“I’m many things, my sweet cherie, but a fool isn’t one of them.” He took his time savoring several sips of his drink then loosened the crisp bow tie he’d been wearing for the evening’s celebration. I had to admit, he looked dashing in his Armani tux, more like a celebrity than the prince of a mafia kingdom.
“Then we agree to disagree.” I mimicked his actions when taking a sip, closing my eyes and allowing a soft mew to come from deep within my throat. A single drop of the expensive liquid slipped past my lips.
Another brash move, his hand fisting my hair. An unexpected fearful sound escaped my mouth as a hint of terror trickled down my spine.
First, he growled as he lowered his head, dragging his tongue across the small amount of liquor. “Tasty.”
Every part of me quivered, my breath shallow and I almost pulled him in for a heated French kiss.
Easing back, his smile remained intact as he pulled out the ponytail holder then ran his fingers through my hair. “Much better. As I said, what a shame you’re not wearing the dress from earlier. I enjoyed studying your curves, the way your waist slid into your beautiful hips. And those long legs, the kind meant to wrap around a man while he’s fucking you. Just like earlier tonight.”
The way he said the words was nothing but a clear attempt to keep me nervous, on edge so he could take further advantage. I hated to admit that it was working.
He gave me a nod of respect and another tip of his glass before moving toward the floor-to-ceiling window. “I admire you, Willow, in several ways. I also have a certain level of respect for your family, but as you can imagine, I am unable to allow your indiscretions go without punishment.”
“Then get it over with. I want to go home and sleep in my bed. Alone. After drinking a toast to the asshole you really are.”
Even in the slight reflection of the glass, I could see a hint of anger flashing across his face. Maybe I’d been able to crack his armor.
“You’re not going home, Willow. I thought I was clear.”
“Excuse me? I accepted your deal. Punishment then you’d allow me to go. As far as working for you, that certainly will be on a limited basis.”
“My terms.” He took another sip of his drink. “And if you honestly think I’ll allow you to go in order to plot another attempt at taking my life, you’re mistaken. As far as I’m concerned, I own you. Every. Single. Inch. I believe that’s a fair exchange for the mistreatment you’ve give me as well as for the murder of my soldiers. One life for two.”
I tried to keep my anger in check even though I could feel a single bead of perspiration sliding down the back of my neck. He was in control at this moment. I couldn’t afford to risk another chance at escaping. “Have you no honor? You made a promise that you wouldn’t kill me.”
Over the course of a solid ten seconds, he turned around to face me, his expression rippled with an unspoken threat. “I have no intentions of killing you, Willow, unless you refuse to obey me.”
“Then what? What do you want? What kind of work do you need? You have dozens of men and women at your service. I’m merely one woman.”
“You are many things I require, Willow, and I am happy to provide answers to you.” Planting one hand on the desk’s surface, he leaned over, sliding his drink several inches away. “First, I require complete obedience in all things, surrender of your body whenever and however I require. You will learn about all aspects of pleasure and pain. I will become your master and teacher. Only I will give you permission to experience one or the other.”
My skin began to crawl.
“As far as the remaining soldiers who work for me, they certainly can’t provide something I desire, other than you of course.”
I realized I was sucking on my bottom lip, a nervous tic I’d believed cured. “What. Just tell me.”
“Your cooperation.”
“I don’t understand. What the hell else could you want from me?” My instincts were already kicking in. There was only one thing he could take from me that mattered.
“You see, I’m fully aware of what you and your brother are attempting to do, muscling in on not only my father’s regime but that of the Francesco family out of Chicago. You have no idea just how violent those boys are.” He waited to see what my reaction would be. “However, not nearly as savage as the Petrov family.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. What little I’d been told, my brother’s company was taking on the brunt of the Petrov family in Philadelphia, and the entire shipping arena in New Jersey. There was no way my brother could handle moving into another territory. He didn’t have the manpower and the attempt could be suicide. What was Aleksei’s game here? “You’re a fucking liar. Your organization is the one attempting to hijack our business.”
“And that’s why you’re a hired gun, assassinating your enemies. Tell me. Do you do that to fulfill some sick sense of humor or are they direct instructions from your brother?” He chortled, shaking his head.
“Dangerous times call for different tactics.” Yes, I’d followed my brother’s direction, orders that had turned me into a killer, but there had been good reasons.
Or so I’d thought.
My brother had sought revenge against Aleksei for some time. Although I’d never been privy to exactly why, I knew my brother’s vendetta had been ongoing for years. Had I taken out some of the Petrov soldiers? Yes, but they’d been vile men who deserved to die. Whatever was really going on here, I respected my brother Peter and would lay down my life if necessary.
Unlike this monster.
He cared about no one but himself. I knew he’d just as soon take out his own father, family honor shoved aside. Aleksei was simply that ruthless and power hungry.
“Just as I thought. He’s pulling your strings; curious for a woman of your obvious intelligence. We can talk about details at a later time, but let’s just say I’m going to increase my empire, sweet cherie, and my first start? Your brother’s company. You’re going to help me obtain it. Why? Because I’ll expose him as the cheat that he is. His business has never been seen as anything but legitimate thus far. I’ve checked into your brother’s holdings, including the various offshore accounts. His smuggling attempts, everything from illegal drugs to white slavery is atrocious. If I were to leak the information, stocks would plummet. Then all I will have to do is wait until there is no one willing to purchase your brother’s failing company. Imagine the toll on your family. On you.”
I was stunned, unable to think clearly. Illegal drugs? White slavery? I should have pulled the trigger earlier, but I’d hesitated, falling into the perfect trap. Now I was in a predicament from which there was no escape. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“You really want me to believe that you had no knowledge of what your brother was carrying in all those cargo ships?”
Blinking, the hum in my ears was enough to give me an instant headache. I’d never been to the Jersey shore, had never set foot on the shipping grounds. In fact, Peter had done everything to keep me away, including annihilating our enemies. But I honestly believed I was removing the scourges of the earth; criminals and murderers. I closed my eyes, trying desperately to push aside the horrible thoughts.
“But first things first,” he said as he shoved his hand into his pocket. “Undress.”
“What? Why?” My hand fluttered to my neck. He was serious.
“Because, cherie, I’m going to punish you in my way, the Bratva way. I’m going to whip that ass of yours. Then I’m going to fuck you. And don’t forget, Willow. As of tonight, this very moment, I own you. Every. Single. Inch.”
Willow
Spank me? Fuck me?
I didn’t care how horrible my death, there was no way the asshole prick was going to lay a hand on me.