Dirty Obsessions: An Interracial Russian Mafia Romance (The Lion and The Mouse Book 5.5)

by Kenya Wright

  “I read that the fortress was hit during World War II.”

  “The government restored it later.”

  “And then it became a prison? There are lots of different stories.”

  “Some of it was true. Other times it was Bolshevik propaganda, portraying it as a hellish, torturous place, where thousands of prisoners suffered in filthy, overcrowded dungeons.”

  Hiro’s gaze brightened as he continued to check out the fortress. “But those stories weren’t true?”

  “Conditions were less brutal than the legends. Prisoners weren’t cramped in there and they were able to read books, write on paper given to them, and even smoke cigarettes.”

  He looked at me. “How do you know that?”

  “Many Russian families have priceless silverware, jewelry, or even land passed down from earlier generations. Tons of priceless valuables and heirlooms. In my family, we have decades and decades of prison letters that tell the history of this country.”

  “A family of criminals.”

  I nodded.

  He studied me. “Then, why did people lie about the prison?”

  “The propaganda chose to make the fortress’s prison a symbol of the government’s oppression of common folk. The Bolshevik revolution prospered from that. People began to see the government as cruel and unjust.”

  “This makes sense.” Hiro smiled. “And the people didn’t really need proof of the prison’s cruelty. They just needed an excuse to hate the government.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Still watching me, Hiro tilted his head to the side. “Did you think that recording of Leonid convinced me to go against him?”

  I stiffened. “It did the job.”

  “It did.” Hiro grinned. “I needed something to give back to my leaders and let them know why I chose to go against Leonid’s contract. That recording was a perfect symbol very much like this fortress for the revolution.”

  Annoyance hit me. “I’m glad I could do my part.”

  “You agreed to help me deal with the Dragon.”

  “And how will I honor that contract?”

  Hiro grinned. “I’m considering many options. But that’s not why you asked to meet.”

  “It’s not. I’m here to outbid Ava’s contract.”

  “I never knew you to be a dancing man. How are your pirouettes?”

  “Find another way to lure the Dragon out.”

  “I don’t take orders from you, Mosquito.”

  “Before I killed Leonid, he said that you are Kenji’s half-brother.”

  Rage spread across his face. “Now you see why I didn’t mind going against Leonid.”

  “You knew he was going to give you all to the Dragon?”

  “I guessed it, but wasn’t completely positive.”

  “I’m glad you’re good at guesses. Have you guessed what I will do if you involve Ava in whatever problems you have with your brother?”

  “Why would I spend my time considering the stupidity of men?”

  I stepped forward but didn’t attack. The other Xecutioners headed over and stood behind him. My people joined.

  I placed my hands in my pocket. “Ava will not be in Tokyo and there will be no performance for the Dragon dealing with her. Perhaps I’ll get you another ballerina.”

  “I like the ballerina I have.”

  I leaned forward. “You don’t have her.”

  “I do.” Hiro winked at me, took out a lollipop from his pocket, and snatched off the wrapper. This one had dark colors and looked to have some sort of image in the front. Grinning, he placed the lollipop in his mouth.

  I sneered. “Candy isn’t good in the morning. It’s bad for your health.”

  “So is disturbing my contract with Ava.”

  I gritted my teeth. “The Dragon is your brother. You don’t seem like the sort of man that would kill his own family.”

  “Perhaps I only want to show Kenji that I can kill him.” Hiro pulled out the lollipop from his mouth. “I think he believes that there is no threat to him. That he has protected himself well.”

  “And if the Dragon doesn’t see this as some show, but an actual threat?”

  “Then what comes will come.”

  “Let me outbid the contract.”

  “Not an option.”

  “I can get Kenji alone under the guise that I want to meet him. I can even have my cousin, Kazimir, put the meeting together. Kenji will have to agree.”

  Hiro’s voice held skepticism. “Bratva meeting the Yakuza for tea? Kenji will have an army hidden ready, to deal with any threat coming his way.”

  I glared.

  The blond Xecutioner tapped Hiro’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. Hiro let out a long breath and looked at me. “If you did this meeting of tea, would you bring Ava with you?”

