Taking the Fall: The Full Complete Series

by Alexa Riley

  I lightly grip her chin as the cab pulls up behind me.

  “I’m taking you somewhere safe. I won’t hurt you, I swear.” I see hesitation in her eyes, and for a split second I think I see her something calculating there, too. I sense her movement before I see it. She strikes out, landing a low blow on the lower-right side of my stomach. It’s enough to have me taking a step back, where she has enough room to spin and elbow me across my lip.

  I taste blood in my mouth as she jumps in the cab and speeds off.

  “What the fuck was that?”

  I grab the next cab and make sure I’ve got the number on the back of hers. Getting in, I throw some bills at the driver. “Follow that one.” I point. “Number one-thirty-three.”

  I hold my jaw, feeling a twinge of pain. Damn if she didn’t hit like a professional.

  She must think I didn’t follow her because her cab pulls over not too far down the road, and she jumps out and makes her way down the Strip.

  I open the cab door, even though it’s still moving, as I don’t want to miss her. The cab driver yells something at me as he stops, and I get out and run. I’m thankful she’s in those ridiculous heels because they’re slowing her down.

  Silently moving behind her, I grab her arm and take a step back just as she’s coming around with her fist. I grab it with my other hand, just inches from hitting my face. She starts to swing her leg, but she obviously hasn’t trained to do it in heels, and she starts to fall over.

  “Blin!” She utters the Russian word again, and I’m assuming it’s some kind of curse.

  Catching her body before she hits the ground, I scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder. She starts to kick and punch my back, but at this angle she can’t get much leverage.

  “You’re a feisty little kitten, aren’t you? Where’d you learn to throw a punch like that?”

  “None of your business. Now put me down.” She’s got a slight accent that goes straight to my dick, and all I can think about is how it’s going to sound when she moans my name.

  “No can do, kitty cat. You and I have some business to discuss. And as luck has it, my hotel is just around the block. Feels like a nice night for an evening stroll, don’t you think?”

  I start walking in the direction of my hotel, making sure to keep a hand on her ass to keep any drunk assholes from getting a good look at my woman. I should probably make her stop and change, but I don’t want to take the chance of her getting away.

  “I’ll give you your stuff back. Just let me go.”

  “That’s not what I’m after, Nika.”

  She tenses when she hears me say her name but then quickly goes limp. I’m guessing she knows why I’m here. But I know damn well she has no idea I don’t plan on giving her back.

  Chapter 3

  Samuel

  When I walk through the lobby of the Blue Diamond, no one bats an eye. Thank God this is Vegas and shit like this seems to happen all the time.

  I took her shoes off as we walked, and I wave them at the desk clerk as we pass. It gives the impression my drunk wife has sore feet from the ridiculously high heels. Wife. Hmm, I like the sound of that.

  Getting to my room, I don’t stop and listen outside of Mary and Anthony's door. I live with them, and that’s enough to deal with. Thankfully, we got separate rooms, and mine is just across the hall from theirs. I put in the key card and walk through, turning to lock and bolt the door behind us.

  I walk over to the bed and toss Nika on it, watching her bounce a little. Immediately, she’s on her feet, having gained some leverage without the heels on. She’s soon in a fighting stance on top of the bed.

  Holding my hands up in a defensive gesture, I try to reason with her. “Listen, Nika. I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk.”

  “You can talk while I kick your ass, pretty boy.” She opens her hands and curls them into fists again, inviting me to tussle. It’s laughable really, but if this is the way she wants it…

  “All right, kitten. Let’s play.” I take off my leather jacket slowly, careful to remove the gun with it at the same time so she doesn’t see it. No need to make her any more scared than she already is, and I really don’t want her going for it.

  I lean down, still keeping my eyes on her as I remove my boots and the knife strapped to my ankle. Once those are off, I reach behind my head and pull my shirt up and off. I see her eyes trail over my big body. I’ve full tattoo sleeves on both arms, and I work out. A lot. I can see her eyes open a little in shock, and then I see her lick her lips. My cock is hard just thinking about getting to touch her again, and I’m sure she’s not missing that either.

