Protected by a Mobster: A Russian Mafia Romance (Volsky Mafia Book 1) (7 page)

“Calm down, little princess,” Ruslan’s warm voice boomed from my right, wrapping me in its velvety warmth. I shivered. With a nod, I scooted back on the couch. “We have much to discuss,” he stated.

“I suppose we do.” I laughed. It was a small weak laugh. I wanted him to kill my father and the man I was intended to marry. Much to discuss, indeed.

“What you ask will cause a war between the families. Why should we risk that golubushka?” little dove

With a heavy sigh, I laced my fingers together. “My father wishes me to marry Dane Duskin because they want to merge the Markow and Duskin families and overthrow the three other families. Malcolm was against this. I am against this. I do not know the rules of the Bratva, but I cannot marry that murderous bastard. You say war will come if you help me… but it will come even if you don’t.” I let my eyes work from one man to the next, finally falling on Ruslan. “War is inevitable.”

“How do you know this?” one of the men asked pointedly.

“I heard them discussing their plans. With your help, they can be stopped. Without it I... I will continue to be a pawn in their game... or die trying to stop them myself.”

The room erupted in conversation almost immediately. Thick Russian accents boomed back and forth between the men. So much power and control laced the air in thick currents. Ruslan sat at my side casting sideways glances at me. He didn’t speak; only listened to his men. After a few minutes, his voice broke through the chaos. The men went silent, their heads snapping in his direction.

“For years, we have known Markow to be cutthroat and shady in his dealings. Never have we had a situation such as this. The five families are set to meet soon, but waiting that long to handle this would be foolish. If the princess is willing to stand before the Commission and tell them of her father and Duskin’s plans, it will be left in their hands. Whatever punishment the Commission decides to hand down will be carried out as they see fit. For now, we will protect Liliya and treat her as our own.”

“And what if they come for her, Ruslan? That rat-trap motel is not safe,” a man named Vlad asked, his eyes darting to mine, then away just as quickly.

“Collect her things and bring them here. She will be staying with me.”

Hearing them discuss me and my hotel and collecting my things both shocked and thrilled me. Had they been watching me all of this time? Honestly, I wasn’t all that surprised. Ruslan seemed to run a tight ship. What’s more, I felt safe amongst these men, and thankful that they believed my story. I hadn’t lied to them. I wouldn’t. Whatever happened now was out of my hands. The justice I wanted was coming and I wanted to watch it all happen.

Chapter Ten – Ruslan

“Without obsession, life is nothing.”

-
      
John Waters

It has been a week since Liliya Markow strode into my club with a story that rocked my world, halted my breath, and stayed my heart. Power amongst the families was being threatened by one of our own, and that is no small thing. The strength to do what she’s done has made me want her even more. The memory of her standing before me with power and grace, then falling apart still grabs my heart. No woman has had that kind of power over me. It’s a dangerous thing.

I’m not a weak man, but I am where she is concerned. I want to protect her. I want to possess her. Even now, as she flutters around my home, I find myself wanting what is not mine. I see the way she looks at me when she thinks I do not see. Stolen glances and longing between us are becoming harder to resist. My control is slipping. Each day that passes, I yearn to have her in my bed beneath me, writhing as my cock thrusts deep within her. I want to hear my name fall from her lips as she comes on my cock. I want to feel her delicate soft skin against my own as she gives herself to me. I need her to submit to me.

“Good morning,” she says as she pads to the table, her whiskey-colored eyes finding mine, her cheeks tinted a lovely pink as she slips into her seat.

“Da. A very good morning.” I have tried to resist my urges, but I don’t know how much longer I will be able to stay away. A low growl rumbles deep in my chest as I notice the worn jeans and faded shirt she is wearing. Days of seeing this beautiful woman in clothing unbefitting her status has finally reached a boiling point. “These clothes you wear do not become you. We will go shopping.” The smile on her face and a slight nod are her only response. She has been quiet for days. Respectful.

“If that is what you wish. Thank you, Ruslan, for… for everything. I know this… having me here is not easy,” she says softly as she sips her coffee.

