“I heard,” Dmitry said, tilting his head. “But she wasn’t your wife at the time.”
“She became my wife.”
“Interesting.”
“Anyway, after my trial, my wife testified against me and ran off with $20 million in diamonds. My diamonds. And I think that she ran into the arms of your man, Vasily. I thought you’d want to know that about someone on your payroll.”
“$20 million is not a lot of money,” Dmitry said, sipping his coffee. “Not to me.”
“Well, to Vasily and Lilly, it’s a hell of a lot of money. The code says…”
“Are you really here to recite my law to me?” Dmitry asked, eyes narrowing.
“I’m here to ask you to hand him over,” Leo said, correcting himself. “I know that you are a man who believes in standing by our principles.”
“And your principles include shooting a man in the back and chasing a woman around the United States, putting her life in peril over something that you’re not absolutely sure that she has?”
“Oh, the bitch has them,” Leo pushed.
“I’m afraid not. Your friend Yakov has them,” Dmitry said with a smile. “He was apprehended this morning in Chicago. I think he has to be patched up a little, but he’s headed to prison. The diamonds are headed to their rightful owner and you are on a wild goose chase. I’m sorry my friend. You have been led astray.”
The discomfort was visible on Leo’s face. He pushed his arms out on the table and shook his head. “She set him up.”
“Lilly set him up?” Dmitry asked, amused.
“Yes, that bitch, set him up. Yakov would never…”
Dmitry had heard enough. “Don’t be so blind. Of course, Yakov took the money. He tried to fuck your wife and he ran off with your diamonds.” He didn’t blink. Staring at the man, he waited for Leo to respond.
“So, I’m supposed to walk away with nothing?” Leo asked. “I’m just supposed to take this shit?”
Dmitry chuckled. “Such is life. Full of surprises, isn’t it?”
“Where is she?” Leo asked. “She’s my wife. She belongs to me.”
“She divorced you.” Dmitry took another sip of his coffee.
“She belongs to me,” Leo said again.
Dmitry said nothing.
“Well, I guess we are done here,” Leo said, standing up. “Thank you for nothing.”
“Are you not going to enjoy a little something to eat before you get back on the road?” Dmitry asked.
“No,” Leo said, snarling. “I don’t think that I want to dine with you. You’ll forgive my rudeness, but I think that I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Before you go, I think that you’ll find one something very interesting,” Dmitry said, standing up.
Leo looked up at the giant man in amazement but tried to hide it. “What’s that?”
“There is a $1 million reward on your head. Dead or alive,” Dmitry said, slipping his hands in his pockets.
“What’s a $1 million to a man like you?” Leo clenched his fists.
“To me,” Dmitry smiled. “To me a $1 million is nothing, but to your men …” Dmitry looked out the glass at the briefcase being set in front of them by Dmitry, “to your men, it’s a lot money.”
Taras was the first to react. Pulling out his weapon, he took one look at Dmitry and shot Leo in the back before he could reach for his own gun. His body flew forward against the table. Shooting him again, Taras stepped closer and shot him again. This time in the head. Brain matter splashed across the room, barely missing Dmitry’s white linen shirt.
“And that my friend is what getting shot in the back feels like,” Dmitry said, looking over at his stained newspaper. Pity.
He stepped back and nodded at Taras in approval. “Collect your man and your money and be gone before it’s time to open for lunch,” he said, opening the doors to the room.
“Yes, Sir.”
Leo’s other men looked up stunned by relieved. They had a cut of the money, but had little work to do.
Walking past the men, Dmitry headed to the door where Boris and his men were waiting.
“I don’t recall giving them my word. Did you?” Dmitry asked under his breath.
“No sir. I just explained what the money was for,” Boris answered.
“Good, because I’d hate to go back on my word and be a liar. Let them collect Leo and the money and then get rid of them somewhere away from my restaurant. And Boris, bring back my million dollars, eh?” Dmitry hit Boris on the shoulder, sure that he would carry out his orders down to the last detail.
