“Excuse me, sir, you can’t go in there,” a cop says as I approach the main door. I look over my shoulder at him and raise my eyebrows.
“It’s okay, let him through. He’s the owner.” I see Detective Gerbin walking towards us. Gerbin and a few other detectives are in my pocket, and I’m sure it must have been him who contacted Vlad to let him know.
“Mr. Vasiliev, this way,” he says as he retracts his steps. As soon as we enter the main area, I tense. There is blood on the floor, shattered mirrors and bullet holes on the walls. I see two of my men leaning against the wall. They must have been asked to give a statement. They look over at me and nod in respect. Three of our dancers are huddling together while a police officer takes their statement.
“We’ll deal with this,” I state.
“I can’t just cover this up. There are way too many witnesses,” Gerbin says as he looks around to make sure no one is hearing us. “How about we work together? You tell me what you want me to know, and I keep out of it.”
“Fine, who alerted the cops?” I ask. Everyone who works for me knows that when there’s trouble, they don’t call the police.
“I don’t know, but I will find out,” he says, and then he looks at Jade, who is standing next to me as she looks around. When he looks back at me, my scowl must have warned him, because he quickly excuses himself and leaves.
“Boss.” I turn my head to see one of my men approaching.
“Da.”
“They left a message,” he says quietly in Russian. When I nod, he continues. “They said for you to give up the armament deals or this will only be the beginning.”
“Take the women home. Tell them to keep their heads down and we will be in contact.” I look around again before I guide Jade outside with me towards where Vlad and the others are standing. “Let’s go for lunch,” I state without saying anything else regarding the attack. My men know when to keep quiet. They turn and follow us to where the cars are parked. After buckling Jade in, I sit in silence, holding the steering wheel with such fury that I’m surprised it doesn’t snap.
I feel Jade’s gentle touch on my face. “We don’t have to go to lunch. I can go home while you sort out whatever you need to,” she proposes, her soft touch stroking my face, calming me slightly.
“No, we need to eat, and there is nothing to do right now.” I take her hand in mine and kiss it before I start the car and make my way to the restaurant.
“A Russian restaurant?” Jade queries excitedly when we arrive. “I’ve never had proper Russian food before.”
“Da, the food here is very good.” When we enter, I see Dimitry sitting at the far table. When he sees us, he stands.
“Boss,” he greets as he lowers his head.
“Dimitry, I haven’t seen you in too long.” Dimitry is responsible for training my men and for all our security. Also, when it comes to strategy, he’s the man I want on our side.
“I heard what happened,” he says as I help Jade into a chair. Vlad and the others also take their seats.
“I want to know how they got in without alerting us?”
Dimitry looks over at Jade with a raised brow and then back at me as if querying her presence. “The system was manipulated at the main frame,” he states as he leans back for the waiters to place water on the table.
“The usual, Boss?” the waiter asks, and I nod. I see Jade look at me in surprise, only now realising that the restaurant also belongs to me.
“You’re so sneaky,” she grumbles quietly as she looks at the menu. I place my hand over hers on the table and squeeze gently to give her comfort, as I can see a slight tremble to her fingers. My woman is so strong. She’s holding up this strong front, but I can tell that inside, she’s scared.
Looking back at Dimitry, I nod for him to continue. “The power cable was cut. There is no doubt that it was done intentionally.”
“Have you looked at the cameras?” I ask.
“The camera to that area was conveniently off at the time,” he relates. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Boss, but you have a mole.” Looking over at Vlad, I see the hard look in his eyes. This confirms what we had already suspected, but who the hell could it be? We’ve already had all the staff checked, and nothing was found.
The food arrives, and we all sit in silence as the food is placed before us. Suddenly, Vlad starts to chuckle, and I see a slight smile on Nik’s face. “Kapacota, you look like a little girl at a sweet store with your big eyes looking at all the food.” Glancing at Jade, I see a slight blush on her face as she smiles at him.
“It’s exciting. I don’t know any of these dishes,” she murmurs. She still surprises me, as the simplest things please her. Never have I been with a woman who is pleased just by being taken out for lunch, but my woman makes it feel like I’m doing the best thing in the world for her.
