With slow and easy actions, he took the drink from my hand, placing both on the table. As soon as he slipped his hand under my hair, squeezing my neck, I shuddered. “As every member of my family has stated, I never make threats. I only make promises.”

  How many times had he captured my lips? How many times had he kissed me with so much passion I was left breathless? Countless incredible times, but this one seemed even more intimate, as if this was his final laying claim to a woman who belonged to him.

  I was thrilled even though the future was unknown and there were a half dozen obstacles that should keep us apart. At that moment I doubted either one of us cared.

  He swept his tongue inside, taking his time tasting me. I pressed one hand against his chest, wrapping the other over his shoulder to tangle my fingers in his hair.

  He chose that moment to pull me down on top of him. I don’t know why, but I felt more like a teenager than I had in a long time. Taking his time, he explored my mouth the way I was doing with his. I could envision doing nothing but this for hours.

  Yet I had a strong feeling since his cock was hard as a rock that he wouldn’t indulge me. He was already ravenous. I could also tell by the way he was devouring my mouth and the deep growls.

  I wiggled, creating a wave of friction between us. He broke the kiss, chuckling in the dark way that he knew drove me crazy. “Be careful, little butterfly, or I might ravage your body.”

  Shifting again, I pushed up from him, straddling his body. “I was kind of hoping you’d say that.” He watched with a primal leer as I ripped off my shirt, tossing it aside.

  “Goddamn, you’re beautiful.” Cupping my breasts, he flicked his thumbs back and forth across my already taut nipples. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “Don’t forget that.” I unbuttoned the last three buttons on his shirt, yanking both sides open. As soon as I pressed the palms of my hands on his heated skin, we both moaned.

  He struggled to sit, somehow managing to tug his shirt over his head, tossing the material aside. His breathing was hot and heavy, his eyes dropping ever so slowly down to my legs and back. “And all mine.”

  His possessiveness was enthralling, keeping me tingling from excitement.

  From there, we were frantic to remove our clothes, both laughing as we did just like we’d do if we were kids. Fearful of being caught. Trying to make the most out of our time together. When we were finally naked, I resumed the position, kneading his chest the way he was fondling my breasts.

  I swished my hair across his face, laughing as I did. As I shifted back and forth across his cock, he shook his head. “You should know better than to tease me, malen’kaya babochka. I play to win.”

  As if to prove his point, which was so like him, he dragged me up until I was sitting on his face.

  “Shit.” The expletive slipped past my lips much too loudly. I slapped my hand over my mouth. The last thing I wanted to do was to wake Nina. Certainly not while we were engaged in sinful activity.

  Sasha didn’t waste any time slipping his tongue past my swollen folds. I was forced to grip the back of the couch as my body swayed. His tongue should be listed as a weapon and I had no defense against what he was doing to me.

  With every guttural sound he made, I was pushed into a trance that I never wanted to leave. He licked me fervently while his hands wrapped around my thighs, keeping me spread wide open for him.

  I threw my head back, struggling to breathe normally as he feasted as only he could do. I was lightheaded, no longer in control of my emotions or my heart. He’d taken both, keeping them prisoner. I often wondered if he had any idea how he’d electrified me, allowing me the freedom to be me and no one else. Not the princess diva. Not the fake girlfriend. Not the superstar.

  Just me.

  His growls became louder and I was panting like some crazed animal. He continued to bring me close to the edge then pulled away. I was going to lose my mind if he didn’t allow me to come.

  He managed to shift his hands. Still holding me, yet able to use his thumbs to further torment me. The combination was almost too much. I lost all train of thought as he ate me as if he was a starving man. This was crazy and wonderful, blissful in a way I wasn’t certain I deserved.

  Yet I’d take it.

  With a smile firmly plastered on my face, I could feel my toes curling as the pleasure drifted into rapture.

  As the orgasm swept through me, I bit my bottom lip, squelching as much of my heavenly scream as possible. He refused to go easy on me, his tongue assaulting every inch of my pussy. My muscles clenched and released several times until it felt like I was convulsing.

