“I came in here earlier for a...sensitive matter.” Pavel stared out the window along with me. “Your men have come to me with a small problem. I think they were afraid to tell you.”
“Then, I need stronger men.”
Pavel gave me a weak smile. “You do.”
I looked at him. “What’s the problem?”
“The cameras you ordered in the mouse’s building last night...”
I frowned, already knowing it would be bad news. “Go ahead.”
“They’re offline. Not removed, just not working. Black screens.”
Of course, she found them.
Pavel continued, “When she leaves the building again, I’ll have my own team go in—”
“No need. She’ll just find those too.”
“My men are good.”
“She’s better.”
“I assume that’s why you fell in love with her.”
“That and many other things.” I turned back to the window.
You don’t want to be watched, mysh. I thought we agreed I would always watch you.
Another van pulled up by her building. I squinted my eyes to get a better view, but it didn’t help. Several white men climbed out, none I recognized. They carried huge boxes into the front entrance and shut the door.
What is she doing over there?
Pavel spoke, “I should confess something.”
“What?”
His voice came out shaky. “I have someone on the inside of her men. A sort of spy.”
“Why?”
“I was intrigued by who’d you fallen in love with. And with your position and her so close to you...and the ability to wield influence...I knew I must check her out.”
I doubt she’ll like that. She may kill him and you.
They all had tried sneaking around to try to figure her out. Part of me was annoyed. The rest was intrigued by what the spy could’ve found out.
Pavel cleared his throat. “He just called me.”
“What did the spy say?”
“He just wanted to notify me that...the mouse is fighting...and he says she’s damn good.”
My voice rose. “Fighting?”
“She’s training with her men.”
I turned his way. “She’s fighting people in her building at this moment?”
Pavel nodded.
I marched off.
“Kazimir?” Pavel hurried on my side, opened the door, and followed me as I stormed through. Several of my guards came along.
Pavel cleared his throat. “However...”
“Enough with your however.” My annoyance rose. “What else?”
“The spy says they’re fighting because she wants to learn systema. A few of her men claim to be good at it.”
Systema?
I kept my groan to myself.
To call systema a Russian martial art was to miss the point.
It was yoga and judo mixed with street fighting and ancient Cossack techniques. Russian military taught it to their soldiers, especially special forces and elite government intelligence bureaus. It was a systematized physical, mental, and spiritual practice, which had numerous benefits both for physical and psychological health. Many used systema to maintain balance in a dark world. That was the part that dealt with breathing and constant movement.
Others used it to knock a person out within seconds, regardless of size and weight. Systema didn’t rely on strength and attack. It allowed for a very smooth and relaxed method of fighting. Dancelike. It wasn’t about strength and size. It was more about the body, mind, and environment.
And my mouse wants to dabble in it with her men?
I left my house through the side entrance.
Pavel asked behind me, “What are you going to do?”
“Whatever I want.” I frowned. “By the way, get rid of that spy. It’s dangerous. If she finds out, I won’t get between her and you.”
“Any woman who gets this sort of attention from our lion will be watched by everyone. And if I hadn’t—”
I stopped and faced him. “My mouse is very particular. Approach any situation with her with great care.”
“Someone should have eyes on her.”
“If she kills you, I won’t stop her. Never force me into that position.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry, but I’ll take your advice.”
“Good. Make sure you spread the word.” I walked off, following the cobblestone path to her building.
It took us ten minutes to get to the front entrance.
Two men stood outside the door. From my office window, I couldn’t see them. They’d hidden themselves in odd nooks with guns pointed our way. When one spotted my face, he signaled for the other to put his gun down.
She’s made the servant quarters into military barracks.
Pavel and I approached. Her men stepped aside. One even opened the door.
At least her people know that they’re to listen to me, even if she won’t.
I entered. Pavel and my guards marched behind.
Long ago, the three level building had housed ten maids and two butlers. They’d had a large space on the first floor which the servants had shared. A massive kitchen for meals and an even bigger room served as an emergency pantry.
There was an underground entrance that led to the tunnel so the servants wouldn’t have to walk back and forth through the snow during the winter.
Later, my mother had a new quarters formed. It was closer to our house, held the highest quality items, and a state of the art heating system.
The old building was emptied after that and mainly turned into storage. In my earlier days, I’d had many weapons stocked away on all levels. When I took the secret bases from Russia, I began storing my weapons there.
Today, I paused for a second and studied the newly renovated space. It had been stripped to all gray cement. Even the wallpaper had been torn off. Hammering and sawing sounded above.
We continued past the empty living area the servants used to share.
Roaring sounded off in the distance.
I raised my eyebrows. “What the hell is that?”
“Sounds like an underground boxing match.”
We followed the sound, passed the now gutted kitchen, and climbed down into what used to be the building’s basement.
Cheers rose.
Then more roars.
My neck stiffened at the possibilities.
It’s never a dull day with you, mysh.
