Chapter 36
Briar
A week has passed since Rurik and I bumped into Philip. What started as me being confident in whatever this was between Rurik and me was ruined when I got a text from Nat.
It was in the middle of the night when I got a notification from her, saying that they were able to locate more transportation and the routes used in trafficking these women.
While I should be happy that we’ve come up with a plan to get rid of those shits, that pesky little darkness that keeps making its way inside my head keeps reminding me that whatever we do will eventually affect Rurik.
I went back to sleep, ignoring the demons in my head, reminding me that Rurik’s heart is weak and that any stress can hurt him. Fuck, this is why Nat wanted me to stay away in the first place, wasn’t it? Rurik can’t handle my life.
Rurik can’t—
My eyes fly open as I feel something wet and hot licking my stomach. I look down, sitting up with my elbows, to see a head full of dark, wavy hair making its way between my legs.
“Hello?” I ask, raising my brows when Rurik looks up with a wicked grin. “Can I help you?”
Rurik nods, “Actually, yes. I can’t sleep because of how loud you’re thinking. Also, it’s my birthday today—”
I know it’s his birthday. I have plans for him, but he’s ruining the first part. I was hoping to wake him up with my mouth on his dick, but he’s being impatient.
“I know, happy birthday, Rurik! Wait, I was thinking loud? What, like I was talking?”
“No, but you kept tossing and turning, and now I can’t sleep.”
“Aww, my poor angel…”
“It’s my birthday,” Rurik pouts adorably. “Can I have my birthday treat now?”
“Can’t you wait? It’s too early, let’s go back to sleep… Oh…Mmmfuck….”
Lick. “Goddamnit Briar.” Kiss. “I can live off of your pussy juices and be energized all day.”
“Oh god…”
“Briar.” His voice drips with seductive warning.
Lick. Kiss. In.
“Fuck. Sorry. Angel. Angel.” I groan, my head clouding with lust at the feeling of his tongue stroking me side to side, inside and out.
My hips jolt as he goes deeper, now fucking me with his tongue. Holy fucking shit, this man’s tongue strength is… Oh. Wait… Okay… Okay… Yes, yes, shit. Ohgodohgodohgod.
“Call for god one more time, and I will make you come with my finger up your ass instead of coming on my tongue.”
Mmmfffuckmm, yes, yes… Fuck ME…Oh shiiiit…
What… How the hell did he make me come that fast?
Rurik lifts his head, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, then flashes me a satisfied smirk. “Fucking delicious as always, baby. Thank you.”
Fuck.
What was I thinking about earlier again? Fuck it, it doesn’t matter anymore.
The only person that matters is this man. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the man I love, and that means getting rid of that awful man he calls his stepdad.
*-*-*-*
“Baby, where are you taking me?”
I squeeze his hand and swing our clasped hands together. “I thought we could go for a walk.”
“I’m not your little pet that needs to be taken out on walks, Briar,” Rurik grumbles, his fingers tightening around mine.
I grin. “Could have fooled me with your sloppy licking this morning.”
I yelp when Rurik pinches my side.
“Brat,” Rurik mutters like a grumpy old man. “When you said you had a surprise for me, I thought you meant sex.”
“We have sex all the time, Rurik.” I laugh. “Not exactly a surprise since birthday sex is a given.”
He smirks and shrugs. “Fine.” His thumb gently rubs circles on my hand.
I smile because I don’t think he realizes he does stuff like that.
Ever since we ran into Philip, Rurik has become a lot more affectionate. I’m not complaining, but I definitely notice the difference.
He kisses me whenever he can and touches me whenever I’m near. He’s always holding my hand; if he’s not, he places a hand somewhere on my body. Either his arms are around me, his hand rests on my leg, or he’s just nearby. The only times he’s not touching me are when we’re cooking, cleaning, or changing—moments when we need both of our hands. But even then, he finds ways to sneak a touch.
I love it.
But I can’t help but wonder if it’s his way of reassuring me that he’s here with me or reassuring himself that I’m here with him.
