Title: Beaten Up By The mobster
Natalia
I can have one night of fun, right? I have been laying low since I killed that little rat Bruno Russo. His father, the powerful Don Russo from Sicily, was unimpressed by not only the murder of his child and heir apparent but also by the fact it cost him a lucrative deal with a North African warlord.
Ivan had wanted that contract, and as Bratva royalty and an organized killer, I saw it as a personal mission to ensure my Pukhan got what he wanted. Added to that, I was already in Europe when Ivan put out the request, so it was a simple trip for me to complete.
I had to flee, however. Russo and several other Dons placed a hefty price on my head, and eventually, I decided to fly to New York to lay low with my family.
Low I remained, keeping out of the public eye. I didn’t do anything that would get my name mentioned anywhere.
So I could take one night to celebrate my birthday, right?
I’m still staying with my brother at the moment, helping him with managing the books. It’s been a pleasant, quiet existence, but it’s my birthday today, and I want to do something special.
I start the day by having breakfast with my brother, who doesn’t mention my birthday at all. I don’t want to bring it up; it doesn’t matter that much to me.
I slip my brother’s credit card out of his wallet and ask one of his drivers to take me to some high-end clothing stores. I buy a couple of sexy outfits, courtesy of Evgenii, and some leather boots. I have my hair dyed black and curled, then head back to the house.
Evgenii has left to do work, and the cleaning staff continues their chores quietly. I go to my room and deposit my packages. It’s a quiet day. I have something for lunch, and I nap after that.
When I wake up, I check my phone. Evgenii has sent a message that he’ll be out for the evening. It doesn’t bother me; duty calls, I know that, so I go to shower and get dressed.
I wear black leather pants, new leather boots, and a low-cut top. I’ve grown my hair quite a bit, and it falls loosely in newly-styled curls down my back. I apply light makeup, eyeliner, mascara, and a slight blush. I then grab a leather jacket in case it gets cold and head out the door. I got a driver to drop me off near a new club called Bounce. I flash my ID at the burly man guarding the door, and he lets me in.
The people here are mostly younger than me. I find a spot at the bar and sit. I might dance a little later, but for now, I want a drink and see how things go.
“Rum and coke,” I call to the bartender over the loud rock music.
“Make that two.” I glance at the Irishman standing beside me. “I’ll cover both.”
I smile at the guy; his accent is sexy. He’s tall, probably fifteen to twenty years older than me. He looks at me with his bright blue eyes and a slight smirk on his face. “If you don’t mind, that is.”
Why not? It’s my birthday, after all. I smile and sit back. “Not at all.
I think I deserve a birthday drink.”
“Happy birthday, lass.” He says as the bartender sets down the two glasses. We touch our classes together gently, keep our eyes trained on each other and have a sip. I smile and throw my hair back over my shoulder.
“What’s a pretty young lady like yourself doing out on your birthday alone? Are your friends still on their way?” he asks, playing with the glass in his hands.
“I’m not really one for groups.” I sip my drink again and turn slightly so I’m facing more toward him. “Yourself?”
“I’m sure you can tell I’m not from around here. Just popping past for some business, really. Thought I’d grab a drink and see what the nightlife is like in the great New York City.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “Crowd out there might be a little young even for me.”
“And I’m not?” I ask curiously, raising my eyebrows.
He turns, leaning on his arm on the bar as he looks into my eyes. “You might be young, but you seem irresistible. There’s nothing sexier than a woman confident in her own company.”
I nod. “Then I look forward to getting to know you more…”
“Daniel,” he says, holding his hand out. Mine fits in his perfectly. “And you are?”
“Nat,” I say with a smirk. “Just Nat.”
“Well then, Nat, can I get you a shot for your birthday?” he flags down the bartender.
We talk very little about our professional lives, I prefer it that way, but we talk about the travels we’ve been on and share a few funny stories. I notice he gets closer and closer until we’re inches away from each other, talking in quiet voices in each other’s ears. His hand holds mine, resting both hands on my leg. He uses his thumb to stroke the back of mine.
“It’s been magical, Nat,” he says. “I’d hate to leave it here at just this.”
“I would too, but I wouldn’t want you to have expectations of a relationship or….”
“Just breakfast, a goodbye kiss, and we’ll part ways?” He asks.
“Come back to my place, and that’s how things will end.”
I feel a bit tipsy, but it’s been forever since I got laid, and he looks like someone who knows what to do.
“Fine, let’s go back to your place.”
He has a rental, a sleek sedan. He opens the door for me and shuts it behind me. I check the time, just past midnight. He puts some music on, and we sit in comfortable silence as we make our way back to his place. It’s in an apartment building. I assume it was some sort of temporary residence since he’s only here for work.
