TORMENTED: Bratva Fury (book 1)

by Alexi Ferreira

  "Make sure we have someone looking out for her friend at all times. She seems to be important to her," I say quietly to Vlad as I look over to where Jade is standing. Vlad nods and then stands.

  "I will organise it. I also want to go check on Boris." I nod as he turns to make his way out of the apartment. "See you later, Jade,” he calls before he leaves.

  I carry the dishes to the kitchen. Once I have everything there, I fill the dishwasher. I'm closing the door to it when I feel Jade behind me. "I never thought someone like you would do dishes," she quips with a raised brow.

  "Someone like me?" I ask, wanting to know exactly what she means by that. Does she know who I am now?

  "Someone with money, with power, who can have anything he wants," she replies.

  "Well, I’m sorry to disappoint, but Silvia is only here in the mornings, and I refuse to ask things of my people if I’m not prepared to do it myself," I answer. There is surprise on her features before she ducks her head. I don’t say anything else. I lean back against the counter, my arms crossed over my chest, and I wait. She finally looks up. Stretching her hand, she hands me the phone.

  "Thank you. She’s fine, and she mentioned that you have someone there looking out for her."

  "Now that you know everything is fine with your friend, do you have any more complaints about staying here so I can keep you safe?"

  She starts to shake her head, but then stops. "Thank you. I’m sorry if I’ve been grumpy, but this was a bit of a shock." I notice that her shoulders are pulled back, her luscious breasts thrusting out, begging for my touch. I lift from where I’m leaning and approach her. I see her swallow nervously as she looks up at me. Lifting my hand, I stroke her cheek and notice she catches her breath. Her eyes widen at my touch.

  "I will keep you safe." I lower my head and take her lips in a soft kiss, trying not to frighten her. When she finally opens to me, I deepen the kiss, groaning when I taste her sweetness, my hardness straining against my slacks. We are both breathing raggedly by the time I lift my head and see her lust-filled eyes. I nearly take her lips again, but I know that if I do, we won’t stop until I make her mine, and for that, I need time to savour her, time I don’t have at the moment.

  "Come, let me show you your room." I take her hand, a dazed look on her face as I start guiding her towards the bedrooms. Opening the door, I let go of her hand and step to the side, so she can see where she'll be sleeping. She takes a step forward and stops, looking around at everything. "My room is across from yours. If you need anything, just let me know. Andrei will be here soon with your belongings. Until then, I suggest you take a nap and relax. I will be in the office if you need me." She looks up at me and then nods. I lower my head and kiss her gently on the forehead before I turn and leave, closing the door behind me.

  I want to take her, but I know that if I push too hard, she will bolt at the first opportunity she gets. I’m not one for patience, but in this case, I will be patient, because I have a feeling Jade isn’t going to be like the others. The possessive and protective feelings I’m feeling around her are a surprise to me, but whatever these feelings are, I won’t let her go until I know why she affects me as she does.

  JADE 4

  As Alexey closes the bedroom door, I look around again before I walk towards the king-sized bed and sit down. This room is the size of our living room at home. It is decorated in a navy blue. The carpet is plush, and I hurriedly take off my shoes to feel it under my feet. So, this is how the other half lives. I lean back on my hands and see my reflexion in the full-length mirror that I spy through the door to the bathroom. Standing, I make my way there.

  As I walk in, I can see myself smile. “Oh, yeah.” I’m going to enjoy my stay here. There is a sunken bath with plants surrounding it as if I’m in the middle of a garden. Looking at the shower, I raise my eyebrows. Why would anyone need so many showerheads? I see towels under the sink and decide to try out this shower. It has been a long day, and I may as well try to relax.

  Peeping inside, I see that Alexey has everything anyone might need. There is shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and body wash. Looking closer, I see they are all an expensive make. Working as a waitress who must pay for my rent and college, there isn’t much money left for frivolities. I hurriedly divest of my clothes and turn on the shower. The spray of the different showerheads hits my body just right. I groan in pleasure as I feel all the tense muscles in my body from everything that happened today start to relax.