“Almost there,” I say, spotting the familiar statue.
I pull Rurik along, noticing his strides growing smaller as the statue comes into clearer view. It’s as if he knows exactly where I’m taking him.
We go up the steps and stop right in front of the statue. The statue that I consider started everything.
I look up at it and sigh, “Rurik. Meet Angel.”
Rurik quickly glances at me, his brows raising questioningly.
I tilt my head to the side, “Remember when I told you I had a friend when I was younger? She was my nanny.” I nod toward the statue, “This was the angel statue I was fascinated by.”
I watch as Rurik smiles, walking over to the statue and reaching forward to poke it.
“Ah,” Rurik muses, “So this is what I’m compared to.”
“I know,” I tease, kissing his shoulder. “Big shoes to fill. Or wings, I should say.”
He rolls his eyes, his lips curving. “I can see why he enchants little Briar. He’s gorgeous,” he nods. “Kind of scary and intimidating, though.”
“You can be scary and intimidating.”
Rurik makes a face. “Not as scary and intimidating as you.”
I gawk at him. “What the hell does that mean? I’m not any of those!”
He gives me a pointed look. “I’m sorry, who’s a so-called secret weapon for this weird Greek mythology gangster group again? Who goes around and forces herself into some random guy”s life without a care in the world? Who fucking attacks a man in the bathroom when he’s trying to do his business?”
I try not to grin. “I don’t know. Who?”
But Rurik just rolls his eyes before tilting my chin and kissing me. I melt, breathing him in as he continues kissing me. Jesus, I can never get enough of him, can I? He has a flavor that mirrors the tastes I imagine heaven offers.
“It seems I owe your friend a debt of gratitude for introducing you to this angel,” Rurik murmurs, his gaze locked with mine as he pulls away. I open my eyes to find him staring at me with a crooked grin. Thanks to her, your fascination brought you right to me.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest, inhaling his woodsy, comforting scent.
“Where is she?” Rurik asks, kissing the top of my head. “I’d love to pay her a visit.”
I smile sadly. “She’s… Not here, unfortunately.” I meet his gaze. “Maybe someday we’ll see her again.”
Just kidding. When the time comes, Rurik will meet Amaura without me because I’ll be off to stay with dear old Satan. Will you meet him up there, Amaura? Do me a solid and promise me.
“I would love that,” Rurik grins. He kisses my nose and sighs, “As much as I would love to stay here and get to know my statuesque counterpart, we should go. I have to be at the gallery in an hour.”
“Oh, alright.” I take his hand, and we walk down the steps.
“Fucking Oscar wouldn’t give me the time off even though it’s my birthday. I thought we were bros.”
“How dare he?”
“Right? Can’t you use your gang-work connections or something?
I throw my head back and laugh, “I thought you hate anything about my work?”
“I’ll be inclined if I can use their evil deeds for good.”
“I’m becoming a bad influence on you, angel.” I grin when he starts muttering under his breath—something about a migraine or whatever.
He suddenly realizes where we’re going and frowns, “Uh, Briar? Are we lost? Home is in the other direction.”
I chuckle, “Okay, okay. You know that museum right around the corner?”
He frowns, “Yeah? They’re having an exhibit for Van Gogh—” He freezes when I stop to show him the QR code on my phone. “Briar, what is that?”
I grin widely. “What does it look like, angel? We’re on our way to see that exhibit you mention.”
“When?” He looks at his watch. “How? I have work?”
I wink. “Oscar says happy birthday.”
My lips part as I watch Rurik’s face break into the broadest grin. He wraps a hand around my neck and pulls me to him, our lips crashing together.
“Fuck. Briar,” He whispers, peppering kisses all over my face. “Thank you, baby. This means a lot.” He grabs my hand and power walks toward the museum. “Let’s go!”
Thirty minutes later, I knew almost everything I needed about Rurik’s favorite artist. I love his paintings, especially the one from Starry Night. The yellow stars remind me of fireflies, and I’m inspired to draw my version of our little slice of paradise.
