A Very Russian Christmas

by Krystal Shannan

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement (including infringement without monetary gain) is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  A Very Russian Christmas

  Copyright © 2012 by Krystal Shannan

  ISBN: 978-1-61333-431-7

  Cover art by Tibbs Design

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

  Look for us online at:

  www.decadentpublishing.com

  Decadent Publishing Recent Releases

  A Scent of Longing by Cara Bristol

  Virgin Territory by Cari Quinn

  Embraced by Rebecca Royce

  Once Her Man, Always Her Man by Heather Long

  Rendezvous at Midnight by Lynne Connolly

  Druid, Mine by Kerry Adrienne

  Ravished Before Sunrise by Lia Davis

  Dead or Alive by L.J. Garland

  Whipped Puppy by L.C. Dean

  Cheeky Blonde by Liz Crowe

  A Marriage Made in Mayfair by Tamara Gill

  Rebel Souls by D.L. Jackson

  The CEO and the Cowboy by Starla Kaye

  No Strings Attached by Jennifer Labelle

  Paging Doctor Wolf by Rebecca Royce

  Sea Bride by LaVerne Thompson

  Dare Me by Jennifer Probst

  Love Kinection by Jennifer James

  Escape to Me by Diane Alberts

  High Above by Mari Freeman

  Cunja by Donnette Smith

  Bloodlines by Graylin Fox

  A Very Russian Christmas

  By

  Krystal Shannan

  ~Dedication~

  To my fabulous husband who tells me every day how proud he is of me.

  Chapter One

  Too much vodka.

  Ksenia Sharanov groaned and rolled over on the downy comforter covering the huge king-sized bed in her room. Last night had turned into a lopsided game of “I’ve never.” Stupid game. Her college roommates, Kate, Maria, and Patti had quickly figured out she’d never done a lot of things and turned the game on her. Morning was not a close friend, and a pounding headache was helping her greet the rising sun.

  Usually, she spent her whole winter break with her dad, but he’d had some last minute business to deal with. No need to ask what business dared interrupt their winter holiday. The daughter of a Russian mobster just nodded and moved on with life. He would finish his business today, meet her at LAX, and together they would travel to Russia and meet her grandmother for Christmas.

  Top of her class in computer science and engineering at NYU, she kept as much distance as possible between herself and Papa’s business. Even so, he’d assigned a trusted friend, Yuri Borodin, as a permanent bodyguard. Yuri wasn’t so bad though. He gave her space when needed, and she’d barely noticed him around the lodge. Her roommates didn’t seem to care either. He was her driver as well as her bodyguard, making him a very familiar face.

  She sat up, stretching her arms above her head until the joints popped. She slid out of bed, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains. The snow-covered mountains around the Denver ski lodge were breathtaking. The morning sun reflected through the fluffy white clouds, creating long rays of light.

  A knock made her turn.

  “Sen? Are you awake?”

  “Coming.” She left the scenic view to open her bedroom door.

  Patti strolled into the suite—petite, blonde, and a live-wire business marketing major.

  Ksenia laughed. “Why are you so perky? You know we have to leave today.”

  “I know.” Patti waved a dismissive hand. “That cute banker, Bryan, who flirted with me all week asked for my number this morning.” High-pitched squealing commenced. Ksenia loved her friend to death, but the girl had a voice like a strangled toy poodle when excited.

  “You’ve already been downstairs?” She yawned.

  “I wanted to see Bryan one last time before we left. We ate breakfast together. You know, if you don’t hurry you will miss yours. It’s ten o’clock already…. When is the limo picking us up for the airport?”

  “Oh my God. Slow down.”

  Patti giggled and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Have you packed your suitcase?”

  Ksenia crawled up to lean against the headboard. “I did it last night.”

  “Well, you are the only one. Kate and Maria are packing now. I guess I better go put my stuff together as well.”

  “I’m going to get dressed and then meet you three in the dining hall. I have to get some coffee before we leave. Yuri said he would have the limo ready at eleven.”

  Patti jumped to her feet. “I better hurry. See you in a few.”

  Ksenia squinted. “Da, okay.” The door clicked closed after Patti’s retreating figure.

  She sighed, sliding down onto the cream-colored comforter. Grabbing a pillow, she covered her face. I want to sleep more.

  Another knock sounded.

  “Sen?”

  “No, go away,” she growled from beneath the comforter and pillow. The pounding continued. Annoyed, she stalked over to the door, and swung it open.

  Maria Villanova stood in the hallway, dressed to the nines, suitcase at her feet, and a large cup of coffee in one hand. She was roommate number two—pre-law and always ready to make an impression.

  Ksenia took a deep breath, enjoying the soothing roasted aroma.

  “You are my favorite.” She smiled and reached for the cup.

  Maria pulled it back, shaking her head. “Oh no, mami, not ’til you get your little butt dressed.”

  “Fine, but give me that.”

