Forbidden: A Romance Anthology

by Yolanda Olson

  “With that being said, don’t you think it would be in your best interest to tread lightly?” I question him. “You know some of the things I’m capable of.”

  “All bark, no bite,” he chuckles. “I’m not afraid of you. You may not have a conscious, but you wouldn’t kill your brother. Now, let’s get drunk. Oh wait, you don’t know how to let loose like that and have fun.” He jabs.

  I’m barely listening to him anymore. My attention is directed to the man who just grabbed Lyra’s ass. I see red and want to rip the motherfuckers throat out.

  Nikolai’s eyes follow to where I’m looking.

  “No way,” he says in disbelief. “Some chick actually has your attention instead of business? Is hell freezing over, sir Lucifer?”

  I ignore him as I go take care of this situation. The security guards grab the man and haul him out the door. No need for me to intervene. She barely seemed to care about what just happened and slid back behind the bar.

  Nikolai’s face lights up with his devilish grin. “Let me go grab those drinks now.”

  I narrow my eyes at him, knowing damn well he’s going to make sure she gets the drinks for him.

  Nikolai, being my younger brother, is more immature. He’s not as cold and closed off as I am. Our mother spent more time with him being somewhat of a motherly figure. Me—on the other hand—I was old enough that I had already been molded into exactly what my father needed me to be. I have to give him credit, though. Nikolai does have an evil streak in him, and he can be just as ruthless. He still believes that there is some good out there to balance out all the bad, even if we are the bad.

  Nikolai is testing me by singling her out. He saw how captivated I was by her and is now looking for a reaction to prove whether or not she's of any importance to me. This should be no problem at all. I have nothing that is important enough to pose as a weakness for me. Especially not this girl, whom of which I don’t know personally.

  Chapter Four

  Lyra

  The bar is so busy that I barely notice he moved to a table. He’s lurking in the shadows, so I can’t get a clear view of him. My body, however, can sense he is still here.

  As I’m mixing some drinks, I notice another person slide up to the bar. I glance over and see a younger version of Aleksei. He can’t be much younger than I am—he looks to be around the same age as me. They both have the same high cheekbones, bright eyes, and prominent jawbone. This man appears to be a hair shorter, but he has the same build. You can tell they are both solid and muscular yet lean as to not appear to be built like a bulldog.

  Jess, the other bartender tonight, is swamped on her side of the bar, so it looks like I’ll be fetching him his drinks.

  I finish up the small talk with one of our regulars. Lucky for me, he tips very well. He’d much rather be my sugar daddy, but I’m going to keep it strictly as getting tips from him.

  Walking up to the Aleksei clone, I plaster a fake ass smile onto my face. “What will you be drinking tonight?”

  “You.”

  I glance up, taking in his appearance in the darkened room. “Nikolai?” The surprise is apparent in my voice.

  “Well, good evening my sweet Lyra,” he smiles, leaning onto the bar.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I ask him in a hushed voice.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” he narrows his eyes at me. “What the fuck?”

  “I fucking work here,” I tell him, breathing heavier. “And you don’t belong here.”

  “What’s your deal with my brother?” he demands.

  I let out a harsh laugh. “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Lyra. I saw the way he was looking at you. Don’t fuck with him,” he warns.

  Laughing again, I shake my head. “And why do you say that? Because little brother has trouble sharing?”

  He flashes his perfect white teeth. What the hell is it with these men? They have to have some sort of flaw. No one can have such perfect looks and be such smooth talkers without there being a catch.

  “Vodka,” he declares. “On the rocks.”

  “Oh, and you know none of that bottom of the barrel shit,” he adds as I walk across the bar.

  After making his drink, I bring it over to him. He takes a long, slow sip, savoring the taste. The corners of his mouth slowly curl upward and he has a very satisfied look on his face.

  “You make a mean drink,” he mocks.

  “I’m glad to have a satisfied customer,” my voice drips with sarcasm. “Is there anything else I can get for you right now?

  “Well, that depends on what is being offered,” he cocks his head to the side with a smile. “I’d like nothing more than to take you home with me tonight. You look like you need some satisfaction in your life.”

  “While I appreciate the offer, I’m going to have to politely decline,” I say, attempting to be professional. “Please feel free to let me know if there is anything else you need tonight.”

  “Don’t be so dismissive,” he insists. “You are what I need tonight. Be open minded about it. We could have a lot of fun together.”

  “I think I’m good, but thanks,” I tell him, rolling my eyes. “We’ve already been down that road.”

  I turn to walk in the other direction.

  “You’re not good,” he calls after me. “You’ll feel a lot better after I’ve had my way with you.”

  I spin around, pissed off now. “Listen motherfucker,” I start, but he cuts me off.

  “You can call me Nikolai,” he replies calmly.

  “I don’t give a flying fuck what your name is,” I bark. “I’ve told you no multiple times. Do I need to cut your dick off and shove it down your throat for you to understand that I said no?”

  “I would love for you to do anything with my dick,” he chuckles.

  “Cut the shit, Nikolai. I’ve had my fair share of your dick. Drink your drink and get the fuck out before I signal for my friends over there to escort you out.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” he smiles, grabbing the one glass. “I’ll take a vodka straight on the rocks and I’ll be out of your hair. My brothers over there waiting for me.”