  I wonder how long Alexey will want me to stay here. I lift my hand to my lips as I remember the kiss we shared earlier. I have never been kissed so thoroughly, so possessively. I should have expected he would be a master at kissing. His presence alone is all-consuming, bigger than life, commanding. I know he’s attracted to me as I am to him. I would have to be blind not to see the reaction I have on him; it’s hard to miss. He had one mighty bulge in his pants when he left here. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting him to walk away, and at the time, I would have given him anything he wanted, as my head stopped working the minute his lips touched mine.

  I’m thankful he stopped, though, as it would have been a mistake. How can I get involved with someone in the mafia, and not just someone, but the main guy at that? I won’t allow myself to get involved with a violent man. I lived enough years with fear and bruising, and seeing my mother suffer because of a violent man, without getting involved with one now. The issue, though, will be to keep away from him, because I know that if I let him kiss me again, I’ll let him do anything he wants with me. I don’t know what it is about this man, but he makes me forget everything and everyone. I knew he was trouble the minute I laid eyes on him.

  Reluctantly stepping out of the shower, I dry myself off. Looking at the floor-to-ceiling mirror, I see my haunted big brown eyes staring back at me in exhaustion. Even though I fell asleep on Alexey’s couch, I still feel tired. I haven’t been sleeping very well ever since my mom phoned me about a week ago to tell me she was in the hospital again, this time with a broken wrist, bruising, and a concussion. She said that she wanted to finally leave my dad, if I could please help her. She’s leaving the hospital the day after tomorrow, and I still haven’t been able to get enough money for her flight ticket.

  Lara offered to help, but she’s just as broke as me. Now with this happening, I won’t even be getting my tips. Maybe I can ask Alexey to help, but I know that if he helps, I will be indebted to him for a long time. I don’t think the mafia is too lenient when it comes to people they loan money to. My eyes focus on the mirror, and I see the tiny scars I still have on my body, the long one over my ribs, but the one I can’t see, the one on my back, is the one that finally gave me the courage to leave home, or I might not have been able to leave the next time.

  Looking critically at my naked body, I wonder if Alexey would like it. My breasts are not small in any sense of the word. They would be a nice handful for him, as I noticed he has nice big hands. My waist is small, but my hips are voluptuous. My ass I’ve seen lots of men look at. At twenty-two, I’ve only had sex with one man before, and to be honest, it was nothing to write home about. I met him when I first moved here. We went out a few times before I finally decided it was time to have sex. After two sexual encounters, I decided he wasn't the right guy for me. Not just because I didn’t enjoy it that much, but also because I didn’t have that excitement to see him.

  I'm a romantic at heart, and I want the fairy tale, that man who will live for me and whom I can’t stop thinking about. I know that Alexey is one of those men who can have any woman he wants. The man is hot, rich, and influential. Also, he has an energy that will pull anyone in. If I let him, he will chew me up and then spit me out. I can’t let myself fall for someone like him. I must keep away, because if he kisses me again, I’m afraid I will be lost. And even though I wouldn’t mind sleeping with him, he’s not my fairy tale.

  I don’t think anyone could ever compare Alexey with a fairy tale. From what I’ve encountered, his wor
ld is dangerous, and from the little I’ve seen, I know that Alexey can be ruthless. Danger radiates from his every pore. I don’t think there is any forgiveness in him once someone crosses him. Walking towards the bed, I pull back the covers and get in. I know that I took a nap earlier, but I’m still tired. I will just rest for a little while, and then I will be fine.

  I am startled from my sleep by someone opening my bedroom door. I pull the covers tight around me, as I’m in my underwear because I didn’t want to lie down in my uniform.

  “Sorry to wake you, but I did knock,” Andrei says as he walks in carrying two travelling bags. I notice he keeps his eyes averted from where I’m lying. How much stuff does he think I need? Those are my bags, and they carried all my stuff when I moved. After setting my bags down just inside the room, he walks out. A minute later, he returns with my toiletry bag and my handbag that I took to work this morning.

