Hold You Close

by Jessica Linden

  That’s when her real worries would begin. That’s when the imprisonment she’d signed up for for the rest of her life would start.

  Veronica had no fucking clue the price Ginny was playing for her freedom.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Veronica arched one perfectly groomed eyebrow. The two sisters stared at one another for a moment in a stand-off.

  “On second thought, we’ll have to reschedule our lunch,” Ginny said through clenched teeth. “I really do have a lot of work to do.”

  “Suit yourself,” Veronica said in a flippant tone. She pulled a small pink box out of her purse and tossed it on the desk. “I got these for you.” Then she turned on her heels and left.

  It took a few deep cleansing breaths for Ginny to stop seeing red. Why did she let Veronica get to her like that?

  She picked up the box and opened it. White-chocolate-covered pretzels from the downtown chocolate shop. Her favorite.

  Tears formed in her eyes. Veronica was selfish—had always had a selfish streak that had only gotten wider as she’d grown up. That was just who she was. Then she’d do something like this and Ginny would remember she had a sweet side, too.

  “Damn it,” she whispered, running her fingers over the silver lettering on the box. Families didn’t get to choose one another, and Veronica was the only sister she was ever going to have.

  She grabbed her purse and raced out of her office to catch her.

  * * *

  In the car on the way to the Grekowski engagement party, the tension between Ginny and Fedor ran higher than normal. Fedor hadn’t brought up their conversation from dinner earlier this week and neither had Ginny. In addition to the money she’d gotten from the necklace, she’d pulled some strings and finessed the company’s finances, begging and pleading with the bank for an extension on their line of credit. As long as nothing huge turned up in the next few months, they should make it until Ginny got access to more funds as the new Mrs. Barkov.

  Mrs. Barkov. Never had she imagined this life for herself. In certain circles—mostly underground ones she wanted no knowledge of—Fedor was a powerful and respected man. As his wife, would that power extend to her as well? She shuddered as she imagined herself reigning supreme over the other women in his criminal enterprise. Did he have a mistress? She wouldn’t be surprised. Would he continue the affair after they were married? Would she even care if he did?

  Probably not.

  She’d never made an overture of affection toward him, yet he’d always regarded her with a sense of adoration. Now when he looked at her, his gaze was contemptuous. Perhaps she’d taken it too far last time when she’d made it clear she had no interest in sharing his bed.

  Shit. This wasn’t good. But damn it, what did he expect? Did he think she’d be happy after he’d basically blackmailed her into marrying him? Surely he didn’t expect her to develop feelings for him.

  Or maybe he did. In that case, double shit. As much as she didn’t want to, she had to fix this. It was in her best interests to be on good terms with Fedor. She had to try harder.

  “Have you ever attended one of the Grekowskis’ parties?” she asked, laying a hand on his arm and smiling.

  “No.” His tone was curt.

  “They’re pretty interesting. For a New Year’s party one time, they hired acrobats to swing from the ceilings. One of them even attached herself to the bar with her hair. It was almost like being at the circus.” She was rambling but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.

  “Sounds like a waste of money. If I wanted to go to the circus, I’d go to the circus.”

  Ginny smoothed down her dress, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. “Oh, it was all in good fun.”

  “Then let’s hope tonight will be fun.” He paused and starting at her knee, ran one finger slowly up her thigh. “The choice is yours, my dear.”

  She stilled, her stomach rolling at his thinly veiled reference to their conversation from the other night. She wanted to slap his hand away, then scrub her skin where he’d touched her. When he finally did have his way with her, would she ever feel clean again?

  As his gaze roamed over her, she felt overexposed in her modest black dress. She resisted the urge to cover up, not wanting to give away that he got to her. Her pride was one of the few things she had left in this totally fucked-up relationship.

  But even that was fleeting.

  “I’m not sure what the theme of the party is,” she said neutrally, feigning ignorance to what he alluded to. “But whatever it is, it’s sure to be entertaining.”