“Having you here is not a problem for me.”

The smile she gives me is nothing short of angelic. The way she sucks her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying it back and forth, drives me to distraction. Her cheeks tinge a gorgeous pink and she looks away. Like a dam breaking free, my control shatters. Before I know what is happening, I’m on my feet, striding to where she sits. My hand grasped her arm, pulling her from her seat and against my body. I’m rewarded with a squeak that only makes my cock grow harder.

Her whiskey eyes grow wide as I lower my lips to hers. Her soft lips open as my tongue glides along her seam before darting inside, dancing erotically with her own. She moans and I swallow it, wanting – needing – to take all that she will give me. Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me into her soft luscious body. She feels so fucking good. She deepens the kiss, stealing my breath as she pulls away ever so slightly, her teeth biting down on my lip, tugging it away. A sharp pain follows and a metallic taste washed over my tongue and I let out a growl. Liliya breaks away and the wicked little smile I see nearly brings me to my knees.

“I may be a princess, but I’m no angel,” she purrs.

Fuck!

Control gone.

I scoop her into my arms, loving the sound of her gasp as I look into her eyes. I see the same lust and need I feel reflecting back at me. Rounding the corner, heart galloping, I catch sight of Vlad at the base of the stairs, mouth in a thin line. I know he doesn’t approve of this… but I don’t fucking care. Liliya made her choice when she entered my world. She asked for my help, my protection, and that’s what I’m giving to her, but the woman’s siren song is too strong to resist and I’m powerless to stop myself from giving her what she wants and taking what I need. Vlad shakes his head and walks away in silence. Thank fuck.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Liliya turns her face into the crook of my neck and plants small wet kisses along my neck and jaw, nipping and laving as she goes. I squeeze her tighter against me and she releases a moan that nearly has me coming in my fucking pants like a young boy. Blood rushes in my ears as I cross the threshold into the master bedroom, kicking the door closed with my foot. She whimpers softly as I stop next to the bed, easing her body down to the floor.

The tip of Liliya’s tongue peeks out of her mouth, dancing seductively across her swollen lips as she holds my heated gaze. My hands move to her face, cupping her gently before sliding to the nape of her neck and pulling her to me. Our lips crash together, passionate flames lapping high, desire scorching where our flesh touches. Then a knock at the door shatters the moment.

“Boss!” Vlad calls from the hallway as he pounds on the door.

“What the fuck do you want, Vlad?” I roar, fighting the urge to throw open the door and break his neck for interfering. But it’s too late. The moment is gone. Liliya shrinks away, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, cheeks flaming a beautiful cherry red, chest heaving. Damn, she’s beautiful.

“We have guests, boss. Dane Duskin is here.” At the sound of Dane’s name I notice the shudder that consumes Liliya’s small body and I see red vivid and strong filled with anger and malice leak into the edge of my eyes clouding my vision.

“We will be right there. Take him to my office with the other guests. Give us a moment.”

“Yes, sir.”

I didn’t have to see Liliya to know how she felt about having Dane in such close proximity. Ever since she shared what happened the night her brother was killed, and everything else that had happened before we met, I find myself willing to cross lines that I have never been willing to cross before. Today will be one of those days. I’d bet money on it. Whatever the outcome of this most unexpected meeting with Dane, she will be worth it.

“Liliya, it appears that things will be happening much faster than we anticipated. Are you ready, golubushka – little dove?”

“Ruslan, please don’t let him take me.” She spoke so softly I almost didn’t hear her. A single tear rippled down her cheek.

With a soft brush of my thumb, I whisked it away and made a promise I hoped I could keep. “I will never let them take you from me.”

With a slight nod, she reached for my hand intertwining our fingers together. “Let’s get this over with then.”

Chapter Eleven – Liliya

“Remember that guy that gave up? Neither does anyone else.”

