I didn’t want to love the house, but I do. It’s not too high that I can’t enjoy parts of it. I’ve not gotten a marker to ruin the floor, giving myself a no-go area. It’s childish to still be afraid of heights, but it’s a feeling that has never faded.
Walking around our house-and it does feel that way-is so freeing. I finally feel like I belong. I don’t care about the guards anymore. At first, seeing them with their weapons on hand was absolutely terrifying. It was a constant reminder every single day of the life I lived. Being a brigadier’s wife, part of the Bratva. There was no getting away from it. This was my life and to be near Andrei, I knew I had no choice but to remain here.
Whenever I thought of a marriage or a husband, Andrei wasn’t the man that came to mind, but my feelings for him could not be pushed to the side. Even though he had been cold to me in the beginning. I knew I had fallen in love with the attentive, sweet man he had shown me in recent weeks.
Leo had once told me that Andrei couldn’t afford to be kind. That there were people always looking to hurt, to kill, to take him from me. I couldn’t allow that to happen. It was rare for me to get the opportunity because he always had his guard up, but one lone night, I’d watched him sleep. Seeing him like that, I’d been overcome with a need to protect him, to take care of him. So, regardless of him not loving me, I knew I was going to love him enough for the both of us, and I was happy with that. Content.
Walking downstairs, I smiled just thinking about him. What was wrong with me? My feelings made no sense at all. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my lips, because it felt so good to finally be able to accept that I was in love with Andrei Belov.
The front door opened and as if my thoughts conjured him right out of thin air, he moved toward me. There was a look in his eye I’d never seen before, and I didn’t know if I should be afraid of him or not. He stepped up to me, and I didn’t flinch as he raised a hand, and then gripped the back of my neck, tugging me close, and slamming his lips down on mine. I gasped, putting my hands on his stomach, and slowly reaching up, wrapping them around his neck.
He lifted me up as if I weighed nothing and then proceeded to carry me up the stairs toward our bedroom. He kicked the door closed and then let me go on the edge of the bed. Staring up at him, he stepped back, removing his jacket. I stood, and followed his direction, stripping my clothes from my body in time with him. We were both naked, and then our bodies crashed together, the heat radiating between us.
Andrei’s arms surround me, pulling me close. One gripped my neck, and the other moved down, going toward my ass, which he gripped tightly, making me moan. The hard ridge of his cock pressed against my stomach. I felt the pre-cum as he was so slick. He moved me back, so I had no choice but to fall to the bed, and he pressed me down, breaking the kiss as he trailed his lips down my neck. He didn’t waste time, going from my pulse down toward my breasts.
He pressed them together and I loved it when he didn’t seem to be able to get enough of me. It was a heady experience. He sucked at each of my nipples in turn, lavishing each one with attention, making me crave him even more. I was hungry for more of him. I didn’t want it to stop, but Andrei had other ideas. He kissed down my body, going toward my pussy. Even before he got there, my legs were open to accommodate his body, and he groaned. His hands went to my knees and hovered just above my sex. “Fuck, I love your pussy,” he said.
I smiled and then cried out as his lips went straight to my clit, sucking at the swollen bud. It felt so good.
He moved down, going to my cunt, plunging his tongue inside, once, twice, three times, before moving up, going to my clit. Each touch brought me closer to orgasm. With his tongue on my nub, he used his fingers to plunge inside, stretching me out, making me moan and beg for more. I couldn’t control it.
There was no holding back as he hurtled me toward an orgasm that shook me right to my core. Even before my release was over, he moved up between my thighs, and I felt him as he slammed inside me.
This wasn’t gentle. This was consuming.
He took me so hard and so strong. Grabbing my hands and pressing them either side of my head, holding me down as he fucked me hard. I wrapped my legs around his waist and whimpered his name, wanting him, craving him. I was drunk on my need for him.
Andrei fucked me harder, slamming into me, going as deep as possible, his gaze on me as he took me. Something shone within his gaze. I didn’t know what it was, but he didn’t look away. I was his sole focus and I loved it.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He growled out the last. His face pressed against my neck as he found release. It was over so quick, it took me by surprise. We’re both panting and his weight is on me, but I love the feel of him. He still held my hands down and I licked my lips. “I’m not done with you yet,” he said.
