If they made that move, yes, Aspen would be protected under them as their woman, but she would also become an even greater target to more men like Andrei who wanted to take over their ties with the head of the Russian organization. They were fucked.
* * * *
Aspen heard the door slam and knew they all left. She walked out of her room and made sure to check the penthouse. She couldn’t help but to be shocked at the disappointed feeling she had to find they had all left. Not even one of them were assigned, ordered to stay as a guard? More than likely it would be a stranger if Storm even gave the order for someone to stand around and watch over her. They couldn’t be bothered with the task themselves. No, Storm proved how little she meant to him by kissing her like he did. By using his body, his lips, tongue and mouth to bring out the inner desire she had locked away and tried unsuccessfully tonight, to hide from him and the team. He was right she was weak. Weak when it came to one of them kissing her, showing any sign even miniscule that they wanted her in a sexual way. God, he was a fantastic fucking kisser. Add in Winter standing behind her, his thick, hard body, the holster hidden on his waist wedged up against her back and fuck yeah she would have spread her thighs for them. For one night of pleasure. But Storm showed her how little she meant to them. How degrading he made her feel and like just another woman they could fuck if they wanted to. She hadn’t even tried to resist, to play a hint of denial to his game. A fucking game? He played her. How could she have been so stupid?
She was smarter than this. No man broke down her defenses. None. Goddamn it, Storm and his team could. She could never let anything like that happen again. They proved she meant nothing to them but a commitment of protection because of Porter.
Damn, they would call Porter and he would freak out. He was out of the country on business so avoiding his calls would be her saving grace.
She looked around the room as she locked the bolt on the front door. How could they leave her after Andrei threatened her like he did tonight?
Why was she disappointed? She knew they didn’t care for her. In fact Zin kept his distance. When she caught him watching her, he glared and turned away. His kiss meant nothing. It was probably a way to control her just like Storm used kissing her to prove his point.
She heard her cell phone ringing and reached for her purse. She pulled it out and saw the missed calls. As it rang she realized it was Dmitri. She answered the call as she headed back to her room.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“They were pissed off. I wasn’t expecting that show of aggression from Storm and Zin.”
“Neither was I. But, they do take watching over me for Porter and being my big brothers, very seriously.”
“You saved their company and you revealed the rat who is working with Andrei behind their backs.”
“I did? I thought you said you weren’t sure.”
“Oh, I was almost positive Sotoro was in on this scam all along, but not Gary Sparks.”
“What? Dmitri you can’t be serious. Gary is getting ready to sell Sparks Industries and I’ve been talking up Storm and the team. You think he’s been going behind Storm’s back and working out a deal with Andrei?”
“It seems that way. If Andrei gets that company, he’ll go after Pro-Tech next and try stealing the other businesses out from under your bodyguards. My sources say that Andrei has already been moving in on the illegal street businesses Winter and Weston are in charge of. They’ve been spending a lot of time in Chicago instead of monitoring things in Texas. You know, they have untrained employees and someone needed to strengthen that.”
“Nice, Dmitri. Now you’re trying to get me out of Chicago?”
“It’s as good a time as any. Andrei isn’t stupid. After tonight’s display by Storm and Zin, I’d say Andrei’s interest in owning you has just become priority. You will not be able to defy his orders and threats, Aspen. He can use you to control Storm, and his team.”
“I don’t plan on doing that. I don’t want Storm, Winter, Zin, Weston, and York to get hurt because of me. But I can ensure that they keep their businesses and their livelihood striving. After all, we knew this was a possibility when we started planning this takedown. It will all work out. Worst scenario, I’ll leave Chicago and head to Texas. I’ve got friends there, too.”
“What are you going to do about Andrei? He wants you. Will want you even more knowing that Storm and Zin have feelings for you.”
“They don’t have feelings for me. They were proving a point. Showing me how weak I am and how incapable I am of dealing with men like Andrei. I was planning on staying in Chicago for another week or two. Then I’ll be heading back to Texas.”
“Good. You’re safer there, and maybe even working for Storm and them. It seems they may have some deep exterminating to do in Pro-Tech Industries.”
Aspen couldn’t believe that Andrei had people working within the company to sabotage the business.
“Sounds like the only way to help them now is to take on the job and eliminate the threats.”
“If anyone can do that, it’s you. Then maybe if you resolve all this, you can seriously think about living a little? Maybe take me up on that trip around the world on my yacht?” Dmitri teased.
How badly she wished some other men were making a similar offer. But now she knew how they really felt about her. There were no intimate feelings, only obligation keeping them nearby.
“We’ll see, Dmitri.”
“Ah, so your answer gives me hope. You call me if you need anything. And watch your ass. Andrei will call upon you for a meeting to make his demands. Don’t let him get you alone. The thought of his hands on you enrages me.”