-
      
Unknown

Just before we entered the office, Ruslan came to a stop, his hands cupping my face, his eyes as stormy as the wildest sea. He kissed me, gently pulling away, and I knew that he would never let anything bad happen to me. As dark as his world – our world – might be, there was a warmth and gentleness beneath the surface of this man, hidden from the world. It was that part of him that attracted me to him. It was that part of him that drew me to him like a moth to a flame, powerless and filled with temptation.

“Stay at my side. Do not show fear. You may have been born a Markow but once this meeting is over, you will be mine. The life you had will be no more. Do you understand that you can’t go back from this?” His voice was rough and edgy, his thumb brushing over my jaw. I shivered under his gaze, loving the way his touch melted my worries away and heated me in my most intimate places.

“I know. I’m ready, Ruslan. For Malcolm, all of this is worth it.”

The wicked grin he offered me was intoxicating. He laced our hands together, as I had moments ago, and hand-in-hand we walked into his office, all eyes darting our way, watching our every move. I feel the death glare of Dane’s obsidian eyes land on me before I see him. A sickening feeling tumbles in my gut as Ruslan leads me across the room towards his desk.

As he takes a seat in his leather chair, I sense the authority he invokes and pray for a small sliver of it for myself. Inhaling through my nose, I lift my head, force my shoulders back and stand at Ruslan’s side as if I belonged there – as if I had been born to be there. I met Dane’s gaze and smiled as I placed my small hand on Ruslan’s shoulder, rubbing it lovingly. I didn’t miss Dane’s snarl or the way his body tensed at the sign of affection I offered his rival in the crowded room.

“You whore!” he yelled, jumping up from his seat. Murder filled his eyes and I let out a laugh.

Lifting my chin, I removed my hand from Ruslan’s shoulder, gave him a smile, and for once in my life, I let the anger and rage free. Maksim and Bastian held Dane by the arms as I waltzed across the room. In a room full of powerful and deadly men, I let myself absorb their strength as I stopped in front of my former fiancé.

“You’re nothing but a pussy. I’d rather be his whore than your wife.” Raising my hand, I slapped him across the face with all the strength I had. His head snapped to the side, an angry red handprint blooming upon his skin. “I will watch the life slip from your body, of that I can promise you.” With those final words, I spit in his face and returned to Ruslan’s side.

Laughter filled the room. Damn that felt good. Dane is still frozen in place, teeth bared like an animal. I had thought the men were laughing at me, but they weren’t. They were laughing at him. The pleasure that filled me made me feel powerful. For the first time, I felt like a mafia princess, a woman who not only deserved respect but would take it.

“Markow will have your head for tainting his daughter,” Dane snarled.

“I don’t doubt that he would… but I haven’t tainted the princess,” Ruslan stated firmly. “She came to me. Ask her if you don’t believe me.”

“Is it true, Liliya? Have you turned your back on your family? On me?”

I stood silent for a few beats before responding. Did I actually owe this asshat a response? Would he believe what I said? Who cares? With a glance at Ruslan and the men around the room, all wearing fancy suits and stony expressions, I willed myself to respond. “He hasn’t touched me. Yet. I will not return to you, Dane, or my father. What you did was unforgivable. I belong here now.”

“You heard the lady. It’s that simple. She’s not been tainted or hurt. I offer her safety and shelter. As you can see, the other families are present to witness her willingness to be here.” Ruslan quieted for a moment, looked at me, then turned to face Dane once again. “Know this, Dane. The families are also aware of what you and Markow have planned. You mentioned war is coming, and I’ll tell you now that you are on the wrong side. You will fall just as painfully as Markow when the dust settles.”

“We’ll see about that. Liliya is promised to me. The contract is signed. It’s binding, Ruslan.”

“You think a contract like that will carry any weight amongst the men in this room? I don’t think so. We know what you two are up to and I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are not happy. And marriage is the least of your worries. Watch your fucking back. Run home to your master and let him know that too.”

I watch in stunned silence as Dane sneers at Ruslan, but is careful not to allow that gaze to fall on the other men in the room. He looks me up and down in complete disgust and turns on his heel, marching like a sad child out of the office. The front door slams closed, rattling the windows in his wake. My breath hitches as Ruslan’s hand touches mine.