“Yes, sir,” Boris said, looking back at the greedy traitors as they collected their bounty.
Anjelica came around the corner with a bag of cleaning supplies. “Should I keep the restaurant closed for the day, sir?” she asked unmoved the by scene.
“No dear, please open on time,” Dmitry said with a smile as he walked back out into the sun.
It was a beautiful day. Suddenly, he felt like a stroll.
Chapter 25
When the car pulled around to the front of the Medlov Compound after their long travel, Lilly had never seen anything more beautiful than the sight of the regal mansion in front of her.
Before the driver could open the door good, she rushed out of the car and ran into the house, straight for Dylan. He was downstairs playing pirates again, and quietly waiting for his mother to return.
She dropped to her knees and held him close. His smell was intoxicating. Hugging and kissing him, knowing that he was completely oblivious to what had transpired over the last day, she relished in the moment for a second chance. She kissed him for everything that they had gone through and everything that they never would go through again.
In complete satisfaction everyone watched, even Gabriel and Briggy who stood on opposite sides of the living room. He had smiled at her, despite the situation, realizing for the first time in a long while, how important family was, not just to everyone else, but to him.
Shortly after their arrival, Dmitry had also come in. Anya was there playing with Dylan, but as usual; as soon as she saw her Daddy she jumped into his arms and began to kiss him.
Without saying a word, she had known the entire time that something was wrong. She had a knack for eavesdropping and had heard some of the gossip. Yet, like a good girl, she kept her mouth closed, and waited for everything to work itself out.
Dylan lit up when Vasily came sluggishly through the door. Pulling away from his mother, he ran to him and held on to his legs.
“I’m glad you’re home,” Dylan said, deaf to his innocent omission.
Vasily reached down and picked him up. “I’m glad to be home,” he said, hugging him. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” Dylan said, pulling at his dog chain. “Now that you’re home, can we have that conversation?”
Vasily chuckled and set him down. “That’s exactly what I had in mind. Want to talk about it over breakfast?”
“I ate with everyone else, but I could go for some orange juice,” Dylan said in his most grown up voice.
“Great, I love orange juice,” Vasily said, looking over at Lilly. “Let’s go have that talk. Momma, are you coming?”
Lilly wiped her face and stood up from her crouched position. “Yes,” she said, knowing what Vasily was about to tell him.
***
Sitting around the table kitchen table together, Vasily looked over at Dylan and felt a complete spiritual connection to the boy. There was no doubt that he was his son, especially since he now knew the truth about Yakov.
Vasily reached over and pulled Dylan’s chair closer to him. Rubbing through his curly locks, he smiled, trying to suppress rising nervousness. “Do you know why I’m proud of you?” he asked.
Dylan looked surprised. “You’re proud of me?” A silent glee permeated the boy’s smile.
Vasily frowned, shocked that Dylan didn’t already know that. “I’m very proud of you.”
“Why?�
�� Dylan asked, both hands around the large glass of orange juice. He took another gulp of the orange juice, a testament to his truth, that he loved the beverage.
“Because you,” Vasily lifted his chin, so that his son could see his eyes, “are the very best of me.”
Lilly ducked her head. The sight was almost more than she could take, yet everything that she had wished for. Still, it would have been off-putting to cry in front of Dylan at the moment.
“The very best of you?” Dylan put down his glass. “What do you mean?”
Vasily’s mouth curled at the corners. “I mean that you make me proud to be your father, and as my son, you make me complete.” He was unapologetic in his words and sincere in their meaning.
Dylan couldn’t help but smile. “Are you saying that you’re my daddy?” He looked over at his mother, who nodded reassuringly.
“Da, da, boy. I’m your father,” Vasily said, hoping that Dylan would approve.
Scooting out of his chair, Dylan dove into his father’s arms again.. “That’s the best news ever.” Hugging him tightly, he laughed, lighting up the room with joy.
