As she nodded and pulled herself out of his arms she once again felt the loss of contact like part of her was missing. It had only been two nights that they had been together, and they’d not even made love and yet she knew Kris Lawson was right. He was the Thorn to her Rose. Made to be close to her, protect her, and be part of her. Her one, her only, her personal hero and he’d been next door this whole time.
Chapter Seven
K ris walked into the diner with Raisa beside him and they both came to a stop. Sitting in the booth Kris always had breakfast in was Gregori, Nestor and two other goons. Raisa sucked in an anxious breath. “It’s okay Raisa, they are just trying to intimidate us. However, all it does is tell us that they aren’t going to let this go. Maybe you should tell your brother you are taking the day off.”
She looked at him with a startled expression. “You are going to let them run us off?”
He shook his head, “No, I’m going to give them time to calm down before I have to kill them. I’d prefer not to have to use my skill set on American soil if at all possible.”
“You think you will have to kill them?”
Kris sighed. “What do you think, Raisa? You know them better than me. Is Gregori going to let this go without a fight? Is he going to give up on you because of what he heard last night?”
She bit her lip and shook her head. “No, he will think that he can beat you. He has lots of men and he will think he can separate us and then deal with you while taking me.”
Kris nodded. “That’s what I think too, so let’s go tell your brother you’re taking off.”
Again, Raisa sighed. “Why can’t he just leave me alone? There are lots of women out there who would be with him just because of who he is and what he can give them. Why must he keep trying to force me to give myself to him?”
“He seems like the type who wants what he can’t have. I would say now it’s more about looking like the winner in a contest others are starting to notice. He can’t let you walk away because to do so would lessen his reputation for getting what he wants.”
“So what do we do?”
“Convince him he doesn’t want you.”
“How?”
“I have some ideas. I’ll tell you when we are alone.”
Kris started directing her toward the kitchen when Nestor stood up and walked up to them, blocking their way. “Kitchen’s off limits to you two.”
Raisa’s face showed her shock. “This is my family’s restaurant and you have no say in who goes where. Move now.”
The big man snarled. “Not happening, kitten. As of open of business today this restaurant belongs to Volkov Enterprises.”
She gasped. “That’s not possible. I own half of this place and I’ve signed nothing selling the diner.”
Nestor chuckled in a very mean and sinister way. “I guess you’ll have to take us to court then, but I’ll tell you now the signature on the contract will pass any scrutiny. You sold the place. Too bad you didn’t save the profits of that sale.”
She looked up at Kris whose face showed how angry he was over this theft of her family’s diner. “You and your boss keep underestimating me. I guess I’ll just take the proof I have on your money laundering to the Fed’s and offer them all the resources of Blackguard Securities to help them build that case of racketeering against you both.”
The mob enforcer’s eyes narrowed. “Keep pushing, florist, and see what else happens.”
Kris shook his head. “I could and should have ended this last night. When next we tangle I won’t be so lenient.”
He looked at Raisa. “Let’s go sweetheart. No need to stay around here.”
Again they backed to the entrance and left. Kris was on the phone the minute they walked out the door. “Mac, the situation has escalated.”
“How so?”
So Kris explained what they were told just that day. “I need a list of all Syndicate Holdings and building assets, please.”
Mac cleared his throat. “What are you planning?”
Kris smiled and Raisa realized it wasn’t the friendly loving smile she’d seen on his face; this one was cold and threatening. “He wants to apply pressure, then I’ll show him how expensive that can be.”
Mac groaned over the line. “Thorn, I can’t help you become a vigilante. You aren’t authorized to take on their sites.”
Kris let his information show in the smile on his face and knew his handler could hear it in his voice. “Actually, I found out last night that the money that funded my last target came from the Syndicate. They were the sellers in America. So technically they are a part of the Cartel I was ordered to eradicate, making anything I do to them authorized by that mission.”