  Her roommate reluctantly handed her the cup and followed her into the hotel room. Ksenia gave a satisfied moan of appreciation.

  “You’re welcome.” Maria’s smug look of victory made her crack another smile. “Where’re your clothes, chica? The closet is empty.”

  “I already packed.”

  “Well.” She gave her a sideways glance. “You can’t wear your pajamas to the airport.”

  Ksenia stuck out her tongue and then took another sip. Just the right amount of cream and sugar. “I have a set of clothes laid out in the bathroom to change into.”

  “What you going to do with this ensemble?” Maria waved a bracelet-encased arm toward her flannel pants and hoodie.

  “I’m going to stuff them in my carry-on.”

  Maria took the coffee back. “Go. Get. Dressed.”

  “I’m going.” She threw up her hands in mock surrender, sidling off toward the bathroom to strip out of her sleepwear. Her roommate put the cup on the dresser. At least she’s not drinking it.

  “You have five minutes, Sen. Yuri is ready with the car. He said something about the weather being bad and wanting to get going early.”

  Ksenia pulled on black skinny jeans and a soft, baby blue cashmere sweater. After running a brush through shoulder-length brown hair, she stuffed everything into her carry-on bag and emerged from
the bathroom.

  Maria clucked her tongue.

  “What?”

  “You’re not going to wear make-up or jewelry or anything?”

  “I’m not going to meet anyone on the plane. It’s a private jet. I’m going to sleep.”

  “You never know. You should try harder. I’m always telling you this. Why don’t you listen? You might meet someone at the airport or in the lobby downstairs.”

  “Not interested.” She stared at the small, mouthy Latina. “Let’s go.”

  “Fine.”

  ***

  “Is Kate ready, too?” Ksenia asked as they headed down the hallway to the elevator. She grimaced under the bright ceiling lights. Her head felt as though she had bashed it through a brick wall.

  “Sí, she is already in the lobby with Yuri and Patti.”

  She nodded and took another sip. Her body came alive as the caffeine seeped slowly into every cell. Why don’t these girls feel like crap, too? I’m such a lightweight.

  A high-pitched ring signaled the arrival of the elevator. Moments later, the doors opened and they stepped inside. They rode in silence to the lobby where they took only a few steps before her bodyguard appeared to relieve them of their luggage.

  “I’ll be back directly,.”

  “Of course. Thank you.”

  “The other girls are in the dining hall. You might want to grab something for the drive.”

  She smiled at him. He took such good care of her. Her father had chosen well. Instead of assigning her one of his many military grunts, he’d hand picked him from his own personal guard.

  Yuri was like an American grizzly bear—big, strong, hairy, and deadly. His full beard made his six-foot, five-inch frame even more imposing. In spite of his intimidating appearance, he had a sweet, even-tempered personality, and she had grown very attached to him.

  She followed her friend into the dining hall and grabbed an apple from a basket on the table, slipping it into her purse for later. Caffeine is more important right now.

  Kate and Patti hopped up from a small table in the corner. “Maria,” Patti started, “our flight got delayed. We are going to stay here a few more hours and catch a cab to the airport later this afternoon. Weather pushed our flight back to 4:00 p.m. The front desk said we are welcome to stay and relax in the common areas.”

  “That sucks. Now we can’t ride with you. I was looking forward to another ride in your limo, chica.”

  Ksenia shook her head. “There will be other chances.”

  Yuri waved from the entry.

  “I’ve got to go, girls. It was fun, except for maybe last night.”

  “Ha!” Kate laughed. “Girl, now we just know we have to take you out more once school’s in session.”

  “Whatever. All of you have a Merry Christmas.” Ksenia hugged her three roommates before scurrying out into the cold and climbing into the waiting black limousine.

  ***

  Several miles from the lodge, Yuri locked the doors of the limo. Ksenia moved to the seat against the privacy window so she could speak without raising her voice.

  “What is wrong?”

  “Not sure, baby bear, just being cautious. The SUV behind us has been following since the lodge.”

  “They could be headed to the airport, too.”

  “No, I already took a detour, and they followed us instead of staying on the main road.”

  “It’s probably nothing.”

  He sighed. “I hope so, but I should probably call your father anyway.” He leaned to the right.

  Ksenia glanced to her left and shrieked for him to watch out. A huge white pickup truck barreled from a side road straight into the driver’s side door. She was thrown against an airbag on the opposite wall of the limo and thudded to the floor. Her head swam and black spots clouded her eyesight.

  She pulled herself up onto the seat and tried to focus. Her vision was blurry, but she could tell Yuri was unconscious. Blood trickled from his ear and a gash on his head. She pressed two fingers to his neck and found a strong pulse. Thank God. With concentrated effort, she slid her torso through the privacy window. His phone lay on the floorboard. One button. She only needed to push one button to speed dial her father.

  As she reached for the cell phone, the rear passenger window broke, and the door opened. Ksenia scrambled forward faster, but her foot caught in the seat belt.

