Fractured Devotion (Anastasi Family Syndicate)

Chapter 6

Shadowing my brothers,I felt like a specter trailing them, invisible yet constantly vigilant. Their actions hinted at a deeper scheme, a secret I was resolved to unearth. Since our first unexpected encounter, I’d maintained my distance, fearful of revealing myself too soon, if ever. The truth was, I had changed. The sister they remembered was gone, vanished for nearly nine months—a period during which their lives progressed while mine remained at a standstill. Despite my resolve not to let them sway my mission, learning about my sister’s labor instantly drew me to the hospital.

Standing outside the nursery, separated from the newborn twins swathed in blue by only a pane of glass, a wave of regret washed over me. My disguise—a red wig and a lowered hat—felt suddenly insufficient as I heard footsteps approaching. When my brother’s voice reached me, I turned away, hoping my disguise would keep my identity safe.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” He remarked, unaware of who I was. His casual question about which baby I was there to see caught me off guard.

“Excuse me?” I practically whispered, praying he wouldn’t recognize my voice.

“Baby… I assume one of those little ones is family.” He nodded toward the infants beyond the glass barrier.

“Oh… yeah.” Trying to keep my voice neutral, I answered vaguely, only to be stopped by his hand on my arm.

“Wait.” His grip caused me to stiffen.

“Yes?” I responded, my voice tinged with apprehension.

“Carmela?” His inquiry was spoken with a tenderness that made me face away, fearing my emotions would give me away.

“Excuse me?” I feigned ignorance, hoping to maintain my facade.

“I’m sorry…” His voice broke, laden with an emotion I couldn’t bear to confront. He peered into my eyes, searching for recognition. “You remind me of someone.”

“I’m sorry, but you must be mistaken,” I countered, pulling my arm free. “I really must be going.”

He leaned in, his eyes appraising me as if he could see beneath the facade. “If it wasn’t for the red hair and brown eyes, I’d think you were her.”

I swallowed, “Her?”

“My sister.” His fingers dug into my arm painfully, but not in a frightening way—it was more like he was afraid to let go because then I’d be gone again.

“You’re wrong. You’re confusing me with someone you wish I was. I can’t be her for you. I’m sorry.” With that, I fled, my steps quickening as I descended the stairwell, trying to escape the reality of our encounter.

Reaching the lobby, I allowed myself a moment to catch my breath, the weight of his recognition heavier than I expected. Would my family ever forgive the deception, the pain I’d caused? It didn’t matter. My mission against Lipovsky and his ilk overshadowed personal reconciliation. My family’s safety from the terror that Lipovsky could unleash was paramount.

Mounting my motorcycle, the familiar feel of leather and the engine’s roar under me sharpened my resolve. My crusade against the darkness that had ensnared my family and threatened the innocent was all that mattered. If it meant sacrificing my life to dismantle Lipovsky’s empire and secure my family’s safety, so be it. In the end, achieving this would mean reuniting with my lost love, ensuring his sacrifice was not in vain.

Heading in the hotel’s direction where Ryker was scheduled to box, I let the memories of my former life wash over me. I ached for Alex in a way I never knew I would ache for a man—but he’d stolen my heart. Wherever he’d been buried, my heart was clutched in his grasp beneath the cold earth that held him. I didn’t want it back if I couldn’t have him. Shaking the dark thoughts from my mind, I navigated my motorcycle down the narrow alley between the hotels and pulled into the parking garage. After slipping it into a parking space, I dismounted and hurried to the elevator. I had some research to do and men to hunt. I couldn’t let the wishful feeling of the family sidetrack me from my mission.

Tugging the wig off my head, I shoved it into the backpack I slung over my shoulder. Plucking the green contacts from my eyes, I crumbled the thin film between my fingers and flicked them away. No sooner had I removed the awful cover than the doors opened, and Addison Nash stepped inside.

“Oh. Hello again.” She forced a smile and slammed her finger into the panel of buttons.

Quirking my eyebrow at her clear anger, I glanced at her face. She was pissed. “You okay?”

“What?” She glanced back at me. “Yeah. Fine… ugh.” Addison shook her head. “Sorry… I just have a lot on my mind.”

