Amazing in bed.
Aleksei.
I had to be sick inside, some of my brain sucked up by a vicious alien. I could still feel his cock buried inside, the way his fingers brushed along every inch of my skin, his lips burning against mine. His scent still permeated my skin, intoxicating to the point I had difficulty functioning.
The way his lips rolled across my clit, his tongue every girl's dream left me tingling. And the spankings.
I shifted back and forth, enjoying the slight burn from the tight-fitting jeans.
Oh, and talk about the reason jeans were made in the first place. Whew. God had made another Adonis. Damn, I was hot all over, my face flushed and my nipples hard. He'd been so sweet, holding me under the sheets, his thumb lightly caressing my arm. He'd whispered words in Russian, sweet nothings that I honestly didn't want translated. He'd just been a normal man.
Then he'd ruined everything with his nasty attitude this morning, as if I was his Girl Friday or worse, yesterday's trash. I couldn't get over the change. Something in his carefully thought-out plan had changed, and he no longer had control. I couldn't believe he was a user. He was far too consuming in his taking of me, his unbridled lust that seared my skin.
What had he experienced? I thought about the morning. I'd awakened to find him gone and I had... I'd sneaked out of the room, heading downstairs to find him, even daring to head toward his office. Then I'd heard voices. I'd assumed it was one of his basic mafia drones ready to follow some order.
Maybe he'd had a different visitor.
"Damn it!" I wanted to hate him. I honestly wished I could get him out of my mind, but it was impossible. He'd peeled away too many layers, his rugged good looks and take-all attitude creating a wondrous world in which I was able to surrender.
I rolled my eyes as I closed my suitcase. Everything in my life was turned upside down, spinning out of control. I had no idea who my brother was any longer. Peter was a stranger to me.
He always was a stranger.
The little voice prattling around in my mind was correct. I'd used the word cruel. That's exactly what Peter had turned into. On the few times I'd been summoned into his presence, I'd seen him berate his employees, almost screaming at high volume how stupid they were. I'd even watched him fire a young woman for filing something in the wrong place. While she'd been reduced to tears, he'd had a smirk on his face, oh-so happy with himself.
I'd ignored his constant picking at me all through the years. My grades weren't good enough. My attire was sloppy. My spending habits needed to be controlled. All the while I'd looked the other way, telling myself that he was stressed because of work.
Because of illegal work.
Had I known on some level? Yes. My instinct had worked over time. If only I would have pressed Peter harder. What good would that have done? For all I knew, he would have dismissed me too, completely out of his life. Had I saved money from the 'salary' Peter paid me? Absolutely. Was it enough to live on? For a year, maybe. What skills did I have?
Hi, I'm applying for a job. My qualifications? I know four languages, am well versed in the methods of mafia organizations, and I am a damn good shot. Right between the eyes.
That would really get me somewhere.
The information Aleksei had provided was significant, identifying Peter's methods of business practices. He profited off of others who failed him. He sold drugs to maintain his lifestyle. He bought off officials in an effort to maintain a 'clean' reputation. As far as the meeting? I had no idea what to expect other than that Aleksei would do everything in his power to take over Peter's enterprises.
Empire.
I couldn't get that word out of my mind. Aleksei was right about one thing. I wanted a different life, far removed from any aspect of Church Exports.
Could it be fabricated? My honest answer was that even Aleksei had been surprised. If only I could find out who these colleagues were. Did it matter?
"Ugh!" I had zero ability to be able to focus on anything. When I turned around, I noticed the plug had been left on the dresser. A reminder of the rules.
A reminder of his command.
I stormed toward the piece of furniture, taking a deep breath before yanking the plug off the surface and heading toward the bathroom. At this point, I certainly didn't want to piss him off.
I'd left the door open and when I heard male voices, I bristled. The brooding Russian was home and I was required to go on some trip with him. My suspicions were that he was taking me out of town to keep me away from any possibility of warning Peter. As if I really wanted to do that. I heard the conciliatory tone in Peter's voice, feigning that he cared about me, promising to do anything he could to make certain I was safe.
Bullshit.
I was certain of it. If he even attended the meeting, there was no way he'd go along with Aleksei's request willingly. He always had an ulterior motive, methods of keeping his head above water. He would come out unscathed and perhaps rid of me. I would go down fighting.
The footsteps seemed heavier as they walked up the stairs, much slower in gait and less purposeful. When Aleksei appeared in the doorway, there was no smile on his face, no look of sheer domination.
Just... sadness.
Well, hell. That was going around.
"Are you ready?" he asked, eying my suitcase.
"Where are we going?"
He cocked his jaw, those damn blue eyes boring a hole into mine. "It's a surprise. We leave in five minutes."
A surprise. I wasn't certain I could handle any of those. My entire life was a huge surprise. Sighing, I tensed when he walked into the room, coming closer. The scent of the man still sent chills down my spine, his brawn and stature overwhelming. I had no idea what to expect.
He seemed uncertain before reaching out, taking my suitcase into his hand. "I think you'll enjoy." After that, he walked out of the room, no doubt expecting I would follow.
I wanted to revolt, to refuse to go.
Instead, I did exactly as required.
I followed him.
"We have everything ready," Maksim told Aleksei, barely darting a look in my direction. "Returning tomorrow?"