“Well, let’s eat, then,” Vlad teases. I see him pull his side plate towards him and take a piece of his food and place it on the plate before he pushes it towards Jade.
A beautiful smile brightens her face. “Thanks. Yours looks so exotic.”
“Do you trust her?” Dimitry asks quietly in Russian, a suspicious look still on his face.
“Da,” I reply. I don’t need to answer Dimitry, but I understand that he’s cautious around people he doesn’t know. I wouldn’t have it any other way from the man who is responsible for my defence.
“What are these?” Jade asks as she points to the dish that Vlad gave her.
“Those are Russian dumplings. They have meat inside,” he answers as he eats his shashlik, a form of kebab. I notice that Jade ordered the same as me: stroganoff. We start to eat, and the conversation moves to Vlad’s fight. All the men at the table know what needs to be done. Our priority is to find the mole and end him. Soon, Salazar will be destroyed, but until then, I need to make sure to keep my people safe.
JADE 16
Oh no, I can feel a prickling on my tongue. How is this possible? I looked at the ingredients on the menu to my stroganoff, and there were no nuts. Oh damn, I left my purse in the car. I can feel my throat closing up. “Alexey, I need my purse,” I say quietly to him.
He looks over at me and frowns. “Why?” He looks at my phone lying near my hand and back at me.
“I think something had nuts,” I say breathlessly, as my throat is closing quickly. I see his eyes widen. “Fuck.” Grabbing his car keys, he looks at Ivan. “Get her purse. Hurry.” He tosses the keys as Ivan pulls back his chair and hurries away.
“Sorry, I looked . . . at the ingredients. It doesn’t say anything . . .” I try to explain, but it’s becoming more difficult to breathe every minute that passes.
“Shh, don’t talk, just breathe, lyubov moya,” Alexey says as he strokes my hair. “What’s taking him so long?” he roars suddenly, which makes me jump in fright. He better hurry, or I’m going to pass out before I can inject the antihistamine. I see Nik stand and start to leave but then stop as Ivan walks towards us with my purse in his hand.
Alexey takes the purse from him and quickly opens it to take out the injector. “Jade, where must I inject you?” His voice is low and rough as if he’s the one having difficulty breathing. I can’t talk, as I need every breath or I’ll pass out before I can administer the medicine. Taking the injector, I stretch out my arm and bring the needle close to my arm. I hate this. My hand is shaking, and I fight to steady it. “Here, let me do it,” he grunts as he takes my hand away and pushes the needle in.
As soon as he pulls out the needle, he throws it on the table. “There. How long does it take?” he asks, but I’m still gasping for breath and can’t answer him. I can feel the medicine taking effect. My vision is starting to fade, and I’m worried that I might pass out before the antihistamine can clear my airways.
“Jade,” he murmurs. “Breathe, malysh. The medicine will start working soon.” The air is starting to flow easier into my lungs; I close my eyes as I continue to fight for each breath. The drowsiness is starti
ng to push me down into its darkness, an effect from my medication.
“Brat,” I hear Vlad say.
“Net,” Alexey snaps. I force my eyes open and see the glare on Alexey’s face. I don’t know what’s going on, but I need to calm Alexey, as he looks like he’s in a killing mood. Lifting my hand that feels like a weight is pulling it down, I touch his face, getting his attention back on me.
“I’m . . . f . . . fine,” I whisper breathlessly. I see his set jaw relax slightly as he looks at me. He leans down and picks me up against him.
“I’m taking you home, malysh. Just relax.” He pulls me close to his chest. “I want to know what she ate that had nuts and I want everything that contains nuts in this restaurant out,” he orders as he starts to walk. I feel him lowering me into the car, and then he’s buckling me in. The door closes, and a minute later, I hear him slide in on his side. “Eezveeneete, malysh, I’m sorry. I should have made sure they didn’t have nuts in the kitchen before taking you there.” I can hear the anger in his voice, and even though I want to appease him and tell him it’s not his fault, I’m too tired.