“He was an artistic genius,” Rurik says in awe as we’re standing in front of a vast room that projects Van Gogh’s paintings around us.
“If he was alive today, do you think he would enjoy all this attention?” I ask, linking my arm with Rurik.
He smiles down at me briefly before focusing back on the paintings. “I’m not sure. Nobody appreciated his art when he was alive. He dealt with a lot of mental health issues, and I think that made him unpopular with his peers.”
“Oh,” I frown, a self-portrait of Van Gogh with a bandaged ear popping up before us. “I can’t believe he did that to himself.”
Rurik sighs, his expression heavy with empathy. “Like I said before, mental health is no joke. They didn’t have the resources back then as we do now. Today, we can pay someone to talk about our issues, and we won’t feel judged. Back then? God, can you imagine what they went through? All those voices in their heads, with no way to cope except to push it all down and ignore it.”
I can sort of understand what Rurik’s trying to explain.
I mean, I still hear those stupid voices in my head. I ignore them and suck it up. I don’t need to pay some bougie professional to talk about my issues when I have books that can take me to another world. And… I look up at Rurik.
I have him. The man who has been defeating the darkness without realizing it.
I have my angel. I’m okay. I’m fine.
“Shall we continue?” I say, changing the subject.
Rurik nods and smiles, following me to the next room.
We spent the next hour wandering through the exhibit, admiring Van Gogh’s other paintings and chatting with the staff about his works. Well, Rurik did most of the talking. I mostly stood there, gazing around and browsing the merchandise they were selling.
Rurik”s social like that. I’ve noticed he’s not really talkative unless it’s with me or our friends. But when it comes to art? He’s a little social butterfly.
I don’t know what it is about me, but people either stare and then look away, or I radiate a ”GTFO of my face” vibe that makes them leave me alone. Is it my face? Do I have major RBF?
Probably.
I sigh, looking around some more, trying to look busy, when I feel my phone vibrating. I glance at Rurik, still in deep conversation with the staff, and quickly pull my phone out to answer the call.
“What up bitch,” I greet Nat, ignoring the offended look from the family in front of me. I give them a fake smile back.
“Hey,” Nay says. “How’s it going with Rurik?”
I glance at him, who is now in line to check out some stuff he picked. I had given the birthday boy my credit card and told him to buy whatever he wanted.
“Perfect, he’s having a great time.” I look away and lower my voice. “Is it done?”
“Great. And yes, that’s why I’m calling you.” Nat immediately says. “We managed to gather all the trains and cars in one spot and blew everything up.”
My eyes widen with surprise, “Holy shit.”
“Yeah, girl,” She muses. “We get shit done. Good idea having this done while keeping Rurik busy.”
I grimace. Okay, it’s not what it sounds like… I did not plan this whole thing so my friends could ruin Philips”s work while I kept Rurik occupied in case Philip called him.
I didn’t.
It’s the opposite.
I already planned Rurik’s birthday. I bought the Van Gogh tickets in advance! But it was perfect timing that my friends were able to find the secret trafficking location and transportation we’d been looking for the same day of the event.
“Wait,” I ask. “What about any evidence? What if we accidentally destroyed any evidence about Philip’s involvement?”
“Have a little faith,” Nat scoffs. “I hacked into the security cameras in the vicinity and kept the previous recordings of all the victims, including conversations. One of the videos even shows our Senator walking and chatting to check in on his orders.”
“Disgusting man,” I shook my head. “Amazing. Thank you, Nat. Thank your dad, husband, and everyone else who helped.”
“We’re family, remember?” She says as if blowing up shit isn’t a big deal. “We’ve got your back.”
“Briar.”
I whirl around to see Rurik holding a few shopping bags with a gleeful grin. I can’t help but grin back. I thank Nat again before hanging up and giving Rurik my full attention.
“Everything good?” He asks, coming up to me.
“Yeah!” I nod toward his bags. “I see you found a few things.”
He smirks before swooping down to kiss me. “I now see why people love shopping.”
“Yeah, especially when you’re spending someone else”s money,” I tease, squeezing his cheeks.