  “Suka! Come here.” A rough hand seized her feet and dragged her backward. She tried to grab the steering wheel, but he was too fast, and her fingers barely grazed it.

  “No! No! No!” She clawed at the man’s hand as he hauled her across the limo floor. Her fingernails scraped across his skin and drew several lines of blood. She received a stinging slap to her face for the effort.

  “Stop it, Ksenia.” His voice trailed across her body like oil, registering multiple alarms in her mind.

  “My father will kill you.” She spat in his face, not willing to come off soft in his eyes. The burn of his slap still warmed her cheek, but it didn’t stop her from kicking the asshole in the chest.

  The dark-haired assailant grunted through the kick, captured both legs again, and pulled her the rest of the way out of the limo. She twisted and writhed against his grasp, refusing to make any part of the kidnapping easy.

  “Sharanov will do exactly as we say when he knows his last child’s life is in jeopardy.”

  B`lyad’. Fuck.

  A black SUV was parked a few feet away, probably the one Yuri had mentioned earlier. A huge redheaded goon stood next to it. She turned. The old white pickup truck used to plow into them was parked a few car lengths down the road, its fender and hood crushed. I hope the asshole driving dies.

  The redheaded brute approached, took her arm from the smaller, dark-haired man, and tugged her to the black SUV. She whimpered, pain surging through her shoulders as he wrenched her arms behind her and bound her wrists tight. She cringed at the click of the plastic zip tie. He opened the rear passenger door, shoved her inside, and shouted in Russian to the other man to “take care of the driver.”

  Ksenia struggled to her knees and lunged against the side door. “No! No! No! You don’t have to kill him.” The familiar sound of a gunshot cut through her cries. She pressed her forehead against the tinted glass, trying to see the limo, but the angle was wrong.

  She met the redheaded brute’s gaze and his ugly smile brought bile up into her throat. Tears welled in her eyes. Another life lost because of a hateful grudge, started by two men who were fucking dead already!

  Her captor opened the side door again, shoved her roughly to the floor, and climbed into one of the rear seats. The dark-haired man slid into the driver’s seat.

  “You didn’t have to kill him.”.

  Her kidnapper said nothing. She was as good as dead, too. If these men were enemies of the family, she didn’t stand a chance unless she got away from them. Soon.

  Why have they come after me in America? Why risk involving the American police? Don’t they know my father will kill every single one of them and their families anyway? She’d seen his version of revenge—twice. Her mother had been caught in the crossfire when she was ten, and six years ago, her brother had been murdered, too. Her father had burned a village to the ground after losing his wife and then, when he’d lost his only son, he’d hunted down the men responsible and returned them to their families in pieces. These feuds never ended. People kept getting killed—on both sides. That’s why she’d gone to college in New York.

  Bile rose into her throat again, and she gagged. If only she could get out of the vehicle, maybe she could make a run for it. Maybe another car would see her. Once they got to where they were going, her chances of getting out of the situation alive were zero.

  “I’m sick.” She turned her head up toward the redhead. Her face must have been truly green. He shouted to the driver and the SUV pulled over and stopped. He opened the door, climbed out, and grabbed her ankles. Ksenia yelped as he jerked her up from the floorb
oards and tossed her into the snow.

  “Suka.”

  She vomited.

  He stood a few feet away, not paying her any heed. His carelessness was exactly the opening she’d been looking for. With the grace bestowed upon her from a decade of martial arts training, she stood and delivered a swift kick to the redhead’s right kneecap. The joint popped with a disgusting crunch, and Ksenia struggled to maintain her balance without the aid of her arms. When he dropped to all fours with a cry of pain, she launched herself into a full sprint toward the tree line.

  Nasty curses, calling her all sorts of names, echoed behind her. Russian was a language of full of descriptive curses for every situation. A gunshot echoed and a trunk to her right exploded. Derr’ mo! Shit! The assholes were shooting at her.

  Ksenia climbed over a fallen tree and screamed as the snowy footing gave way beneath her and she tumbled off the ledge the drift had concealed. She twisted and instinctively tried to catch hold of something, but her wrists were still fastened tight behind her. The feeling of falling continued for what seemed a long time.

  She hit the ground with a thud, stomach first. Every bit of air was pushed from her lungs and everything hurt. Ksenia rolled to her side and looked up into the eyes of the dark-haired Russian kidnapper.

  God! How did he catch up so quickly?

  “Help! Help!” Her voice was hoarse. The man just grinned and raised his gun. It discharged and she closed her eyes. Where’s the pain? She’d always thought getting killed would be painful. Am I dead already?

  She opened one eye and then the other. The kidnapper slumped and fell from the ledge into a limp heap a few yards away. Shit! Who took him out?

  Ksenia swung her gaze to the right. A very large man with a giant, white, wolf-looking animal held a gun aimed at the place where the kidnapper had been standing. She’d been trained as a child not to trust anyone, but he’d just saved her life, and she was freezing. He could be a yeti for all she cared.