by Rose, Bella
Something was wrong. A moment ago he was saying the most horrible things to her, and now he could barely even look at her. “Alek, I want to help you,” she said softly.
Easing up behind him, she slowly put a hand on his back. His smooth muscles rippled under her touch, but he didn’t move away. Feeling encouraged, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her forehead to his back. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I have a mole in my organization,” he said softly. “I’ve told my staff that it’s you.”
Natalia froze. It was one thing to be a prisoner because he hated her father. It was another thing completely to be hated by him. Dangerous. Terrifying. “Alek, while there was a time where I would have loved to bring your organization down, I’ve never found the proof I needed to do anything about it. I haven’t gone to the authorities. I’m not your mole.”
Alek turned in her arms, and it took all of her courage not to stumble back. He didn’t reach around to embrace her, but he didn’t raise an arm to strike her either. “No one is ratting me to the authorities. They are hurting me where it hurts much deeper. They struck out at the orphanage and exposed their secret. Someone is telling Boris where I’m weakest.”
“Oh God,” she murmured. Her arms tightened around him. “Alek, I’m sorry. I know that probably hurt, but you’re going to figure it out. And you’re going to realize that it’s not me.”
“I know it’s not you,” he muttered.
Surprised, she raised her head. “If you know it’s not me, why did you tell everyone that it was?”
“I need the real mole to relax and make a mistake. I was implementing cameras today and feeding out false truths to find out what leaks and what doesn’t,” he said hoarsely.
Shaking her head, her arms dropped. “But you still treated me like…” She shook her head as she searched for the right word. “Like an animal.”
The muscle in his jaw clenched, and he reached out to cup her face. “It has been a long day, and your accusation that I would touch that red-headed bitch…” he muttered as he bent down to kiss her gently.
She was torn. With the contract she’d signed, she couldn’t tell him no if he asked her for sex. As much as her body wanted to be with him, wanted him, the way he was looking at her with such tenderness, she didn’t know if she could handle it just now. Taking a few steps away, she lifted her jaw and faced him. “I can’t tell you no. But you’ve had a long day, and you just scared the shit out of me.”
Alek straightened and stiffened. “You’re refusing me.”
“No. I’m not refusing you. I’m just requesting that maybe for tonight, we just sleep.”
“Requesting.”
Fearful, she nodded. Without another word, he walked past her and crawled onto the bed. It only took a few minutes, as usual, before he was fast asleep, and only then did she feel safe enough to crawl into bed next to him.
Staring at his sleeping form, she felt pain in her heart. He was cruel. She imagined that even as terrifying as he was tonight, it didn’t even scratch the surface of his cold heart. He might care for her. But the more troubling revelation was how much she wanted him to care for her. Somehow, despite everything, she’d fallen in love with him. He was a mob boss. He went around and bullied people and took their money. He brutally beat people.
He killed people.
What kind of woman was she that she could fall in love with a man like that?
Chapter Fourteen
Alek had been cranky all day. He told himself it was because he hadn’t slept well, and for a while, that part was true. He’d slept uneasily until she’d finally crawled into bed next to him. He’d pretended it was sleep when he turned and wrapped his arms around her, but she hadn’t stiffened or pulled away. Natalia had practically melted into him, and with her warmth, he’d drifted into a dreamless sleep.
But maybe that was the problem.
When he entered the bar just an hour after lunch, he immediately ordered a shot. The ten men at his back did the same, but the rest of the bar quieted and turned to stare. Nonchalantly, Alek took a stool and relaxed as he tossed the drink back and relished in the fire that streaked to his belly. The bar was so silent that the sound of his glass hitting the counter echoed off the walls.
“A little early for vodka, isn’t it Evanoff?” a deep voice growled.
“Boris. Imagine running into you here,” Alek said with a smile.
“Well, this is my bar.” Boris took the empty seat next to Alek and studied him. Finally, he waved his hand, and the rest of the bar went back to their drinks and games. “You do realize that you’re still outnumbered here,” he said casually.
“I’m here for a drink, Boris. Not a fight.” Alek raised his hand for another drink. “The women in my life drive me to drink.”
Boris barked out in laughter. His fat belly jiggled as he slapped his hand on the counter. “Yes. Women do that. Of course, you could drink at your own bars. You have such nice bars.”
“I do. And I’m rather fond of my bars, but they are missing something.”
“Oh?” Boris asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You,” Alek said as he tossed another shot back. “My bars don’t have you. I thought we could have a little chat.”
“Yes! We are friends! We should chat more often. What would you like to talk about?” he said cheerfully. Alek wasn’t fooled. Boris like to pretend he had a sunny disposition, but deep down he was a dangerous man. Alek had no doubt that at this very minute Boris had thought of at least seven different ways to kill Alek as he sat there. “You want to talk about your women?”
“No,” Alek growled. He sure as hell didn’t want to talk about his women. “I wanted to talk about the residential property you’ve been looking at recently. Planning on moving, Boris? I’ve seen the property. It’s a downsize. Do you need some financial help?”
The sunny smile slipped off Boris face. It was clear he wasn’t ready for Alek to know his plan. He would owe Grisha a thanks next time he saw him. “Oh, those properties? They are for friends. Gifts for those that I love.”