He kisses my cheek and straightens up. “Where to next?”
“Hmm,” I take a step closer until my breasts press tightly against his. His throat bobbed up and down as I let my fingers trail the collar of his shirt and slowly undo the top button. “Birthday sex?”
“Ugh, fuck yes. I had so much fun, but seeing you in those clothes is doing things to my dick, it hurts.”
I frown, looking down at my clothes. “I’m just wearing denim shorts and a black T-shirt.”
“So? I see you, and my dick needs attention.” Rurik wraps an arm around me and pushes me out of the building, ignoring everyone”s weird and affronted looks.
The moment we arrived home, Rurik practically mauled me down, tore my outfit, and fucked me on the hard floor.
Am I upset that he ruined my favorite shirt? Not at all. I can always get a new one. But Rurik is irreplaceable, one of a kind, and he’s all mine.
*-*-*-*
So, I’m pretty sure Philip doesn’t know that my friends and I were responsible for blowing up his precious cargo. Or at least he didn’t tell Rurik anything because Rurik hadn’t asked me about it. This is fine, but I thought he would have said Rurik everything since he’s been trying to get Rurik to leave me—not in this lifetime.
Anyway, a week has passed since Rurik’s birthday and us blowing up shit, and I’ve been feeling like I’m on top of the world. Rurik took me to his place a few times, which was cool. I gave him an earful about how his place was super clean, yet he couldn’t keep it up in my own apartment. He ignored me and said people had come over to clean his apartment.
Fucking lazy.
We’ve also returned to our little slice of paradise and even camped out there. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of sleeping inside tents, but I could tell Rurik was having a great time. Watching him have a great time also made me have a great time.
Jesus, is this what love is? Finding joy in something I usually don’t care about simply because he loves it?
There’s been a few times when I almost blurted that out. Where I nearly told him that I loved him. It’s usually when we’re both just sitting on the couch, scrolling through our phones, or when I’m reading and he’s painting, or when we’ve reached the climax during sex. I almost told him during the times he would help me shower or when he would just pepper random kisses all over my face just because he wanted to.
But I never did. I’m not ready to tell him yet. I guess I’m just worried that he won”t feel the same way, and I don’t want to cross any more of his boundaries. Like he said before, we’re not in a relationship.
But fuck, does it sometimes feel like we are in one.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
I blink and look up from my phone, reading Rurik’s last message. He’s currently at work in that bougie store and just sent me a selfie of himself looking bored. Am I saving that picture to frame it because of how goddamn cute he looks? Hell yeah.
“Sorry,” I muttered, putting my phone back inside my purse. “What were you saying?”
Nat rolls her eyes, “I ask if you’re ready to order?”
We’re both in a restaurant about thirty minutes from the city. It’s one of our favorite brunch spots, and I feel like, despite calling and texting constantly, we haven’t seen each other in a while.
Besides, I need some girl time after spending too much with a guy. It’s all about balance.
“Yup, when the server comes, can you ask them for the chicken pesto sandwich for me?” I ask as I get up. “I need to use the bathroom.”
Nat nods while looking at the menu. “Yup, sounds good.”
I hitch my purse over my shoulder and walk to the bathroom, pausing to let other ladies leave. As soon as they left, I stepped in to go inside but felt something heavy shove my back.
“What the fuck?” I snap, whirling around to see a familiar black mask. “You again? Are you that obsessed with me?” The masked guy shoves me against the wall. I grunt, “Fuck, what is it about bathrooms?”
“Shut up!” The man shouts, wrapping his hands around my throat and squeezing.
Jokes on him. I’m into that shit.
“Mmm, yeah, choke me harder,” I grin widely, “Question. Will you let me go and give me a five-second head start so you can chase me down the forest?”
He slaps me across the face, and I can feel my lip stinging. My tongue darts out, and I taste copper.
But still, I grin back like a fucking lunatic. “I love the aggressiveness, Mr. Mask Man. Touch me harder, please.”
He hits me again, and my head snaps back. But before I could fuck with him some more, pain radiated in my head before darkness enveloped me into unconsciousness.