Now I understand why Vlad was calling his name. He knew Alexey would blame himself for this. I let myself finally be taken by the medication and awaken a couple hours later on our bed. The room is in darkness, and the house is quiet. I grimace as I feel the usual soreness in my throat from after an episode like earlier. Standing up, I venture out of the room and towards the lounge in search of someone.
The lounge and kitchen are deserted; looking towards Alexey’s office, I see the door is open. Walking there, I see Alexey sitting behind his desk, his head in his hands as he massages his temples with his eyes closed.
“Alexey.” My voice is hoarse as I call him.
His eyes snap open at my voice, and then he stands and strides towards me. “How are you feeling?” he asks, frowning.
“Fine. My throat is a bit sore, but that’s usual,” I answer as he draws me against his chest.
“Vlad called. He said the nuts were in the dumplings. He apologises for giving them to you,” he reveals as he strokes my hair.
“It’s fine. These things happen. I’m the one who should have made sure there were no nuts in anything before I ate it. If anyone is at fault, it’s me.”
“There will be no more nuts in the restaurant, and this will not happen again,” he promises. “Now come, I have something for you.” He guides me towards his desk. Sitting on his chair, he pulls me down onto his lap. My side is to his chest as I look up at his handsome face as he rummages in his draw. “Here.” He hands me a long jewellery box.
“Oh, Alexey. What is this?” I ask as I hold the box in surprise.
“Open it.”
Opening the box gently, I gasp. Inside is a beautifully intricate black cord with a round flat carved jade. Looking up, I see him smiling at my surprise. “It’s beautiful, thank you,” I say as I draw closer and kiss his smiling lips. “I’ve never had anything like this before.”
“You deserve beautiful things,” he says. “Here, let me help you put it on.” Once the stone is hanging around my neck, nestled between my breasts, I smile as I lean in again and kiss him more passionately. This time, he takes over and kisses me until we're both breathless. When he lifts his head, his eyes are smouldering with passion as he swipes the papers on his desk to the floor, and then I find myself leaning on his desk with the short dress I’m wearing hiked over my ass.
“I love this ass of yours,” he murmurs before his hand spanks one of my ass cheeks, making me groan in pleasure. I have never been spanked before, but I’ve found that whatever this man does to me, I love. “This time it’s going to be hard and fast. I can’t wait.” He pulls my panties down my legs, and then my other cheek is spanked with his open palm, and he’s rubbing the area that he spanked.
I hear the zip of his pants and hold my breath, waiting for his big fat cock to enter my needy body. His foot is pushing my ankle, widening my legs, and then I feel him at my entrance before he plunges deep into my body, making me groan loudly in pleasure. His hands go under my body to my breasts as he thrusts forcefully into my body, and then he’s tearing my dress and bra away, freeing my breasts into his hands as he pulls and pinches the nipples, never once slowing his thrusts.
“Alexey.” I gasp. “So close.” I can feel the ripples starting deep within my core. One of his hands lowers, and he strokes my clit.
“Come for me.” He continues to plunder my depths with his deep strokes. When my orgasm hits, it leaves me gasping for air as my pussy tightens like a vice around him. “Jade,” he grunts as if in pain, and then I feel his come fill my depths as he groans. “Moy.” He empties his essence deep within my body.
When our breathing starts to calm, he slips out of my body, lowering my dress over my ass, but doesn’t give me back my panties. I can feel his come leaking out of my body and down my legs. “I have to go get cleaned,” I murmur as I stand up straight, but he stops me as he turns me around to kiss me gently on my lips.
“What does moy mean?” I ask when he draws back, and I see him smile at my question.
He leans forward until his lips are against my ear. “Mine.”
I shake my head in amusement; the darn man is so possessive. Even when we’re making love, he has to show his dominance. My breasts are exposed to his view as he steps back and zips up his pants. A smile adorns his face when he notices my pebbled nipples at his attention.
“Go have a shower and relax. I have some work to do, and then I will join you later,” he says as he sits down.