  “No.”

  “If you bring her, then he’ll know it isn’t a threat.”

  “I don’t want her involved—”

  “Ava did the contract. Not you. You’re lucky I’m even discussing this matter with you. She should be here.” Hiro placed the lollipop back in his mouth. “However, I’m open to this new plan. Bring Ava to Tokyo for tea with the Dragon. Let Kenji know that he should bring his wife. She’s a fan of Ava.”

  “There’s no need to bring the women into this.”

  “There is. A feminine touch keeps the knives and guns away. Besides, Kenji’s wife keeps his cock tight in her hands. If she’s there, he’ll actually listen to what I must say.”

  “That’s why you wanted to lure the wife out.”

  “Nyomi is a good woman. Very sensible. She’ll keep him calm. Plus, she’s pregnant. He won’t want any weapons around.”

  “What’s the point of this?”

  “I need to talk to him.”

  “Because?”

  Hiro shook his head.

  “I have questions. If you’re going to involve Ava, then at least give me answers.”

  Hiro waited a few seconds and then glanced at his men. The blond shrugged. Hiro turned back to me. “The Dragon wants to retire and have me take over. I can’t. Once you’re an Xecutioner there is no other family. We are one blood. One heart. This is an oath that ends when I die.”

  “And the Dragon is not happy with this oath.” I thought back to the people Hiro freed in Tokyo. “So, the Dragon captured other Xecutioners and kept them hidden from you?”

  The blond stirred but said nothing.

  Hiro spoke, “Kenji planned on getting rid of all the Xecutioners, thus ending my oath. When he imprisoned the group he captured, he’d given me a deadline to take over the yakuza. If I didn’t, then he would kill them all.”

  “And when you freed them, I helped you get the upper hand?”

  Hiro nodded. “Now, he has no hold on me. But I will always have to look over my shoulder. And the Xecutioners will never truly be safe with him searching for us.”

  I considered this. “If this meeting happens and I’m involved, Kenji and I will forever be enemies.”

  “Maybe yes. Maybe no. Most important. You and I will be friends forever.” Hiro pulled the lollipop out and licked the image. “Would you like to be best friends with me?”

  I glared at him.

  “Me too, Mosquito. Me too.” Chuckling, he walked off.

  The Xecutioners followed.

  “Hiro,” I called after him.

  Hiro stopped but didn’t turn around.

  “I have to bury my father. Give Ava and me two weeks before we work on this plan.”

  “That I can do, Mosquito.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And I’m sorry for your loss. I know how hard it can be to lose a father, even if you hated him more than loved him.”

  I had no response.

  He left with his squad of killers. They jumped on their bikes, put on their helmets, and sped away.

  “I know how hard it can be to lose a father, even if you hated him more than loved him.”

  I headed back to the limo, not sure if I helped t
he situation or not. I at least had two weeks to come up with some plan to get Ava out of the contract. Worst case scenario, if we did go to Tokyo it would be together, instead of her twirling on a stage in front of a bunch of gangsters.

  When I climbed into the limo, my phone rang.

  I answered, “Yes?”

  Worry rode Naveen’s words. “Have you seen the news?”

  The limo drove off, leaving the Peter and Paul Fortress behind.

  I rubbed my head, hoping there wouldn’t be any new problems arising. “No. I didn’t see the news. What’s wrong?”

  “Someone bombed Paris.”

  I widened my eyes. “Where?”

  “The same place that Kazimir and the French exchanged their women.”

  I nodded. “So Kazimir bombed Paris.”

  “I was thinking that it could be him.”

  “You’re smarter than that, Naveen. You know it was him. In fact, are you even surprised?”

  “I’m glad I left Paris.”

  “You’re in Prague?”

  “At the castle right now. Rolan is here with his girlfriend.”

  I quirked my brows. “Girlfriend?”

  “Ava’s grandmother.”

  “Is that supposed to be funny, Naveen?”

  “What? No. That’s how he introduced her when I showed up.”

  An ache hit my temples. “Rolan was supposed to keep his hands off Ava’s grandmother.”

  “Listen. I’m not arguing with the Big Bear. You can deal with that on your own.”

