Beautiful Devil: A Dark Mafia Romance (Sinners and Saints Book 5), page 28
“I will buy you a dozen if you’d like.”
It was easier to talk to him than before. I wanted to say it was because the pressure had been lifted, but I knew better. His gun was never far from his side. He’d beefed up security, adding at least two dozen additional soldiers. While the area might not be a prison, no one would be able to get in or out without permission.
Including me.
“You better go find out what’s wrong with her,” he encouraged.
I shook my head as I backed away, jogging through the slight maze of shrubs and trees. When I found the pup, shock raced through me.
“You are a baby girl, aren’t you?” my mother cooed as she leaned over in her chair, rubbing Kiki’s face.
“Mama,” I merely whispered, but somehow she heard me.
As she turned her head, I could swear she looked healthier than when I’d seen her. I moved toward her, kneeling down. “I don’t understand.”
“What’s there to understand? Your man insisted that I be taken to his home.” Her smile was infectious, and I wasn’t wrong. Even her eyes were brighter, a clear indication she was feeling better.
“My man?” I bit my lip, darting a look in Kostya’s direction. He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching our interaction. “Oh, Kostya. You do know who he is, right?”
“I might be ill but I’m no fool. Of course I know who he is. He’s a… very bad man. However, he obviously loves my daughter. That gives him a small pass.”
“Mama. Are you feeling okay?”
She bypassed my question entirely. “You wouldn’t believe the team of doctors I have. They were flown in from Switzerland and I think Germany. They are amazing. I’m on this new protocol and I’m responding very well. Of course, it’s only been a few days, but my prognosis is good.”
As she continued to ramble, I continuously shifted my gaze in his direction, unable to believe the lengths he’d gone to in order to try to help my mother. A horrible man wouldn’t do that. No way.
“And the food. Oh, my God. I’ve gained ten pounds already, they feed me so well.” She grasped my hand, darting a glance over her shoulder. “Go to him, honey. Tell him how you feel.”
“Why do you always know what I’m thinking?”
“Because I’m your mother. You can’t allow life to pass you by.”
“I have told him. He can’t feel the same way. Not after the live he’s lived. Besides, I’m a pediatrician. I don’t think that mixes with his profession.”
“I’m not going to tell you how to live your life, Emily, but if that man makes you happy, then it makes me happy. Do I condone what he does for a living? Of course not, but even a good man can cross a line, becoming consumed. I’m not saying your father did, but his undercover work changed him. Love happens when you least expect it and real love usually only once in a lifetime. I’d give all I had to be able to tell your father he was my one true love. Never allow a day to pass. Not one. You have no idea how much you’ll regret it.”
“You are a wise woman.”
She rubbed her hand down the side of my face, allowing her eyes to drift around the garden. “Besides, this is a fabulous place to call home.”
I laughed, hearing the same words I’d said to him. As I turned my head again, I mouthed words of thank you.
After nodding once, he turned away, heading back to the house. He’d allowed me to see inside his heart, a moment I’d cherish.
But I needed more than just passion. While leaving him at some point would break my heart, it was the only way to protect mine.
Kostya
Two days later
Love.
The damn word remained in my mind, nearly destroying my concentration. I continued to mull over the look I’d seen on Emily’s face. She’d wanted me to express my love for her. What she could never understand was how much my heart ached for her, the weight pressing against it crushing. However, I was no fool. I could force her to stay and she would. That didn’t mean she’d be happy.
Why did it matter? Why? I was the kind of man who took what I wanted.
I slammed my fist against the window with enough force it rattled, flexing to the point I thought it would shatter.
“You can’t keep going this way,” Diego said from behind me.
While he was right, I was in no mood to be told that. “Don’t challenge me. Did you find the goddamn soldiers?”
“The last were rounded up last night. I knew you’d want to handle dealing with them.”
“You brought them here?” I swung around, the adrenaline rush high. I fisted my hands automatically, prepared for a damn fight. Seeing his arm in a sling was a fucking reminder of what I’d almost lost. Thank God the break had been clean.
He studied me, finally shaking his head. “Marry her and get it over with.”
“What?”
“You fucking heard me. You’re more sullen than normal. You can’t concentrate. When she walks into a room, it’s like the entire world is electrified. Marry her. You love her.”
“Love isn’t for men like you and me.” The flash in his eyes was another harsh reminder. “I apologize, Diego.”
“I’m used to it. Why do you think I did everything I could to save her life?”
“Because you were ordered to.”
“Bullshit. Don’t give me that crap. Think like a man, not a fucking assassin. Believe it or not, I wanted to make certain you had the chance I never had.”
His words were challenging, pushing my level of fury as he usually enjoyed doing. But as he stood without blinking, risking his life had not only proven his loyalty but the truth around our odd friendship as well.
“You’re a better man than I am,” I managed.
“Yeah, I am.” His words were harsh, but he smiled. “I’m serious. When you’re given a gift, don’t take it for granted.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Durango was the fucking mole, by the way.”
Hissing, I shook my head. “Where is he now?”
“He retreated to the sanctity of Colombia.”