“I’ll go have a shower, but then I’m going to go down to see my mother quickly and see how she’s doing. I’ll be back before you know it,” I murmur as I leave his office.
After my shower, I make my way to my mother’s apartment. Instead of Nik, Ivan is outside our door. I can hear music when I approach her apartment and smile. My mother always loved music, but because of my father, she stopped listening to it. As I open her door, I can hear her singing in the kitchen.
“Mom?” I call as I walk into the kitchen.
“Hey, baby girl,” she greets while smiling at me. I’m so glad we got her out of there. I haven’t see her this happy in a very long time.
“What are you making? It smells divine,” I murmur as I walk closer to the stove. Looking into the pot, I see it’s a sauce. “Oh, yum, you’re making roasted lamb?” I hurriedly open the oven and see the piece of lamb looking nearly done.
“Alexey asked if I could make dinner for the two of you tonight. He told me that you had one of your allergic bouts today, and he would like you to have something you really enjoy. Well, I thought nothing better than your favourite, is there?” she murmurs as she strokes my face before kissing my cheek and moving towards the fridge.
“He asked you to make us dinner?” I ask in surprise.
“You know that man loves you. You should have seen how worried he was when he came here. He wanted to know if there was anything he should do for you or anything he needed to get.” My stomach tightens at her words. Is it possible that Alexey loves me? He has never said the words. Yes, he’s attentive and caring, but that doesn’t mean he loves me, does it?
“Why don’t you come have dinner with us tonight, Mom?” I ask.
“Thank you, but Alexey already asked, and I will tell you the same I told him. Silvia has already invited me over for dinner, as her husband is apparently working late tonight. Therefore, the two of you can have a nice and romantic dinner.” Yeah right. That’s if Vlad doesn’t hear what we’re having for dinner. I nearly laugh at my thoughts. My mother’s phone starts to ring from the counter as she’s cutting the tomato for a salad.
“Please get that for me. It must be Silvia.” I smile at my mom’s happiness; answering without looking at the screen, I’m speechless to hear my father’s voice.
“Oh, so that’s where she is. I should have known you would be involved in this,” he says.
“What do you want?�
� I ask angrily.
“Your mother belongs with me; if you think that you can hide her away, you are mistaken,” he yells. “I’m coming to get her, and if you get in the way, you are going to get hurt. Do you understand me?” My mother is standing frozen, looking at me, one hand holding the knife, the other the tomato. Tears shine behind her eyes as she listens.
“Stop calling here,” I mutter as I disconnect the call. “Don’t worry, Mom. Have you seen this place? He’s not getting anywhere near you.” I walk over to her and hug her close. “You’re safe here. Alexey will make sure of it.” After a minute, she straightens, a slight smile on her face.
“You’re right; he would never be able to get to me here. This is like Fort Knox,” she murmurs.
“Okay, then, let me help you get this finished so you can go get ready,” I murmur as I go stir the sauce. My heart is racing at the fear my father’s voice filled me with, but I will not let him win. Half an hour later, I’m walking upstairs with the salad in one hand and the sauce in the other, and Ivan is carrying the roast with baby potatoes.
Walking into the apartment, I hear Alexey’s voice coming from the office. Either he’s on the phone or someone’s with him. After thanking Ivan for his help, I start setting the table. I’m setting the roast down when Alexey comes out of his office.
His jacket is off, and his sleeves are rolled up to the elbows. “Mmm, something smells good,” he murmurs as he approaches the table.
“Thank you,” I say. He doesn’t say anything, just nods as he takes his seat.
“This is your favourite food?” he asks as he looks at the roast.
“Yes, you will see why when you eat it,” I say as he starts to dish out onto my plate and then his. At the first bite of the meat, his eyebrows raise, and then he nods.
“I see where you got your talent from,” he says as he takes another bite. We’ve been eating for a few minutes when he interrupts the silence. “I’m going to call Silvia, Nik, Andrei, Vlad, and Ivan in, and I want you to show them what they must do if what happened yesterday happens again.”
TORMENTED: Bratva Fury (book 1) Page 13