Grumbling, he lifted the oblong piece into his hand and with one snap of his wrist, he smashed it into dozens of pieces falling to the steel floor.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Crouching down, he sorted through the smashed pottery, finally holding up a slender bag. “Heroin, so pure that one dose is a potential killer. It must be cut expertly or many people will die. This is what your brother is bringing into our country.”
“This is crazy. You did this! These crates would have been inspected by the port authority.”
He gave me an incredulous look. “You and I know what money and power can do, Willow. Do not be na? ve here. Your brother paid to keep his shipments anonymous. They will disappear within hours, never to be recorded on the dockets.”
How could he know all of this unless that’s exactly how he handled his business? “Why are you lying to me? Why? Do you want to destroy my brother and everything he’s worked for that badly? Is your entire world only about money, just another money-grubbing monster hell bent on destroying everyone’s happiness? I have no doubt your family provides drugs. What the hell is the difference?”
Growling, he rose to his full height, standing only inches away, the flashlight abandoned on the floor. He shoved the bag closer to my face, his anger evident by the bulging veins in his neck. “Do you understand that there are boys and girls, little more than children getting hooked on this shit? They are dying. You are right, the Petrov organization does maintain a hold on certain items coming in and out of the Eastern seaboard, but I assure you that we are careful in who we provide party favors to. That does not and will never include children.”
I glared at the bag, blinking several times until the understanding settled in. All the years of believing in my brother and I’d been lied to. Stumbling backward, I could no longer breathe, my heart racing. As I turned to flee, he reached out, snagging me against his chest. “Let me go. Just fucking let me go!” I pushed hard, slapping at his face and chest, doing everything I could to get away.
I expected his admonishment, his usual egotistical bullshit, but instead he cupped my face, forcing me to look into his eyes.
“You have no idea how much danger you are in.”
“And why would I be in danger? Have you told everyone who and what I am?” My demand was met by another sneer.
He lowered his head until I could feel his hot breath cascading across my skin. Instantly, my nipples hardened, pussy juice leaking into my jeans. Was the thrill of danger a power aphrodisiac? I was beginning to wonder.
“Because I may control the Bratva, but I certainly can’t leverage the men loyal to your brother. News of your discovery will shadow you and he will have no choice but to take. You. Out.”
His statement stung, hitting me hard. “So, you’re going to become my keeper.”
“I’m the only one who can and will save your life,” he hissed through clenched teeth.
“In exchange for my cooperation, the utter betrayal of my family.”
Aleksei nodded, his fingers caressing my skin. He did so in a manner indicating ownership.
Possession.
“I will protect you with my life if necessary, as long as you obey me.” His words somehow echoed in the dense space.
Obey.
There were no choices, no options. I’d been thrown into the fire pit of hell.
The touch of the man should disgust me, but I was drawn to him once again, my body electrified. While my instinct told me he wasn’t lying, there was still a question in my mind.
Would I ever be able to trust him?
Then again, could I ever learn to trust myself?
* * *
“You are to stay in this room until I come for you. I will have one of my soldiers retrieve your things at your apartment. In the meantime, get some sleep.”
His directions were clear, not to be defied.
Go ahead, buddy, and find where I live.
At least I knew I’d covered my tracks, living a normal life as an entirely different person. Anonymity was vital in order for me to perform my work. Today, the entire concept was disgusting.
He stood in the doorway, his arms folded, appearing more like a Greek god than a Bratva leader. He’d removed his jacket and tie, rolling up his sleeves, his features hardened from the events of the night.
“I’m your prisoner,” I responded, scanning the room. I wasn’t certain what I’d expected, but his house was almost cozy in appearance. The bedroom was oversized, posh with what I would call a woman’s touch. There were bottles of water placed on the dresser, a bucket of ice and a single glass. I noticed fresh towels positioned on a stool, an extra blanket on the foot of the bed.
His staff thought of everything a girl might need during incarceration. I winced seeing the first rays of morning light coming in through the window. I was exhausted yet jittery. Even my hands were clammy.
“You know the terms of the deal. You do not under any circumstances leave this room. If you do, there will be consequences and trust me, Willow, they will be harsh. If you as much as think about escaping, the soldiers assigned to watching the house will shoot to kill.”
I faced him, allowing my eyes to gaze up and down the length of him. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was concerned about the find in the containers. “I need proof regarding what you are telling me.”
Aleksei smiled wryly and leaned against the doorjamb. “The cases of heroin weren’t enough for you?”
“I’m no fool, Aleksei. A single pouch could have been easily planted, the call you received long before our arrival and all in Russian merely additional instructions. If what I know about you is true, you are thorough. In other words, you have other detailed information regarding my brother and his so-called illegal activity. I need to see it before I’m convinced.”
“You have no room to negotiate. None. You attempted to kill me in my own office. By all rights, you should be floating in the Atlantic.”
“If you’re trying to scare me, you haven’t. I don’t terrify easily.” The truth was I was riddled with fear, the kind that kept a constant ache deep within my body.
He seemed to study me, as if weighing his options. “Very well. I will allow you to see what I have, but later. Now, I have work to do. I suggest you get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”
There was no additional hesitation before he closed the door and I could hear the lock being engaged. I stood in the same place for a full five minutes, trying to process what had occurred over the last several hours. Then I eased onto the edge of the bed, dropping my head into my hands.