  “Did you bring all my stuff?” I ask suspiciously.

  “Da,” he answers. “If there is anything I forgot, let me know and I will collect.” I know my mouth is hanging open. Is he kidding?

  “Thank . . . thank you,” I stutter. He nods, and then he’s walking out and closing the door behind him. What the hell? Why would they bring all my stuff? I’m not going to stay here that long, am I? Huffing, I jump out of bed, feeling refreshed from my nap. I walk towards my handbag and pull out my phone. I gasp when I notice the time. I’ve slept the afternoon away; it’s already four thirty. Shaking my head, I pull one of my bags towards the middle of the room and open it to see what’s inside.

  I see that all my jeans and T-shirts have been packed. The two summer dresses I own are also in here. Looking at a black bag hidden under the dresses, I open it up to see my underwear. Oh, how embarrassing. Andrei has seen all my underwear. And then I realize he hasn’t just seen it, he has touched it too.

  I’m sure Alexey is taking this a bit too far, but I’m not going to complain, as he said he is trying to save my ass even though it’s his fault. Pulling out a pair of jeans and a burgundy T-shirt and a bra, I dress. I’m going to have to pack my clothes somewhere, but I will have to ask Alexey how long I’m going to be here. No use taking everything out to pack everything again in a couple of days.

  Opening my other bag, I see that all my shoes and sneakers have been packed. Looks as if I’ve temporarily moved in. Pulling on my sneakers, I walk out of the room. I walk towards the lounge area where I hear noise and stop in my tracks when I see Vlad lounging on one of the couches. Alexey is standing with his back towards me. I notice that his jacket is off, and his shirt sleeves are rolled up to the elbows.

  A man I don’t recognize is standing opposite Alexey, showing him a machine gun. The man is talking. When he looks up and notices me, he stops talking and stares. Alexey snaps around and then relaxes when he sees it’s me. Vlad also looks and then smiles.

  “You’re finally awake,” Alexey says. “You’re looking rested.” I nod, and then I look at the other man again.

  “Sorry, am I interrupting?” I murmur.

  “No, don’t worry, we’re finished,” Alexey says as he looks over his shoulder and says something in Russian. The man nods and then leaves, taking the gun with him.

  “Are you hungry?” Vlad asks as he sits up.

  “I could eat,” I answer as I twist my hands, feeling awkward before these two powerful men.

  “Great, what do you feel like?” Alexey asks as he moves towards a drinks cabinet and pours himself a vodka, lifting the bottle towards me. I shake my head. I have never acquired the taste for alcohol. The one time I did drink, I got so sick that I promised never to do it again.

  “Oh, I don’t mind. Anything is fine,” I respond as I move towards the couch and sit down. “If you like, I could make something.” I love cooking, and I don’t get to do it enough. I see one of Alexey’s brows raise at my offer.

  “You know how to cook?” Vlad asks excitedly.

  “I love cooking,” I answer with a smile. I find Vlad easy to talk to, contrary to Alexey, who makes me nervous.

  “You don’t have to. We can order,” Alexey says.

  “I really don’t mind,” I say excitedly. I would love to cook. I noticed all the fancy pots and pans and how full the fridge was. I’m sure I could make something that would surprise the socks off them. I nearly giggle at my thoughts.

  “If you’re sure,” he says, “go ahead.” I don’t run to the kitchen because I don’t want them to laugh at me about how excited I am, but I definitely speed walk. When I reach the kitchen, I sigh. Going straight to the fridge, I look in to see what I can use. I take out mushrooms, mustard, and cream. Looking in the freezer, I see a nice piece of fillet. Great, I’m going to make them a dish they will never forget.

  While I place the Basmati rice to boil, I prepare the fillet. When the fillet is in the oven, I decide to make fresh bread that I learnt how to make with my mom. Looking around, I smile. This is the perfect kitchen to cook in. I could lose myself within this kitchen. I prepare the bread and then let it proof while the fillet is in the oven. Twenty minutes later, I take the fillet out of the oven and replace it with the bread. I toss a Mediterranean salad together, and then I’m placing everything on dishes to take to the table. The smell of fresh bread is wafting throughout the house, giving it a homey feeling.