I entered the crowded basement.
It was a massive area. Five lightbulbs dangled from the ceiling. People lined the walls as they stared at the two people fighting in the center. No one noticed us walk in. Why would they when my mouse was half-naked, shirt and jeans ripped, bloody-faced and slapping around some big bulky guy?
He had to be taller than my 6’4. Pale skin. Bald head. Scattered tattoos, but not brotherhood related. His shirt was off. Sweat drenched his huge arms and chest. His jeans were raggedy, but I didn’t know if that was due to Emily or that was how he’d come.
Another guy? Who the hell is this? No more men, mysh!
The big guy charged for her. She slipped out of his reach and slammed his elbow. He lost balance. She punched his shoulder. He fell back but tried to grab her. She hit him in the gut. Groaning, he crashed to his knees.
The crowd roared, but it was too fast to call the winner. With a quick recovery, the guy grabbed her by the knees and dragged her down to the ground. Her body slammed into the concrete.
Motherfucker.
I moved forward.
Pavel stopped me. “Wait.”
I almost shot him. “What do you mean, wait?”
“She’s got him.”
I turned back.
Emily hammer-jacked the back of the guy’s neck. Still, he didn’t let go. Instead, he lifted her up a few inches from the ground.
No.
Right before he must’ve been about to slam her, she slid away. Her shirt remained in the guy’s
hands which gave all of us a great view of her red lace bra.
I would have bet a thousand ruble the bra was what made the big guy give up the fight. He had a good opportunity to yank her back down. Instead, lust filled his eyes as he took in the bra and those full breasts jiggling in the fabric.
A silly grin lit up his face.
I walked around Pavel and slowly pushed through the crowd.
Those who hadn’t noticed my entrance did now. Including my mouse.
She stumbled away, wiped her bloody nose with the back of her hand, and had the nerve to curve her lips into a smile. “Is it time for dinner already?”
“No.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Then...”
I turned to the big man on the ground and gave him all my attention as I unbuttoned my suit jacket. “You fight well. What’s your name?”
Shock replaced the lust on his face.
I growled, “Name?”
“A-anton.” He took a while rising from the ground. “She—”
“Emily,” I corrected.
“Yes.” Anton remained on the ground. “E-emily told me to attack her. She wanted to learn—”
“Of course she did.” I took off my jacket and handed it to Pavel who’d been grinning the entire time.
Emily swallowed. “Kazimir, can we talk over here?”
“After I’m done. Right now I want to meet Anton.” I unbuttoned my shirt. “And you’re very good at systema?”
Anton followed my hands as I undid every button. “Y-yes. I’m okay.”
“Okay or good?”
“I’m...good.”
“Let’s see.” I took off my shirt.
Pavel grabbed it. “Kazimir, would it be rude to make a bet?”
“Go ahead.”
Pavel yelled at the crowd. “I put a $1000 on Anton. Who wants in?”
No one jumped in on that bet.
“You’re getting old, Kazimir.” Pavel smiled at Anton. “Do you think you can win? I don’t want to lose my money.”
Anton raised his hands. “I-I don’t want to fight the l-lion.”
“You don’t want to fight the lion?” Pavel frowned. “But you would rather fight a little woman?”
“S-she wanted to learn.”
Emily walked over to me and kept her voice low. “Kazimir, what are you doing?”
“I wanted to see what was going on in the building.” I cracked my neck on the right and then left. “When I can’t see, I come looking for myself.”
Put those goddamn cameras back on! Someone in the brotherhood is threatening you, and you’ve got a bunch of strange, hungry criminals around you.
She widened her eyes. “Maybe, we can find a way for you to see.”
“How?”
“Cameras, but of course that would be something we discuss. You can’t just put cameras in here. I’m sure you know that.”
I gritted my teeth. “Then, we’ll discuss it later. For now, I’ll have some fun.”
Anton opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Pavel pulled out several large bills. “My money is on Anton. No one wants in?”
I fisted my hands and glared at Anton. “Are you too tired to fight? Or did my mouse wear you out?”
The crowd snickered.
Anton probably didn’t appreciate their humor, and so he went with vanity. Wrong move.
“No, I’m not too tired.” Anton dusted himself off and stood. The man even towered over me. I didn’t know what his parents had fed him long ago, but he’d eaten them out of their house for sure.
I shook my head. “Really, mysh? This is who you decided to fight?”
She got to my side. “He was teaching me.”
“It was more than that.”
Emily’s fighting Anton wasn’t just about learning. She wanted everyone around them to know the mouse could hold her own. That even the biggest guy in the room, she could give a hard time, and she could do it without the lion near.
But I gave you men so you would never have to fight again.
I stepped into my mouse’s makeshift rink, a dirty, bloody cement floor that had seen better days.
Worry hit Anton’s face, but he shifted into a fighting stance anyway.
I remained calm and stepped close to him. “Have you taught her the main principles of systema?”
