Claim Me: A Dark Russian Mafia Romance, page 22
“As many as it takes. Kazimir doesn’t like being pushed. He always pushes back. An admirable trait.”
“How can you tolerate living this way? Keeping a gun with you at all times, worrying about who might suddenly appear, either trying to kidnap or kill you. What kind of life is that? My guess is you keep a weapon by the bed.”
She took a deep breath. “Yes, I do, but not because I’m forced to. I’m different than other women in our family. I chose to be a part of the life you’re talking about, but you need to know every day isn’t filled with violence or contentious meetings with would-be oligarchs. We run an extremely profitable corporation. Do we have enemies? Absolutely, but so does any other Fortune 100 company.”
“You make it sound so easy. What about having a family? Children? A pet?”
“I’m not interested in having a family. I don’t think there’s a man out there who can handle me. But I do have a pet. A beautiful Manx cat who hates me.”
I burst into laughter. “Cats hate me too. I just don’t think I can handle this. It’s risky. My parents and my brother lost their lives because of it.”
“But not because of their involvement. Right?”
“I don’t know. That’s what disturbs me the most. Was it possible my father had used me as collateral?”
“I think deep down inside you know your father would never do that,” Nadia insisted. “From what I’ve heard, they were trying to do the right thing. They didn’t ask to be in the middle of such a dangerous situation.”
“Exactly and they were murdered anyway because my father ignored his own instinct. He knew Vladimir would make him pay dearly for the loan.”
“Maybe so. Life is risky, Marissa. You can be sitting in your home watching television and a fire starts or jogging in your favorite park and some crazy serial killer just happens to be there.”
“Ugh. Now I really want to curl up in a ball or a hole and never come out. There’s too much danger around every corner.” I dropped my eyes to the weapon she had in her unfastened holster, shuddering as I thought about how there could have been a massacre.
She cocked her head. “That’s your choice. You can either live your life the way you want or give into your fears and go ahead and curl up like you’re talking about. But if you do, you won’t be able to go on a date with a handsome man and one who seems to adore you.”
“You think he’s handsome?” I grinned because she had a way of putting me at ease.
“Well, he is my cousin and trust me, a true pain in the ass, but all the Dmitriyev men are attractive. But I have my eye on one hot Italian stallion.”
I followed her line of sight to one of the group of Italians who’d walked into the room late. All four were related. All four looked like GQ models straight from the Milan runway. How was it that in every gangster news report I’d seen or television show like The Sopranos, men from mafia families were fat, ugly, and oily?
Maybe I should stop stereotyping.
“Does he know?”
She brushed her fingers down the side of her neck. “We’ve been flirting on and off, but one marriage between the two families almost killed my brothers and cousins. Two and they’d be six feet under by morning.”
“Ah, but you need to live your life the way you want. Right?”
Her nose wrinkled. “I guess I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did.” We laughed and I started to relax, even though I continuously glanced toward the door, fearful the rough and ugly dude would make a reappearance. He’d practically salivated when looking at me. It made me sick to my stomach. “So you think Kazimir isn’t angry with me?”
“Are you kidding me? Look at him now, nestled in the group of men. Their serious expressions would make you think they’re plotting some world war, yet his eyes barely leave you. If you dared try and walk out of the room, he’d spring into action.”
It was good to laugh, something I’d thought would take me a very long time to do again. “I think you’re right.”
“I know I am. It’s good to see him living again.”
“Meaning what?”
“He’s been unhappy for a long time. He won’t admit it and most people think of him as the playboy, but I know better.”
“He was in love before. Wasn’t he?”
She looked in his direction before inching closer. “You didn’t hear this from me, but yes, he was. Strangest thing too. She was just perfect, or so he said. I don’t know what happened as he won’t talk about their relationship at all, but I think she had an accident and died. Trust me, you can’t ask him about whatever occurred. He can be one nasty son of a bitch when he wants to be. You’re the first real light I’ve seen in him in a very long time.”
“We don’t know each other.”
“No,” she admitted. “But here’s the thing about connections, whether business or pleasure. You know instantly if it’s going to work and if what you’re feeling is something special. The smart ones grab on right away. Mikhail can do that in business, which is why our corporation doubled in wealth in a couple years. I admit, doing so personally is tricky and much harder, but when you feel strongly enough about each other, you’ll walk through fire. That’s the question I ask myself when I date some dude. Would I walk through fire for him or vice versa? Usually the answer is right there, no denying it. If it’s a big, fat no, then I toss him out on his rear.”
“That cold?”
“That cold. The best way to handle a man.”
Laughter came so easily around her. She was funny and beautiful, talented and my guess was just as dangerous as the men if not more so. What I adored was that she refused to take crap from anyone. That’s the way I wanted to be.
“I think you and I could be good friends,” I admitted.
She tilted her glass for a toast. “The feeling is mutual. Keep Kazimir on his toes. He needs it.”
I took a quick look in his direction. She’d been right. He was watching me, his eyes almost like molten lava. I could feel the heat even standing several yards away.