Mac grunted and Kris knew he was sitting with his hands steepled together under his chin. “Send me your documentation on that and I’ll make some calls and see if your mission is authorized still.”
“I will but either way get me that list, Mac. If you have to disavow then I accept it.”
“You know if they authorize this it will only end one way, right?”
Steel entered Kris’ voice. “I know and honestly I think it will probably end that way anyway.”
“Probably. I hope she’s worth it man.”
“She is.”
“I’ll get Moneypenny right on it. What you need will be sent to Friday.”
Then the line went dead as Mac hung up.
Kris turned to Raisa. “All right sweetheart, let’s get you to the apartment and then to the spa to get ready for our date. My treat.”
She looked up at him and tried to smile but he could see she was sad, hurt and overwhelmed. Kris vowed right then he’d do whatever it took to make her happy
Raisa had never felt so conflicted, her world was falling apart at the same time as the man of her dreams was turning into her personal hero and love interest. While she was mad and upset at her brother for sneaking behind her back and working for Gregori, she was beyond mad at the Syndicate for taking over her family’s diner. Then on the total opposite side of feelings there was Kris. Quiet Kris Lawson, the man next door. Super hot, and she thought sensitive, until yesterday when after two years of flirting he suddenly was holding her, kissing her, claiming her as his and standing up to the most dangerous man in the city to keep her safe. On top of that he was proving to be a total badass when it came to protection and the perfect romantic when it came to dating. Proof of the latter was that after they left her family’s diner he took her straight to The Pampered Lady Spa.
“Kris, what are we doing here?”
He smiled at her as he helped her out of his car. “I want you to be relaxed and stress free for our date tonight so I called my friend Charlotte to give you a spa day. She has a full package set up for you and I have a new coworker of mine for you to meet while you’re here who will make sure that you are safe the whole time you’re out of my sight.”
He took her hand in his and led her to the door. As they entered an elegantly dressed lady with grey hair piled on top of her head in some kind of up-do smiled and came towards them. “Kris Lawson, let me get a look at you, boy.” She took Kris’s free hand in both of hers and looked him up and down. “Well your mama would be proud of the man you’ve become, I must say.”
Kris smiled and leaned forward placing a kiss on the older woman’s wrinkled cheek. “Miss Charlotte, it’s good to see you again. This is my girlfriend Raisa, she’s been having a rough week and we have a date tonight. I would appreciate it if you would pamper her for me and help her unwind. Raisa, this is Miss Charlotte Belafonte, my mother’s closest friend and my default auntie.”
Charlotte let go of Kris’s hand and pulled Raisa in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you my dear. I thought for sure that Kris was never going to find a woman who interested him. I was starting to wonder if he was part of the Navy’s don’t-ask, don’t-tell program.”
Raisa couldn’t help but smile at the flood of embarrassment that passed across Kris’s face. “C
harlotte, you know why I’ve been cautious.”
The old woman winked at Raisa who giggled at the playful look on the lady’s face. “Yes, yes I know all about your excuses for not asking a woman out. Now let’s get a look at you, Raisa.”
She stepped back and looked Raisa over top to bottom and back. “You’re quite lovely, my dear. I can see why Kris is so taken with you.”
Quietly Raisa thanked her. The woman took Raisa by the hand. “Now, I can see the worry just pulsing through you my dear. We’ve set you up with a full spa treatment. Mani/pedi, massage, essential oils hot bath and then you can use any of the beauty treatments you may wish. Lunch has been ordered for you along with champagne and fruit along the way. Anything else you want, you just ask.”
Just then the door behind them opened and in walked a short curvy red-haired woman who saw Kris and walked right up to him. “Hey Thorn, Mac said you had an assignment for me?”
Kris shook the woman’s hand. “Thanks for coming, Sparky. This is my girl, Raisa. I’d like you to accompany her today for her spa retreat. I’ll pay for you to have the treatments too. She has some stalker problems and I’d like to make sure she is kept safe and secure while she relaxes.”
