to me instead of suggesting we meet. We weren’t close by that point, my brother having moved across country to attend law school. I confronted my father.”
“He hadn’t sent the letter.”
“No,” she said, laughing. “I found out later that her attorney had. You see, my mother had suspected my father of his criminal activities for some time, doing everything she could to protect herself and her children, including setting aside money my father couldn’t get his hands on. After her death, her attorney had explicit instructions of exactly when to mail the letter.”
“What did the letter say?”
“That my father had killed her. Of course, he denied everything, putting on a damn good show. I allowed him to think I was convinced. We even cried together. That’s when I knew that I could endure anything. Still, I needed to get away, accepting a position that had already been offered to me. I ran like a coward.”
“Gaining perspective doesn’t make you a coward, Giliana. You needed time to process.” I wasn’t necessarily surprised by what she said but how she was handling the situation. No wonder she’d run away to Paris, becoming vulnerable to bad influences. I admired and respected her more than I was able to relay. “Let me guess. There is no direct evidence your father was responsible.”
She sat back in the chair, fiddling with the glass. “No. Nothing. When my father called and asked me to return to help him with his business, I thought perhaps I could endure working with him in order to find anything incriminating. Plus, I couldn’t shake what Andon had done, fearing he would return at any time. The first day in New Orleans, I knew I was wrong. I would have washed dishes in order to pay my bills instead of being forced to work with him.” She hesitated, her lower lip quivering. “If only I’d been older, able to save my mother. She didn’t deserve what happened.”
“You may never know the full truth, Giliana. Do not blame yourself.” I knew my suggestion wouldn’t be taken. Guilt and blame we both knew very well. I rubbed my eyes, trying to push thoughts of Katina out of my mind.
“You know what’s crazy? I went to that damn party, picking the pockets of my father’s guests to try and figure out how far down the rabbit hole my father had gone. Before you ask, the thrill was also there, just like I’d experienced as a teenager. Yes, it was stupid, but I wasn’t sent there to meet you. Had my father mentioned he was concerned about theft? Yes, he had, but I could see right through him. However, I have no idea about a diamond.”
“The diamond was merely a reason for my involvement. Nothing more.”
“What’s going to happen?” Her words were almost flat, completely unemotional and totally unlike her. It was as if being here meant her life would end.
I placed both our glasses on the hearth, bending down to take her hands. “I’ve never promised you anything but protection, Giliana, but you’re going to have to trust me. What may occur in the next twenty-four hours will be grueling.”
“A fight to the death?” She smiled even though she couldn’t keep her eyes locked onto mine.
“I will do what’s necessary. Now, I have some work to do. Try and rest.” Necessary. The word was simplistic in my mind, not what was required to happen. I was finished with the game, no matter the consequences or the players involved. They would face my wrath and I would protect Giliana, the very woman who’d awakened my heart.
My possession.
My obsession.
My love.
“Kostya. Don’t leave me alone tonight. While Dante might be your associate, I fear him more than I can express.”
I leaned in, pressing my lips against her forehead. No one was going to hurt her. I would not fail again.
Ever...
Chapter Fifteen
Kostya
Damnation.
I knew I wasn’t far from it. The Armenians would be coming and there was little that Dante and his forces could do in order to shield us. While his mansion seemed impenetrable, there’d been no structure or security method the bastards hadn’t been able to breach. Their tactics were savage, but certainly no more so than those I’d practiced over the last years.
I stormed into Dante’s office, half expecting to find him holding court. The emptiness was welcoming, allowing me time not only to process but to search the systems of several organizations. There were always footprints, no matter how detailed the level of security. With my training and expertise, I would hunt and find the person behind this charade. I eased behind his desk, opening the lid on his laptop.
After pulling the small piece of folded paper from my pocket, I entered the password. True to his word, he’d given me complete access to his system. As I maneuvered to the internet, my mind was drawn back to her story regarding her father. I knew nothing about Worthington, other than what I’d been told. In truth, I didn’t want to learn more about the man. Whatever his crimes, he hadn’t been able to protect his own daughter.
I began my search, my photographic memory gathering bits and pieces of both Worthington’s business as well as detailed crime reports on the Armenian mafia. Within minutes, I bought the notion that Wyland was nothing but a forced player in the group, which meant the diamond had indeed been retaken. That also meant that there’d been Armenian soldiers lying in wait for the party to begin.
As I processed everything that had occurred as well as the information Dante had provided, several things became clear.