“I think someone might have a good night,” Nadia said. When she signed the words, I grinned.
“You sign.”
“I have a friend who’s deaf.”
“Makes sense. I caught Kazimir trying to learn. He bought a book of sign language.” I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him.
“That settles it,” she said wistfully.
“What?”
“Welcome to the family. I’m never wrong about these things.”
Just then, Kazimir broke through the crowd of men, heading in my direction. His grin was wider than his face, which surprised me. He’d come close to having a warzone inside a resort he now owned half of, yet he seemed at peace. How was that even possible?
I walked closer, trying to act nonchalant, but around him, the world just seemed to fade. The electric sensations were a burst of energy, the chemistry off the charts. I should feel sadness and even continued fear, but even when he was terse, acting as if I was his possession, I felt tingly inside.
Nadia’s question and philosophy lingered in my mind. Would I walk through fire for him? I didn’t need to think about the answer for long. I would. Partially because I knew he’d do the same for me. Without hesitation or remorse.
Even if he was significantly burned.
He closed the distance and I felt all eyes on us. For a man who only showed anger, he didn’t seem in the least bit bothered we were the floor show for the late afternoon.
“Now, about that date. What would you like to do?”
“Hmmm… Well, there’s skydiving.”
His eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. “Would you really do that? I can arrange it.”
“Oh, God, no. I’m terrified of heights.”
“Then what would you like to do?” He crowded my space even more, the heat from our bodies now oppressive. “What would you consider an incredible date given all the choices in the world?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been on maybe three in my life.”
My answer seemed to floor him. He pressed his hand against his heart, stumbling back a couple of feet. “Oh, that is just not acceptable.”
“Now you see why I was reminding you we’ve done everything bassackward.”
“What?”
“Something my mother used to say.” I laughed and when I accidentally snorted, he wrinkled his nose.
He seemed more relaxed than any time since I’d met him. “So answer the question.”
“Seriously? Well, I do love dinners out. I won’t lie about that. I would love to go jet skiing. Horseback riding. Those would be fabulous dates. A picnic later. Or a drive-in movie. Imagine a full moon with a sky full of the brightest stars. Popcorn and candy. Lots of chocolate. Maybe a hot dog and you must have an ice cream cone on a hot day.”
The way his face lit up was so incredible. “Well, I’m not certain I can arrange many of those so would you compromise with dinner and maybe a little gambling? A little dancing?”
“Hmmm…”
When he signed the word please, I pouted my lip.
“You drive a hard bargain, but I’d love to.”
“Maybe I’m better off going back to the slot machines.” When I tried to walk away, he grabbed me around the waist, even pulling me off my feet. He was so strong, so… amazing when you could get past his crusty exterior.
The funny thing was that everyone else saw him as the jovial playboy, but he’d allowed me to see two different sides I doubted anyone had been allowed to see in a long time.
The dark, brooding character that wore his anxiety on his sleeve.
And the chivalrous man who’d not only walk through a fire, he’d start the flames if it meant protecting someone he cared about.
“Not so fast. It’s not a tough game. You pick red or black or a number and you bet on it. The roulette wheel is a piece of cake. If you follow your instincts.”
His deep, husky voice was easy to hear over the rumble of voices and laughter, people celebrating with friends and family. Losing their life savings.
“It’s not about the technicality of it. It’s about losing money that I don’t have. I live on a pauper’s salary. That’s something you seem to forget.”
He rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet. “This is a date, remember? The gentleman always pays.”
“What happened to equal rights for women?”
“Fine. You can pay for our next date.”
“Cheeseburgers in paradise?” Whether or not he caught the reference I wasn’t sure because he was pulling out a huge stack of cash. All hundred-dollar bills. Holy shit. I’d never seen that much money stored in a wallet.
“How much do you want to bet?” he asked.
“I have no clue.”
“Fine. We’ll start with a thousand. I’ll be right back.”
“A thousand? I don’t have that kind of money.”
He pressed the tip of his finger against my nose. “What did I tell you?”
“But you’re not a gentleman.”
The fact I could floor him could give me a smile. His laugh was genuine. While I’d seen him scanning the restaurant where we’d eaten a fabulous early dinner and now the casino, he was more jovial than before. “Fine. A cad then.”
“A cad? Who says that?”
“My mother.”
“Oh. I need to meet your mother. I think I’ll like her too.”
“You are such a troublemaker,” he growled. “You can make this up to me later. We’ll call it loan paid back in… Well, you’ll need to find out what I have in mind.”
He refused to take no for an answer.
As usual.
As he walked through the crowd of guests, it was obvious word had gotten out that he was part owner. From what I’d seen and read on the internet, Genesis was doing extremely well, a favorite of various high rollers who enjoyed being catered to lavishly.
I’d yet to have the time to fully understand Marengo’s method of operation or financial condition, but I would guess a financial analyst would say the resort could be doing much better. A part of me knew I had no business even trying to operate a business of this magnitude. Even considering meant I’d be partners with Kazimir for the long term.
