His

by 12 Author Anthology

  “No, found and claimed, my tigri. It’s no use trying to outrun one’s destiny.” He thrust upwards into her core and Lara could only pant her agreement and hold on for the ride of her life.

  Destiny had indeed come and claimed her.

  She was his.

  The End

  www.dorisoconnor.com

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  SEDUCED BY THE MILLIONAIRES

  Copyright© 2013

  Shyla Colt

  Chapter One

  Dmitry wove his way through the crowd, not bothering to see if Valantine followed. He’d meet up with him eventually. They only reason they were both here at Red Square, instead of the Diamond club they frequented, was his pain in the ass sister, Irina. Ever since their father died three years ago she’d turned into a complete brat. Missing the past five family dinners put him in a position he wanted to avoid. She was a part of the Arsenyev family, wither she liked it or not. There was no getting out of the Russian mafia. He’d tried, put in four years of school for accounting, only to have it ripped away when his Father keeled over from a heart attack, not a hit. Cleaners tended to live long lives. They were a necessary evil, word got out you wasted one, you’d be hard pressed to hire another. So, they held a sort of immunity, if you could call it that. His hands were just as bloodstained as the next man’s. The sights he and Val saw were a dark blot on his soul, scaring his brain with bloody memories of the nameless, faceless dead.

  Jesus, I feel the need for a stiff drink and loose woman coming on. It was how he and Val anesthetized. The women they knew within the lifestyle were hungry sharks, circling their family name and fortune as if they were seals in the water. Best to keep his options open and his conscience clear. He never promised anything more than a good time, which he and Val delivered, often together. Taught him everything he knows. A smirk broke the straight line his lips had formed. In the Arsenyev family the term brother’s keeper wasn’t taken lightly. For as long as he could remember he’d been keeping an eye on Val. Scanning the crowded bar he spotted the dark-haired, petite form of his baby sister. Taking the long way around, he sat down at the bar when her back was turned. Rina was crafty. He wouldn’t make the mistake of giving her a chance to take a break, or a never-ending bathroom trip.

  “Hi, can I get you started with something?” The soft voice with a hint of twang had made his cock stand at attention.

  He lifted his gaze, and his cock twitched. Huge, brown eyes full of warmth and innocence sat in a slender, oval-shaped face. Full, glossed lips were curved up into a smile that showed even, white teeth. Her lean body was covered in skin the color of an espresso. The delicate scent of roses blossomed around him. Damn, she even smells pretty. His tongue darted out to moisten his lips, and he cleared his throat to buy time as he unscrambled his brain.

  “What do you have on tap?”

  “Too much to name.” Amusement laced her voice as she reached under the bar to grab a menu. A quick once over took in her outfit. It was basic, a blank tank top with a blue jean skirt. Muscular legs were revealed to just above the knee, along with a small waist and a smallish chest. Her height grazed six foot. Too young for my thirty-five. Still he was blinded by her sparkle. She had what his mother referred to as a beautiful soul. Dark is always attracted to light.

  She set a laminated menu onto the bar in front of him. “I’ll give you a minute while I check in on my other customers.”

  “Thanks.” His gaze followed her as she walked away. Of course she had an apple-shaped ass. She’s out of my league. He never played with fragile hearts. She was a settle down, marry, and impregnate kind of good girl. It was written all over her. What the hell is she even doing working in a place like this? The dangerous men who frequented this bar should make a tender, young thing like her quiver in her—he glanced down—steel-toe boots.

  “Did you find our next partner?” Valantine sat down in the stool beside him.

  “No, this one’s too sweet. She’d give us a toothache.” Dmitry scanned the menu.

  “You think we couldn’t land her?” Valantine’s voice held a barely curbed excitement.

  “No, little brother, I’m saying we shouldn’t.” Frowning he turned toward Valantine. Shit. The thrill visible in his vibrant green eyes spelled trouble.

  “You know how I feel about rules, and she looks tasty.” Valantine bit his bottom lip. “Like a chocolate-covered strawberry with the sweetest juices hidden in the middle.” He turned toward Dmitry. “We could train her to our specific … inclinations.”