  When I hold my hands up and get in a fighting stance she shakes her head and does the same. I have no intentions of fighting her, but if this is what she wants, then I’ll play along. She’s still standing on the bed, and I’m waiting for her to make a move. I start to bait her and tell her to hurry up, but before I can blink, her little foot comes out and is across my face. I take a step back in shock.

  “What the—”

  Before I can finish the sentence, she’s in front of me, flipping me over her shoulder onto the bed. I don’t know how it’s physically possible, but I’m lying on the bed with her on top of me, and she’s got one of my arms bent back, putting enough pressure on it to immobilize me. I recover after a split second, and I realize I can take her in this position. But why bother?

  I lie there, stunned, and more turned on then I have ever been in my life.

  “Now you listen to me—”

  “Samuel,” I say, cutting her off. I give her a big smile, and she looks down at me. She’s clearly annoyed and bends my thumb back more.

  I let out a grunt at the pain, but I don’t make a move to defend myself.

  “Listen, Samuel. I want to know who sent you and why you’re after me.”

  Feeling the heat between her legs pressed up against my hard cock is about all I can stand, and I need to take over. Breaking her hold, I grab her wrists and flip us over, so now she’s under me and I’m between her legs.

  “Why don’t you tell me what this is between us and I’ll tell you why I’m here?” I see a flash of something in her eyes, and I know she gets my meaning.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Get off me. Let me go.”

  I press against her core with my hard cock, and she moans. “Tell me you don’t feel it, Nika.”

  “I feel your giant dick pressing against me, and I feel like you’re being a pain in my ass. Other than that, I’m a little hungry.”

  “All I heard was you like my cock. Let’s talk more about that.”

  She rolls her eyes, and I can’t help but laugh. I lean down and kiss her neck where her dress has left her exposed, and I murmur against her skin. “You didn’t fake that kiss in the casino, Nika. I know you felt that, too.”

  She moans a little as I keep kissing her there, her legs relaxing and opening further. I feel the pulse in her neck pick up, and I lick her there, feeling the beat under my tongue.

  “Bol’she,” she whispers, and I don’t know that means, but I do it again.

  I press my hips harder against her heat, grinding the seam of my jeans against her panty-covered pussy. A deep rumble starts in my chest, and I feel like an animal needing his mate. I let go of her wrists and run my hands roughly down her sides to her hips, holding her there tightly as I bear down harder against her core.

  I sit up a little, wanting to look into her eyes, and as soon as I do, her hand comes out to slap me in the face. I look into her eyes, and the intensity is still there. She’s got it in there just as much as I do. The stinging sensation does nothing to quell my desire, and I bend down, taking her lips fiercely. She bites my lip and grabs my hair in both hands, fisting the locks angrily. The kiss is heated and raw, and though it started enraged, it’s turned passionate.

  Instead of pushing me away, she’s pulling me to her and wrapping her legs around my waist. She’s giving in to the
feeling, and as much as I hate what I’m about to do, I have to do it.

  At the sound of the handcuffs clicking closed, she breaks the kiss and looks at me with wide eyes.

  “Sorry, kitten. But I’ve got a wedding to get to, and we are far from finished.”

  “Podonok!” she yells, and then tries to kick me.

  “I’m sure that’s a term of endearment, my love. And don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

  I pull back from her heat and drag her to the top of the bed, using another pair of handcuffs to bolt her to the headboard. She’s spitting nasty Russian words at me, and I just shake my head and smile.

  “I’ll be back in less than an hour.” I lean down and try to kiss her lips, but she lunges forward to try to bite me. “Okay then. We’ll save the kiss for when I get back.”

  Reaching over, I put a gag in her mouth just in case she feels like yelling out for help while I’m gone. I turn on the TV and lay some snacks and water on the table next to her.