“I’ll have to handle whatever he dishes out. Saving Pro-Tech and everything Storm and them have achieved is priority. Plus my brother’s business is at stake as well as their friends from Liberty Construction and Development. I have no choice. I’ll need to do whatever it is Andrei asks for while I’m cleaning house for Pro-Tech.”
Chapter 3
“You must be losing your mind. Holy shit, Aspen, I can’t believe all of this happened at the party last night. What are you going to do?”
“No big deal, India. I had it under control and knew sooner or later that Andrei was going to confront me. You had your own eye candy to enjoy. How was the blond anyway?” Aspen asked as she took a sip from her sparkling water. She was trying not to let on to the fact that her life was in danger and that she was working this angle to save her brother and her bodyguards’ businesses. They were sitting at a table in LaFonte, a French restaurant a few blocks from the office in downtown.
“He was pretty good actually. Wanted me to stay today but I got this odd vibe. I don’t know. I don’t think he was totally up front with what exactly he does for a living.”
Aspen chuckled. “I’m sure you were up front when you told him you make over four hundred thousand a year and have enough money saved to live an elaborate lifestyle for the next five lives.”
“Of course not. Then he would use me for my money besides my body. No way.”
“Well there you go. So will you see him again?”
India smiled. “Perhaps,” she replied and Aspen laughed. India leaned forward. “How about you? How hard was it to not tear Zin’s clothes off when he kissed you like that?”
“Hard. But that’s not exactly the way I imagined one of them kissing me for the very first time. It makes me so angry to know that Zin at least feels something. They’ve always treated me like a little sister, thanks to Porter. But it’s so strange. Like I’ve told you a thousand times before, India. I get this feeling, this strong, deep sensation like an invisible bond between me and the five of them. They’re the only ones who seem to affect me in any way. I mean, Andrei had me by the throat and was threatening me, and I swear I was almost numb to the sensations. But Storm, Winter, York, Zin, and Weston can just look at me and get a reaction.”
She played with the fork by her s
alad plate.
“Maybe they really do have feelings for you and are just fighting them?”
“No, Storm proved what was really going on last night,” she said and explained what happened.
India leaned back and looked angry as she shook her head. “That’s just fucked up. No wonder you’re living on the edge right now, Aspen. That must have hurt. Especially since you want them so desperately.”
“I don’t want them. I get it now. I know I’m destined for loneliness. It’s just what my life will always be like. No one. No man has the ability to get beyond this wall I have around my heart.”
“That’s not true. There must be someone out there you’re meant to be with and fall in love with.”
“I had to force myself to learn how to not feel. Condition myself to hold back and not give all of me to anything or anyone. Now here I am thinking about five men who I can’t have, who obviously don’t want me and I feel like crap. How could they get to me like this when I know where my fate lies?”
“Sweetie, have you noticed the two guards that are stationed around the room? The same men who were at your penthouse when I picked you up this morning? Storm and his team care about you.”
“But nothing can happen between us. Not when they see me as their sister. They proved this is all out of loyalty and obligation.”
“I think it’s more than that. I think they don’t want to put you in any danger. They’re not exactly running legitimate businesses. They have ties to the Russian mob, and they have enemies. Perhaps they don’t want you placed into that type of danger?”
“I think last night proved that I can pretty much put myself in danger without their connections or business associates.”
India laughed. “What would you have done if Andrei tried to make you leave with him?”
Aspen looked at her best friend and held her gaze very seriously. “I would have killed him the moment I had the chance.”
“Excuse me, ladies, but the four gentleman at the bar would like to buy you both a drink. Your choice.” The waiter interrupted and both Aspen and India turned to see the four very attractive businessmen staring at them and raising their drink glasses. One of them was turned sideways and Aspen couldn’t see his face.
India gave a small wave and then looked at the waiter. “We’ll take a bottle of your 2007 Sassicaia cabernet please. Oh, and thank the gentleman for us will ya, doll,” India said without missing a beat as she ordered the two-hundred-dollar bottle of wine from Tuscany, Italy.
“Are you out of your mind?” Aspen asked as India winked at the men across the way.
“Nope. If they don’t bat an eye at the price, then maybe I’ll get their numbers. If they do, then we don’t give them a second glance.”
“Not me. Don’t involve me in one of your testing charades. I don’t know why you just can’t take a man at face value. Why do you need to analyze him so much before committing?”
“I need to know a man wants me and this body and not my money. You have your ways of weaning through the bad ones and I have my ways. Which by the way, you haven’t hooked up with anyone in like forever. What’s with that? You can’t tell me that Big Dave does it for you.”
Aspen chuckled at the mention of Big Dave, the extra thick long dildo Aspen purchased a few years back. India and her joked around about the name and the device, and especially when Aspen turned down offers of sex from real men. Aspen had a hard time with the intimacy and physical touching during sex. She could never really give up control and just let go no matter how much she wanted to. Her first lover was in college and truly just an excuse to get rid of her virginity and try to gain back some control and empowerment over her body. Thank God the men who had abducted her hadn’t been successful in raping her and selling her off. She would surely have died.