  “You do realize you sound like one of the spoiled asses we hate right now, right?”

  “No. They’d be trying to buy her. I want to seduce and guide her to pleasurable heights unlike any she’s ever known.” Val wagged his eyebrows.

  “Assumptions. Maybe she has a man and gets it on the daily. She looks barely legal, maybe thirty-year-olds aren’t her thing. ”

  “How about we find out?” Valantine nodded toward the bartender who’d reappeared.

  “Hi, I’ll be with you in a moment. ” She smiled at Val before she returned her attention to him. “Did you decide?”

  “Yes, I’d like a pint of your Summer Ale.”

  “Good choice. That’s my personal favorite right now.” She looked to Val. “Do you know what you want, or would you like a menu?”

  “Oh I know exactly what I’d like, a chocolate-covered strawberry.”

  “I like a man who’s in touch with his feminine side.” She winked. “I’ll be back with your drinks in a jiffy.”

  “I don’t know if that went the way you pictured it would in your head.” Dmitry didn’t even attempt to keep the laughter out of his voice.

  “Hmm.” A thoughtful expression covered Val’s face, chasing away the sultry smug vibe he’d exuded before.

  “What are you two doing here!” Dmitry glanced over his shoulder. Irina was pissed. Her cheeks were flushed tomato red, and her hazel eyes shot green sparks. If looks killed, he’d be riddled with bullets and bleeding out on the floor. Hands placed on her hips. She scowled so hard her eyebrows practically met.

  “You wouldn’t come to us. Figured it was time we came to you.” Dmitry shrugged.

  She stepped between them. “This is bullshit.”

  “No, you ditching the family functions for over a month is bullshit.” Emphasizing the last word, he met her glare until she glanced away.

  “I needed a break!”

  “How much more do you expect me to bend, Rina? You live on your own, have a job outside of our family—”

  “Please! This place is owned by the Baskovs.”

  “Yes. We need eyes on you. It’s our life, always has been, always will be, time for you to suck it up and deal. Running away does nothing. Trust me.” Dmitry shook his head. Wisely, Val remained silent.

  Irina glanced away. Her body language softened, and she sighed.

  “You’re breaking Moma’s heart. I could overlook the disrespect to me, but never to her.” Thinking of everything his mother had been through since their father’s death, he frowned. She should know better.

  “I understand,” she whispered in Russian.

  “If I could change the rules I would. But they keep all of us safe.” He gentled his tone. “You know that.”

  “I know.”

  “Hey, Rina! You know these guys?” The bartender returned, and they pasted on happy faces as she set down their drinks.

  “Hey, Lila, I do. They’re my brothers, Dmitry and Valantine, Val for short.” She gestured toward them. “Guys, this is my bestie, Lila.”

  “Nice to meet you, Lila.” Val rolled the la off his tongue, took her hand in his and kissed the back.

  She looked away and Dmitry sensed her embarrassment. It warmed his heart to see a woman untainted. The people in his circle were desensitized to the world. Taught to scheme from the moment they were old enough to understand, they were steepe
d in shadiness. A genuine smile escaped, moving his mouth in ways it wasn’t used to.

  Lila glanced up and offered a shy smile and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you too.” Dmitry shook it.

  The soft skin and long, artistic fingers gripped his own in a firm, prim and proper motion. I bet she was a straight A student in a private school where they still teach etiquette. All she had to complete the picture she drew was a curtsey. “Likewise.” Her gaze met his, and he felt the inspection all the way down to his soul. What does she see when she looks at me? A few heartbeats passed. Rina cleared her throat.

  “S-sorry.” She took her hand back, flustered. “I’ll let you guys talk. I’m gonna go check on customers. ” Giving a shaky smile, she nodded toward the right before she tuned and slunk off.

  “No.” Rina’s sharp tone hit him like a slap to the face.

  “What?”

