Claim Me: A Dark Russian Mafia Romance, page 29
For how long I didn’t know.
The despair was much worse than the cold. In my mind, I continued to call out to Kazimir, praying he would find me. Sadly, something told me deep down inside it was already too late.
Blanketed in darkness, only a tiny slender string of light coming in from a window at least fifteen feet away allowed my vision to adapt to the stark shadows. What few objects surrounded me were misshapen, yet every time I blinked, I could swear they were moving. Monsters waiting in the shadows.
Whimpering, I endured another flash of agony while trying to lift my bare feet from the floor. Memories and images were fleeting, what little I remembered terrifying.
I’d been drugged by the roses, kidnapped by Joseph. The last thing I remembered was being shoved into the trunk of a car.
Tears slipped down both cheeks, feeling as if they were freezing on contact. I hated being so weak both mentally and physically. There was no way of knowing how long I’d been here. There was no food, no water. Just the cold and darkness.
A racking sob left my chest and even though I’d suffered from the actions, I struggled with the bindings. As exhaustion took hold, I slumped against a cold wall, doing my best to curl into a tight ball. With my knees bent, my arms wrapped around my legs, I continued to sob as I thought about the brooding and handsome Russian.
I’d told him how I felt. Had it mattered to him?
His expression hadn’t changed, still hard and chiseled after my admittance. Yet I’d seen emotion in his eyes. Or was it just wishful thinking?
Another sob broke the eerie silence, although I could hear something crawling only a few feet away from me. My mind played tricks, leaving me seeing images of rats and snakes.
Why had I insisted on playing the concert? Why hadn’t I listened to Kazimir?
The ache continued and I started to sway, my thoughts never leaving him. He’d become my rock even though I’d done everything in my power to keep him at arm’s length. The truth was that I’d tried my entire life not to be a burden to anyone. After a few years, my people skills sucked.
And why? Because I was afraid to admit I needed help to anyone.
With Kazimir bulldozing his way in, I’d felt suffocated. What I wouldn’t give to have his massive arms around me, holding me tightly against him as he assured me that everything was going to be alright.
Another tear fell and I blinked several times, almost able to hear the deep thrumming of his voice. I’d never told him that the sensations from his bass vibrato thrilled me every time he spoke.
There were so many things I’d been hesitant to tell him, including just how grateful I was for his protection. I was so tired, so very tired. Yawning, I almost felt a tickle of his hot breath against my neck just as he whispered lurid words.
“I can’t wait to fuck you, my perfect virtuoso. You’re all mine.”
I just needed to sleep. Maybe this was nothing more than a bad dream.
“You’re very special. Do you know how sweet your pussy tastes?”
“No,” I whispered back. “Tell me.”
“Like sweet cherries in the springtime.”
A soft laugh pushed past my lips. “You’re such a bad man.”
Boom!
My eyes flew open from hearing the loud noise. Another shiver tore through me. Had I really heard a sound? “Help me!”
Seconds ticked by. There was no other noise.
“Is anyone there?” My voice was strained from tears and terror, yet I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I was a fighter. I’d fought through hell before and I would do it again. My life was worth something and I refused to give up or give in.
Heavy footsteps forced me to suck in my breath.
I wasn’t a religious girl, yet I prayed Kazimir had found me. I held my breath as the footsteps drew closer.
Then there was nothing but the horrible sounds of crickets and something slithering across the floor.
Boom.
The door was flung open, slammed against the wall. Light from behind the large person illuminated his broad shoulders.
Wincing, I bit my lower lip because I knew it wasn’t Kazimir. I knew his sultry scent, the exotic spices and citrus exciting. The smell of the person was decidedly different.
Like pure evil.
As soon as a light was turned on, I shielded my eyes.
Until he laughed.
“My beautiful fiancée. I thought we should spend some time together since we’ll be married by this time tomorrow. What’s wrong with a little taste of what belongs to me?”
I stared at Rurik, the ugly Russian glaring down at me with lust in his eyes. Repulsion rushed through my mind and I shrank back as much as possible.
He took his time gazing from my eyes downward, the bulge between his legs thickening. Disgust rushed up from my throat, bile filling my mouth.
“You can’t keep me. Kazimir will find me.” I took a quick look at my surroundings. I was in a bedroom of some kind, only the bed had been stripped to a cot with a thin mattress. One window and one door. The only other thing in the room was a dresser several feet away. Where was I?
His laugh boomed as he took two steps closer. “Sadly, that’s not going to happen.”
“You don’t know him and his family. They will burn down this city to find me.”
“No, they won’t. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but they’re dead.”
What did he say?
“That’s not possible.”
He cocked his head and took another step closer. “Fortunately, it is. They died in a fire. Maybe I should say they fried in a fire.”
No. No. No!
That wasn’t possible. He wouldn’t leave me here. He couldn’t… die.
The tears continued to flow, the images of Kazimir’s face rocking through my mind. There was no way he was dead. None. I’d knew he’d walk through fire. I felt it deep inside. He was my protector. He was my rock, a man who’d already risked so much to keep me safe. No one could hurt him. That just wasn’t possible.