  I’d barely started to come down from the rafters when he pushed me back until I was straddling his waist again. Even though I could barely focus, my hand automatically found the base of his shaft. When I began to torment him the way he’d done with me, his growled his disapproval.

  “Two can play at the game,” I told him.

  “You think this is a game, lady?”

  “I do. And I’m winning.”

  “That’s never going to happen.” He wrapped his hand around mine, guiding or perhaps forcing me to comply with his wishes. He was much stronger than me, but I continued teasing him by trying to keep him from thrusting his cock inside.

  His grin made me laugh and I was determined not to lose the battle.

  Too bad my body didn’t want to comply. He managed to drive his cock all the way in, his thickness stretching me until I shivered all the way to my core.

  The feeling of having him inside of me was indescribable. I’d tried to place why being with him was so entirely different and there was only one reason that made any sense.

  Even though I’d enjoyed being with a couple of other men before, I’d never felt this strongly about anyone. I’d never wanted to remain close, to just be able to do nothing more than to touch each other. Or be in the same room with him.

  This man had allowed me to feel true love for the first time. I rocked against him, taking raspy breaths as he gripped my hips. Seeing his lips and chin glistening from my juice was filthy and delicious. I pressed my hands against his chest to anchor myself, riding him. Taking my time. Holding myself back.

  His nostrils flared, his eyes as glassy as mine must seem. He allowed me to take control, doing nothing more than watching me.

  The way his cock throbbed kept me feeling so full. I bucked a little harder. When I switched the angle, his cock was driven in even deeper. I had no idea how that was even possible. Strangled sounds floated past my lips and soon I was bucking like a wild bronco.

  “That’s my girl,” he whispered. “Take what you want.”

  I could tell by his devious tone he had something on his mind. With my knees firmly pressed against his hips, we rocked together until the rush of adrenaline shifted to pure white-hot heat.

  Another surprise left me awash with excitement as he managed in one swift and easy action to toss me onto my back on the other side of the couch. Now the full weight of his body was on mine.

  Gasping, my mind was still spinning from how he managed to perform the act with such grace and mobility. Was there anything the man couldn’t do? “Holy… shit.”

  “Mmmm… Did I surprise you?”

  “Yes, you did. Wow.”

  “Well,” he muttered. “I hope I continue to do so for the rest of our lives.” His references to the future didn’t go unnoticed. I was still lightheaded, half laughing as sheer joy tore through me.

  I wrapped my legs around him, holding him in place. If he thought for one moment that I would allow him to have all the control, he was wrong.

  He remained on his hands, peering down at me. There was no room for error. We could easily tumble off the couch to the floor with one misstep. And he was certainly a rough and tumble lover. This time, we rocked together. I interlocked my feet, keeping his warm and wonderful body as close to mine as possible.

  When he settled onto his forearms, his head lowered and his lips only inches from mine, I knew at that very moment that I’d found my home in him. With him. And with Nina.

  Tears sprang to my eyes and I could barely control my emotions. His narrowed, his mouth twisting.

  “Don’t say anything. Just kiss me,” I whispered. “Just kiss me.”

  And he did. As if he’d never kissed me before. As if there was a rainbow outside our door waiting to christen our love song.

  The one ringing loud and clear in my mind and hips.

  We moved as if one, taking time and sharing passion in a way we hadn’t done before. Maybe I was a sappy girl after all, but in my heart, I knew there would never be another man who could bring me such powerful rapture.

  He wasn’t perfect.

  He’d never admit to being anyone’s hero.

  But he was perfect for me.

  As I fell into another sweet rush of pure ecstasy, I sensed his body stiffening. Only seconds later, he lifted his torso, breaking the kiss so he could look me in the eyes.

  “Come for me again, baby. Come on my cock as I fill you with my seed.”

  Just as he’d somehow managed to make me do so many times, I obeyed his command.