  “Lila is not for you.” Rina turned to Val. “Or you, leave her alone. She’s a good girl. Plus she’s even younger than me. ”

  “She has to be legal to work here. Speaking of which… why is she here?” Val said.

  “She’s twenty-two, and putting herself through college.”

  Dmitry exchanged a look with Val. That wasn’t what he wanted to know.

  “Is she related to someone?” Dmitry asked. It wasn’t like them to hire outsiders. Especially one ignorant to their lives.

  Rina shook her head. “She’s insurance. Because she can’t speak Russian they get her to serve the important clients for things, and everyone feels safe. Lila’s always there to listen to me when I need it. I won’t have the two of you using her up like toilet paper to be flushed down the toilet.”

  “Yikes, is that how you see us?” Val arched a brow and brought his drink to his lips.

  “That’s what I know.”

  “No, that’s your perception. We don’t have to explain ourselves to you, Rina. I just came here to say we’d better see you at the house on Sunday. Understand?” He lowered his voice and pinned her with a serious gaze.

  “If I don’t?”

  “You don’t want to find out.”

  Clamping her mouth shut, she nodded.

  “Now that we understand each other, Val and I will have a few drinks and be on our way.”

  She narrowed her eyes and nodded. “I have to get back to work now.”

  “Don’t let us keep you.” Val grinned.

  “Smart ass.” Rina spun on her heel and sashayed off into the crowd.

  “You just love antagonizing her, don’t you?” Dmitry took a sip of his beer and Val laughed.

  “It’s too easy not to.” Val’s gaze moved past him to Lila. “Don’t worry. I have my eyes set on a bigger challenge.”

  Dmitry frowned. “She’s not even your type.”

  “Perhaps what I’m after is something more.”

  “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. I make a living off of lies.”

  Val peered at him, and the vulnerability visible in his emerald eyes stunned Dmitry. “You feel her soul the same way I do. Don’t pretend you aren’t dying to touch her in hopes a minute amount of her goodness will wash away some of your sins.”

  Ashamed, Dmitry looked down at his half drunk beer.

  “We owe it to ourselves to explore this.”

  “And bring her into our lives?” Dmitry shook his head.

  “I respect you. But I’m not backing down on this. If you want to have any say so, you’ll have to go along for the ride.”

  Well shit.

  ****

  Lila took a shaky breath and busied herself collecting empty glasses from the bar. Those were the two overprotective brothers she’d heard so much about? Who knew they’d be so gorgeous. Of course, with Rina’s look it shouldn’t have come as a shock. Valantine’s flirting got under her skin. She was used to being hit on at the bar. It came with the territory, but there was something about him… and Dmitry. Her strong attraction to both men embarrassed her. Good girls didn’t lust after their best friend’s brothers. They’re hot and charming, no need to make a fool of myself. Bolstered by her mental pep talk, she returned to the end of the bar to check on them.

  “Hey guys, how are we doing?” she asked.

  “Much better now.” Val grinned. Her knees grew weak and her core temperature spiked. His green eyes seemed to promise her the world if only she’d come and play with him. Like a rabbit entranced by a snake she was rooted to the spot in front of him.

  “What my litter brother meant to say is we’d like another round.” The silky smooth tone of Dmitry’s voice broke the spell.

  “Y-yeah, sure.” God, he must think I’m an idiot! Grateful for the rescue she grabbed their empty glasses and rushed off.

  “Hey, you okay?” Rina asked from her left.

  “Yeah, just refreshing your brothers’ drinks.”

  “Are they giving you a hard time? Because I can make them leave.”

  “N-no. They’re fine.”

  “Uh huh.” The corners of Rina’s lips curled down. “Listen, be careful with them, Lila. They’re kind of playboys.”