I ruffled out my bleach-blonde locks and took a breath. “Want to talk about it?”

Addison bit her lip briefly before shaking her head. “I can’t. It’s just… things are scary right now, and I hate that my husband is having to do something he doesn’t want to do.”

“What do you mean?” My curiosity piqued. “Doesn’t he want to be here for the fight? I mean, I thought Ryker Nash lived for the thrill.”

“He came out of retirement for this… but it’s not who he is anymore.” The elevator halted its ascent, and the doors dinged as they parted. “It was nice seeing you again.”

As she was stepping out, a man who made my skin crawl stepped inside, pausing in front of the doors. It had been a while since I’d seen him, but I knew exactly who he was. I watched as he grabbed Addison’s arm and smirked.

“Mrs. Nash. Perhaps you’d like to join me. I was just about to head down to the bar for a drink.”

“Get your hand off me.” She jerked from his hold. “You might control what my husband does, Mr. Mikhailov, but you don’t have the right to fucking touch me.” As she stepped into the corridor, he chuckled.

“We will see about that, Mrs. Nash. It won’t be long before you become a plaything… and I can’t wait to break you in.” He stepped inside, watching her as the doors slid shut.

“You are awful forward, aren’t you? Seems like you could probably get any pussy in Vegas. Why terrify that young woman?”

His head whipped around, piercing me with his shallow gaze. His eyes trailed my body, a glint of curiosity filling the blackened orbs. Licking his lips, he prowled forward, backing me against the steel cage.

“Are you offering to be my entertainment?”

My heart raced like a thousand horses running free on an open terrain. For months, I had worked to be here… in this very moment. I had prayed for an opportunity to put myself in a position to get Andrei Sloski alone—Aleski’s right-hand man and my way into the inner workings of the man in charge of operations. And now… because of a chance encounter, I was finally getting one.

Forcing the bile down, I raised my hand and trailed my fingers down his chest. “I could be… but first I need to get cleaned up.” My hand continued south, my gaze never leaving his.

His fingers gripped my throat, tightening as a show of dominance. “What’s your name, princess?”

“Ella. What’s yours or can I call you daddy?” I cupped his cock with my palm and rubbed along the hardening member. “Can I meet you after I get all cleaned up? I could use a good fucking.”

Andrei grabbed my hand and twisted it behind my back. Shoving his leg between my thighs, he pressed his body against mine. “You’re a naughty little thing, aren’t you?” His tongue flicked across my neck, training a path to my ear. “I’m going to destroy your tiny little cunt. Twenty-first floor, room 130, don’t keep me waiting, princess. You won’t like me when I’m angry.”

His Russian accent washed over me, making my body tighten. He thought it was because I was turned on, but it was the opposite. Men like him disgusted me. But I’d play the part—then I’d gut him.

The elevator dinged again, signaling the arrival to my floor. I darted out from under his arms and tossed a flirty smile over my shoulder. “See you in thirty, big boy. I hope you’re rested—because I like it rough.”

Andrei growled as the doors closed. Rushing down the hallway, I hurried into my room. As much as I wanted to go to his room and slit his throat, I knew it was too soon. Jumping in the shower, I scrubbed my body clean—what I was about to do was all part of the plan… even if it would leave a little more of me broken on the inside. My body was my weapon, one I knew how to wield with precision. Fucking Andrei wouldn’t bring me any pleasure, but it would take me one step closer to ending his boss.

After drying off, I pulled my hair into a tight braid. I slipped into a sexy red dress, then grabbed my black clutch. Shoving my blade inside the velvet bag, I took several deep breaths and walked out of my room. The elevator ride to the twenty-first floor felt like a death sentence, but I wasn’t afraid of dying. I was already dead. Thoughts of Alex filled my mind as I stepped out of the metal carriage and headed to room 130.

I could do this. I had to do this. For all the women who had been sold or killed. For my sister. For Alex.

Raising my hand, I brushed my knuckles across the wooden barrier. The door opened, revealing a shirtless Andrei. His smirk told me he planned to make good on his promise to destroy me—and I’d let him think that… before I inevitably destroyed him.