  He grins over at his brother—who happens to be a very pissed off looking Aleksei.

  I get him the drink as fast as I can. I do not want to be on the receiving end of Aleksei’s anger. I know nothing of the man, but I do know that it’s something I would not want to experience.

  As quickly as Nikolai appeared, he’s gone. I glance over toward the table and can see Aleksei talking very quietly to him. This must be some type of a joke, for them to be fucking with me like this.

  Nikolai, while he was more arrogant, was not nearly as intimidating. Aleksei, on the other hand, looked like he was starving for something—or someone. And that something or someone was me.

  Thinking of Aleksei, I replay our conversation in my head. The fucker sure was smooth and knew exactly what to say. He was very calm and controlled about it. He has the upper hand and he knows it. Maybe I should take his advice and run in the other direction.

  I run, or walk, is more like it, in the other direction to go outside and smoke a cigarette. I wouldn’t mind taking a couple shots as well. Thankfully, I’m off for the next two days so I can get this shit out of my head and pray to God they don’t come back again.

  “Do you know what cigarettes can do to your lungs?”

  I jump and spin around. I was so caught up in my head I barely noticed I had company. That company just so happened to be the one occupying my mind.

  I stare at him, having nothing to say.

  “What’s the saying?” He inquires. “Cat got your tongue?”

  The cat must have taken my tongue and my brain because I cannot form a coherent thought, let alone speak any words.

  As I go to take another drag, he takes the cigarette from me.

  “Excuse me, I can smoke if I—,” I start, pissed off at both of these men now.

  I stop mid-
sentence as I realize he’s not going to put it out. Instead, he takes a long, slow drag of the cigarette.

  Slowly exhaling, he gives me a small smile. “I am not a regular smoker, but damn if I don’t mind indulging in it every once in a while.”

  “If you’d like to give me mine back, I have no problem giving you one of your own,” I quip.

  “I’d rather smoke yours instead,” he concurs.

  I pull out another cigarette and turn away from him.

  “I’m making you uncomfortable,” he states. “Why? Is it because you can’t deny the strong attraction between us?”

  I choke on the smoke as I light my cigarette and laugh at the same time. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Clearly, I’m out here minding my own business and you and your asshole brother are playing some sort of a game with me and guess what? I don’t fucking play games.”

  “Lyra,” he says softly. “I must apologize for my brother’s behavior. I can assure you he won’t behave like that again. He likes to do that to mess with me. It wasn’t a game toward you.”

  Aleksei is much more serious than Nikolai is. Besides looks, there are only a few other similarities.

  “Okay.”

  What else am I supposed to say to him? I spoke my peace and he apologized for how his brother acted. I should get back inside, but I remain in the same spot with my feet cemented to the ground.

  “Now, I know you feel it. I know you want me,” he whispers. “There are many things I can think of to solve this problem. However, I’d like for you to enlighten me on what you think we can do about this.”

  And just like that, we’re back to me being a mute.

  He pulls out a small business card and flips it over, writing something on the back.

  “Unfortunately, I have to get going,” he frowns. “Here is my phone number. What you decide to do with it is up to you. As much as I’d like to encourage you NOT to call me, I’m really hoping that you decide to.”

  He grabs my hand and places the card into it. Before letting go, he brings my hand up to his mouth and lightly kisses my fingers.

  “Until next time, Lyra,” he whispers against my skin.

  And with that, he’s gone, taking any common sense I had with him. He’s dark and dangerous, disguised behind a calculating smile and a pretty face. I should throw the card out with my cigarette. Instead, I slide it into my pocket and head back inside, silencing the warning sirens in my head.

  Chapter Five

  Aleksei

  With the day beginning to fall into night, I slip my arms into my suit for our business meeting. The meeting is being held at Arnold’s mansion. Having multiple locations used for different reasons, his home is our main place of business.

  My dress shoes echo on the white marble floor as I walk down the hallway through Arnold’s home. I walk into the basement where the main conference room is. There are numerous doors on either side of the hallway, each containing an office; some offices hold hidden doors that lead into different torture rooms while others house Arnold’s many women.

  My office looks like that of a regular one with a massive oak desk occupying the room and walls lined with bookshelves. I walk passed my office and head for the door at the end of the hallway. The door opens to a massive conference room with a large oak table surrounded by plush chairs. The corner of the room contains a small bar with top shelf liquor.

  When I arrive, only my brother and Arnold are seated around the vast table.

  “Aleksei, we’ve been awaiting your arrival. Now that you’re here, let us begin.”

  Nodding, I take a seat next to Nikolai, naturally.

  He jabs me in the ribs with his elbow as I sit down. “Way to show up late, jackass. You know you’re late when I’m here before you.”

  I throw a glare his way, not reacting to him.

  Arnold clears his throat, demanding our attention. “As you can see, we have an important matter to discuss, a personal one; which is why the two of you have been brought here tonight.”

  Nikolai glances around, raising an eyebrow at me.

  “What do you need us for?” I inquire in a neutral voice.

