Sacha, Her Russian Billionaire: A Billionaire BWWM Romance

by Susan Westwood

  No, he made her feel cherished. This was the first time in her life since her mother’s illness that Kendra had felt that someone was on her side. She basked in it, but was also afraid of it.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, just coming down off the high,” she said.

  “Movie?”

  “You want to watch a movie?”

  He snatched the blanket from the back of the couch, covering them with it. “Yes. You’ve got me hooked on doing this. I can’t imagine doing it alone, but snuggled with you, I love it.”

  He loved it? He liked watching movies. This man who ran an empire wanted to watch a movie with her. How did she get so lucky that he was the man she ran into after seeing Lopez’ drug deal?

  “A movie sounds great.”

  Picking up the remote, he turned on the television. He found a movie, a chick flick, then settled in next to her. She just couldn’t get over this. His domesticity warmed her, but she had to be on guard. This wasn’t love. He’d made that clear.

  She couldn’t fall in love with him. She would only end up hurt. And if he kicked her out, she was dead. Not love.

  She moved closer to him. He put his arm around her. The movie was an older one, but Kendra hadn’t seen it.

  “This must have come out when I was in law school. I had no time for watching movies during those years.”

  “You must have missed it.”

  “I did, but I got back to it a little before Cliff was born.”

  “Then it was probably animated movies.”

  “Yes. It was. There’s a dearth of movies I haven’t seen,” she said.

  “Do you like to go to the movies?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “Then when all of this is over, we’ll go to the movies. Popcorn with fake butter. Whole experience.”

  She couldn’t help smiling.

  ***

  The movie ended and another one began. Kendra was asleep, so Sacha shifted out from under her. His phone had buzzed so he figured he had some people to call back. He escaped to the deck out the back door.

  It overlooked the forest and he could see the mountains behind them. What a beautiful sight. Why was he enjoying this more and more? Kendra.

  Everyone was bluer and brighter because of Kendra.

  “Shit.”

  He couldn’t think about that now. His phone told him that Nik had called him. He listened to the message.

  “A breakthrough, maybe. Call me, Sacha.”

  Sacha frowned. As much as he wanted Lopez caught and put behind bars, it would end his time with Kendra. He wanted her safe. That was the ultimate goal, but he figured he didn’t have much to offer her. He wasn’t into love or marriage. He was a lone man. A bachelor for the rest of his life. He couldn’t offer her children or a white picket fence.

  The most he could do was offer her his body and financial stability. Oh, how romantic was that. He could see himself down on one knee, a contract in his hand. “Will you be my fuck buddy? I’ll pay all of your bills.”

  Nope. He didn’t see himself saying it. He didn’t see Kendra accepting it. She’d want it all. When she did decide to marry, it would be for love. She’d love that person with all of her heart.

  That made Sacha a little sad. He liked the way things were. He understood that she couldn’t possibly want it all to stay this way. What kind of example would she be to Cliff? She had to show the little boy what a normal family was.

  As if he would show his own little boy what a father was. What it meant to be able to depend on a family member. And not want for anything. That was another call he’d have to make.

  Sacha punched in Nik’s number.

  “Hey Sacha.”

  “What’s the good news?”

  “Well it isn’t good anymore. We had Lopez and he slipped through our fingers. That Mexican Mafia is good. They have such a large network that it isn’t contained to New York City. I have every agent possible looking for Lopez.”

  “You lost him?”

  For Sacha it was a mix of fear and relief. Fear that Lopez would find them. Relief that he’d have more time with Kendra.

  “Yes, we did. Stupid mistake of a rookie. Pisses me off. I have a great case. I can wrap this up as soon as we get him. He’ll never get out of jail.”

  “That’ll be good.”

  He didn’t want Carmen Lopez to ever bother Kendra or Cliff again. With him behind bars, they could live their lives safely.

  Sadly, that would be without him.

  “There’s one more thing.”

  “Oh?” Sacha said.

  “There’s rumor of a contract out on Kendra’s life. I can’t seem to confirm it. Usually when someone goes off the rails like this, the Mafia disowns him. They haven’t done that yet. If Lopez pursues this, he might find himself in deep trouble. I’m hoping that happens. We’ll know where he is, then.”

  “Okay. Good to know. We’ll keep our eyes open,” Sacha said.

  He hung up. Sacha looked around. This was remote and had a gate around it. They should be safe for a while here, he hoped. He wasn’t sure what his next move was. He had a lot of power, but not in criminal circles.

  If he did, he’d find Lopez himself. Have him taken care of, and he didn’t care how illegal it would be. Kendra would be safe.

  Time to call his lawyer. Tom picked up on the third ring.

  “Hey Sacha.”

  “What the news?”

  “Not any yet. Here’s the only problem I see. If Ethan is your son, then you need to be more settled. This whole deal with your girlfriend might preclude you getting custody.”

  “If he’s my son, why should anything preclude that?”

  Damn Lopez.

  “Because the courts are involved. It isn’t so simple. Especially since you gave up your rights.”

  More and more he knew that had been a stupid move on his part. He’d been young and easily influenced. Damn.

  “I know we have a tough road. I have unlimited funds to get this done.”