I giggle as I follow him upstairs, our fingers laced. When we reach his floor, he pulls me into a kiss, and I moan softly. My hands tangle in his hair, and his arms wrap around my abdomen.
He steps backward toward his door, and I follow. We’re tripping over each other, but we don’t fall. He shifts his hands, and realizing what he wants, I jump up. His hands grab my ass tightly, and I wrap my legs around him. The kiss is fevered now.
***
I groan softly as I open my eyes. There’s a pleasurable ache between my legs, and my breasts feel a little tender. I look to my left, and Daniel is lying there, fast asleep. I slip out of bed and gather my things silently in the dark.
I’m the best at being quiet.
I take my things to the living room. It’s a relatively empty, typical cheap rental. I put my clothes on, but I leave my shoes off. I kind of know where I am, and I arranged a cab to pick me up a block away.
I peek into the bedroom and see him still sleeping gently. Thanks for the ride, Daniel. It was great. Unfortunately, I’m not a breakfast-and-kissgoodbye type of girl.
I walk out of the apartment and manage to get myself out onto the street. The fresh, crisp night air hits me and makes me sway slightly. You know, when you’re warm and drunk, you’re generally fine, but when that cool, fresh air hits you. That’s when the swaying, nausea-inducing drunkenness starts.
I give myself a little mental shake and turn to the right. The sidewalk is cold under my feet, so I take a moment to slip my boots back on now that I’m outside. It takes a little longer than it should, and I’m a little dazed when I stand up straight.
I need coffee. I need coffee to sober up.
Maybe I’ll stop somewhere on my way back to the house to grab some. I don’t want to wake my brother up.
I start walking down the sidewalk, more and more confidently, as my head finds its balance. I pull my leather coat around me tightly and sigh -Happy birthday to me. What better way to end it than with international sex?
I feel someone close by, but before I can react, two pairs of hands grab each of my arms, and clearly, a third person throws a black cloth sack over my head. I try to fight free, but my reflexes are dulled, and suddenly, I’m punched in the gut. The air leaves me in a rush, and I would crumple to the floor if I weren’t being held up.
“The Shadow has been looking for you, little girl.” Someone from my right is talking. “Take her to the warehouse.”
I feel them dragging me along, and dazed, I curse them for ruining my new boots.
When we get to where we get to, I know I’m doomed. The Shadow is a notorious killer. No one’s survived to speak about him, and I doubt I will.
Daniel
The annoying buzzing of my phone stirs me from my slumber. I drank a little too much tonight, more than I intended, but the conversation with Nat was just too easy and too good. It’s been many years since I’ve enjoyed someone’s company like that.
I prefer to charm them, bed them, and kick them out. I mean, I did not intend to make Nat breakfast or give her a goodbye kiss; I’m not sentimental. I don’t have time for feelings. I’m a killer. I’m made to take life, not encourage or enjoy it.
My phone number isn’t exactly listed, so it’s either a client or my men. I have them scouring the city for the Russian that killed the Russo boy. I hear he’s in the city, a relative to Ivan Volkov himself.
I sit up and stretch. There’s a coldness to my right, and I realize she’s not in bed anymore. I look at the time, ignoring my buzzing phone. It’s four in the morning. She better not be snooping through the few things I have here, or I’ll make her regret it.
I walk through the house and check every room and corner for her, but it seems she just skipped out on me. Bitch, she’s got guts. I’ve never been left in the dirt before. Usually, I take the trash out the next day and make sure they don’t come back.
This is a new one for me.
I hear my phone buzzing again and go back to the room. I pick it up and answer the call without a word.
“Sir, we found the Russian you are looking for…”
“Make sure he’s tied up tight. I’ll be there shortly.” He wants to say more, but I cut the call.
I take a leak, shower, and get dressed. They’ve caught my target. There is no need for me to rush. I doubt the Russians would even know where to start looking for their missing family member, let alone that they’re missing.
It’s half past four when I get into my rental and drive out. I think about Nat on top of me as she rode me slowly. She was a passionate lover, and we weren’t even at our best. For the first time, I wish I could have a second go at her. I think it would be even more fun sober.
It’s after five when I arrive at the warehouse, tucked away neatly from prying eyes. Two of my men are waiting outside. I pull my suitcase from the trunk and walk directly toward the door.
“Sir, the Russian…”
“I know what I’m doing.” My voice is cold and authoritative, so they fall quiet. Inside the building, three of the men are hovering around a chair.
“Sir…”
“Show him to me,” I bark as I set the suitcase down.