  And I’d never felt so complete or so satisfied.

  We both tried to learn how to breathe as we slowly came down from the sweet rapture of release. He appeared so serene, happier than I’d seen him. I kept my arms and legs wrapped around him as he slowly collapsed over me.

  A slight sound and he tensed immediately, in the blink of an eye sliding his hand to the table. He was reaching for his weapon, which wasn’t there.

  The reminder that this wasn’t a fairytale was strengthened by the little voice coming from his daughter’s bedroom.

  “Mommy. Daddy. My tummy hurts.”

  Stunned, I couldn’t breathe or think at first. He stared down at me, blinking from the realization that he’d reacted not as a father, but as a member of a Bratva.

  And that his daughter had just called me Mommy, something he’d never before heard his daughter say.

  “Okay, sweetie, Daddy will be right there.”

  “I want Mommy.”

  She was so sleepy that even in her voice I could tell she was delirious. “Let me go,” I whispered to him. “She’s sick. Maybe from ice cream followed by the huge glass of milk she had when she came home. Let me hold her for a little while. Maybe I can coax her back to sleep. I’ll see if she has a temperature. Okay? Please?”

  I wasn’t certain if he’d be furious. Instead, his eyes were filled with sadness. “Yes. Okay. If you don’t mind.”

  “I’ll be right there, honey. Okay?” I asked, doing everything I could to hold back the rupture of emotions.

  “Okay.”

  I pushed him gently. “It’s okay. I’ll take care of her.”

  He climbed off, immediately moving away while I scrambled to get dressed. I was feeling a little woozy myself. The moment was awkward, especially since he didn’t say anything.

  I headed to the door, looking back only once. It was as if a cardinal rule had been broken, the fantasy shattered into a million pieces as the reality of his life and mine hit hard.

  As I walked out, I felt the need to whisper even if I was the only one who would catch the words.

  “I love you.”

  In those few seconds, I hoped he would respond even if it was grunting acknowledgement of what I’d said.

  Yet as always, he remained silent.

  CHAPTER 23

  Sasha

  Well, fuck.

  After struggling into my clothes, I thumped down on the couch, grabbing the bottle of vodka and filling the entire tumbler. What an arrogant ass I was.

  I’d reacted as if what my daughter had said while half asleep was some crime. Shit. I shook my head and took a swill of the drink. Insensitive much? All my daughter had been doing for the past few days had been teasing us about getting married. Why would it shock me that after the time we’d spent together, my daughter might have begun to think of Lainey as her mother?

  Was I jealous that Nina had wanted her to come take care of her? If so, what kind of monster did that make me?

  My head was spinning, a sharp pain right behind my eyes. Yeah, you could call me the most insensitive asshole in the world.

  I sat back, placing the drink on my knee. Visions of Lainey’s face continued to power through my mind, one coming after another. A movie reel from the day I’d met her.

  Her smiles. The way her nose upturned when she laughed. The way she flipped her hair over her shoulder both while performing and just while being herself. A little flirt.

  The way she nibbled on toast, taking the tiniest bites.

  Or the way she licked an ice cream cone. Far too dainty.

  More important, the way she appeared when she was in the throes of passion.

  I couldn’t think clearly and it pissed me off. My reaction was unacceptable and especially since I’d seen the look of shock on Lainey’s face. I’d hurt her, something I never intended on doing. I’d told her the truth. I wanted her with me. Not just until I could ensure her safety, but for the long haul.

  Even this was out of character for me.

  Somehow, I doubted she’d want the same after the way I’d acted.

  Even after what she’d whispered. I’d heard the words. I’d had a chance to respond and like a dick, I’d had no idea what to say in return.

  Which was a fucking lie.