I loved the sound of that.
He lifted his head to look at me. He released one of my hands to capture my cheek. Did he want to say something? I don’t know what’s going on but then he brushes his lips against mine, and everything fades away.
Andrei doesn’t pull out of me and I moan as he presses deep within me again. I don’t know how it’s possible, but he is still hard.
Time passes. Neither of us speak.
He kissed me again, slowly this time. There was no rush in his movements and I’m addicted to the feel of it. I don’t want him to stop. I want to be with him so completely. I wonder if there was a way for us to freeze in time in this moment, where there is nothing bad about to happen. We don’t need any more heartache. We’re together and it is calm and peaceful. We have each other and nothing could ever go wrong.
“I … I…” I don’t know if I can say the words. Would he laugh and mock me? “I enjoy living here, Andrei. Thank you for buying this house.”
It’s not what I truly wished to say, and he looked at me with such disappointment. Was he hoping I’d tell him I loved him? That I wanted to stay with him?
I’m so confused.
Twenty-four Hours Later
I don’t know what happened. One moment Leo and I were driving back home after going to the shelter, and the next moment, our car was being forced off the road. Tears flood my eyes as I recalled what happened next.
Leo had gotten out of the wreck first, and then helped me. The seat belt had been stuck, and I’d been upside down. He’d warned me that the moment he cut the belt, I was going to fall and I had to break it somehow, which I did. Again, it was all a bit fuzzy. He’d pulled me from the wreck, but the danger hadn’t ceased. We’d been forced off the road for a reason. They’d shot Leo, four times. His body jerked with each bullet and I’d screamed. He’d tried to protect, ordered me to run, which I had done without question.
I had so much guilt when it came to him, that to disobey him just didn’t sit well with me. So I ran, until someone shoved me to the earth, pulling my arms behind my back, and then forcing my head down. His hand had covered my mouth, preventing my screams. I couldn’t recall a time I’d been so afraid before. Even my wedding night hadn’t left me like this.
Bound up, stuffed in the back of a truck, I scented the oil and gas that surrounded me. No one was in the back with me. I was alone. They’d put a gag in my mouth, and a horrible bag that smelled like rotten fish on my head. My heart raced and the urge to vomit came over me multiple times. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
Just last night I thought about how peaceful it was. How much I wanted to stay within our tight little bubble where nothing would go wrong, and now I’m with an enemy of Andrei’s. Or was it Andrei?
I didn’t know anymore.
I curled up into a tighter ball, trying to control my fear. I wasn’t just a random woman off the streets. My life, my name, I’m connected to the most feared Bratva in the country, and I wouldn’t let my husband down by showing fear.
Letting the tears dry, I attempted to calm myself by deep breathing, by trying to convince myself that everything was going to be okay. Andrei would come and find me, but why would he? If I was with his enemy, he’d be able to get rid of me.
Ignoring the horrible thoughts running through my head, I attempted to focus on the now. On listening to the van as it moved.
“I’m going to be fine. I’m going to be fine.”
I didn’t believe a word I was saying. How could I? We’d been traveling for a long time. I wasn’t a fool. The longer we traveled, the further from home I got.
What about Leo? Was he alive or dead? He fought so hard for me, ordering me to leave so that I could be safe. Did they mean to harm him, or was I the target? I had so many questions. No answers. Andrei had warned me that I’d become the enemy, and people would want to hurt me just because I was associated with him. I had believed him, but I figured it wasn’t important. It was now.
Why hadn’t I thought about defending myself? Why did I have to be weak? I hated myself in that moment. I was so damn tired of being like this. If I made it out alive, I’d make sure I found the means to protect myself.
Closing my eyes, I waited for the journey to end, hoping I’d understand what was going on and why I was taken. Part of me hoped Andrei was doing this as a test, to show me that I could be hurt at a moment’s notice. If so, I was going to be pissed with him.
The van came to a slow stop. The small jerk of the vehicle let me know the hand brake had been applied. Fear raced down my spine and threatened to cause me a panic attack. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I needed to be calm. I felt anything but calm.