“Are you just going to stand there, big guy… or do you plan on fucking me sometime today?”

Andrei’s arm burst forward, his fingers wrapped around my throat. Jerking me inside his room, he slammed the door closed and pressed my back against the barrier.

“You’ve got a smart mouth… one I plan to fill.” He used his free hand to rip the fabric of my dress, exposing my bare breasts to him. Like the savage I knew he was, Andrei leaned forward and bit down on my nipple, causing me to cry out. “I like hearing you scream, princess.”

Jerking me forward, his grip loosened as he shoved me to my knees. Andrei’s fingers dug into my hair as he wound the braid around his wrist. Tugging on the strands, he forced my face into his crotch.

“Take out my cock.” I’d play along, letting him think I was some weakling for now, but I was cataloging everything he was doing. When the time was right… he’d pay.

Easing my palms along his legs, I reached for the belt he wore and unbuckled it. Slowly easing down his zipper, I pushed my hand inside and gripped his shaft. For a big man, he sure had a small dick. Closing my eyes, I took several breaths. This wasn’t the first time I’d wrapped my mouth around a man to get what I wanted, yet this time, I felt like I was betraying a man who was dead. Shoving that guilt aside, I slipped his hard cock out and jerked him from root to tip.

Glancing up at him, I caught his hooded eyes and smirked. He had no idea what was coming for him. Adjusting my position on the floor, I flicked my tongue out and teased the bulbous head. He jerked, his hips thrusting his penis into my mouth.

“Don’t fucking tease, or you’ll be punished. And if you fucking bite me, I’ll cut your throat. Now swallow.”

He shoved himself inside my mouth, nearly making me gag from the sudden intrusion. Fortunately, his size was nothing compared to the man who haunted my dreams. Throwing myself into the moment, I went to town on his cock. I needed him to want to keep me—even if it was going to be short-lived. For my plan to work, I needed to have Andrei wrapped around my finger—or, in this case, my lips.

Andrei pulled free of my mouth and jerked me to a stand. “Your mouth is wicked… but let’s see how your pussy holds up.”

He dragged me across the floor and pushed me against the couch. He ripped the red fabric, tossing the remnants of my dress. The sound of his pants hitting the floor, then the sound of him tearing what I assumed was a condom, was the only warning I got before he shoved his dick inside me.

His thrusts were unforgivable. My body would pay for this rouse, but I didn’t care. I faked my moans, crying out his name as he battered my cunt. The sound of flesh hitting flesh filled the hotel room. A loud pop from his hand on my ass and my involuntary cry made him chuckle as he tightened his hold on my hair. Jerking my braid backward, he leaned over my body and captured my lips with his. Piercing pain radiated through my body as he bit down on my lip, drawing blood.

“I want to hear you cry out my name as I fill this tight little hole with my cum. You’re mine now, Princess… do you understand what that means?”

I mumbled as he pounded into me from behind.

“Say my name, Princess. Tell me who owns this pussy now.”

“You do… you own it.” I swallowed the vomit burning in my throat. “You own my pussy, Andrei.”

“That’s right, Elle. Fuck… I’m going to cum, Princess. Clutch my cock and cry out my name.”

I forced my muscles to squeeze his dick as he roared out his release. Crying out his name, I pretended to orgasm around his shaft. Faking was what I did. I hadn’t orgasmed since Alex. Fuck. Thinking his name made my eyes well—an emotion I hadn’t allowed myself to show or feel in months. Andrei pulled out and released my hair.

“Turn around.”

Wiping my eyes quickly, I forced a smile and turned to face him.

“Take this off and lick me clean.”

I was going to push my blade into his chest and drag it all the way down to his tiny dick.

“Only if you promise to do the same,” I smirked, knowing I just earned the slap that knocked me to my side.

“You’re not in charge here, Princess.” He gripped my hair, tugging me to my knees. “I am. When you’re done cleaning my cock… I’m going to shove it so deep in your ass, you’re going to know who you belong to now.”

He was a means to an end… I just had to keep my temper in check for a little longer.

Because soon enough, I’d show him exactly who was in charge.