My Russian Hero (8 page)

Sergei’s hands clenched into tight fists. “They are in trouble, Father. I mean to help them!”

“Help them? So fucking the ravened-haired girl is helping her?” Ivan asked, a dark tone lacing his voice.

“No, it isn’t.,” Sergei said, trying to keep his voice calm. “She is in trouble. Someone is after her.”

“That is not our concern,” the pakhan said, flatly. “What of Katya and your union?”

“I have already spoken to her… and I don’t care to marry the ice princess. She’s a fucking troll… but she will do as she is told.” Sergei said.

“Will she now? Do not fuck up the merging of the families Sergei. You must marry Katya,” Ivan commanded.

Sergei ground out an animalistic, “Yes, sir.”

Sergei took a seat across from his father, all the while knowing his situation sucked. Strangely enough, after listening to what he had to say, the pakhan decided to allow Sergei to protect the girls from this madman that threatened them, as long as it didn’t interfere with family business.

Sergei returned to his room and found Dani curled up on the bed like an angel. He hated to disturb, her but seeing her there, he couldn’t resist having her again. It had been days since he had tasted her and he wanted nothing more than to once again get lost in her. As he approached the bed, his eyes hungrily lapping at Dani’s beautiful body, he was overcome with concern for her. Something about this woman was so familiar, but he was sure he didn’t know her.

She lay there, curled up, long blonde eyelashes sweeping across her lower lid. He suddenly realized she was not a natural raven-haired beauty as he had thought. Thinking back to the night in the club, he remembered the strip of blonde hair on her mound, thinking at the time that she had perhaps changed the color between her legs to be different.

He swept a black tendril of hair behind her ear. Dani shifted slightly at his touch, her eyes fluttering back and forth as she slept. “Wake up, Milaya moya,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

Dani opened her eyes just as Sergei pressed his lips to hers. As the kiss deepened, she moaned, feeling the mattress shift as his body came over hers. His warmth enveloped her, shading the darkness of the world from sight. Sergei grasped her wrist, placing it above her head, then lifted the other one holding them taut as he left a trail of kisses down her neck towards her breasts. Dani’s nipples hardened as she rubbed her body against his, needing him to ravage her thoroughly. Using his free hand, he grasped the hem of her shirt, edging it over her perky breasts. Dani wiggled beneath him as Sergei slid the shirt over her head and tossed it carelessly over his shoulder.

A light knock sounded on his door, breaking them from the moment. Sergei groaned in frustration as he slid from the bed. Dani rushed across the room, snatching her shirt from the floor and putting it on quickly just as Sergei opened the door.

His lips formed a thin line as his eyes met Katya’s. “What do you want?”

Katya stepped forward, trying to enter the room, but Sergei stopped her in her tracks, stepping forward, forcing her to step back into the hallway. Katya strained to see around him into the bedroom but he blocked her view, closing the door.

“You have that bitch in your room, don’t you?” Katya growled.

“That is none of your business,” Sergei said, grasping her arm and walking her down the hall to her room. “You do good to remember your place.”

“You can’t do this. She can’t be here. Who... who do you think you are? My father –”

“Your father what?” Sergei asked, glaring at her. “I am to be the pakhan soon so don’t push me, Katya.” He pushed her into her room. “Stay here.” He slammed the door closed, the sound echoing through the house. He had to figure out what to do with this woman. She was a despicable creature. But he had to admit, if he put himself in her shoes, he would feel much the same way. Slumping against the wall outside her door, he shook his head. Should he tell here the truth? Would she understand he didn’t want her? That he wanted this American girl waiting in his room? No! She wouldn’t care; she was a cold-hearted bitch. A very dangerous cold-hearted bitch.

Later that evening, Sergei led Dani and Zoe to the dining room for dinner. His father wished to meet the girls. The thought panicked him. There was no way to control the situation. Fuck! Katya would probably be there as well. Sergei showed them to their seats, sitting down next to Dani.

“Does your family always eat in here? It’s so... so ritzy,” Dani asked.

“Da. Meals are a time for family to catch up with one another. All meals are like this.” he said as his father walked in.

