75

26
Misha
I’m not going to lie, I’m fucking worried.
I haven’t heard whether Viktor is willing to talk with me. For all I know, he’s planning my death.
Christ.
I’ve been distracted the past four days, and Aurora’s noticed.
To make matters worse, I’m no longer training her in combat class.
Instructor Nikolai feels she’s on par with the other attendees.
Every time I lay eyes on her, she has a new bruise somewhere on her body.
I fucking hate it.
At least I can still spend time with her during the evading and escaping kidnapping lessons.
She’s able to stay in a crate alone for over ten minutes, and there are no words to describe how fucking proud I am of her.
When I walk into the warehouse, and my eyes lock on my woman, it feels like I can breathe easier.
I head over to where she’s standing with the group and say, “Come on, D’Angelo. Time to shove you into a small space.”
She struggles not to smile, and the second we’re out of hearing distance, she says, “You look stressed.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Mr. Petrov!” One of the guards shout. My head snaps in his direction. “You have a call in Director Koslov’s office. It’s important.”
“Abbie,” I call. “Work with Aurora until I’m back.”
Abbie jogs toward me. “You don’t have to ask me twice. What do I do?”
“Just sit with her in a crate.”
I glance at Alek. “Seal the crate for ten minutes.” “Got it,” my friend replies.
I jog out of the warehouse and hurry to Director Koslov’s office. The door is already open, and he gestures at an eighty-five-inch screen on the wall.
My head turns, and my blood turns cold as I look at Viktor Vetrov.
Christ, it’s a video call. Now.
“Sir,” I take in a soldier’s stance, my hands folded in front of me so he can see them at all times. Right hand over left, so my bratva and mafia tattoos are visible. “Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you.”
“My uncle has kept me up to date with your training. He says you’re one of the best this year.”
I nod at Director Koslov. “Thank you for the compliment, sir.”
Viktor’s young for a bratva boss, but because of his family, he’s able to rule with an iron fist.
When Viktor just stares at me, I lift my chin higher. “I’m loyal to you and the bratva, sir.” Here goes nothing. “With that said, I’ve fallen in love with Aurora D’Angelo.”
I swear an entire minute passes in which Viktor just stares at me again.
A bead of sweat trickles down my back.
I can’t tell if he’s pissed off.
Instead of ordering my immediate death, Viktor lets out a sigh. “Okay.” “Okay? Sir?”
“You’re aware I have a hit out on the D’Angelo family, right?” he asks.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then ask me the question, Mikhail,” he orders. Calling me by my given name, his tone is brutal and unforgiving.
“Will you cancel the hit and give your blessing so Aurora and I can be together?” I take a deep breath, then add, “She’s nothing like Caruso.”
Viktor glances to his left, then his tone completely changes as he says, “I’m almost done, moya malen’kaya Roza.”
Viktor turns his attention back to me. “Are you ready for this, having a woman tell you when it’s time to eat?”
I can’t keep the chuckle from escaping. “I am.” “And that woman has to be Aurora D’Angelo?”
“The heart wants what it wants,” I answer, then quickly add, “Sir.”
“Indeed it does.” He taps a finger on his desk. “And Aurora loves you?” “Yes, sir.”
He thinks for a moment. “I’ll give my blessing on one condition.” The fist around my heart relaxes a little. “Anything, sir.”
“I want Caruso to pay what he owes me.”
Fuck.
“If you can get him to submit to the bratva, you can have the woman.”
How the fuck am I going to get Caruso to give in to the bratva?
“In the meantime, I’ll cancel the hits.” Viktor’s eyes turn to Director Koslov. “Consider this a request to cancel the hit on the D’Angelo family.” Viktor turns his attention back to me. “For the time being. Get the job done, or I’ll be forced to reinstate the hit.”
That means there’s still one out on Abbie’s family. Knowing how much Abbie means to Aurora, I almost request for that hit to be canceled as well, but stop myself in time.
I have no right to request such a thing of Viktor, and I’m already pushing my luck.
