Lost and Found: A Mafia Romance, page 8
Hearing nothing else Misha assumed he was going to leave, unfortunately she was wrong. With a cold whoosh, the blankets she was buried beneath were thrown off. Shocked her eyes snapped open, to see Mikhail standing above her before she could react she felt his hands slip beneath her legs and shoulders. Hauling her up into his arms Misha felt her head spin.
"Mikhail!" she cried softly,"what are doing?"
"You're burning up, I am going to have to cool you down."
Putting the clues together, Misha tried to wriggle free from his hold. "No Mikhail, no please I'm fine..."
"Hush." he growled, his grip tightened almost painfully stilling her struggles.
Clutching onto his shoulder the best she could, Misha watched in a daze as he carried her into his room. God, she never felt so embarrassed in her life. Setting her on the bed Mikhail stepped back and walked to his dresser. Flicking the clasp on his watch, he tossed the gold piece onto the dresser. Next he removed his shoes, his socks, and then his shirt. In a state of awe, she could only sit and watch his movements. Wearing nothing but his black slacks Mikhail turned back to her. She couldn't believe this was happening.
The knot in her stomach twisted in fear and anticipation as he approached her side. Without warning, he reached for her shirt and began unbuttoning. On instinct, her hands flew up to stop him but he seemed to expect her move. Catching her hands, he gave her a warning glare. By now she was breathing so hard her chest was heaving. She was so confused as to why he was doing this, why was he being so rough with her? Mostly though she was nervous for him to see her in only her underwear.
Moving her like a rag doll he completely divested her of the shirt, leaving her only in her cotton blue underwear. There was no time to cover herself in modesty, picking her back up he headed for the large shower. Misha pressed her face into his chest in apprehension. Despite being dizzy from her fever, she knew what he was going to do.
Stepping into the shower, he released her legs so that she could stand against him. Quickly he turned on the cold spray.
The moment the cold water hit her hot skin she yelped in shock. Yanking back she tried to escape the torturous temperature.
"Dammit Misha stop." he ordered harshly has he pushed her against the wall in water's spray.
By now she was not only miserable, embarrassed beyond words, she was enraged. Letting out a frustrated growl she began to fight off his grip.
"No you stop!" she yelled, "Let me go, this is archaic." twisting out of his slick grip she tried to push out of the shower door. Rough hands savagely grabbed her, yanking backwards against his soaked body. Pivoting easily on his heel he turned until she was directly facing the spray. With her arms in a vice grip behind her, Misha hung her head in defeat. Exhausted she sank heavily against him. Releasing her arms, he encircled his arms around her as she endured the spray.
"I'm sorry my little Misha." the deep vibrations from his chest spread throughout her body. Closing her eyes, everything went to black for a moment. The next thing she remembered was being carried soaking wet into his bedroom. She felt the cool sheets hit the back of her head as she felt a warm towel pass over her body. With each pass of the towel, she felt her body jiggle and sway to his rhythm. Through heavy-lidded eyes, she watched the man who she owed her life to dry her off. Maybe it was the fever or the heavy fatigue but she could have sworn something crossed his eyes when he looked at her.
A shiver ran through her leaving goosebumps up and down her body.
"Shit," he cursed, "we need to get you out of the wet clothes."
"You mean my underwear." she drawled drunk with exhaustion.
Clenching his jaw tighter he fixed her a dangerous look. "Yes. I need you to remove them. I will step out--"
"I can barely move," she cut him off. It was true, even if she liked the glimmer of shock that crossed his face, she was too tired to even move. Ha! That's what he gets for tossing her into a cold shower against her will. "I will warm up as soon as I get my pajamas."
"As I said," his voice was dangerously low and dark as he threw the towel over her prone figure. "You need to get out of these wet clothes." With one knee on the bed, Mikhail slipped his hands beneath the towel he placed.
"No Mikhail wait." but it was too late she could feel him hooking his fingers around her panties. With wide eyes, Misha stared directly into the blue storms of his eyes as he drug the wet fabric down her legs and from underneath the towel.
Mikhail watched in no less than fascination as she bit her lip to keep from making a sound. So much for his vow of not putting himself in intimate "moments" with her, and damn did he try. The smooth feeling of her legs gliding across his fingers etched itself into his brain. Scooting forward until he was right beside her, staring down at her he went deeper down the rabbit hole. Ignoring her continued protest he reached underneath her torso to find the clasp of the soaked bra. Expertly he undid the clasp and with a quick tug down her body he removed the bra much in the same way he removed the purple panties.
Stepping back he admired the deep flush to her face before turning back to his bathroom. Closing the door, he quickly changed out of the soaking pants into a pair of track pants and a t-shirt. Pausing for a moment before opening the door, Mikhail leaned his forehead against the door as the thoughts of what he just did flooded his mind. Never did he imagine the reaction Misha's body would cause. So sweet and soft, her body was like silk, and now she was laying completely naked on his bed, guarded by one solitary towel. Gripping the doorknob with fierce control, Mikhail walked back into the bedroom.