  “Your father has become a serious liability. Over the years, as you know, he’s become very paranoid and even more impulsive. He killed Rossi, whom I know you are both familiar with,” Arnold cuts his eyes at Nikolai, who stares back at him, hard.

  Their exchange is peculiar, but I begin to tune out Arnold, seeing as I most likely won’t be needed for this mission. What Arnold doesn’t know is I’ve been trying to find my father myself and all leads have turned cold at this point. Arnold is going to need to bring in other men to do more tracking to find him before he would need me.

  “Aleksei, we will need you for this mission,” Arnold states, breaking through my thoughts.

  Of course, I jinxed myself.

  “Your brother has managed to get ahold of him, seeing as he knows of no connection between Nikolai and I, so he was able to trace him to a secluded area in upstate New York.”

  Glancing over at Nikolai, I stare at him for a moment before looking back at Arnold. “Okay, so why must I be involved?”

  “You know exactly what you’re needed for,” he smiles, “but I’ll be bringing someone else in, just as a little reassurance you don’t suddenly go soft on me and have a daddy moment.”

  Nikolai chokes on his drink beside me, letting out a strangled laugh. “Of all people, you really except Ice Cube over here to have some sentimental feelings toward that shitbag?”

  “We don’t need any outsiders, Arnold. It won’t be a problem,” I assure him.

  “I don’t think it will be either but that’s just it, I don’t know. Plus, we can’t afford to have this traced back to us. You hide in the shadows so no one can put your face on anything. The woman is also unknown, with no one knowing of her ties to the Rossi family. She is very skilled in manipulation and transforming to who she must be. You both possess similar skills that others do not.”

  My eyes narrow ever so slightly. “A woman?”

  “She fits the bill perfectly and is exactly who I need to send. Is the fact that she doesn’t have a cock and set of balls going to be a problem here?” Arnold asks, cocking his head to the side.

  “Surely you don’t plan on shying away from this job, Aleksei,” Nikolai challenges, taunting me.

  Arnold shakes his head and continues, “There is no option for this mission. You will fly out first thing in the morning and you’ll be debriefed on the specifics during the flight there. Your new associate.”

  A soft knock sounds on the large wooden door.

  “Speak of the devil and he shall arrive,” Nikolai chuckles. “Or should we say she?”

  Just then, the door slowly opens, and I choke on my drink as she walks in.

  Arnold rises to his feet, pulling out a chair. “Lyra, welcome. We were just discussing the mission.”

  Her eyes find mine, mirroring the same look of shock.

  What. The. Actual. Fuck.

  Chapter Six

  Lyra

  Looks like Aleksei now knows I’m definitely not who he thought I was. I’m officially the world's biggest idiot. I should have connected the dots, but I didn’t because, you know, I’m clearly an idiot.

  Of course, Aleksei is one of Arnold’s men. I shouldn’t have expected anything differently. I was too caught up in my new life I didn’t even notice the signs. His dangerous aura pointed directly to this Table of Death.

  He claimed he wanted to know my darkest secrets.

  He won’t be finding those out, but he now knows one of them and who I actually am.

  I avoid his gaze for the rest of the night. We briefly discuss what we will be doing and as soon as we finish, Aleksei storms out of the room. Who the hell pissed in his cheerios?

  Nikolai approaches me. “You?” he questions.

  “Aw man, you caught me.”

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” He questions me in a harsh
, hushed voice.

  “I’m sorry,” I reply sweetly. “You’re supposed to question me for what reason?”

  “You’re not supposed to be here. And you fucked my brother?” He asks with a fury in his eyes.

  “I’m sure the look on his face answered your question. Not to mention, the way he ran out of the room like his ass was on fire. I’ll get this out of the way and answer your questions. I’m here to help you, to make sure he doesn’t slip up. Your father killed mine, so Arnold knows I have no problem putting a bullet in both of your heads.” I pause, a slow smile creeping onto my face. “And yes, actually, I did fuck your brother. Last time I checked, you and I weren’t together.”

  I didn’t fuck his brother, not yet at least. I played him like a fucking fiddle and it’s only a matter of time until I have him by the balls. Aleksei and Nikolai are both vital parts of my plan now and if I have to ride both dicks to get it done, I will.

  “What do you say we go get a drink?” Nikolai questions after I get lost in my head. “And then you can let me remind you which brother should be balls deep in that tight pussy.”

  Internally rolling my eyes, I bat my eyelashes at him. “You know what Nik, that actually sounds great. Have the driver take us to the hotel I’ll be at for the night and we can go to the bar there.”

  Fuck it. What’s a free drink and a good fuck? If Aleksei wants to be a little bitch and go hide for the night, then so be it, because after tonight he’s not going to be able to get away from me.

  We get to the bar and I suddenly have a change of heart. I now have every intention of getting shit faced. Ordering a bone drink martini, I get right to it. I don’t hear Nikolai’s order, but I’ve been out with him enough times to know it is most likely vodka on the rocks.

  “You better slow your roll, Lyra,” he tips his glass toward mine as I drain half of the glass.

  Shrugging, I roll my eyes at him. “Tonight is about getting nice and ready to pray to the porcelain god.”