It would be fascinating to see how far the consortium would go in order to assassinate him. “As far as Volkov’s men. Eliminate them however you want to do it.”
“Handled. Ovachov contacted me again. He and the other members of this consortium are grateful for your expeditious handling of the assignment. They’re prepared to send payment. Which account?”
I took a deep breath. “Tell them to keep it.”
He coughed then walked closer. “A hundred million dollars? Oh, I forgot. You’re getting billions. Toss it my way.”
“I’m serious. It’s blood money.”
Diego smirked. “See, the woman changed you. Just marry her.”
As he started to walk out of the room, I noticed Emily standing in the doorway. She’d obviously heard part of the conversation. I waited until he was out of hearing range before I said anything.
“I thought we’d go to dinner tonight.”
“As in leave the estate?” she asked, giving me a sly smile.
I laughed as I walked closer. “I do occasionally like to get away.”
“That sounds nice. I’d like to go see Aziza and the cub. Is that possible?”
The last thing I wanted to do at this point was allow her out of my sight; however, that would definitely push her away. “With a soldier. Good enough?”
Frowning, she gave me a look. “Good enough.”
When she started to turn, I grabbed her arm, yanking her against me. Her rebellious side was always present, her fisted hand pushing against my chest. I cupped the side of her face, using my thumb to lift her chin. I’d seen so many emotions in her dazzling eyes from hatred to fear, uncertainty to raw, unbridled passion. But today they were misted with sadness. If only I could take away her pain, allowing her to experience only the beauty in the world, but I wasn’t capable of being that man or providing her with flowers and rainbows.
My world would remain brutal, another enemy determined to bring me to my knees. There would always be a need for security, a sense of lockdown no matter the location. In essence, I’d force her into the very cage she didn’t deserve to be in.
“Stay outside the fence at all times. Aziza is still a wild animal,” I whispered, the huskiness in my voice an indication of the continuing hunger that would remain even long after she was gone.
“I thought you said she was connected to me.”
I chuckled, enjoying the softness of her skin, the gentle touch that I’d learned to enjoy. “Yes, but as I’ve experienced so many times in the last two weeks, females are unpredictable. One minute they are fire and brimstone, determined to destroy the world. The next they’re the most caring, giving individuals, longing to protect all creatures great and small. They can turn on a dime.”
She pursed her lips, the same eyes now sparkling with the fire I’d grown to covet. “What you seem to forget is that there is always a reason. Once provoked, they will do anything to protect their own, even if it means losing their hearts in the process.” As she rose onto her tiptoes, brushing her lips across mine, I fisted her hair, tugging until her long, gorgeous neck was exposed.
Then I crushed my mouth over hers, longing to taste her sweetness, to bath in the golden light surrounding her voluptuous body. And I hungered to bury my cock deep inside, filling her with my seed.
Love.
Family.
Devotion.
These were things I’d never been able to understand.
Until now.
As the kiss exploded, every nerve ending on fire, she clung to me, slowly shifting her hips back and forth. My mind was abuzz, my cock throbbing, and the one aspect that grabbed at what was left of my soul was that my heart was aching, the anguish an intense burn that refused to go away.
When she pushed hard against me, breaking our connection, I took several deep breaths, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth.
“I’ll obey you. This time.” A mischievous look remained on her face as she backed away, allowing her gaze to fall slowly to my boots. Then she smiled before turning around and walking out.
And it felt as if she was walking out of my life forever.
Emily
Trust.
I knew the reason Kostya had insisted on having one of his armed soldiers drive me to the sanctuary had nothing to do with trust, but it nagged at me. I’d questioned my trust of him more than a few times, only to come back to the same answer.
Yes, he deserved it.
Then why couldn’t I trust my heart to provide the right guidance?
It was insane, keeping me awake the entire night before. Maybe I hoped seeing Aziza with her cub would provide all the right answers. I brushed my hand through my hair as the soldier whipped around several corners, the open Jeep providing an open air feeling of the gorgeous estate. From the lush, green gardens to the incredible vistas of the ocean, the acreage was extraordinary. I’d even sampled the strawberries with Kostya, the experience perhaps my favorite, providing a memory that would last for many years to come.
Who would have thought a big, bad assassin would enjoy nibbling on a sweet, juicy piece of fruit? I tingled at the thought.
Kiki nuzzled against me, reminding me that she’d insisted on coming with me. The pup also had such a calming effect on Kostya, the love in both their eyes undeniable. “Good girl. We’re going to see the cub? Are you excited?”
Woof!
I noticed the soldier actually cracked a smile. It would seem they’d rare seen any other side of Kostya but the sullen beast of a man barking orders. As the entrance to the sanctuary came into view, a strange feeling shifted into my system. I scanned the area, trying to figure out what I’d sensed.
The soldier glanced at me, pulling off on the accelerator. “What is it, Dr. Shephard?”
“I don’t know exactly. Maybe nothing.”
“I should return to the estate. El Capitan gave me strict orders.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m just jittery. Besides, Kiki would have barked. Right?”