Asleep with her head to the side, he couldn't help but stare for a couple of moments. She was so damn trusting. She had no idea the amount of white hot discipline he was summoning right now. Not to climb on the bed with her and explore what has been hidden under his roof the whole time. Cradling her in his arms he began to walk back to her room. Her body temperature felt much better now, archaic, but it worked. Mikhail needed to get her out of his room before he did something stupid. Placing her under her covers, his heart lurched at the tiny feminine moan she made. Grabbing the soggy towel he gently pulled it from underneath her and the covers, leaving her naked beneath.
Now it was he who felt that had the fever, his whole body was on fire with want. Want for his beautiful little Misha. Scratching his head he roughly raked over the stubble, though what he saw earlier he could safely say there was nothing little about Misha anymore. When he pulled off the soaking bra, his hands quickly sensed the beautiful weight of her full breast. The deep flair of her hips reminded him of the nice plump ass that he tried not to notice everyday. Misha was the embodiment of temptation under is roof.
"Mikhail," the light groan caused him to pause. Looking over to the bed she looked at him with heavily lidded eyes. "please don't be mad at Leo. He is my friend." the rest of her words faded as he watched her fall deeper into sleep.
With a low growl of frustration, he walked out of her room making his way towards his liquor cabinet. With his hand on the bottle neck he paused, lower inhibitions and relaxed judgment is not what he needed right now.
Falling back onto his couch Mikhail let out a weary sigh. Pushing the thoughts of forbidden lust out of his mind, he focused on anger. Leo Maslak was flirting with death—again. Seconds after sitting down on Misha's bed Mikhail was able to piece together the earlier scene. The mere fact that he dared to touch her led Mikhail to believe Krill might have a point.
America must be making him soft, he thought in disgust. If this were Russia, hell if this were him eleven years ago, Mikhail would have killed Leo the first time he crossed the line. Though Misha chose to forgive and forget, Mikhail never forgot the kid's transgression.
Misha was still in middle school when Leo was sent over from Roman. Sitting in the back room of the Rose, Mikhail was absently listening to the kid brag about himself and his so called accomplishments. Abram was asking the kid, who had to be twenty-one, some questions as to why he wanted to switch to Mikhail's men. Glancing at his watch Mikhail could really care less about the whole situation, he was only still at the Rose because Nico was picking Misha up from her late night violin class.
"I think I would be better suited for your setup sir," Leo droned doing his best to try and impress the two older men. "Security, cars, running shipments anything you--"
"She is here." Abram perked up, he too seemed bored with the conversation, flicking his thumb behind him, Mikhail looked past the confused Leo to see Misha walk in the door. Immediately the familiar jingle of her backpack jostling started to come towards their table.
"Move," Mikhail commanded, looking at the kid in front of him.
"Yes sir." quickly he got up and stood anxiously by the table.
"You can go kid," Abram drawled, "I will talk to Roman tomorrow." Seeing that he was no longer able to pitch his case Leo nodded before walking towards the bar.
"Hi Abram Hi Mikhail," the high pitched chirp brought both men attention back to the table. Misha smiled brightly, standing in her school uniform while clutching her practice violin. "Are you busy?"
Abram pulled the chair out signaling she could join them, smiling she sat down. That was all Misha needed, once she was seated her entire day's story began. Signaling to the waitress Mikhail quickly ordered Misha's food as she delved into the throes of middle school drama. If someone would have told him years ago, he and his captain would be sitting here trying to keep up with this rapid pace story he would have laughed. Thankfully she paused to excuse herself to the restroom, allowing both men a breather.
Making sure she was halfway across the room, Abram leaned back in his chair with a deep exhale.
"Oh my God how does Krill do this?" Abram laughed quietly, "I mean she is thorough. She just took us from her first class to lunch, to gym. Dammit man, I think there is more."
"Yes well I frankly don't feel bad for you," Mikhail grumbled as he scanned the room absently. "I hear these stories every time I go home."
"Why do you do it?" The laughter faded from Abram's eyes as he looked at him. No one else would dare ask him that question, but Abram was different, Mikhail knew the man had no ill intentions.
"At first it was boredom, then it was refreshing to have such a light to come home to, now it's more of--"
"Of an annoyance." Abram grinned.
Smirking slightly Mikhail continued. "Sometimes she can be a little much, but no, now she is more like," pausing he searched for the perfect word. "now she is more like a radio."
The loud laugh Abram released, quieted the noisy room in shock for a moment before picking back up. Mikhail smirked in response as he looked back towards the back hall. Furrowing his brow, he glanced at the waitress bringing the food. Misha should be back by now. As if on cue he watched her petite figure emerge from the back hall. Something was wrong. Walking slowly towards him her face didn't have its usual glowing smile. Her eyes seemed to be wide in shock while she nibbled on her bottom lip.
Sitting upright in alert Abram must have sensed her strange demeanor as well when she finally sat down. Silently she picked up her fork and began to eat, staring at her plate. Mikhail looked to Abram to see him just as alarmed. Nothing silenced Misha.