Raisa was surprised that Kris was entrusting her safety to this small demure woman. “Are you sure about this, Kris? Nestor could snap her in half easier than a match stick.”
Both Kris and the redhead laughed at that. “Raisa, meet Sparky, also known as Nova Caswell. She’s the most sought after female protection agent we have at Blackguard. Don’t let her size fool you. If Nestor or any of Volkov’s goons try something with her around they will regret it.”
Nova moved over to stand beside Raisa “Don’t worry Raisa, I guarantee you no one will bother you while I’m with you unless you want them to. Even Thorn there knows better than to mess with me.”
Raisa was not convinced but she would say the woman’s confidence was surprising to her. For such a small and dainty looking person she had loads of confidence. Raisa herself could never feel that confident in any of her abilities. She bit her lower lip as she looked at Kris who nodded to her. “She’s telling you the truth, Raisa. No one will touch you while she’s around unless they are supposed to. She’s a Krav Maga black belt and instructor. If anyone tries to mess with you she’ll break them.”
Then he reached out and pulled her into his arms and leaned down kissing her like they were alone. “I’m going to leave you in their hands now. I need to go to Blackguard and look at some information and I’ll meet you back at my place later. Sparky will take you home and let you get ready for our date. She’ll stay with you until I pick you up.”
With one more kiss he turned and headed back out, all the ladies in the spa watching him leave, and Raisa’s heart racing from the kisses as well as watching his form fitting pants make a show out of his leaving. Charlotte laughed at the sigh that slipped from Raisa’s lips. “Yes, he does have that effect on a body, doesn’t he?”
Raisa blushed and the older woman laughed. “Let’s get you ladies started, shall we? You want to be relaxed and beautified for that date tonight. First that essential oils soak; lavender and rose I think for you Raisa, and for Sparky cinnamon and lemongrass.”
Chapter Eight
K ris stood looking in the full length mirror in his bedroom. He’d run to Blackguard and met with both Mac and Spidey. He’d been given the green light from his government handlers to include the Syndicate as an official part of his Madeneze Cartel mission. The only change to the parameters was that because he was on American soil he was to avoid deadly force unless the safety of himself or collaterals was compromised. Instead he was to inform the local Homeland office of any physical assets he was able to infiltrate and allow them to make arrests and impound product in cooperation with the DEA or ATF. In lieu of his normal bounty he was authorized to confiscate any monetary assets found. Spidey was crawling across the web and the dark web looking for every building that the Syndicate, Volkov or their shell companies were known to own in and around the city and he’d be able to start his campaign in the next couple of days. With all that dealt with he was now free to enjoy his first date with Raisa.
He’d gone by the shop and picked up a dozen coral colored roses. The color meant passion and he didn’t want to scare Raisa by bringing the typical red sweetheart with its obvious meaning of love but he got the smaller coral mini sugar baby variety. He’d rushed home and after putting them in the fridge to stay fresh he’d cleaned up. Now dressed in a suit made of a special Kevlar woven fabric in deep black and a white shirt and electric blue tie he was almost ready to take Raisa out. He slipped a few weapons into specially designed pockets and hiding places and then strapped his Walther pkp to his waist holster in the small of his back and the smaller Beretta 418 in an ankle holster. Now he had both pistols made popular by the James Bond franchise. The 418 a smaller .25 caliber handgun and a reliable back up piece. He made sure that neither marred the clean crisp lines of the suit but if Volkov or his men tried anything tonight he’d be ready for them. He’d asked Ratchet to send a town car for him with a driver who was also a member of Blackguard’s protective detail squad. This would allow him to hopefully focus on romancing Raisa and not having to worry about their safety. With one last look in the mirror he turned and headed for the door to escort Raisa on their first actual date.