Rurik’s face twisted as his expression turned to perverse joy.
“You fucking asshole.”
“Yes, I am. Soon, I’ll be your husband. The joys of teaching you to obey me will be spectacular.”
As he laughed, I threw myself at him, ignoring the anguish. I managed to claw his face, almost able to drive my fingers into his eyes.
He stumbled backward, spewing Russian as his entire face twisted from rage.
“That wasn’t very ladylike.”
“I’m not interested in being a lady. Not around you.” As he lunged for me again, I continued punching and scratching.
Seconds later, he’d finally had enough, leaning back and smashing his fist against my face.
The pain was blinding, stars floating in front of my eyes. I was knocked onto the mattress, completely dazed.
“You’re such a little bitch. Aren’t you?” He wrestled with me, trying to pry my legs apart. I kicked and tried to fight him only to be struck again.
This time, my ears were ringing, yet I could still hear Kazimir’s voice telling me everything was going to be okay.
“I need to remove your ankle bracelets. You be a good girl for me and I won’t hurt you.”
I could barely hear him, the words muddled, but I knew the intent. He was going to rape me.
Blinking, I choked on my own saliva, tasting blood from when I’d bitten my tongue. “Kazimir,” I managed, only to be laughed at.
“No one is coming to save you, princess. Don’t think you can escape. I have six men waiting outside. They will hunt you down like a dog. I suggest you accept your fate. I’ll take it nice and slow.”
Something inside me wanted to continue fighting. I was so lost, so angry, and I’d never felt so helpless. Yet I refused to allow this to happen without doing everything I could to fight him. As soon as the pressure was relieved from my leg, I kicked him with the last strength I had.
His laugh echoed in my ears.
“That will cost you, princess.” He pushed me down, wrapping one hand around my throat as he yanked my legs apart with the other.
“No. No.” I tried to struggle, but he was too big and powerful. The moment he ripped away my thong, I issued a strangled cry.
His laugh continued, as deep and evil as the man.
As he squeezed my neck, the feeling of utter suffocation washed through me and another series of lights shifted in front of my eyes. Soon, there was nothing but a heavy haze, but I could still see Kazimir’s face.
The will to live remained strong. I used the last of my strength as Rurik wrenched my legs free to call our Kazimir’s name one last time.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Rurik growled. “What the fuck.”
A rush of air caught me off guard, the pressure lifted.
Suddenly, I could breathe.
Boom!
A horrible crash pounded in my ears. I blinked furiously as I heard noises. Muffled voices. What was I hearing?
The intense roar was unmistakable. Someone else was here.
“Fucking hold him. I’m not finished yet.”
The voice. The voice… Kazimir. Blinking several times, I tried to lift my head, but the pain was unbearable.
Wham!
Thud.
Every noise was brutal, grunts and groans deep and guttural.
Suddenly, there was silence.
Two more sounds of gunfire.
I jerked my legs together, turning onto my side as I cinched my eyes shut. What was happening?
“Kazimir,” I managed.
“Hey, baby girl,” a soft voice said, breath brushing across my cheek like a soft feather. “You’re okay. I’m going to take the handcuffs off now. Okay?”
“Kazimir?” I whispered again, finally opening my eyes and staring into the most beautiful pair of them I’d ever seen. “It’s really you?”
“It’s me.” He reached over my head, his gaze never leaving my face.
“He said… you were dead.”
Kazimir chuckled. “Not a chance in hell. I told you I’d find you no matter where you were. Just take it easy.”
When my wrists were free, he gathered me into his arms, pulling me off the cot.
I pressed my hand against his chest, uncertain I wasn’t just seeing things that I wished for more than anything in my life.
“Baby. No one is ever going to hurt you again.”
“What happened?” He refused to allow me to see whatever carnage he’d left behind.
“Just cleaning up a little trash.” As he rose to a standing position, he lowered his head. “I thought I’d lost you.”
I slid my arm around his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair and nothing had ever felt so amazing. “I love you.” The words came easily. Maybe I was far too emotional, but deep inside, I knew I meant them.
As he nuzzled his head against the side of my neck, I didn’t need to strain to hear his whispered words or to feel the heavy load of emotions electrifying the tight muscles of his body. “My perfect virtuoso.”
How sad. How… He would never be able to say he loved me.
Rest.
I’d been told by a visiting doctor and by my beautiful, amazing, and powerful rescuer that I needed to rest, but that’s what I’d been doing all day and I was sick of it. What little I’d learned was that Kazimir had started a war so he could find me. While he’d left the details in the shadows, I sensed he was different than before.
The veil of decency and legitimacy he’d been seemingly proud to wear had been ripped into shreds, exposing the violent and protective Bratva soldier. In truth, I wasn’t certain which man I liked better. Then again, why did I need to choose?
I’d also learned my house was still considered unsafe and with business yet to conduct, we were safely holed up in the resort. From what I’d overheard, additional Dmitriyev soldiers had been brought in from Las Vegas to make the building and surrounding grounds a fortress.