  “If you’re good we can have that when I get back.”

  She curses me more through the gag, but I wink at her as I get dressed. I grab my jacket, slide it on, and turn back to wink at her again before heading out the door.

  This wedding better be quick.

  Chapter 4

  Nika

  It took me two minutes to escape the cuffs, and I’m oddly disappointed at how easy it was. A part of me wanted to stay. There’s something about Samuel and the way he looks at me, talks to me, and touches me. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. The loneliness I’ve felt for so long slipped away in those moments. But the further and further I move away from the casino, the heavier the loneliness seems to settle inside me.

  The only thing pushing me is fear. He knew my name but wasn’t trying to hurt me. He said he’d keep me safe, but I have to be certain of who he is. No matter how much I don’t want to make this call, I do. He’s either working for my father or he’s my father’s enemy and plans to use this against him. I cringe at the thought but shake it off, thinking I’m being paranoid like my father.

  Picking up the pay phone, I make the dreaded call. It only rings once before my father’s voice booms through the line.

  “Where are you?”

  “I think you already know that,” I clip back. He had to have known by now I was at least in Vegas if this guy Samuel knew.

  “I want exact coordinates.” He pauses for a moment as if getting his bearings. “Solniska, please.”

  When he calls me ‘sweetheart,’ the guilt hits me. I don’t want him to worry, but I can’t be put back into the pretty prison he’s made for me. I can’t live like that, and I want something else. Samuel’s face comes to mind, and I push it away.

  “Dad, did you send someone after me? This guy grabbed me.”

  “He touched you? He was supposed to find you and bring you to me!” he barks, cutting into my words.

  “Well, if I’m not so willing to go, how else was he going to get me to come with him? I can’t believe you sent someone after me. I was scared it was one of your enemies or something.”

  “It could have been. You’re lucky they found you first and it wasn’t someone else.”

  “They? The guy who grabbed me was by himself.” I glance over my shoulder and down the street both ways to make sure no one is watching me. I’m turning into my father.

  “What did he look like? Did he tell you his name?” I can hear the fear in my father’s voice, making mine rise, too.

  “Samuel.”

  I hear his sigh of relief, letting me know that this Samuel was here because of him. I don’t know why that hurts, but I guess it’s better than him being an enemy of my father’s. Still though, he’ll hand me over to him.

  “Yes, Samuel is safe. Tell me where you are and I’ll have him come get you and bring you to me. I’m still hours from Vegas.”

  “I love you but—” My words cut off when Samuel grabs the receiver from me and hangs up. He grabs me by the arm.

  “The rest of the sentence better have been, ‘but I’m with someone else now.’”

  “Excuse me?” I yank at my arm but it’s useless, and truth be told, I don’t want to be let go of. Too bad he’s working for my father.

  “I love you but…” he reminds me of the last thing I said to my dad before he cut the line.

  “I was talking to my dad, for your information. You know, the guy who hired you!” I get in his face and yell the last part, which is hard with him being so freaking tall and me not having my heels on. I changed back into the sneakers I had in my bag, and they look ridiculous with this dress. When I was leaving the casino, it was all about what was the fastest.

  He pulls me into his arms, taking my mouth in a hard kiss. I bite his lip, but he just moans and holds me tighter, rubbing his erection against me. My whole body goes up in flames, and I return the kiss, not able to stop myself. I had no idea kissing could be like this. Soon I’m pressing into him, kissing back with more force than he is. Whatever this is I want more.

  “Fuck, kitten, not here.” He pulls back, and it's then I notice I’ve practically climbed him like a tree. I let my legs drop, irritated that he stopped the kiss I was enjoying.

  “Then why did you kiss me?” I bite out, letting the irritation show.

  “Because I was pissed when I thought I caught you talking to some boyfriend and telling him you fucking loved him. Then when you said it wasn’t, well…” He smiles faintly, not finishing his sentence. Then he licks his lips like he’s tasting me.