“Introduce me to your guests, Sergei.” the pakhan said, pointedly eyeing the girls.

“Father, this is Dani McCade, and her dear friend, Zoe Dawson.” Sergei said. “Ladies, this is my father, Ivan Smirnov.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you sir,” Dani said. “You have a very lovely home.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Zoe said. “Thank you for letting us stay in your home.”

“You are welcome,” Ivan said, taking a seat at the head of the table. “If there is anything you should need, please let my son know.”

The girls nodded. The house was like a freaking museum but they could feel the tension radiating off of everyone. Something was a bit off. Dani couldn’t put her finger on what it was but she felt uncomfortable. Sergei must have noticed because he slid his hand into hers, his thumb rubbing slow circles on her hand. It was amazing how something as simple as a touch could make her worries vanish in an instant.

Before Dani could utter a word, the blonde woman with a look that would scare school children stormed into the dining room. Everything about her was over the top. She came straight to Sergei, sitting beside him. Her eyes were cold and filled with hate. Ivan cleared his throat and the blonde woman stiffened in her seat.

“Katya, let me introduce you to our guests, Dani and Zoe; Sergei’s friends,” Ivan said

“Americans.” Katya grumbled.

“Nice to meet you, Katya.” Dani and Zoe said in unison.

Sergei slid his hand from Dani’s and turned to face Katya. “You will be polite to my guests.” Katya sneered at him, the disdain she felt for his actions and maybe even Sergei himself were more than apparent.

“Please excuse me. I have lost my appetite.” She glared daggers at Dani and then stormed out of the room. Dani didn’t know what she had done to make this woman hate her but she didn’t care. She had enough to worry about that was much more serious than some woman not liking her.

The rest of the dinner went off without a hitch. After dessert, the girls headed upstairs while Sergei joined his father for after-dinner drinks in the study. Dani and Zoe appreciated the beautiful artwork hanging on the walls as they made their way upstairs, only to be caught in the hall by the wicked witch of Russia.

“Keep your hands of my fiancé, you dirty little tramp.” Katya growled, pushing Dani against the wall.

“What the hell? You’re fiancé?” Dani was stunned that this woman would put her hands on her like that, and even more freaked out by this blonde bitch describing Sergei as her fiancé.

“Yes! My fiancé,” Katya said, loudly. “You didn’t really think someone as fine as Sergei would ever be with a lame little tramp like you.” She tilted her head, looking closely at Dani. “Oh you poor thing. You did think he wanted you.” She laughed, walking back down the hall.

Dani couldn’t believe the nerve of the woman. And worse yet, she had trusted Sergei, had sex with him, and he was promised to another woman. She practically ran to her room, Zoe hot on her heels, barely making it inside before Dani slammed the door. “I can’t believe he had the nerve,” she shouted. “I’m a… a tramp. I slept with another woman’s man.” She looked at her friend. “We need to leave, Zoe. We don’t belong here... with him.”

“Relax,” Zoe said. “Damn, Dani. That bimbo is probably just jealous of you and Sergei. Did you think about that?” She didn’t know if that was really true but she needed to calm Dani down. If they left the safety of Sergei’s home, there was no telling what would happen to them.

Tears streamed wildly down Dani’s face as she threw herself onto the bed. She was angry and needed answers, but all she could do right now was cry. The world was crashing in on her and all she could do was watch and wait for it to crush her out of existence.

“Dani? Dani, you really should talk to him,” Zoe said. “Please don’t make us leave. What if
he
finds you?”

“Maybe we should just go home, Zoe,” Dani whispered, grabbing a Kleenex from the nightstand. “We’re supposed to leave in a couple of days, anyway. I just want to go home.”

“Shallow men believe in luck.

Strong men believe in cause and effect.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

CHAPTER 11

Sergei had talked with his father and was surprised at his change of heart about helping the girls. They had discussed their options in locating the menace that was after Dani, as well as the effect such a person could have on their people. There was no telling what that kind of man would do to get to Dani.

It was decided that the girls would remain in their care as long as they were in Russia. The Smirnov family would see to their safe departure at the airport in a few days, and then Sergei would face Katya and the wedding nightmares were made of.