  “It’s not entertainment I’m interested in,” Fedor said. “I’m a very patient man, but that patience has its limits. Even for you, my kotik.” He removed his hand from her thigh, a small victory. But while she may have won this battle, she was doomed for the war.

  “I appreciate that,” Ginny said demurely.

  “I’ve been good to you, yes?”

  Ginny swallowed. “Yes.” Aside from the blackmail.

  “I’d like to keep it that way. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. We want the same things, Fedor.”

  He chuckled, the sound bringing goosebumps to her flesh. “I’d like to believe that. So make me believe it, my kotik.”

  His hand traveled down her cheek, her throat, and her chest, stopping at her breast. He squeezed aggressively and used his other hand to yank her close.

  His mouth covered hers, and she couldn’t suppress her first instinct to recoil. She pushed against his chest before her brain took control of her instincts and she relaxed her body, giving in to him.

  His tongue darted into her mouth, reminding her of a lizard’s. He tasted faintly of cigars. It took every ounce of willpower to return his kiss, to hook her leg over his knee, to pretend she desired him.

  His walnut-knuckled hand continued to knead her breast roughly—the act was not for her pleasure but for his own. His grip tightened so intensely she worried it might bruise. She whimpered.

  Abruptly he pulled away. He gripped her chin in his fingers. “You’re going to have to do better than that, luybov moya.”

  He released her and she removed her leg from his knee. Her hands shook as they adjusted her hair.

  She was so fucked.

  Chapter 6

  After congratulating the happy couple to be, Tony positioned himself with a clear view of the entrance, right next to the tiger sleeping in a golden cage. Where the hell did the Grekowskis find people to plan these crazy parties of theirs? There were no less than four exotic cats on display. He didn’t put it past them to have a Siegfried and Roy–type of show planned for later. But he might not be there that long. If Ginny didn’t show within an hour, he was out of there.

  “Tony.” Sean, one of Marco’s friends, clapped him on the back. “It’s good to see you.”

  “Likewise,” Tony said, shifting slightly so it wouldn’t be obvious he was watching the door.

  “How have you been?”

  “Good. A lot of work and no play.”

  “I hear that.”

  “Are you still traveling a lot?” Tony asked. Sean’s family owned a chain of restaurants that were situated along the interstate at most major exits. He spent his time traveling between them, doing surprise visits.

  “Not as much. Yolanda’s expecting, and she wasn’t having any more of it. If she went into labor while I was gone . . . I don’t even want to think about it. I’d be a dead man.”

  Tony chuckled. “Congratulations.” Tony had heard that Sean had eloped in Vegas a few months ago with a woman he’d met in his travels, but he’d yet to meet her. Before he’d gotten so wrapped up in Adamo Enterprises, he’d spent most of his time at the gym with Knox and the other guys.

  Man, he missed it. The thing he really missed about it was he wasn’t Tony Adamo, CEO. He was just Tony.

  “Thanks, man. Heard from Marco lately?”

  “Actually, no.” Tony had been so busy he hadn’t given it much thought, but he now realized it’d been m
onths since he’d heard from his brother. Marco had fallen off the radar before, so he shook off the small bit of worry that took root. “I’m sure he’s just busy. You know how he is.”

  “Yeah. He’s a prick when it comes to keeping in touch. If you hear from him, tell him I asked about him.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Sean wandered off and Tony drained the last of his beer. He checked his watch. Twenty more minutes. That’s all he was giving her.

  He almost snorted at the thought. He was giving her twenty minutes? She didn’t want anything to do with him.

  Fuck. This was so pathetic. And what would make it even more pathetic was if she didn’t show at all and the whole thing turned out to be a complete waste of his time.

  He should go now and cut his losses. Stop being a coward and just call her.

  Even if she took his call, calling her wasn’t the same as seeing her. He wouldn’t be able to look into her eyes over the phone. Wouldn’t be able to hear her breath hitch as his fingers graced her soft skin. He wanted to touch her.