  “I’m not bribing anyone.”

  Sacha laughed. “I’ve never bribed anyone. I know I’m Russian, but I actually do business honestly. I’m just telling you that I’m in this for the long haul, so be ready for whatever the next step is.”

  “Okay, buddy. I get you.”

  “Good. If he’s my son, I’m moving Heaven and Earth to get him home to me.”

  “You are determined. You must be this way in the boardroom.”

  “It’s how I got this rich, Tom.”

  His lawyer laughed. They disconnected. Kendra was standing in the doorway. Sacha held out his arm. “Come watch the sunset with me.”

  She slipped into his arms, but the look on her face told him she was troubled. He kissed the top of her head.

  “Was that your lawyer?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is Ethan your son?”

  “Don’t know yet.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “Not really. My lawyer just warned me that it might be harder road since I’m on the run a little.” He squeezed her. “Don’t worry. It’ll work out. I’ll make sure it does. Now let’s enjoy this sunset.”

  The sky was shades of orange over the Pocono Mountains. Kendra was in his arms. He couldn’t ask for much more than this out of life.

  “It is beautiful,” she said.

  “Yes. I see why Viktor chose this spot.”

  “Do they come out here often?”

  “Not as much since Alia has been pregnant. Viktor is fussing over her and he didn’t want them to be in a remote area if something happened to her pregnancy.”

  “He’s a big softy.”

  “He is. Just since Alia. She’s brought out something in him.”

  Chapter14

  Kendra woke in the middle of the night. Sacha was snoring lightly. His hand rested on her, but otherwise he wasn’t right up next to her. She’d planned this after overhearing his conversation with his lawyer.

  As long
as Kendra was around, Sacha would be on the run. As long as he was on the run, he wouldn’t get his son. She’d leave. She had no choice.

  Besides, she was developing feelings for him. That was forbidden. She had to leave him behind and get over him. At some point, when she got settled somewhere, after Lopez was caught, she’d collect Cliff. He’d be safe where he was.

  She could no longer sit around and make the Kozlovs’ lives dangerous. They’d taken her in. They’d accepted her how she was, but she couldn’t rely on them anymore. She wouldn’t.

  What a bad role model she was being for Cliff. She had to teach him how to be self-sufficient. Just the way their mother had taught her.

  She found a suitcase earlier when Sacha was in the shower. The man took more showers than she did, but she used the time to her advantage. She packed some clothes that she found in a closet. Probably Alia’s, but she would give them back when she was safe.

  Since there was food in the truck, Kendra didn’t pack any of that. She dressed, then glanced back at Sacha. The moonlight came in the window and fell across his face. He was a good man. Too good not to have his son.

  She had plans. She would get far enough away, back closer to Manhattan, then call Nik. He could protect her. She would help him find Lopez.

  Tiptoeing down the steps, Kendra was sure that Sacha would wake up. They’d had sex again, so he must be exhausted. Good. She would have given him a blowjob to knock him out. She didn’t want him talking her out of this.

  She crept into the kitchen to write him a note.

  Dear Sacha,

  I had to leave. You and your family have been more than generous to me. It’s past time that I left you alone. I will always remember our time together, but you need to get your son back. I know how awful foster care can be. Give your son a home.

  Kendra

  She didn’t know how to sign it. Love seemed too personal, so she just signed her name. She listened. As far as she could tell, he wasn’t awake. He wasn’t walking around. She shed a tear as she closed the door.

  She’d find a place to ditch the truck then let him know where it was. Right now, it was her only transportation out of here. She didn’t like leaving him stranded, but she had no choice.

  She sniffed, refusing to cry right now. When she found a place, she would figure it all out. For now, she had to go back to New York. Nik would find a way to protect her.

  This was the right decision.

  Her heart didn’t think so as she drove away from the only man she’d ever had feelings for. Was it love? She didn’t know. She wasn’t ready to think about it. Kendra knew that she had to get past this. She had to get on with her life.

  In time, Sacha would understand. He’d have his son and he’d be happy. They’d be a family. What Sacha could do for that boy, not just with his money, but with his sweet heart, staggered Kendra. What he’d done for her and Cliff had taken her breath away.

  Reflecting on it all as she drove, she had tears in her eyes. At one point, she had to pull over. Sacha had been better to her than most of the other people in her life. Probably, no one would ever be as good to her again. If she found a man to do that, she’d marry him.

  In fact, if she dated anyone, ever, they would be measured against Sacha. So many men would come up lacking, but now that she’d been to the Promised Land, she wasn’t settling. Ever again. She’d be treated properly or that person wouldn’t be in her life.

  She wiped away tears, blew her nose, then pulled back out onto the road. She called Nik while she was driving.

  “Hey Kendra. Did Sacha tell you the news about Lopez?”

  “No.”

  “We thought we had him cornered, but he got away. I hope you’re safe wherever you are.”

  Why hadn’t Sacha mentioned it? He probably didn’t want to worry her. He should have said something. “That bites. I want this to be over. With that in mind, I’m coming to see you.”

  “Coming to see me?”

  “Yes. Sacha doesn’t know and if you tell him, I’ll disappear. I’ll never testify against Lopez.”