“Sir, it turns out the Russian is a woman.” They step aside, and before I can even process what they’ve said, they whip the sack off her head. She blinks in the bright light, and luckily, that gives me a moment to get my shock in check.
Nat.
The person I’ve been hunting for months is firstly a woman and, secondly, one I was just intimate with. A sense of possession comes over me, and I snap my fingers, taking control of the situation as recognition dawns on her face.
“Get out. All of you. I have no need for anyone to be here.”
They hurry out without argument, and I stand there, pulling my gloves on. “Well, this is a surprise.”
“Sorry I didn’t stay for breakfast or a goodbye kiss,” she says with a smirk. She’s calm, she knows she’s been caught, and there’s no way out. I appreciate a person who accepts their fate and doesn’t back down.
I look at her clothes and remember how she parted her legs for me. I smile at her coldly. “I’ve been looking for you for a while now.”
“I know. I didn’t want to be found.”
“That’s why I don’t like going out much.” I remove a scalpel from my suitcase. “People always ruin it.”
She shrugs and looks around. “I’ve had worse nights.” “Really?” I ask, glancing at her.
“My brother shot a boyfriend once because he held my hand…”
I snort, but she shakes her head. “I mean it. And that was my favorite top ruined. Do you know how hard it is to get brains and blood out of a white silk top?”
“I couldn’t begin to imagine,” I smirk and walk toward her. “You shouldn’t have killed the Russo boy.”
“Like you, I have a job to do. It’s just business.”
I sigh and trace a finger along her jawline. Something tugs inside my gut as our eyes meet.
“I know you won’t spare me,” she murmurs.
I shake my head. “I do apologize that this is your final birthday gift.”
She smiles and shakes her hair out of her face. “If you still want to get me a gift, I’d appreciate it if it were quick. I know that’s asking a lot.”
I walk away from her and roll my shoulders. “I have accepted my fate. What I do, there are a certain amount of risks, lass. Aye, lots of risks. I don’t expect to live long enough to settle down and enjoy retirement, and I’m always surprised when people in the underworld think they will. Power doesn’t ensure you grow old, only that you’re a challenge to kill.”
She laughs, and I’m glad I’m facing away from her because it elates me, making me smile as she says sarcastically, “And what? You think that I have that power? That I’ll beg for my life.”
“No, you won’t,” I say clearly and turn to her, returning a smirk. “And that’s why I like you. You accept that we have both done what needs to be done to survive. I’m surprised, though, so I will give you a quick end in return for answers to some questions.”
She raises an eyebrow, and I say, “I’m always negotiating. There’s always a new deal to be made, even if I always honor my current ones first.”
She shifts in the chair and nods. “Okay, if it’s something I can answer, I will.”
“You’re Bratva royalty. Why are you getting your hands dirty killing Sicilian brats that suck at their father’s tits?” The question is blunt, and she giggles.
“Oh, and he was such a baby. I can’t tell you why I killed the brat. But I can tell you why I do it. See, I am Bratva Royalty, but with no clear line to the throne. Honestly, I wouldn’t want it, but I am loyal to my family and want to help them succeed. So I trained and studied and did what I could to become an asset to the family. One that could actually help.” She turns slightly, stretching her back, I assume.
I grab a chair and put it in front of her. “So you became this innocent-looking killer. How come I’ve never heard of you?”
“Because I don’t work with anyone, and I don’t leave witnesses. Never mind that if someone did happen to see me, they wouldn’t suspect me because I’m just a woman.” She smirks at me. “Did you not think the same thing last night?”
“You were more than a woman last night,” I comment. I can feel a fire burning deep inside me. “So you’re the Pakhan’s cousin?”
“Yes, first cousin. Our mothers are sisters. My mother had two children, Evgenii and myself. Ivan’s mother only had Ivan and raised a traitorous little bastard of a cousin who betrayed us.”
“I heard about that.” I sit back, cross one leg over the other and cross my arms. “What made you go out last night? You risked exposing yourself, which landed up happening, and you even trusted going home with a stranger. I would think you’d be more careful than that.”
“You were charming, but also, it was arrogance on my side. I thought I would be safe by name association alone. My cousin and his partner run the two most dangerous families around. You, well, you’re a good actor. You didn’t come across as dangerous at all. I was cocky, and it bit me in the ass.”
I’m tempted to tell her it had nothing to do with me. The more she talks, the more I feel like I want to save her, not kill her. However, making that sort of decision would need a good plan, something foolproof. People fear me, and I would need to use that to my advantage. I’ve never considered something like this before, but something about her draws me to her and makes me want to keep her alive, at least for now. I need to know everything about her.