  A few times, Vlad came to see what I was doing, the wonderful smells calling to him. Even Alexey looked around the corner a time or two. Setting the table, I call the men to come eat. I’m bringing the fresh bread out when I see Alexey and Vlad spying under the lid of the fillet. I just manage to hold my smile; these two dangerous-looking men are looking like little boys excited to eat.

  When I sit, Alexey lifts the lids off the food and proceeds to serve me. “That’s enough, thank you,” I say as he fills my plate. I see him frown as he looks down at my plate, but he doesn’t comment, just returns my plate.

  After serving himself, Vlad proceeds to fill his plate with a splitting smile on his face. “This smells so good. Best idea you’ve had,” he comments with a wink. Alexey snaps at him in Russian with a scowl on his face. I don’t know what has displeased him, but whatever it is, it’s with Vlad, as he doesn’t say anything to me, and I’m relieved, because I’ve got a feeling I don’t want to see Alexey’s anger.

  The men start to eat, and I see the surprise on their faces. I bet they didn’t expect this. “This is very good, malysh. Where did you learn to cook like this?” There’s that word again. I see Vlad nod from the corner of my eye as he bites into another piece of meat.

  “Thank you,” I murmur, embarrassed with his compliment. Get a grip of yourself, Jade. Why are you acting like a wimp? “I’ve always loved to cook and bake. I learnt a lot with my mom, but I also play around with recipes.” At my words, he nods.

  When Vlad takes a bite of his bread, he groans loudly, making me laugh. Just then, there’s a knock at the main door, startling me. I know it’s silly, but I’m still a bit shaken from this morning, and any unexpected noise startles me.

  “Da,” Alexey calls as he places his big hand over mine. Only then do I notice I was holding my fork so tightly that my fingers are white. “You are safe here. I won’t let anything happen to you.” His touch calms me; I look into his eyes and see a promise in them that assures me. When Andrei walks in, he removes his hand from mine.

  Andrei walks towards us and says something in Russian. I see Alexey tense before he responds. Since Andrei entered, I can’t look at him. I’m so embarrassed that he packed and touched all my underwear that I’m sure I’m blushing. Andrei has turned and is walking away when Alexey stops him. “Stoy,” he snaps, making Andrei stop and turn back towards us. I lift my eyes from my food to Alexey and notice that he’s frowning at me.

  “What is making you uncomfortable about Andrei?” My mouth falls open at how observant he is, while I’m sure my cheeks have gone a deep red from embarrassment. Oh, my goodness, I will never be able to face Andrei ever again after this
.

  “It’s nothing,” I whisper urgently, trying to get him to let Andrei leave. I see his green eyes snap at my reply.

  “Nyet, do not lie,” he growls. Damn man just couldn’t let this go.

  “I’m just embarrassed that he packed my underwear,” I whisper. I’m sure my body is flushing from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair. At my reply, I see his eyes darken, and then he’s talking to Andrei again. I wish he would talk in English. I don’t understand a thing he’s saying, but he doesn’t seem happy. “Please don’t be angry with him. It’s not his fault.”

  Alexey nods towards the door, and Andrei leaves without a word. Now I’ll have to apologise to him. “Your under things will be replaced,” he states.

  “What! No, no, that isn’t necessary,” I state hurriedly. That is the last thing I want to happen.

  “It is done,” he answers with a no-nonsense tone, and then proceeds to eat. I can feel my blood rushing through my body at this irritating man.

  “You can’t just decide to get me new things. I have a say in this,” I argue. His head rises from where he’s looking at his plate, and he stares at me. I see a vain throb at his temple, and I know that I should desist, but he can’t just take over my life.

  “I will not have you wear under things that a man has touched.” His voice is low, a warning in his tone.

  “But you’re the one who sent him to get my things,” I reiterate.

  “Enough.” His fist hits the table, making me jump. I know that I have pushed him as far as is sensible. Dropping my cutlery, I push back my chair.