  Then there she was—walking in on the arm of Barkov. Her dress was black and though it technically covered her body, it left little to the imagination. No amount of clothing could hide those curves. They were enough to make a man forget his own name.

  Fedor’s arm slipped down to her hip and his hand grazed her ass.

  Rage built within Tony. He seethed, clenching his fists. Ginny wasn’t some classless hooker to be groped at a formal event, especially by that lowlife.

  He should rip Barkov’s arm out of his socket.

  Until recently, he rarely gave Ginny a passing thought. Now he wanted to pummel Barkov and feed him to the tiger in the middle of this over-the-top soiree. Objectively, he realized how ridiculous it was, but after a few minutes with her the other night, his instinct to protect her was on overdrive.

  He kept his distance, watching her make the rounds and introduce Barkov to all the major players at the party. Some were receptive, others less so. It seemed not everyone was convinced of the man’s new clean image. It took a lot more than money to buy your way into this crowd.

  Every time she touched his arm or smiled at him, it was a punch to Tony’s gut. And every time Barkov touched her, he wanted to march over there and knock his teeth out.

  How could she smile at him like that? To an outsider, she might appear genuine, but he knew better. When she smiled for real, her whole face lit up. Her smiles tonight didn’t reach her eyes, which remained dull. What the hell had made her so desperate she was willing to put on this charade?

  The more he watched, the more convinced he became that there was something shady between them. What hold did Barkov have over her?

  Shit. Veronica appeared out of nowhere ten feet in front of him and sashayed over, swinging her impressive hips for all they were worth.

  Damn. He really didn’t want to deal with her shit tonight, but now there was no avoiding her. That’s what he got for ignoring his surroundings and only having eyes for Ginny. But dammit, someone had to. The woman was obviously not looking out for herself.

  “Tony,” Veronica said by way of greeting. She finished the last of her drink, then picked up the olive left in the bottom of the glass. She held it up to her cherry-red lips and bit into it. It was one of her signature moves she used to drive men wild.

  Too bad for her he was immune.

  He couldn’t believe he’d been under her spell for so long. The few kisses he’d shared with Ginny were worth a million of anything he’d ever had with Veronica.

  “Hello, Veronica,” Tony said, deciding to play nice.

  “Still watching my sister, I see.”

  “What’s it to you?” He’d thought he was being subtle, but apparently not. Then again, Veronica was always looking for trouble.

  “You know she’s only marrying him for his money.”

  He snorted. “I doubt it. Ginny’s not like you.”

  “Touché.” She didn’t bother correcting him. Of course, Tony knew her better than most, especially considering they’d almost ended up Mr. and Mrs. But he’d been young and stupid, and Veronica was a knockout. A pretty face and willing body could help any dumb twenty-two-year-old overlook a lot.

  And he’d been a freaking idiot.

  By the time he’d realized he wanted more in life than the wild times Veronica provided, he was already engaged to her. He couldn’t believe he’d looked past her less-than-admirable qualities for so long. Then again, she’d also been younger and not nearly as conniving as she was now. Or maybe she was more concerned with hiding her true nature back then. He didn’t know and didn’t care.

  Ginny had been right there the whole time. Most of his best memories from his early twenties included Ginny. At first, she’d just been Veronica’s kid sister. Then she’d grown up a little and they’d become friends. And now he wanted to explore the possibility of being so much more than friends.

  Veronica flipped her hair over her shoulder. “It’s true. Dad has ruined the company and Barkov was willing to invest . . . if Ginny married him.”

  “What’s in it for him?” While Ginny was a prize, Barkov wasn’t the type of man who’d do something unless he stood to gain, and gain big.

  And Tony still wasn’t buying the Ginny would marry that asshole just for money. Her standards were higher than that. Or at least they had been. He scrubbed a hand over his face. He hadn’t spent much time with her in the last few years. Could she have changed that much?