“I have.”
“But you’re not relaxed.”
“I am.” Anton looked down at his stance.
I lunged forward, striking his face and then punching his jaw. I could’ve hit his temple and knocked him out, but I was trying to take my time as I proved a point.
Anton stumbled back.
“One must stay relaxed. That way you’re ready for any sort of movement. Fast or slow. In any direction.” I dove for him.
He ducked.
I got him on his right.
He stumbled back.
“You’re not breathing.” I moved to my left.
He jumped away.
“Your breathing should be continuous, uninterrupted, and have a pendulum-like quality to it.” I waved my arm from side to side. “See.”
He nodded.
With the other hand, I slammed him in the throat. He crashed into the wall.
“Kazimir!” Emily sounded from behind. “That’s enough lessons for today.”
“But we haven’t finished all of the principles.”
“We’re done.” She hurried forward, got between us, and glared at me. “Everyone, we’re done for today!”
Done doing what?
Many of them scattered, especially Anton. Pavel frowned and handed the thousand to me. I winked and pocketed it.
Emily’s other man, Boris, walked over and positioned himself behind her. After a few minutes, only my men, Emily, and Boris remained.
I took my shirt from Pavel and gave it to her. She put it on and tied the hanging fabric around her waist. I gestured to Boris. “Why is he still here?”
Emily spoke, “He’s my second.”
“And who’s your first?”
“Maxwell.”
“Have you talked to Valentina about that? She told me Maxwell is watching her.”
“This morning, Maxwell said he’d just been kicked out. He has to do something for Misha and will be back in a week.”
Valentina, you can’t have tantrums with the Harlem crew. They move differently. And damn it, I’d thought I’d gotten rid of Maxwell.
My frown deepened. “What is Maxwell doing for Misha?”
“I don’t know.”
I scowled at Boris. “So, you’re her number two? Then, why did you let that thug drag her on the ground?”
Emily answered for him. “Because I wanted to learn how to fight the Russian way.”
Edge laced my voice. “You already know how to fight the Russian way. Pick up a gun and shoot their head off.”
“I won’t always have a gun.”
“You won’t need one.”
She shook her head. “You never know.”
“I will know!”
She blinked and crossed her arms across her chest. “You told me you would give me free rein with my men and building.”
“I am.”
She gestured to my jacket in Pavel’s hands. “You can’t just walk in here and beat up my men because you don’t like the way we’re communicating.”
Communicating?
All the little bit of calm disappeared. I pointed to her bloody nose. “I can and I will!”
Boris stirred.
Pavel cleared his throat.
Her chest rose and fell. “Maybe we should finish this conversation back at the house.”
“Go ahead.”
She stormed off.
I followed.
No one else came with us.
At this point, the whole property was learning. If we had a disagreement, everyone was to stay out of our way until we dealt with it.
Your shirt is off. Jeans ripped. Nose bloody. Bruises. I don’t g
ive a fuck if you’re mad.
She marched forward, muttering curse words every few steps.
I didn’t keep up with her. I enjoyed watching that plump ass shake as she stomped off. Anger radiated from her frame, so much it made my cock jump. But I wouldn’t fall into my desires too quickly. She needed to understand her men were there to protect her, not to be trained to wage war or to slap her around.
What were you thinking?
In silence, we made it back to the house.
By the time we hit the stairs, her body must’ve ached. She limped a little and had slowed down her pace.
I took her hand and helped her up. “The doctor should see you first.”
“No.” She frowned. “We should talk first.”
I clenched my jaw. “After you’re cleaned up and he has seen you.”
She rolled her eyes.
I stopped her on the top of the stairs and pulled her close to me. “The next time I see one of your men hit you, I’ll kill him.”
She moved from my arms. “It was part of my training.”
“It doesn’t happen again.”
“Kazimir—”
“End of discussion. We had several deals. You broke them, so I get to break the rules too.”
“What rules did I break?”
“I gave you seven men. You added. We agreed at thirty. Today, the whole basement was crowded.”
“We already settled that with the ribbons.”
“You hired more this morning too. I called you to end it.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t hire any more men after that phone call.”
“So, you hired women. Very cute, mysh.”
She pointed toward our bedroom. “There were cut-off monkey heads in our bed—”
“You’re bloodied and bruised.” I glared. “I told you that you were mine.”
She blinked. “But—”
“I love you, and I want you safe. I won’t bend on that, so get used to it before I kill all your men and flatten that building.” I left her there, not wanting to yell anymore.
She called out. “Kazimir, can we talk now?”
“See the doctor!” I stomped away. “We’ll talk more in our new bedroom...when I’ve calmed down.”
She remained silent behind me.
Rage filled every inch of my body. It took everything in me to walk off, and when I did, I didn’t look back.
“Kazimir?”
“And when we meet, make sure you’re naked!”
Chapter 6
Dirty Hearts: The Lion and The Mouse (Book Three) Page 7