  She had no idea if she was pivotal to the case or not.

  “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this.”

  “I’m a witness, Nik. I need protection. I know that you can provide it.”

  She heard him sigh. “Okay, Kendra. I’ll text you a place to meet me. It’ll be outside of Manhattan. That would be better. Go right there. Some agents will be there, but I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

  “I’ll tell them you sent me?”

  “They’ll be waiting for you.”

  He didn’t sound happy with her.

  “Good. Thanks Nik. I want this over with and I’m tired of sitting around waiting to be a lamb to slaughter. I have to do something. It’s in my nature.”

  “Fine, Kendra, but I don’t like it. Sacha won’t either.”

  “He won’t know until it’s over.”

  “He’ll have my head.”

  “You’re an FBI man. You afraid of Sacha?”

  “Well, yes. He has lots of money and he can probably get the Russian Mafia after me. They’re brutal. Worse than any other Mafia I’ve encountered.”

  “Then he can’t find out, can he?”

  Another sigh. “You drive a hard bargain, Kendra.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  ***

  Sacha woke as he did every morning, as if a switch had been turned on. Kendra had remarked about that often. She took some time to wake up enough to be vertical. In that first moment of waking up, Sacha knew that Kendra was not in bed with him.

  He always sensed her presence before he opened his eyes each day she was with him. It was odd that she woke before he did. That didn’t happen often. He didn’t need much sleep, though their lovemaking had been pretty energetic last night. Which made him a little more tired than usual.

  Still, it should have made Kendra more tired.

  He sniffed. He didn’t smell coffee. He didn’t smell breakfast either. His stomach rumbled, but he chose to take a shower first.

  With wet hair and just a pair of jeans on, he went in search of Kendra. She wasn’t in the kitchen, so he got the coffee brewing. She’d be a bear if she was up and hadn’t had her coffee yet.

  He pulled out the fixings for pancakes then set off to find Kendra. She wasn’t on the deck.

  “Kendra?”

  No answer. He walked back into the house. He didn’t hear another soul and his heart began to beat rapidly. Where was she? That’s when he found the note. He picked it up, dread making his limbs heavy.

  He read it. She was gone? His heart hurt. He ran to the garage, but knew the truck would be gone. He didn’t care that she’d left him stranded. He had resources. He simply cared that she’d left him.

  Why? What had he done wrong? He read the note again. It didn’t reveal any more information than it had done the first time he read it. He sighed.

  “What the hell, Kendra?”

  What was she thinking? They were after her. Why did she run? Damn.

  It was probably too early to call Viktor, but he was going to call the house anyway. Maybe she said something to Alia. Given them a hint of where she was going.

  A sleepy Viktor answered. “Is someone dead?”

  Sacha didn’t laugh. Viktor didn’t like to be awakened.

  “No, but Kendra is missing.”

  “What?” Viktor said.

  “I woke up and she was gone. She took my truck and left.”

  “What did you do to her?”

  Fucked her senseless, or so he thought. Obviously, she wasn’t thinking clearly if she’d left his protection. Left his bed. “I don’t think I did anything.”

  “You must have. Why else would she have left?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t know. “I don’t know what I did. She left a note, but it didn’t really say anything.”

  “Does she have location services on her phone?”

  “I doubt it. She’s prett
y smart.”

  “You’re at my house?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go boot up the computer in the office.”

  Sacha brought his phone with him. He sat at Viktor’s desk, turning on the computer. It was an older one so it took a minute. “You need to upgrade. This is slow.”

  “Is it going to get you the answer you need?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then don’t knock it.”

  His brother could always make him smile. The compute finally booted up. He clicked the necessary key. Then he slammed his hand on the desk. “Damn.”

  “She turned off location services?”

  “Yes. She didn’t say anything to you? Or Alia?”

  “Alia just woke up. Give her a second.” Sacha could hear Viktor talking to Alia. “No, they haven’t talked in a few days.”

  “I don’t know where she would go. She doesn’t have any family besides Cliff. She wouldn’t put him in danger.”

  “What did the letter say?”

  He sighed. “Well, I need to tell you something before I describe the letter.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “I have a son.”

  “Okay. Recently?”

  “No, he’s about five. I signed away my rights. I’m trying to get him back,” Sacha said.

  He held his breath. He wasn’t sure what Viktor’s reaction would be.

  “You never said.”

  “I was young and dumb and maybe a little embarrassed,” Sacha said. “I think I’ve found him. Waiting on DNA testing.”

  “You found him?”

  “Yes. I tracked him down through the adoption agency. He lives in foster care in New Jersey. I will sue the courts for custody of him as soon as I know he’s mine.”

  “So what did the letter say?”

  “Kendra must have heard the lawyer say that my chances of getting custody were threatened by my being on the run with Kendra. She said that with her gone I’d be able to get my son.”

  Viktor whistled. “Wow. That girl loves you.”

  Loves him? “Kendra and I aren’t like that.”

  Viktor chuckled. “You keep thinking that.”

  He would. Kendra didn’t love him. Emotion wasn’t supposed to enter into their relationship. They’d agreed. “So what do I do?”