This girl was no fool. Men like Kazimir Dmitriyev didn’t do permanent relationships. I watched him walk away, commanding the room as he’d done with my body and my soul. He was charismatic, charming everyone when he wanted.
Terrifying the rest because he was a force of nature.
And one hot man.
It was also obvious he’d taken what Vladimir had said as a threat, which he was taking seriously. He was on edge and at any second, he could grab his weapon. The thought was suffocating.
I shifted my attention to the game I was being forced to play. While I would never claim to be an expert, the dealer seemed to know exactly what she was doing. When the dice landed on a number, a girl cheered, immediately turning to the man next to her, jumping into his arms.
The kiss was exactly like something I’d seen in a romance novel.
Passionate.
Deep throated.
Hot as sin.
Exactly the way I felt when in Kazimir’s arms. Dirty little girl that I was.
I couldn’t help it. The Russian was terrifyingly gorgeous.
The moment was exciting. In all the years my father had owned the resort, I’d come to one dinner and had been escorted through the casino by my father just after he’d purchased the monstrosity.
I was mesmerized as the dealer placed several stacks of colorful chips in front of the girl. The table was shocked when she bet her entire previous win.
And just like that, she lost it all.
A cold chill suddenly coursed down my spine, the intense sensations a clear indication I was being watched. I carefully scanned both sides of the casino unable to see anyone who was paying me any attention whatsoever. Yet I felt the intense stare as if the person was standing right next to me. I held my breath before nonchalantly glancing in the direction where Kazimir had disappeared.
He was nowhere in sight.
I suddenly felt completely alone even though as required, at least a dozen of the brawniest soldiers from the Dmitriyev organization remained roaming the resort and grounds. I had no idea where the members of the family and the Italians had gone, but I knew a main priority was keeping an eye on me. Maybe that’s what I’d felt, merely a burly member of the family watching me as ordered.
When a loud noise grabbed my attention, I jumped and instantly the thud against my back blocked out the moment of fear. A strong hand gripped my shoulder before long, thick fingers brushed down both arms.
“Did you miss me?” he whispered in my ear, a shockwave of energy erupting from him. Leaning over, he placed a tray of casino chips on the edge of the roulette table.
“Were you gone? I hadn’t noticed.” His growl was deep and instinctively, I felt safe.
He swatted my bottom, pushing me closer to the table. “Trust me, my little virtuoso, you’ll be screaming my name by the end of the evening. Place your bet.”
His voice was so commanding, I turned to face him.
His heated gaze roamed over me as he’d done before.
Slowly.
Meticulously.
Yet the usual cool look was something entirely different. A fire burned in his eyes as the desire caused his nostrils to flare. Tension bloomed between us, the rush of electricity completely sexual and I was a heartbeat away from surrendering all of myself.
“I suggest you hurry,” he stated with absolute calmness that left me breathless as his thumb stroked the curve of my cheek. “As you should know by now, I’m not a patient man.” His deep voice became a rough caress that left me tingling all over.
Yet even in the sweet moment where I could easily block out all thoughts and sounds from everyone else in the room, a strange, unwanted awareness crawled through me.
Chills trickled down from the nape of my neck to my spine, my breath hitching.
Someone was there lurking in the shadows.
Watching me.
Waiting.
The sensations were real and nothing like the way I’d felt at my concerts when I’d eagerly awaited the raw vibrations from knowing a stranger, now my lover, was waiting and wanting in the darkness.
This was something else altogether.
And it was very dangerous.
Fighting panic, I leaned against Kazimir and the moment of queasiness disappeared.
Now pinpricks of pain tugged at my heart. For whatever reason, this felt like both a beginning and an end. Yet at that moment as I’d experienced the first time I’d met him, I wanted to feel something other than the cold wrap of the long bony fingers of sorrow and death.
So I did something unthinkable, I pushed the entire tray onto red, number one.
Maybe for once in my life, I was feeling lucky.
CHAPTER 24
Kazimir
Marissa’s fear had been palpable. I’d seen the moment of terror in her glistening green eyes just before she’d tried to hide it.
Fuck me, I was still so furious that I hadn’t noticed her reaction at first. How dare that motherfucker Popov and his clown for a son come into a meeting still believing they were going to leave with a wife for Rurik in tow.
Exhaling, I wondered if the fear I’d seen in her eyes had been her first full comprehension of just how dangerous the situation was.
No, something was still off.
Just the way she’d darted her eyes across the room had been a clear indication she believed someone was watching her. My hackles remained raised.
Orders had been commanded to ensure not a single one of the motherfuckers had remained.
Given her reaction, I’d say a plant had been hiding in plain sight long before the meeting. I’d enlisted Ryker and Simon to investigate. Now it was my responsibility to keep her safe.
The slight ping of the elevator barely registered in my mind. I’d spent the better part of the last thirty minutes with my eyes locked on the most beautiful woman in the casino. Every look at her beautiful face ripped air from my lungs.