“Gifts? Well, you’ll be happy to know that those residential properties will be staying residential properties. When I found out that they were for sale, I thought about putting in an offer as well, but I had some plans for those properties. Right on the edge of commercial property, I had an idea that I could move that residential line and expand a couple of my businesses,” Alek said casually.
“And?” Boris asked grumpily. A flicker of annoyance flashed in his eyes.
“Well, I went to the commoner, and they assured me that it would stay residential. I’m afraid no business will be moving in their anytime soon.” Alek smiled as he tossed back another shot. “So I guess that’s good news for your friends. I’m withdrawing my offer, and you’re welcome to buy up all that residential property for your friends. I’m sure the neighborhood association will be thrilled to have them move in. In fact, I think the neighborhood was talking about putting in a playground in the area. Do your friends have kids?”
Boris clenched his jaw in anger, but just like that, the anger was gone. Boris smiled and shook his head. “No kids. In fact, I don’t think they’ll like the idea of a playground. I may have to withdraw my offer after all. But that’s fine. There are plenty of other properties to look at.”
The implications were clear. Boris had a plan B, and he wasn’t above using it. Although, with the failed casino and the failed residential plan, whatever made Boris smile now was probably plan C. It was no doubt the fact that Boris thought he had an inside man that was making him smile like this.
Boris did still have an inside man, but that would change soon as well. For the first time in several days, Alek felt in control again. He took a deep breath and returned Boris’s smile. “Things to do, Boris. Thanks for your hospitality. And you’re right. We should do this more often.”
“Maybe next time we meet in your bar. Your places are so much nicer than ours,” Boris said wit
h a predatory smile.
“Any time, any place,” Alek said as he slapped some cash on the counter and nodded his head to the bartender. “See you around, Boris.”
He waved his hand, and his men followed closely behind him. Even though he felt confident, he still tensed as he walked out. Boris was unpredictable and slightly insane. Alek wouldn’t put it past him to open fire as he walked out the door.
“I knew you were coming, Evanoff,” Boris called out. “I rolled out the red carpet for you, and I’ve even left you a little present for when you get back. What are good friends for?”
He knew Alek was coming? He didn’t miss a step, but he felt the muscle in his jaw twitch. Alek hadn’t told anyone about his surprise visit to Boris. That meant that the leak was someone in his crew.
And the package left at the house?
Natalia.
His heart in this throat, he slid into the car. “Get home. Now,” he growled as he pulled out his phone and dialed the house. It rang several times before someone picked it up. “Status on Natalia. Now.”
“She’s in her room. Hasn’t left all day,” a man said succinctly.
“I want eyes on her. Now,” Alek barked as he hung up the phone. The thought of Natalia in danger made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Fear.
***
Alek was gone when she woke up this morning, but he’d left a book on the foot of the bed. Tired of the horrible looks that the staff gave her, she hid in the room and read. Ana had left her outfit and note out in the room. There were no jokes in the note. It was all business, and Natalia could practically see the woman’s glare when she read it.
If Alek didn’t fix this soon, Natalia wasn’t going to be able to handle the animosity and isolation.
She put the book down and got up to stretch when the door opened. Ana marched in and slammed the door behind her. “I’m here to watch you until Mr. Evanoff gets back. I don’t want to speak to you,” she spat angrily.
Natalia slowly put her bookmark in the book and nodded her head. “Fine. You don’t have to talk, but I have something to say.” She had to be careful here. If Alek needed people to think she was the spy, she shouldn’t say differently. But she couldn’t stand having Ana look at her this way. “I don’t know why you and the rest of the staff are angry at me. Alek, or Mr. Evanoff as you are now calling him. Is always angry at me for some reason or another, so him I’m not concerned about. If it’s not something that I’ve done, it’s something that my father did twenty years ago. Anyway, if I’ve done or said something to you or a staff member to offend or insult you, I really am sorry. You have been my saving grace since I arrived, and I don’t think I could have survived for this long without you. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Ana turned her head and stared at her. “When you first arrived, I thought you were going to be a spoiled little princess. Alek like his spoiled and rich women. I didn’t know about your father. I didn’t realize what he thought of you, and once I met you, I thought he was insane. I considered you a friend. This home—these people, that man—are my family. No matter what you think of him, he takes care of us. And until you realize that, until you see what he is worth, you are no friend of mine.”
Natalia’s heart sank as she watched Ana move to the window to shut the curtains. As soon as she faced the window, there were two quiet pops before the glass shattered, and Ana stumbled back.
In slow motion, Natalia screamed and ran to her. Blood was already blooming on her chest. The bullets continued to spill through the window, but Natalia wouldn’t stop. Grabbing Ana’s arm, she dragged her friend across the floor and into the closet.
“Natalia!”
She could hear Alek’s shouts from below, but they were muted. In horror, Natalia stared at Ana. Stripping off her shirt, she pressed it against the wound, but she knew her friend was fading.
“Ana, don’t leave me,” she whispered. “I’m not the mole. I would never betray you. I would never betray Alek. He’s just using me to draw out the real spy. You can’t leave me. You can’t,” she cried.