“I’m glad that you think so; I’m relieved actually.” Vasily pulled at his chin.
Lilly couldn’t help it now as large tears rolled down her cheeks.
“So I get to call you Dad?” Dylan asked, sitting on his lap.
“You do,” Vasily said with a grin.
“And do we get to do father and son stuff like other boys?” Dylan asked.
“We do,” Vasily answered.
“And are you going to marry mom?” Dylan asked, looking back at Lilly. “Because I don’t just need a dad. She needs a husband. And we’re sort of a package deal.”
Lilly began to blush. She was just about to cut him off before Dylan could embarrass her anymore but Vasily answered.
“I am,” he said, looking across at her. “One day. If she’ll have me.”
Lilly nodded, jaw jutted. “I will.”
Epilogue
When Lilly got to her bedroom, she couldn’t stand waiting any longer. Tearing out of her clothes, she fell into bed with Vasily, glad to finally be alone with him.
Her heart lurched as he pealed out of his clothes, one hypnotic layer at a time. His finely formed body flexed with want as he walked over to her and picked her up off the floor.
“Damn it, I’m missed you,” he said, pulling her head to him.
His kisses were deeper than before. Not able to get close enough, she clung to him, melted into him. He rubbed her body all over, kissing every crease, sucking every tip, until she was ripe and begging for his entry.
Finding her core, he pushed into her body and felt her blossom. His domineering hunger made her quickly acquiesce to his pleasures. Arching her back, she gripped his body and took all of him into her, free from worry, free from guilt.
Whispers between them were sweet. Full of love and promises. She couldn’t help the feeling of pure excitement that rose in her. She was finally his. And he was finally hers.
They moved as if to a melody in the bed, dancing about the positions like partners in a waltz. These were the treasured moments that they had both been denied throughout their life. This was the connection that they had never had before and now that they had finally found each other, it was perfect.
Kissing her eyes Vasily held her close as he rocked inside of her body. His strong thighs parted, he found his home somewhere between her womb and her heart.
In perfect synchrony they found their release, but only for a moment. The dark twinkle in his eye promised much more.
Panting, she fell on top of him and kissed his lips. “I can’t get enough,” she said, resting her head on top of heart to listen to it thud in his chest.
He rubbed a hand through her tangled locks. “You never have to,” he said, looking down at her.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Vasily looked over at it and groaned. “I’ll be out in a minute, Dylan.”
“It’s not Dylan,” Anatoly said, leaning against the entry way.
Vasily moved Lilly out of the way, slipped on his shorts and went to the door. Opening it, he looked at his boss and sighed. “What’s wrong?”
Anatoly’s face was impassive. “Papa wants us downstairs,” he said, winking at him. “Get dressed.”
“On the way,” Vasily said, closing the door.
“Everything alright,” Lilly asked.
“Don’t know,” Vasily said, putting on his clothes. “I’ll be back.”
***
When Vasily arrived down stairs, all three Medlov Men were waiting for him in Dmitry’s study. He walked in and Boris closed the door behind him. Instantly, he felt his heart drop. The DNA test must have said something contrary to what he wanted.
Coming in, he sat down on the sofa across from them and folded his hands. Without saying a word, he waited. What bad news did they have for him? He should have known it. A man like him didn’t have happy days. There always had to be something.
Dmitry was sitting in his winged back leather chair with his son standing beside him. Gabriel was standing by the window with a cool gleam in his eyes. None of them were smiling.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” Dmitry said, scratching his brow. “And after discussing it with the boys, I feel as though my decision is appropriate.”
Vasily looked up from the rug. “Sir?” What decision, he thought to himself.
“You’ve grown out of your position, Vasily,” Dmitry said gravely. “You have a family now.” He pushed the DNA results across the desk as well as the Dylan’s birth certificate, signed with his own signature.
Vasily looked down at the papers and slumped his shoulders, completely confounded by the turn of events.