He remained wary but continued driving, stopping the vehicle a solid fifty yards from the lions’ area. I couldn’t see any movement, but for some reason I also sensed Aziza’s presence. She would be watchful of all activity given the attack. I eased out, Kiki immediately jumping from the Jeep, trotting happily beside me as I walked closer.
A part of me longed to move inside, but I knew better than to flirt with another kind of danger. As I moved closer to the fence, I noticed movement in the thickest bank of trees. Patience would be needed in order to rekindle the limited trust the giant beast had given me.
Kiki raced up and down a section of the fence, woofing as a call to her friend. I leaned over, studying the area, more at peace than I’d been in a long time. “I hope your baby is doing well.” Even if I didn’t have the opportunity to catch a glimpse, I’d feel somewhat better just by being here. What an amazing opportunity I’d been given, saving the life of a different species.
A few minutes passed, limbs of the tallest trees swaying given the moderate breeze. Every scent was richer, the natural beauty unspoiled by the usual necessities of mankind. Kostya was lucky to have this place. I closed my eyes, imagining the possibilities of the future.
The hard crack had nothing to do with the wind or movement from the animals.
Within seconds, the soldier jumped from the Jeep, racing toward the sound. I was immediately placed on guard, backing away from the fence. Kiki growled, instinctively moving beside me. I crouched down, scanning the perimeter as I grabbed the scruff of her neck. “It’s okay, baby. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Although I wasn’t certain at all.
Ten seconds passed. Twenty. A full minute.
Pop!
The single gunshot jarred me to a standing position, my breath skipping. “Stay,” I whispered to Kiki. I could tell she wanted nothing more than to hunt for the sound. My instinct kicked in and I continued backing away toward the Jeep. “Come on, baby. We need to get out of here.” I lunged forward, jumping into the driver’s seat, reaching for the keys.
Jesus Christ.
The soldier had taken them, likely part of his training, the action automatic.
While the estate was at least a mile away, I knew I could run that far, but if there was an intruder, me being unarmed and unsure of the terrain, I’d be easy pickings. “Kiki. Go find Kostya.”
The dog stared at me from her position in the passenger seat. She’d never been given the command.
“Kiki. Go find your master, your daddy dog.”
The light in the dog’s eyes shifted and within two seconds, she responded to the command, bolting out of the vehicle into the trees behind us. She wouldn’t need to follow the winding rough trail in order to return to the estate, which would cut her time in half if not more.
I eased out, trying to remain as quiet as possible. My skin crawled as I continued to look in the direction of the gunfire. Just as I was prepared to run away, another noise caught my attention.
“I wouldn’t make any sudden moves, Dr. Shephard.”
Oh, God. My instincts had been right. Dimitri Volkov had survived the explosion on the boat. I shifted toward the sound of his voice, trying to remain calm. As he moved closer, I could easily tell he’d been injured in the attack, his face almost unrecognizable. “What do you want?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“No. Why don’t you tell me?” It was obvious the soldier had been killed. If I could buy some time, Kostya would send his entire team of soldiers to save me. While there was no telling how many men Dimitri had brought with him, my ability to get away was stunted by the distance to cover. He had both hands around his weapon, ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
“Since my son doesn’t seem to understand his place in the world, I’m going to provide a lesson he won’t forget. You’re coming with me.”
Like hell I was.
“I don’t think so.”
He walked closer, the evil grin on his face highlighting his disfigurement. I was sick inside, my nerves on edge, but I would do anything to keep from being captured by this true monster. I’d called Kostya the devil. Now I knew there were people far more malevolent than the passionate man I’d fallen in love with.
Dimitri was the epitome of darkness. There was no glimpse of a soul or heart. As he walked closer, I kept my eyes locked on his. “Kostya will hunt you down. There won’t be a single location in the world where you can hide.”
“Then I shall enjoy continuing the game. When he does come for you, I will force him to watch as I strip away what’s left of your mind. Your surrender will be the sweetest reward.”
“That’s not going to happen.” I sensed movement behind the fence. Aziza. Her scent was recognizable, the slight growl she issued providing some hope.
“You don’t have a choice. Either come with me without incident or I’ll make your stay with me extremely painful. It’s entirely up to you.”
Kostya. Where are you? Help me.
I could only pray that Kiki had made it back. I darted a quick look toward past the fence. Yes. Aziza was there. Oh, my God. I continued backing away until Dimitri lifted his weapon higher. The shot would be exactly like the one that had killed Eddie. My throat was tight, claws wrapping around my trachea. “You’re not going to take me, you bastard.” I forced my tone to change, becoming louder without screaming.
He laughed, the sound I would never forget, the idiot ignoring the activity to his right. When he came within three feet, images of time spent with Kostya rushed into my mind.
Then I let out a bloodcurdling scream.
“Aziza!”
While everything happened within seconds, I could pick apart what occurred frame by frame as Aziza let off a stunning roar, racing toward the fence, jumping over the top rail with ease. The moment Dimitri was tackled, tossed to the ground, his scream reverberating through the forest, I turned away, dropping to my knees. Unable to watch the carnage, I held my breath, pressing my hands over my ears.