  No. He didn’t believe it. Veronica might have been able to hide who she really was under a smooth veneer, but Ginny wasn’t like that. All it took was one look into Ginny’s eyes to see she was genuine.

  Or now, in the case of her being with Barkov—miserable. Her smiles were fake, her touches insincere. He couldn’t be the only one who saw that.

  “See the way she parades him around?” Veronica inclined her head toward the couple. They watched in silence for a few seconds as Ginny tried to bring Barkov into the conversation. Whenever he spoke, though, the others in the group got sour looks on their faces.

  Normally Tony wouldn’t condone that type of snobbery, but Barkov didn’t belong here. For the most part, these were good people. He couldn’t say the same for Barkov.

  “It’s no secret he’s trying to go legit,” Tony commented.

  “It might be easier for him with a wife who’s already in the right crowd.” Veronica shrugged.

  She made a valid point. While people may be reluctant to accept Barkov, they wouldn’t turn away Ginny. She was genuinely liked by everyone.

  “I don’t like it,” Tony said.

  “Since when do you care?” Veronica asked.

  Tony gave her a hard stare. “I think a better question would be why don’t you care?”

  “Ginny’s a big girl. She can make her own decisions.”

  Unbelievable.

  “I need a drink.” Tony moved away from Veronica, once again saying a silent thanks that he’d escaped her clutches when he did.

  “Get me one, too!” Veronica called after him. Tony didn’t acknowledge the request. She could get her own damn drink.

  He kept an eye on Ginny and Barkov, waiting for them to separate, but she stayed glued to his side. He hoped to get her alone, but maybe it was time to take matters into his own hands.

  * * *

  Fedor’s fingers dug into her side, yet Ginny didn’t break her smile. “Fedor, have you met Natalie Farrington Kent?”

  Fedor removed his arm from her waist to take Natalie’s hand and kiss her knuckles. Ginny didn’t know Natalie well, but she could tell from the look in her eyes she wasn’t impressed with the gesture. The formidable man by Natalie’s side didn’t seem particularly thrilled by it, either.

  This must be her MMA fighter boyfriend. Ginny had been as surprised as everyone else when Natalie had gone “missing” last spring. The real story was downright shocking—Gerald Kent had been more or less holding his daughter prisoner while taking
control of his late wife’s fortune. He’d had everyone fooled.

  Just like I’m trying to do—fool everyone into thinking I’m madly in love with Fedor. The comparison made her uncomfortable, but she couldn’t discount its validity. For the rest of her life, she’d be living a lie.

  “Mr. Barkov,” Natalie said smoothly, taking back her hand. “Your reputation precedes you.”

  “All good things, I hope.”

  Natalie looked at him for a beat before turning to the man at her side. “This is Knox.”

  Knox and Fedor regarded one another coldly, neither man extending his hand.

  Shit. Not good. If Ginny didn’t know better, she’d think there was already bad blood between the two men. Hell, maybe there was. She had no clue what Fedor was involved in and Knox was from the south side of town.

  Since arriving, Ginny had done her best to play the adoring fiancée, introducing Fedor to as many people as she could—the more important the individual, the better—desperate to remind him his association with her was valuable. Exploiting her family name that way made her sick to her stomach, but she was doing what had to be done.

  Except now she’d facilitated an introduction to someone he already seemed to despise. Surely he wouldn’t hold that against her. How was she supposed to know?

  “Kotik, why don’t you get a drink?”

  “I’m okay right now . . .” she cleared her throat when he narrowed his eyes at her. “Would you like something?”

  “Gin and tonic.”

  Natalie looked back and forth between Knox and Fedor, then turned to Ginny. “I’ll go with you.”

  Once they were out of earshot, Natalie said, “Well, that was awkward.”

  “I’m sorry. Fedor is . . . he’s complicated,” Ginny finished lamely. Complicated didn’t begin to cover it.

  “He’s kind of an asshole from what I hear,” Natalie said.