Her second attempt at another near disastrous encounter was with Billy. He was such a sweet, compassionate man but when it came to sex. He just didn’t have what it took to satisfy her. It was literally one time and they never saw one another again.
Aspen watched as the waiter brought over the bottle of wine, showed India the bottle then opened it. She went through the motions of examining the cork, sniffing the glass of wine and then sipping the small bit. She nodded and the waiter poured them both the glasses of wine then set the bottle on the table in a holder.
Aspen thought back on three years ago and her third attempt at sex. She was drunk, hoping intoxication would weaken her defenses and resolve at India’s place during a huge party she had. The guy was gorgeous, wealthy, very muscular and charismatic. She thought this was finally it, a man capable of breaking down her defenses and bringing her the moment of pleasure she heard about and read about in magazines and talking to India. But once again, her inability to let go, to give in and allow a man to deeply connect to her, failed. So, she gave up. She purchased Big Dave and hadn’t bothered having sex with anyone.
“Okay, sweetie, there are four of them heading over here. You choose first or they can choose for us. Maybe Big Dave won’t be getting any action tonight, but two of these men will,” India said as the four men approached.
Aspen felt her heart race and pound inside her chest. India had a lot more confidence when it came to flirting. But as Aspen looked over the four men, one of them stood out immediately as someone she had seen before.
“Aspen Brooks, I thought that was you,” he said, as he moved really close and eyed her body over. The thick Russian accent couldn’t be mistaken. India picked up on it, too. The other three put all their attention on her and barely on India. India’s concerned expression was ignored a moment as she gave the once-over back to Iakov. The son of a bitch was one of Andrei’s cousins. Now, getting a closer look at the other three as they took seats surrounding her and India, Aspen gained back that confidence and instant business attitude. Andrei wanted to place guards on her and watch her every move? Then she was going to act unaffected. What did it matter now, the deal was done. There was nothing she could do to change things or make it up to Andrei. Besides, she didn’t trust the man to keep his hands off of her anyway.
“Iakov, meet my friend India. India this is one of Andrei’s cousins. I presume your friends here are also on the payroll?” Aspen asked and Iakov smiled. He winked at India and didn’t bother with any introductions.
Instead he looked Aspen over again and licked his lower lip holding her gaze intently.
“Seems you’ve gone and pissed off my cousin.” She started to speak but he cut her off. “And for some reason he still likes you and wants to talk.”
“Talk?” She asked not believing him at all.
Iakov reached for her hand and covered it with his. He leaned closer to whisper so she would only hear him and not India or the others. Not that it mattered, the others were flirting with India and totally trying to get her to give them her number.
His cold, hard hand covered her hand that was on her thigh.
“You have something he wants, or at least an ability to get it. Lose your friends who are on their way over here, and I’ll call you within the hour with a location to meet at.” He winked and then stood up just as Storm’s body guards approached the table. They probably had to call the guys first and ask what they should do. Especially since Aspen was sure they witnessed the exchange between her, India, and these four men and the bottle of wine.
The four men walked away and the guards asked if India and Aspen were okay.
“Of course we are,” Aspen said and then reached for the wine glass. She downed the wine and looked at India.
“I think our plans for the afternoon have changed.”
She saw India’s concerned expression as the guards walked away and knew that India would help her lose the security guys. This was something she needed to face, or she may never get Andrei off her ass. Ignoring a mob boss would get her killed.
* * * *
“She’ll never agree to meet me here at my home. Text her to be at Almafi’s at five,” Andrei told I
akov.
“Almafi’s? Aren’t you meeting Sotoro there?” Iakov asked Andrei.
“I am, but she won’t know anything about that. I don’t expect Aspen to stay long. Once I tell her what I need from her and how she’s going to assist me then we’ll be done. She’ll high tail it outta there quickly.”
“What is it that you need her to do, and do you think she’ll actually do it?”
“Oh, she’ll come through. Her brother’s life and his friends’ lives depends upon it.”
* * * *
Aspen’s phone rang as she got out of the cab outside of Almafi’s restaurant. She kind of felt badly for losing Storm’s security detail. It also made her feel a bit naked not having the gun power nearby, but she needed to do this. Besides, this place was always so crowded. Too many people around to not notice her arrival or see that she was meeting Iakov. What she hadn’t expected was to see Demyan there nor for him to greet her. His eyes widened and a small smirk took over his expression. She on the other hand felt on edge a bit more than a few moments ago.
“Ah, so we meet again. You never returned my calls this week, Aspen. I’m offended.”
She knew that he did business with Andrei Renoke. In fact Demyan was one of his main associates with family ties to a Russian organization centuries old. She wasn’t trying to piss off such powerful individuals. She was only seeking some revenge, though minor to alleviate the constant pain of bad memories she felt from her past. Scoring the construction job was huge. She needed to be smart, and to use her assets to save her from any potential harm.
The American Soldier Collection 10: Compromising Love (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 7