The entire masquerade had been established in order to ruin the reputation of the Specialists as well as enact a plan of revenge.
The players involved had access to the private and supposedly secured information of the Specialists’ organization.
They also had power and influence, as well as the money needed to obtain success.
And finally...
They would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
I continued to search, determined to learn every scrap of information possible.
Over two hours had transpired, th
e details I’d discovered more than just troubling. They told a story and one that I hadn’t anticipated.
There’d been subtle hints during the last few months that wouldn’t have been easily discovered by anyone, including me. I eased from the chair, the only light in the room the glow of the computer screen. The darkness had always been my friend, even though the vicious nightmares that had taken me straight into purgatory contained ominous shadows.
Tonight was no different, my mind reeling from the unearthed details, a story that only had one end.
At least in the mind of the true monster.
I moved toward the bar, succumbing to my need for courage, the vodka smooth as it slid down my throat. If I was right, my entire world had been a lie. I chuckled as I rolled the glass across my forehead. What I couldn’t understand was why now? There had to be a significant reason that I was missing. If there was, the end game couldn’t simply be about killing me. It had to involve something deeper and much more personal.
Every muscle ached as I returned to the computer, the headache behind my eyes making it difficult to focus, but I had to press on.
There was nothing else that mattered. Nothing. I was at a fucking dead end, which meant I was left unprepared for the next battle.
Until a single picture came into view.
I was forced to enlarge the photograph. Even though the moment had been captured in the cover of darkness as well as during a thunderstorm, I’d found the reason for the ruse.
Bile formed in my throat, adrenaline rushing through me in torrents. I smashed my fist on the desk, unable to control my rage. Just as suddenly as the anger had swept in, a peace came over me, a knowing of what had to be done.
Perhaps I was fooling myself that it would be easy or that I would survive the bitter war that had started over lies and secrets. Then again, maybe I no longer cared what happened to me. I was nothing but a twisted and savage man, shaped by tragedies and circumstances.
At least I could alter the ending.
There was still a chance the picture had been planted, pulling me in a completely wrong direction, but I would soon enough find out the truth.
I’d noticed the phone on Dante’s desk, the supposed secure line one that would prove to be helpful. That is if the man hadn’t been lying. Either way, the simple device would aid in my subterfuge.
I wasn’t surprised the call was answered on the third ring. Business was business after all.
“I need to see you,” I said casually as I ran my finger around the rim of the glass.
The hesitation spoke volumes.
I wasn’t supposed to be alive.
“I can make that happen. Where and when?” His voice was devoid of any emotion.
I offered a few details, only enough to be able to continue the game. The rest was merely time.
When I ended the call, for the first time in several years, I felt freer.
I ended the computer session, leaving everything in Dante’s office exactly as I’d found it. As I walked the dim hallways, the drink still in my hand, I looked back on my life, smiling the moment I reached the locked door.
Up until now, I’d had only a single regret.
After tomorrow, I knew I would have a second.
The inability to forge a life with Giliana.
When I opened the door, I could see her sleeping form on the beautiful bed. I walked closer, studying the way her hair splayed out on the pillows, her porcelain skin glowing in the single light she’d left on.
As if hoping I’d return.
To keep her safe.
To make her mine.
I brushed my knuckle down the length of her arm, smiling as goosebumps formed almost immediately. Our connection remained strong.
I tugged the crumpled blanket over her then moved toward the lonely chair, easing down and lowering my head. She was indeed my fairy princess. My eyelids were heavy, the events of the day finally taking a toll. The weight of the gun in my back was comforting, as if one man could fight an entire army. As I closed my eyes, the bitter memories would no longer be denied.
“We can’t do this any longer.” The agony of the words I was forced to say was gutting me. I wiped away her tears, even as the rain began to fall.
“Why? I love you and you love me,” Katina insisted, her small hands gripping my shirt in desperation.
“Because I can’t protect you and love you at the same time.”
Her mouth twisted as she continued to sob, her chest rising and falling. “I don’t want to lose you. We can leave this life, go somewhere else.”
“And where would we go and not be found, Katina? This just wasn’t meant to be. You know that.”
She smashed her fists against me, cursing over and over again. “I hate you, Kostya. I hate you for doing this.”
If only I had another choice. She was mine to protect, not to love.
And there could be no other choices.
I jerked away, reaching immediately for my weapon. Everything was fuzzy as fuck as well as suffocating. Only then did I realize I’d been covered in a blanket. I took a deep breath, wiping my face then shooting a glance toward the bed, huffing softly. She’d awakened and after finding me here had used the very covering I’d placed over her to keep me warm.