  The remainder of the call is like a bucket of cold water. “Just let me go! I won’t go back to my father.”

  “Who said I was taking you to your father?”

  “He’s who hired you.”

  He studies me for a second like he’s running things through his mind. Grabbing me by the wrist, he pulls me from the street, and I follow him to a less busy spot. He pulls me against him as he puts his back to the side of a building.

  “You’re saying it was your father who hired me, but I just heard you tell your father you love him. This isn’t adding up to me. Are you scared of him or not?”

  I laugh at the idea of being scared of my father. He might be scary to others, even in his late forties, but he’s not a bit scary to me. He’s just overbearing and controlling. Kind of like someone I’m getting to know right now.

  “No, I’m not scared of him. I just don’t want to go back to his cage.”

  “Cage?” Sam growls.

  “Not a real cage.” I roll my eyes. “We live outside Seattle, but it’s in the middle of nowhere, and he never lets me go anywhere. He’s paranoid.”

  “He just wants you back home?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Well too fucking bad. I’m keeping you.”

  “Keeping me?” I gape at him, but find myself settling into his warm body, liking the feel of him against me.

  “You can’t just keep me. What kind of life would that be? I go from one cage to another?” Although a cage with Samuel doesn’t sound so bad. But it’s still a prison.

  “I wouldn’t hold you hostage. Just keep you chained to me. I’d let you go anywhere you like as long as I got to go with you.”

  “Forget it. He’ll just find me and take me back. You’ll only slow me down.”

  “Marry me and he can’t take you from me.”

  “Marry you? Are you crazy?”

  “I’m starting to think maybe I am a little since you came into my life. If you marry me, I won’t give you back to him. You’ll be mine.”

  Excitement rushes through my body. Why is this so tempting and exciting? Is it something about Vegas? Is it in the air? I’ve watched a ton of movies where people run off to Vegas and get married and get their happily ever after. I want that. It’s why I left home to begin with. I never got to see how two people fall in love in real life outside of movies or television. Maybe this is what it’s like.

  “I’ll marry you, but promise me you won�
��t let him take me back.”

  “Promise.”

  Chapter 5

  Samuel

  “Are you going to cuff me to the bed again?”

  “Not unless you want me to.” I smile at Nika, and she smiles back at me. I can see she’s nervous, and I want to put her at ease. We walk into the hotel room, and I turn on a lamp beside the king-size bed. I wait as she walks over to it.

  She blushes a little as she comes close. “I can’t believe we got married. That was so fast. But I guess it’s Vegas, and you can get married just about anywhere here.”

  Taking a few steps, I meet her halfway, taking her cheeks in my big hands. She’s so little compared to me, and it makes me feel protective of her. “You nervous, kitten?”

  “Yeah,” she says, looking up and smiling. “How’d you know?”

  “Because I think you’re going to start talking about the weather next.” Her hands come up and rub across my chest shyly. My heartbeat picks up at her touch, but I relax, wanting her to explore me and gain some confidence. “You ever done this before?”

  She looks at me through her lashes and shakes her head.

  “Me either.”

  Her eyes grow big at my words, a shocked expression on her face. “Never?”

  “Why are you so surprised? You haven’t.” I feel shy admitting it, but she’s my wife so no secrets.

  “Yes, but I grew up sheltered and not really around anyone my own age.” She takes a step closer to me, and it feels like my confession is strengthening our bond.

  “Yeah, well, I grew up in a home where my parents’ love was what I wanted. And I wasn’t settling until I found something like that. No reason to play around with someone if they weren’t the one. I wanted my first time to be with my soul mate. My dad once told me if he knew my mom was out there, he never would have touched another woman before her. He told me he wished he could have given her that.”

  Her mouth falls open slightly, and she licks her soft pink lips. “Do you think that’s what I am?” The words are breathy as she presses her body against mine.