  I shifted down, resting my head on the back of the couch. Maybe I could find a way to make it up to her. Maybe she’d forgive me. Maybe she’d… My baby girl was in good hands. The best hands in the world. She’d be okay. Just a tummy ache. Mmm…

  Jesus, my head was fucking killing me. Closing my eyes, I tried to stop thinking about Lainey. So difficult to do and…

  Exhaling, I willed myself to sit up, even trying to bring the drink to my lips. But…

  As the glass slipped from my hand, I knew that something was wrong.

  Something was terribly wrong.

  Thunk…

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Dmitriyev. We’ve been unable to find any evidence of the shooter’s identity.”

  “Are you fucking out of your mind?” I lunged forward and had my hand around the detective’s throat before I knew what I was doing. “You fucking asshole. You incompetent son of a bitch.”

  “Sasha. Stop, son. Stop. It’s not his fault.” My father jerked me away, pulling me across the room while my uncle tried to explain that I was in a state of grief that made my emotions uncontrollable.

  “Then whose fault is it? Huh, Dad? Who? The police can’t find anything. We haven’t found out anything. This is crap. This is fucking crap.”

  My father wasn’t the kind of man to go soft on anything and didn’t take crap no matter the situation. He slammed me against the wall by the shoulders, holding me there and daring me with his eyes to start a fight with him. If I did, it would be one I’d lose, my bloodied body crumpling on the stained tile floor.

  “Listen to me. You need to suck it up, my son. There’s an old saying in Russia that I’ve never forgotten. Istoriya boli i skorbi—eto ne konets. Eto tol’ko nachalo. Rukoy krovi budut napisany novyye glavy.”

  The story of pain and sorrow isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning. There are additional chapters to be written by the hand of blood.

  After he said the words, he nodded only once. I had no idea what the fuck he was trying to tell me and at that moment, I just didn’t care.

  All I knew is that one day I would find the person responsible for killing my wife.

  And they would die.

  “Fuck,” I hissed, wincing the moment I tried and failed to open my eyes. Whatever the light source, it was blinding.

  Shielding my eyes, I realized every muscle in my body ached. What the hell? My mouth was cotton dry. I sat up and was hit hard by a wall of nausea. After blinking a few times, I squinted until I realized the light was bright sunlight. Bright as if it were late morning.

  What the fuck?

  I jerked to my feet and as soon as I did, I came close to stumbling over the table. How the fuck much had I had to drink?

  The bottle was right there. I jerked it into my hand. The bottle had already been opened a day before and maybe three glasses had been consumed. My tolerance was much higher. Something caught my eye and I realized I’d dropped the glass.

  Also not like me.

  The carpet was wet, which meant there’d been liquid in the glass when it fell. A sick feeling slammed through me and I lunged away from the table, my body refusing to work properly. Even my breathing was labored. What in the hell? The house was quiet. Too quiet.

  The door leading to the deck was still open.

  I turned around, immediately on edge. Something was terribly wrong.

  Where the fuck had I put my weapon? I tore through the room, finally remembering I’d placed it in the drawer of the desk. It was undisturbed, the magazine fully loaded. Stepping outside, I scanned the beach. Was it possible the girls had sensed I’d had too much to drink and had allowed me to sleep it off?

  My instinct told me otherwise.

  Because I hadn’t consumed too much alcohol. My body stiffened. Something was definitely off, my dry mouth as unusual as the heavy throbbing in my temples.

  I moved quickly toward the door, hugging the wall. With a quick dart of my head into the hall and seeing nothing, I stepped out into the hallway, heading for the stairs. The front door was cracked open.

  With the weapon in both hands, I moved quickly, throwing open the door and inching outside. There were sounds of nature coming from every direction. Even the rush of the ocean slicing against the shore could be heard from the front of the house.

  The two rental cars were still in the front driveway. Where the fuck was Tony? He’d been on shift or maybe Bernie had taken over. Fuck. My brain was a mess.

  This was all wrong. I backed up toward the house, sweeping the weapon from side to side. The sun suddenly reflected off something metal and I swung around, prepared to fire.

  Fuck. A weapon. As soon as I bent down, I noticed Tony.

  Dead in the bushes.