Ana took a deep rattled breath. “Alek…good man,” she whispered. “You…make him…good.” Her labored breathing grew worse, and Natalia held her body and rocked back and forth.
“You make him good. You’ll make him better. You just have to survive. Please don’t die. Please, don’t leave me. Help me,” she screamed. “Help me!”
In Natalia’s arms, Ana closed her eyes for the final time. Tears blurred Natalia’s vision, and she began to scream at the top of her lungs. Hands grabbed her and pulled her away, but she didn’t stop screaming.
Alek grabbed her head and forced her to look away. “Natalia. Natalia! Are you hit? Are you hurt? Talk to me!”
“She’s dead. Ana’s dead. Someone shot her. Fix her, Alek. Please. Please. Please,” she sobbed as she rocked back and forth. “Ana!”
Men bent down and picked up her friend’s lifeless body. Soon, she was alone with Alek and the streak of blood on the carpet. Staring down at her hands, she realized that they were also stained in blood. Ana’s blood.
“I tried to save her. She went to the window. She was mad at me. You made her mad at me. She was my only friend, and she was mad at me, and now she’s gone,” she muttered. Looking up at Alek, she felt the emotion through the numbing pain. Anger. This was his fault. She held up her arm to slap him, but there was no strength behind it. Alek caught her arm easily and pulled her into his lap.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry. It was supposed to you. He wanted you.”
He held her and rocked her back and forth until his words finally penetrated. “Me. It was supposed to be me. I was supposed to die today,” she muttered. Pulling away, she stared at him. “She’s dead because of me.”
“She’s dead because of me,” Alek said sharply. “This is not your fault. I’m playing a danger game, Natalia. Ana paid the price.”
“Boss! We’ve got something!”
The shouts below diverted his attention. He glanced away and stood. “Natalia, I have to go. I’m going to send someone to watch you.”
Natalia shook her head. “No, I don’t want anyone else to die because of me. I’ll just stay here until you get back.”
“Take a shower, Natalia. I’m going to fix this. I promise,” he said softly. “And I’m going to be back as soon as possible.”
He kissed her gently on the forehead and left her. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps outside her door. Against her wishes, Alek had sent someone to watch her after all.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she rocked back and forth. She should get in the shower and wash off the blood. Wash off Ana’s blood. But she couldn’t get off the floor. Part of it was fear. She was supposed to have died today. She nearly did. It wasn’t even fair that Ana died in her place. Ana had a future. She knew what she wanted in life, and she was happy.
What was Natalia doing with her life? She could sit here and say she wasn’t doing anything because she was a prisoner, but the truth was she was a prisoner long before Alek ever got his hands on her. A dead end job that she wasn’t happy with. A single life that she had no plans of changing.
Murdering Ana took someone important away from the world. “It should have been me.”
Thinking of Ana’s face before she died, seeing the life flee from her, was more than she could handle. As tears wracked her body, Natalia curled up on the floor and cried herself to sleep.
***
Alek watched his men comb the grounds. They picked up the shell casings, but the shooter was long gone. A cold rage spread through him. Of anyone to die, it had to be Ana. Sweet, bright, frustrating Ana. Someone was going to die for this. Someone was going to die slowly.
“Boss! Boss! We’ve got him!”
Alek turned to see Misha and Sasha carrying Grisha around the house. Grisha gave him an easy going smile. “You certain have tightened your security,” he said as he
gestured to Alek’s men.
Alek was in no mood to chat with Grisha. “Tell me that you didn’t shoot into my home,” he said quietly.
Grisha’s eyes rounded, and he looked around. “What happened, Alek?”
“Tell me that you didn’t just kill someone that I cared about,” he said roughly as he strode forward and stopped only inched for Grisha. “Tell me, or I’m going to slit your throat right where you stand.”
“Whoa, Alek. Back up, man. I didn’t shoot into your house. I just got here.”
“Why? Why are you here?” Alek growled.
Grisha shook his head. “No here, man. Not like this. How can I help?”
“I thought you were done with this life,” Alek said as he nodded to Sasha and Misha to release him. They muttered their apologies and moved to continue searching the grounds.
Grisha turned his head and surveyed the area. “I am. But in a weird way, you’re my friend. And if you need help, I want to help. Tell me what I can do.”
“I have a mole. One of my men,” Alek said quietly. “They knew that I was going to confront Boris about the underhanded move into my territory. They knew that Natalia would be alone, and they told him. He was ready.”
“Shit. Natalia’s dead?” Grisha breathed. “Fuck, man.”
“Ana. She was part of my staff. I told them to watch over Natalia when Boris made threats. Ana went to the window, and the shooter thought it was Natalia. She was one of my favorites, and now she’s dead. Natalia is terrified.”
“She should be,” Grisha said grimly. “I don’t know what your obsession with her is, but you’ve put her in a dangerous position. She should be terrified, and it has nothing to do with Boris.”
Alek felt his chest tighten. “Be careful what you say to me right now,” he growled hoarsely.
“I can find your mole,” Grisha said quietly. “But I can’t do anything about your other problem.”