"Misha what's wrong?"
Looking up from her plate she gave him a forced smile. "It's nothing I'm just hungry."
Taking a deep breath, Mikhail reminded himself he was dealing with a child. Leaning back in his chair he stared at her for a moment.
"Misha come here." Tapping the empty chair to his left. Obediently she got up and walked around the table. Sitting down next to him she hesitantly looked up at him, her large eyes were like windows to her emotions, he could see the hurt and worry inside of them. Draping one arm on the back of her chair, he gently grabbed her chin.
"I am going to ask you one more time. And I want the truth, Misha. What happened?" he asked evenly.
By now he could sense the quiet spreading through the room, others must have noticed them. Like tiny needles spreading through his body, Mikhail watched as moisture built up in her eyes.
"I was about to come out of the bathroom when I heard someone talking about me through the door." Mikhail listened in complete stillness.
"He said I ruined everything for him, and he called me some bad names."
"What did he say? Who was it?" Abram questioned.
Mikhail cast a murderous glance to Abram before turning back to Misha. "Tell me."
Quietly Misha repeated the vile words she heard before describing the blonde haired kid standing near the back hall entrance. Doing his best not to kill the fucker then and there, Mikhail calmly signaled for Nico.
"I want you to get your things and go with Nico," he spoke evenly, "he is going to get you something to eat and take you home."
"I am sorry Mikhail I didn't know--" holding up his hand he silenced the oncoming tears.
"Misha not another word, I need you to go."
Nodding she grabbed her things and followed Nico out. Once the door closed, Mikhail nodded at Abram. Immediately Abram snapped his fingers at two of his men he pointed to Leo. The kid never had a chance to react before he was thrown out of his chair and drug across the room. The men parted like the red sea as they drug the now yelling blonde across the room, by now everyone in the room was on their feet.
Snatching his phone out of his pocket, Mikhail called Roman never taking his eyes off the yelling offender. Listening to it ring he held his hand over the phone and leaned forward.
"Shut up." Mikhail calmly commanded, immediately Leo stopped struggling. Being held face down on the table Leo stared at him with wide eyes.
Finally, Roman's voice came over the line, Mikhail put him on speaker.
"Roman its Mikhail, let me inform you personally of the actions of a the piece of shit you sent over." Never taking his eyes off Leo's, he described to Roman, as his men listened, what Leo said about Misha. Mikhail took some pride in the fact that he could see the outrage wash over his men at Misha's treatment.
"My apologies Mikhail," Normally Roman found everything either very funny or very displeasing. The man was either always laughing or yelling at someone or something. So the remorseful tone held weight with Mikhail. "I would have never sent the fuck over if I knew he was capable of something like this. Despite the fact, he is dumb and cocky the kid is very good at talking himself out and into difficult situations. He has made all my deals with the 3-6 Machetes, and those Mexican fucks are insane. So keep him as a slave or kill him, that's my gift to you."
Somehow Leo paled even more so.
Hanging up the phone Mikhail tossed it onto the table, with a nod he signaled for the two men to release Leo. The rest of his men formed a sort of semi-circle around them. Nervously Leo shifted his weight from each leg, he looked as if he wanted to bolt any minute, Mikhail kind of wished he would just so he could put a bullet in the back of his fucking head.
Pulling out his gun he kept in his back waistband, Mikhail pulled the black gun around pointing it at the now shaking blonde. At the sight of the gun, the kid shuffled back until he hit the bar counter.
"You come to my place, and you insult the only person in this room who couldn't defend herself." with each word Mikhail could feel his anger growing becoming more chaotic. It was nostalgic in a way, the last time he was this angry he threw two men into an oncoming train. But that was before he came to America, that was before he was able to experience the simple joy of mundane everyday life.
"Wait, sir, let me..."
The sound of the gun cocking silenced Leo.
"You come to me with the arrogance to assume I was going to let you into my crew so easily and then get angry when you were told to just...fucking...wait." The overflowing anger reverted his speech into Russian. With every word the men surrounding them voiced their agreement, some even shouted to kill him.
"If you survive you will work for both captains as their slave. You will work without pay as long as I see fit. You will sleep on the floor of Abram's garage. And if you survive the winter on the floor of the garage and decide to step out of line again, you won't have to worry about me killing you. I will simply make a call and have you shipped to a camp deep in mother, Russia. Where I will be ensured to know that you will literally be fucked for the rest of your sorry life." Mikhail punctuated the sentence by squeezing the trigger.
The reverberating sound of the gunshot mixed with Leo's scream filled the back room of the Rose, thankfully they were closed. Mikhail watched as Leo grasped at his bleeding stomach while sinking to the floor.
Grabbing his phone off the table, he walked past the laughing men. "Someone call Isaac."
Unfortunately, the kid survived the shot, and somehow survived years of Abram and Krill's maniacal slavery. Despite their intentions, Leo actually proved very useful and due to a scheduling conflict Leo was made Misha's driver one day.