  “Oh you don’t have to worry about me. I’m sure I’m not their type.” Lila shook her head. Men like that dated movie star beautiful girls. She was a scrawny girl from the sticks trying to make it in the big city. After graduating high school, putting in two years at the local community college, and earning an Associates in Business, she knew she wanted more. So she’d packed her bag and relocated to Chicago where she could stay with her uncle and aunt until she got on her feet and continued school part-time. After weeks of searching, fate brought her to Red Square. Her boss Anton took a liking to her, and the rest was history. Three years later she was a manager in training, making enough to pay her bills and be comfortable. Meeting Rina had been icing on the cake. They took to one another like ducks to water when she started six months prior.

  “You underestimate yourself, Li, you’re a dime piece. I know a dozen fine Russian men who’d love to sweep you off your feet, and treat you like a Queen… if Anton wouldn’t break their necks.”

  Lila laughed. “Thank you for that.”

  “Just speaking the truth.” A look passed between them. Rina knew all about her past. Vanity had never been tolerated in her home. That meant plain clothes, few mirrors, and no pride in her shape or her facial features. Even now as she learned what fit her best and began to eek out her own style she felt twinges of guilt. Bible belt life was unique unto itself. Unless you lived it, you couldn’t truly understand how strict and all consuming it could be.

  “Are we still on for tonight?”

  Lila bit her lip. Clubs made her nervous. There was too much skin showing, aggressive males, and free flowing alcohol. At least that’d been her experience the one time she’d gone with a few girlfriends back home. Rina insisted Diamond catered to a classier crowd. She’d pestered her for months and finally, worn down, Lila agreed.

  “Don’t you dare back out on me, Lila.”

  “Dang it! You know me too well. Okay, I’m going.”

  “This is going to be so much fun! Step two in the process of dragging you kicking and screaming into modern life in the big city.”

  Heat filled Lila’s cheeks. Up until six months ago she’d lived with her aunt and uncle. Compared to most twenty-one-year–olds, she was sheltered.

  “Just come over to my house when you’re done. We’ll highlight all those assets you keep under lock and key, have a few drinks to give you a little liquid courage, and go big. Consider it the twenty-first birthday celebration you never had.” Rina gave her a quick hug before she walked off to close out her customer’s tabs and leave.

  Lila still couldn’t believe a girl like Rina would give her the time of day. Back home things were very divided by things like race and wealth. It was clear the Dry Cleaning business made the Arsenyev a wealthy, well-respected family. She glanced down at Dmitry and Valantine, or Val as he’d insisted she call him. Val winked and she glanced away. Why is he flirtin
g with me? Confused she shook her head. I still have a lot to learn.

  Chapter Two

  For the first time in a month Diamond held no lure for him. A curvaceous redhead in a black dress that showed off her svelte body winked. Val glanced away unmoved. Meeting his brother’s electric blue gaze, he saw an identical boredom reflected.

  “We should’ve stayed at Red Square,” he said.

  “Why? She was leaving soon anyway.” Dmitry shrugged.

  “If you hadn’t cock blocked us, we might have been able to meet her somewhere.” His brother’s bulldozing routine hadn’t amused him one bit.

  “You claim you want her because she’s unjaded, but you want to go at it like she’s a good time girl. It’d ruin the thing that attracted you to her in the first place.”

  “Don’t be so maudlin, big brother. Once we had her in our beds, we wouldn’t let her go.”

  “I detected a Southern flavor in her voice. I think she’d like to be wined and dined.”

  “We can’t do both? Wine, dine, seduce, and savor.” He raised an eyebrow and Dmitry scowled.

  “Everything’s a joke to you.”

  “No. I just choose not to walk around like I have a stick up my ass.”

  “Fuck you, Val. You know what I put up with.” His brother placed his glass onto the table, hard.

  Val sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just… it’s been a long time since I cared.” Last time they’d attempted something serious, they’d both been drug through the mud. Vera was self-centered, petty, and devious. She was also gorgeous, and one hell of an actress. Playing them against each other every opportunity available she’d driven a wedge between them that only catching her with another man removed. Thoughts of the blue-eyed girl with black hair and peaches and cream skin made him cringe.

  “I do know, Valantine. It’s why I’m weary. We aren’t the best judges of character, and if we go about this the wrong way we could send her running scared.”