“Father, I do not love Katya. Is there any way to avoid the wedding?” Sergei asked as he neared the study door.

“Son, if it could be avoided, I would see that it was. You know I will always consider your ideas of handling things in the family business.”

“I know,” Sergei said. “What if Katya were to marry Stepan? That woman would straighten him out in no time. That marriage would actually be beneficial. I just don’t see our marriage benefiting the family in the long-term. She’s a vicious bitch.”

Ivan laughed at Sergei’s description of the woman. “I will think on it. Do you really prefer the American girl over Katya?”

“Yes, father, I do. She makes me... happy.”

“I felt that way about your mother, too,” Ivan admitted. “Did I ever tell you I was to marry another woman?”

“No, sir.”

Nodding, Ivan continued his story. “She was a dreadful-looking woman. Much older than I was. I had already given my heart to your mother before I ever spoke to her. She was a vision of purity and beauty. My father took pity on me and let me marry outside of the family business. I could never thank him enough in a lifetime for giving me such a precious gift. So if I can offer that to my son... I will, gladly.”

“Thank you, father,” Sergei said, before silently leaving the room. He had never heard his father speak about love before. His parents had had a long a loving marriage. Growing up, he had not seen them show affection to one another – that was simply how the family was – but it was obvious that they loved each other, if you knew what to look for. Sergei wanted that kind of love, and he wanted it with the raven-haired Dani more than anything. If she would have him after learning of his dark side; his family’s business and the people he had disposed of.

Making his way upstairs, he found his room empty. No sign of Dani anywhere, all of her belongings vanished as if she had never been there. A feeling of dread washed over him and he raced across the hall to Zoe’s room. Not bothering to knock, he turned the handle and thrust the door forward so hard it bounced off the wall.

“Dear god,” Zoe yelped. “What’s wrong with you?”

“My room was empty. I thought...” He looked around the room. “Where is Dani?”

“Calm down,” Zoe said. “She’s in the shower. You know... you should put a leash on that blonde bitch down the hall.” She ignored the anger that flashed across his face. “I’ll leave that conversation to you and Dani, though. I just want to be safe from that madman that’s after her, and if being here provides that, then that is where I will be, regardless of any other drama going on.”

“Giving up doesn’t always mean you are weak; sometimes it
      
means that you are strong enough to let go.”

- Author Unknown

CHAPTER 12

Dani came out of the bathroom to find Sergei waiting for her. She stopped dead in her tracks, trying desperately not to run to him for comfort. Everything she liked – loved – about him was in shambles because of that horrible woman. She needed to be strong. She couldn’t let anything happen between them until she knew the woman had spouted lies. Hopefully, he could explain what the hell was going on. “What do you want?” she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.

“To talk, Milaya moya. It is time I clear the air.” he said, his shoulder heavy with the weight of betrayal.

“Oh? About?”

“Have a seat? Please.” He patted the bed beside him.

Dani tightened the robe around her body, knowing it wouldn’t keep her body from responding to his. There was something about Sergei that spoke to her on a deeper level. Whatever was happening between them was special, or at least she thought it was. Taking a seat beside him, she crossed her legs and waited for him to speak. He didn’t.

“Who is that woman?” she said, bluntly. “The one with the blonde hair that can channel the devil with a single look.”

Sergei’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, revealing his nervousness. “She... My father arranged a marriage between us, but I do not wish to marry her.” He looked into her tear-filled eyes, reaching for her hand. She slapped it away.

“Don’t!” she snapped. “Don’t you dare touch me. You going to marry that woman, and you... we had sex.” She wanted to hit something... wanted to hit him. She wanted him to hurt the way she was hurting. She needed to get away from him but she couldn’t move. “Why? Why did you bring us here?”

“To keep you safe, Milaya moya. I will not marry her. I care about you. I want to be with you. My father is aware of this.” His voice was low but there was a certainty to his words. She believed he cared for her, but she couldn’t trust him. Once a cheater always a cheater; that was what everyone said, and there was a reason everyone said it. She couldn’t live a life like that, waiting for the day another woman took him away, just as she had obviously done to Katya. No. She wouldn’t be that woman.