Even then, he’d been like a caged lion prowling the suite while constantly checking on me. I’d had enough of playing the victim.
As soon as I walked into the living room, I was surprised to see he was sitting on the stool in front of the baby grand. The afternoon sun had created a golden halo around him and for a few seconds, I enjoyed just being able to watch him as he tickled the keys.
On the surface of the piano sat a drink on a napkin placed an inch away from his weapon. I shuddered from the thought, remembering the gunfire I’d heard only hours before.
I’d seen Rurik being held by two members of the Costa family, the man’s leer following me even as I was carried from the building to safety.
As soon as I walked closer, Kazimir stiffened. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
“I was resting. I’m bored.”
He chuckled as if my comment had been unexpected. As soon as he swiveled around, he pulled me into his lap. “You’re very disobedient.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “So punish me.”
“Don’t tempt me. How are you feeling?”
“I ache, but not bad. I was rescued by a hero.”
“I’m hardly a hero.” His face clouded over.
“What happened to Rurik?”
He brushed his fingertips against my face. “You don’t need to worry about details at this point.”
“He’s dead. Isn’t he?”
“Not yet.” He smiled, yet it waned immediately, the man as exhausted as I’d ever seen him.
“How did this happen? How did a Russian crime syndicate manage to fool my father?”
“I don’t think your dad was fooled. I think he truly believed he could pay back the loan easily. He loved you. It’s apparent in who you are, an incredible woman with the toughest resolve I’ve ever seen. Don’t think badly of him. He wanted to give the world to you and Charlie.”
Hearing his words meant more to me than I could imagine. “I’m not angry with Daddy. I’m angry there is so much evil in this world. That’s why I need to learn the truth, Kazimir. I’m not fragile. I won’t fall apart if you tell me what happened.”
He chuckled. “No, I don’t think there’s anything you could face that will break you. A network of people loyal to Popov including the general operations manager from the resort proctored a very well thought out plan.”
“Including Joseph. He followed me. He kept track of what I was doing.”
His nod was slow and slight. “Unfortunately so. My men are searching for him. He’s Popov’s nephew.”
“I knew there was something strange about him. What now?”
“Now, we play the game by my rules.”
“Which are? And don’t tell me I don’t need to know. We’re partners. Fifty-fifty.”
“Fifty-one, forty-nine.” At least he was able to grin. “Now, I have a meeting with Popov where I will explain things to him one final time.”
“What about the incoming shipment of weapons?”
The twinkle in his eye indicated he had a plan. “A surprise.” He eased me off his lap, gently placing me onto the bench. “Would you like something to drink? Juice, coffee?”
“A mimosa.”
He shook his head. “A mimosa it is.” As he walked to the bar, I shifted so I could play the piano.
As soon as I started playing his song, he stopped mid-action, turning his head toward me. I made it through one chorus before a single tear slipped past my eyelashes. I’d promised myself I was finished with being emotional. There was no need. I was safe and knew I would be. At what cost didn’t matter.
The moment of silence added to the sadness and I found myself unable to look him in the eyes.
“You need to know something,” he said, his tone more imploring than before.
“Of course.”
“Jasmine was a beautiful soul, a girl I met in a bar of all places. She was in Vegas with members of a guest symphony. We struck up a conversation and one drink led to three. Then we spent the night together. After that, we were inseparable. She was on a tour with an orchestra, so I flew to several cities just to be able to spend more time together. We were both very young, acting as if we had the world in the palm of our hands.”
I heard his voice clearly and distinctly, still surprised that he was trying to sign the words. “There’s no need. I can hear you.”
He nodded in response before rubbing his hands on his trousers.
“Soon, we found ourselves in love.” His laugh was bitter. “It was a whirlwind affair and we started making plans for the future. That was over ten years ago during a period where my father was still the Pakhan. We were still involved in some criminal activities, which of course had us facing several enemies. We had some threats that I didn’t take very seriously. We had them all the time.”
“This time it was real,” I whispered.
“Yes, it was. We were in Chicago and after that, she had a two-month break. That’s when we were going to get married. One night at a concert, she was taken just moments before she was to set foot on the stage. There was no advance warning, but I should have known.”
“There was no way you could have.”
“Yes, given my position, I should have kept security around her.”
“That’s no way to live, Kazimir. You know that. Plus, as you told me before, the bad guys will always find a way.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “I thought I was invincible.”
I rose to my feet, moving toward him. “None of us are. What happened?”
“I searched the city, interrogating twenty people. Eventually, I found her, but… But it was too late. Her body washed up on shore. I was so angry, I went after everyone involved, killing at least a dozen. But the violence and bloodshed didn’t bring her back. After that, I made a promise that I’d never fall in love with anyone again because it was too dangerous for them. Not for me.”
He allowed me to close the distance. “Is that your way of telling me you can’t love me?”
“If you’d asked this time two days ago, I would have said yes.” There was surprise in his eyes.