“Thank you, sir,” I say, my voice heavy with respect. “I appreciate the chance you’re giving me.”
“Good luck, Mikhail,” Viktor says, then the screen goes black.
I nod my head at Director Koslov. “Thank you for arranging the meeting.”
“You’re welcome.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “Now you can stop sneaking around.”
I smile at the director before I walk out of his office.
The meeting went much better than I expected, but I still have the problem of dealing with Aurora’s father.
When I walk into the warehouse, Alek comes running toward me. “Aurora’s freaking out. We can’t calm her down.”
Shit!
I break out into a sprint and weave my way through the crates. When I get to the aisle Aurora’s in, I see Instructor Yelena and Abbie trying to calm her down.
Aurora’s hyperventilating, clutching her chest while shaking her head. “C-can’t. C-c-can’t.”
“Out of my way,” I bark, and it has the two women scrambling to the sides as I kneel in front of Aurora. Framing her face, I force her to look at me. “I’m here, moy malen’kiy olen’.” I press my forehead against hers. “Breathe for me.”
Aurora’s eyes are locked on mine as if I’m the only thing standing between her and death. When I exhale over her lips, she desperately sucks the air in, the strangling sound I fucking hate straining through her throat.
“That’s it, Krasivaya. Another breath.”
Tears spiral down her cheeks, and using my thumbs, I brush them away.
She lets out a sputtering sob, then darts forward and throws her arms around my neck. I squash her petite body to me, pressing my hand against the back of her head.
“You’re doing so good, Krasivaya. Just focus on your breaths.”
She nods as she keeps sucking in air, and then she whimpers, “I’ll never get over this damn fear.”
With my free hand, I caress her back with soothing strokes. “You will.
Be patient.”
When she finally calms down and pulls back, I tilt my head to catch her eyes. “Better?”
She nods before glancing at everyone who’s staring at us.
Embarrassment makes a pink tinge creep up her neck.
I place my hand against her cheek, and when she locks eyes with me, I say, “I have good news.”
Her eyebrows draw together. “What?” “Viktor gave his approval.”
Her eyes widen, and it takes a second, then a gorgeous smile spreads over her face. For a second time, she throws herself at me.
Chuckling, I hug the woman I’m free to love. “Really? He said we can be together?”
I press a kiss to the side of her head. “Yes. There’s a condition, but we’ll talk about it later.” Grabbing the back of her neck, I pull her away from me, and then I kiss the fuck out of her, not caring that we have an audience.
“The shows over, people,” I hear Abbie shout. “Move. Give them some privacy.”
“You have five minutes,” Instructor Yelena says. “Get back to training!” she hollers at the group.
Pulling back, I stare into the eyes of the angel I’ve somehow managed to catch. “I get to love you for the rest of my life.”
“Misha,” she breathes, a look of awe washing over her face. “Thank you for fighting for us.”
Climbing to my feet, I help Aurora up before glancing at the crate. “What went wrong?”
Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a sigh. “You weren’t here.” My eyes snap to her face as she continues, “I got in with Abbie, and Alek closed up the crate. I didn’t even last a minute. The anxiety attack was instant.”
She turns away from me, and frustrated, she brushes some strands from her face.
Reaching for her arm, I pull her back to me. “Do you think you can get in again?”
Worry makes lines form on her forehead. “With you?” “Yes. But I’ll have Alek seal the crate.”
“I just need a minute.”
Pride fills my chest because she’s so damn strong to try again right after an anxiety attack. “I’ll get Alek.”
I give Aurora the minute she needs, and when Alek joins us, I gesture at the crate. “Get in.”
She looks defeated, but she crawls into the tiny space. I sit down beside her and nod at Alek. “Seal the crate. Wait ten minutes before you open it again.”
“Got it.” Alek actually gives Aurora an encouraging smile, “You’ve got this, princess.”
She lets out a chuckle. “Thanks.”
We’re plunged into the darkness, and I strain my hearing to listen to Aurora’s breathing.
She’s still calm. Good.
“I have more good news,” I say. “What?”