  “I will.”

  “And will you be heading this way or are you going to drag this funeral out even longer?”

  I sneered. “Ava and I will be there by this afternoon.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?”

  “I’m watching the news. This bombing looks heavy. Smoke and fire everywhere. Do you think that is the only bomb Kazimir will set off in Paris?”

  “We’ll see.”

  “How did the meeting with the Xecutioners go?”

  I sighed. “We’ll see.”

  “Hmmm. Then we’ll talk more when you get here.”

  “We will.” I hung up.

  There was one more situation I had to deal with. Instead of going to my condo, I texted the evil hag.

  Me: How are Natalya and you?

  Valentina: You better hide from me!

  Me: I’m going to Prague for the funeral today. Shall I make sure your plane is ready?

  The phone rang.

  I answered it. “How is the lovely princess this morning?”

  Valentina’s words rose on the phone. “Don’t try to suck up to me.”

  “Are you coming to my father’s funeral?”

  “Of course I am. Someone will need to be there to wipe the tears from your eyes.”

  “How is Natalya?”

  “She is fine. No thanks to you.”

  “After the funeral, I expect to have a conversation on visitation.”

  “Listen to you, speaking like a real father.”

  “Valentina. It’s been a long fucking week. Take it down a notch.”

  She sighed. “Did your ballerina tell you that she slapped me?”

  “She did. My only regret is that no one was recording it.”

  “You’re a piece of shit asshole.”

  “Think of a good schedule for me to start seeing Natalya. I’ve missed enough time with her. I plan to catch up on spoiling my daughter.” I shut off the phone, leaned back in my seat, and closed my eyes.

  I was surprised Valentina didn’t call back. It didn’t matter. She would be in Prague, stirring up enough drama to annoy me.

  Two weeks and then I’ll have to figure something out with the Xecutioners. Should I involve Kazimir?

  I considered the bomb in Paris this morning.

  I’ll save him as the last resort. Until then, I will protect Ava with everything I’ve got.

  And then my mind shifted to Ava and all the things I would do to her as we rode my plane to Prague. While there was a small worry that my childhood castle of horrors might scare her, I knew deep down she would remain at my side. Our bond had strengthened in these recent bloody days. Not only did she know all of my dirty secrets, she put her ballerina shoes down and got into the dirt with me.

  Due to that, nothing would stop us.

  And one day, I’ll bring out the ring, ask her to be my wife, and hear her say yes.

  With my eyes still closed, I smiled.

  One day.

  Dear Reader,

  I could have written a summary of what goes down at the funeral with Valentina and Kazimir or a short chapter on the chaos in Tokyo, but that’s no fun. This couple is like Kazimir and Emily to me. They stay in trouble.

  I would rather write another book, starting with Misha and Ava at the castle in Prague. Next, they’ll head off to Tokyo, team up with the Xecutioners, and deal with the Dragon. For what I have planned, Tokyo is an entire act. I’m shaking my head as I think of the scenes. Then of course, we need to check in on Ava’s rising ballet career. And will Misha ever get Maxwell to work by his side? That’s a tough one. Wedding? Baby? Valentina and co-parenting? Not to mention the fact that I like to kill people in my books.

  Regardless, I want to say thank you for traveling with me through the Lion and Mouse world. I’m having a complete blast. I really hope you are too!!

  To have some feedback or give suggestions to future novels, please join my Facebook reading group K KILLERS. There, I daily yap about this or that. I’m constantly polling the K Killers about covers, scenes, and works-in-progress. Additionally, I do weekly giveaways of my books and other authors. Finally, I have a monthly KW Live discussion with other popular authors.

  THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT.

  Kenya Wright

  To read more on the Dragon.

  Kenji and Nyomi’s story is here.

  No Ordinary Love

  KW SHOP

  Check out my Psychological Thriller

  Missing Hearts

  AMBW Romances!

  Quarantine and Chill

  Redemption

  If you haven’t checked out Jean-Pierre and Eden.

  Here’s my French Mafia Romance series.

  The Butcher and the Violinist.

  Rhapsody

  Sonata