She was truly a remarkable woman. I took a deep breath, tossing the blanket aside. The early morning light held no golden rays of hope, only rain. I watched as the beads peppered against the window, the sky ominous.
I heard her soft mews as well as the rustle of sheets. As I glanced in her direction, I knew I would have difficulty making the final decisions that would be necessary. I was a warrior, a soldier, and at this point a mercenary. I had no room in my life for anything else.
Then why couldn’t I leave everything behind, finding the new life that Katina had begged me to?
Giliana shifted again, lifting her head. Her lips were pursed and the way she was looking at me was entirely different than the night before. There was no fear of the unknown or of the man she’d once called a monster. She slid back the sheets, revealing her naked body. I was thrown by her invitation, my heart racing. When she patted the bed, scooting further into the middle, I no longer wanted to resist, my cock pushing hard against the tight material of my pants.
As I walked closer, I eased the gun into my hand, loathing what I’d become. She didn’t react as I placed it on the nightstand, but I sensed her discord. I also knew what she must be thinking. I kept my eyes on her as I peeled away my clothes, tossing them aside. There was nothing I wanted more than to have her heated body curl next to mine. The scars I’d hidden for years no longer bothered me. In fact, they were now a badge of honor that I would take to my grave.
I crawled onto the bed, planting one hand on the other side of her as I leaned over. “What do you want, little girl?”
“All of you.”
“Are you certain you can handle me?”
A coy smile crossing her face, she eased her arms around my neck, tangling her fingers in my hair. “I have no doubt.”
I lowered down even further until our lips were mere centimeters apart. I would never be able to get enough of her sensual scent or the glimmer in her eyes from the passion we shared. The woman had permanently stained my skin, as well my heart, and nothing would break the connection we shared.
Not even death.
When she arched her back, our lips were pressed together, setting off a series of electric jolts coursing through every tendon and muscle. I darted my tongue across the seam of her mouth before using the tip to part her lips.
She rubbed her gentle fingers down my neck, brushing them back and forth across one of the scars. Every move she made was purposeful, shoving away the very armor she’d accused me of wearing.
I had no idea of how to be romantic, savoring the moment. Everything about this was different, dragging me onto shaky ground. I slid my tongue further inside her mouth, relishing in the sweet flavor as well as her heated breath. The desire roared d
eep within, pushing aside the tenderness, the craving so intense.
I crushed my mouth over hers, thrusting my tongue all the way inside, exploring the dark recesses as she clung to me. Even the way she moaned through the kiss was a powerful draw.
She wiggled underneath me, digging her nails into my skin and the slight hint of pain was exquisite. I ground my cock against her, drinking in her feminine wiles. She had no idea the power she had over me.
As the kiss became more manic, our tongues smashing together, the fire burning within seemed to explode. She managed to slide her hand between us, teasing me as she wrapped her fingers around my cockhead, pumping up and down.
I pulled back on purpose, growling before biting down on her lower lip. She responded by stroking all the way down my shaft, twisting and turning her hand until she created a round of friction. I issued another guttural sound as I mouthed her jaw, biting down until she cried out.
Every sound she made was enigmatic, so provocative in nature. I was tingling all over, my needs ripping at the surface of my humanity, yet this time I wanted to savor every moment instead of just taking what I believed to be mine.
She arched her back even more, her lips forming a perfect ‘O’ as her eyelids fluttered. Even the sounds she made were arousing, keeping my balls tight.
I licked and nipped her neck, moving down to her breasts, blowing across one hardened bud then the other.
While she was forced to release her hold on my shaft, she intertwined her fingers in my hair, pressing as if she was the one in control.
She dragged out the beast deep within, yanking him to the surface. I rolled her over with ease, jerking her up until she was forced to straddle my face.
“Oh. Oh!” she whimpered as she slapped her hands against the headboard, her head lolled in my direction. “You’re so bad.”
“Mmm... Yes,” I murmured in a husky manner as I spread her sweet pussy open with my fingers, immediately pressing my face into her wetness.
Her entire body tensed, her breathing instantly ragged. “Yes, that’s good. So good.”
I crawled my fingers up the sides of her legs, gripping her hips. She was going nowhere until I allowed. The thought released the last of my control and as I feasted on her, licking up and down in a crazed manner, she tossed her head back and forth. My thirst wasn’t easy to quench even as my hunger continued to soar. I wanted nothing more than to be inside of her, to fill her with my seed.