He knocked on the door and was blown away when Raisa answered it. She looked good all the time in her tight jeans and three button shirts at the diner, but tonight she looked amazing. He almost didn’t want to take her out because the little black dress she had on, while classy, was just sexy enough to ensure that every eye tonight would be on his date. It was a simple open neck and held closed by a double row of silver buttons on the front. Just long enough to allow her to bend and sit without showing her heart shaped rear or panties. The sleeves were long, three quarter he thought they called them, her hair had been arranged in a sexy up-do with just a few loose curls hanging down her neck to drive a man to want to play with them while buzzing that long beautiful neck. Add to the dress the four-inch strappy heels and he and every other man who saw her was going to be enthralled. “Wow, you look beyond gorgeous! I mean just… Wow!”
Raisa blushed. “You like it? I wasn’t sure but Charlotte and Nova told me I was to get a new dress and then took me shopping at the boutique right down from the spa. When they saw this one they said I had to get it because it would be perfect.” She tugged on the bottom of the dress like she was afraid it was riding up too much and it made Kris wonder if his pants were going to have enough room for everything by the end of the night. “I love it and they were right, it’s perfect for you. I almost don’t want to take you out tonight. I’m pretty sure I’ll end up having to hurt someone you look so good.”
Kris handed her the roses and she turned to go put them in a vase with some water. Kris followed her inside and shut the door and noticed that Sparky was sitting on Raisa’s couch. “Sparky?”
“I know the building is secure Thorn, but I didn’t want her to be alone with everything that Mac told me about her protection issue. Plus she needed someone to help her with her hair.”
Kris nodded. “I appreciate it. I’ll take it from here but since the two of you got along so well, if I need you again I’ll text you.” He thought for a minute. “That is unless Mac gets you a more permanent assignment.”
The demure redhead nodded. “As of right now I’m off for a month. Then I’m supposed to go on tour with my normal client. She’s taking a month off before her European tour begins. So if you need me this month let me know. A few extra dollars never hurts.”
Kris nodded and Raisa came over and gave her a hug. “Thank you for helping me today.”
Nova smiled at her. “Any time and call that instructor I gave you. He’ll teach you some self-defense moves that will give you an edge if Thorn or I aren’t around.”
Raisa nodded. “I will. Thank you again.”
Kris rai
sed his eyebrow. “You’re sending her to Hiro?”
Sparky shook her head. “No, Moshie. She was interested in learning Krav Maga. Since I’ll be out of the country for a few months I sent her to Moshie instead of teaching her myself.”
“Yeah he’s a good choice for her. You’d be better.”
Sparky smiled. “I’ll take over once I get back if I can. You never know with my primary when she’ll be traveling again. I know she’s supposed to be heading into the studio for her next album after the tour. Anyway, you two have fun tonight.”
With that she was out the door and Kris stepped up and pulled Raisa into his arms. “I almost don’t want to let you out of the apartment in that dress, my love. I don’t want to have to beat a man for looking at you.”
Raisa blushed and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m glad you like it.”
He pressed a kiss just below her ear and started trailing them down her jaw and neck. “Like it, baby? It’s driving me wild. We need to leave before I don’t let you keep it on.”
She giggled and pulled away. “You told me we couldn’t go this fast, you wanted to take me on a date so get moving buster.”
Kris let her go but kept her hand in his. He loved that she was coming alive and that at least for now she wasn’t focusing on the dangerous man who still planned to force her into his bed. He wanted tonight to be a fun and romantic time for her, one in which she could forget the troubles of her life and the fact that Gregori stole her family’s restaurant out from under her. He’d get it back for her just not tonight.
They left the apartment and as they climbed into the town car Kris texted a command to Friday. Set building to security protocol Charlie.
Quickly came back the text Security protocol Charlie initiated.
He silenced his phone and turned off the vibrate function for everything but Friday’s app. The only thing that would interrupt his night with Raisa was a security breach at the apartment building or his flower shop. Neither of which he expected tonight. He looked at the driver. “Take us to Le Meilleur Repas, we have a six-thirty reservation.”
Her Hero: Next Door Page 6