There was an immediate explanation. “I had the papers completed, just in case Lilly didn’t make it back. We couldn’t have a paternity case in court. You work for the Medlov Family for goodness sake,” Dmitry huffed.
Vasily nodded. “I understand, Sir.”
“The men who guard this house have one thing in common. They are without a family. They have no children. They have no wives. They don’t even have steady girlfriends. They are 100% devoted to their purpose, which is to watch this family with an ever faithful eye. They cannot have vulnerabilities. They cannot have chinks in their proverbial armor. Since Lilly came into your life, your focus has changed. You have all the things that I simply cannot afford in my men.” Dmitry stood up. “You can no longer be my head of security. Surely, you understand how it undermines the structure of this family.”
Vasily concurred inwardly. He knew that his Boss was right. “I agree. My new developments put the family at great risk, but I thank you for everything that you’ve done for me. I am forever grateful and eternally in your debts.” He said so with such conviction that Dmitry stepped back a little.
Finally, unable to help himself, Dmitry smiled. “And that is exactly why I want you to join us, Vasily.”
Anatoly cracked a smile. “It’s time, brat. You’ve proven yourself. You need to be doing bigger things. No more standing at the watch tower, eh?”
“And we need one more on the small council, not just one more standing watch over it,” Gabriel added.
Vasily looked up speechless. In all of his years, he never thought that he would ever be worthy. Sure, in the back of his mind, he had dreamt of it, but never had he imagined it coming to pass. He had no great name, no great lineage. He was just a boy from a shit part of town.
“Do you agree, brat?” Dmitry asked. “Do you think you could serve as one of my captains?”
“Yes, sir,” Vasily said, swallowing down overwhelming emotion.
“Good,” Dmitry said, walking around the table. He embraced him tight as he had never done before. “Tonight, you become one of us. It’s all been arranged. The council is flying in today.”
Anatoly walked over and hit Vasily on the back before he hugged him. “Did you see his face?
He thought he was out of here.” He laughed, but the pride couldn’t help but show on his face.
Gabriel came over and offered his hand. “It will be an honor, really.”
“Thank you,” Vasily said, shaking Gabriel’s hand for the first time ever.
“You’ve been like a brother to me, and now, you’ll be my brother for real,” Gabriel said sincerely. “Thieves-in-Law.”
“Thieves-in-Law,” Vasily said.
***
Leaving the men in the room to talk, Gabriel excused himself. With purpose, he headed across the compound to Briggy room as fast as his feet would take him. He found her there, curled on up a chaise lounge looking out of the window and sipping on tea.
Closing the door behind him, he walked over and knelt before her.
“Hey,” he said, moving a golden strand from her face. No matter what, he couldn’t deny that she was absolutely breathtaking.
“Hello,” she said softly. She looked up at him with red eyes.
“I’m ready for that talk,” he said, sitting down on the floor beside her. His long legs stretched past the lounge chair. “And I’ll stay right here until we figure it out. Phone off. Door closed. I promise.” He pulled out his phone and tossed it across the room.
“Why now?” she asked, still not immune to his beauty after all this time. How she wanted him to love her.
Gabriel looked away. His mossy green eyes danced before he answered. “Because I’m going to the Ukraine for a while,” he gave a wry smile, “and because you deserve it.”
Briggy reached out and touched his face. Rubbing a hand over a freckle on his nose, she cupped her knees under her. “Okay.” She turned toward him completely.
“Okay,” Gabriel said, looking at her stomach.
About the Author
Latrivia Nelson is proud mother of two bubbly kids, the President and CEO of RiverHouse Publishing, LLC and a senior executive for an award winning public relations firm in Memphis, TN.
When she’s not running to meetings or developing strategies, she writes interracial romance and romantic suspense novels for readers across the world. With 18 titles published to date and recognized as a national bestselling author, she has something for just about anyone.
Vasily's Revenge: The Complete Story (The Medlov Men Book 1) Page 19