“Viktor canceled the hit on your family.”
I can feel Aurora looking in my direction, then she shrieks, “Really?” “Yes,” I chuckle.
Somehow Aurora manages to move from a sitting position to kneeling.
Her hand slaps against my jaw.
“Oops. Sorry.” The next second she presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“You missed the target,” I grumble.
Letting out a chuckle, she kisses me again, this time hitting the mark.
Instead of working through her anxiety issues, we make out until Alek removes the panel.
Reluctantly, Aurora breaks the kiss, then scowls at Alek. “You can seal the crate for another ten minutes.”
“Wait. Aurora, climb out for a second.” When I have space to move, I turn my body, so my side is facing the opening. This way, I’m not sitting in a squashed position. I gesture for Aurora to come to me. “Straddle me.”
“Do I really have to be here for this?” Alek complains with a fucking grin on his face.
“Shut up and seal the crate,” I chuckle as my hands grip Aurora’s hips. I push her back until her pussy is right over my cock. “That’s better.” I look at Alek. “Only open in twenty minutes.”
“Enjoy,” he mutters right before we’re plunged into darkness.
“I don’t know where your mind’s at, but there’s no way we’re having sex in this small space,” Aurora says, her tone light and carefree.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” I murmur as I move my hand beneath her t-shirt.
I push the fabric up, then tug the cups of her bra down. Finally, I get to touch her perfect tits, and as I squeeze them, I groan, “I fucking love your tits.”
“Shh. Someone might hear,” she whispers.
“I don’t care. I’m free to love you.” Wrapping my other hand around the back of her neck, I pull her face to mine. “I get to fucking love you.”
Taking her mouth, I kiss the woman of my dreams while my fingers tweak her nipple into a hard bud.
My cock grows rock hard in a matter of seconds, and breaking the kiss, I order, “Move your hips. Rub yourself against me.”
Aurora bumps against the sides of the crate, then she mutters, “Jesus, I could do with an extra inch.”
“I have ten inches waiting for you,” I tease her.
Her hands find my shoulders before she finally pushes her pussy down on my cock.
“The clothes suck,” she mutters right before her mouth finds mine. Our tongues dance, and I grin when her teeth tug at my bottom lip. Aurora’s hips move faster as she pushes harder against my cock.
I move my hands down to her sides to help her, my cock weeping to get to her tight pussy.
“Khristos,” I mutter. “I want to fuck you so hard.”
“This is torture,” she complains, frustration lacing her words because we can’t have sex right now.
With her face close to mine, I keep my voice low and seductive. “I loved seeing your virgin blood all over my cock.”
“God, Misha,” she groans, her hips gyrating faster and faster.
Moving a hand to her neck, I wrap my fingers around her throat, then growl, “How wet are you for me?”
“I’m soaked,” she breathes.
“Do you need my cock pounding into your pussy?” “Yes,” she gasps. “Jesus, yes.”
“Say it,” I demand. “Let me hear the filthy words fall over your plump lips.”
Her muscles start to strain. “I want your cock ripping my pussy in two. I want you hitting my lungs so I can’t breathe.”
“Blyadʹ,” I curse as my cock jerks, painful with need for Aurora.
Her mouth brushes against mine, then she deals me a death blow as she murmurs, “You’re so freaking big, I was sore for days. It felt like you branded me.”
“Who does your pussy belong to?” I hiss, my jaw clenching from the strain I’m taking.
“You,” she gasps as her body starts to convulse.
I quickly cover her mouth with my hand as she cries out my name. The scent of her arousal hits my nose, and I swear I’ll lose my fucking mind if I don’t get to fuck her soon.
Just as Aurora’s movement starts to slow, Alek removes the panel.
I grab Aurora, shoving her face into the crook of my neck and growling, “Stop moving.” My eyes flick to Alek. “Leave.”
With a massive grin on his face, the fucker wags his eyebrows at me before he saunters off at a snail’s pace.
Aurora’s gasping, her breaths hitting my skin.
Fuck, that was hot.