When I open my eyes again, I’m lying down on a nasty ass ground. Groaning from what feels like a killer migraine, I try to sit up but immediately stop when the world feels like it is spinning.
Fuck, where am I?
I look around. Nothing looks familiar. I’m in some empty room that looks fit enough to be a janitor’s supply closet. I was about to shout for Mr. Mask Man again when the doors opened to reveal him and another guy with a mask.
“Oh,” I say with a sigh. “There are two of you? Well, I gotta tell you, I’ve never done two simultaneously, but I’m game.”
They both look at each other.
One of them looks back at me and snaps, “Shut the fuck up, bitch.”
I fake a shudder, “Call me a slut next. Say, ‘Shut the fuck up, slut’ next time.”
“What the fuck is wrong with her?” His friend asks.
I smirk as he backs away. Good.
“Give us a million dollars and leave the State.” He continues, trying to keep his tone threatening.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Only a million dollars? That amount can’t even buy you a nice house in the city. Also, why do I have to leave the State?”
My head snaps to the side from his blow. I grit my teeth so hard that I could feel my molars grinding. I don’t want to give these assholes the satisfaction of seeing my pain and anger.
“Leave, or your boyfriend and his mom will get hurt.”
My head snaps up.
They both stare back at me, their eyes flashing smugly.
“Yeah,” Mask Guy #1 pathetically adds.
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I say, my voice low to hide how shaky I feel.
“No?” Mask Guy #2 asks, pulling his phone out. He dials something and waits until the person answers. “Put him on.”
He turns the screen to me, and I could feel my face drain of color and my heart threatening to leap out of my chest.
Rurik is on a chair, tied up, and looking rough.
“Fuck you!” Rurik shouts at the person in the room with him.
That’s my man.
“Behave, or your girlfriend will get hurt,” The other person threatens.
Rurik stops struggling from the chair and realizes the phone faces him, and we’re both on video. He squints his eyes for a second before widening when he sees I’m on the other line.
“Briar?” He whispers with relief before shaking again. “Briar! Don’t listen to them! They told me you’re leaving, don’t! Not without me!”
“Rurik,” I whimper, noticing his rough and uneven breathing.
The fear I thought I knew is nothing compared to what I’m experiencing now.
Rurik is hurt. Oh my God, he’s hurt, and it’s my fault.
Your fault. Your fault. He’s dying, and it’s your fault.
I look at the masked man, “Let him go! Tell your friend to let him go! He has nothing to do with whatever this is!”
“Give us the money and leave first,” one says.
“No!” Rurik shouts, his voice cracking. “If you fucking leave, I swear, I will personally open the gates of hell on earth to find you. I’m serious!”
“Shut up!” The man is now standing next to him.
But Rurik ignores him as he continues to shout, “I’m fucking serious, Briar, I follow wherever you go!”
“I said, shut the fuck up!” The man punches him in the stomach.
And then the call disconnected.
I stare at the screen, willing the phone to call itself so I can see Rurik on the other side and make sure he’s okay.
But he’s not. I know he’s not.
Oh, God… His heart, what if it fails him again? I can’t—
Your fault, your fault, your fault.
Oh, fuck. No… I need to get a grip.
I need to save Rurik.
But the darkness I try so hard to push into the tight crevices of my brain comes rushing back, and I can barely breathe.
You’ll kill him. I know you will.
No. No, I won’t… Fuck, fuck, fuck…
“Briar.”
I gasp, blinking—that voice.
Why does it sound so familiar? So familiar yet… not.
I look around to see the two masked men watching me, their stance rigid and frozen.
“Focus.”
I gasp again, jumping and slamming my back against the wall.
What the… There’s that voice again… What the fuck?
“Amaura?” I cry out.
This time, there is no answer.
Okay.
Yup. It’s official. I’m going fucking crazy. Why else would I be hearing my dead nanny in my head?
I laugh.
I laugh because how could I not?
“Focus, darling.”
I clear my throat. Yup, I’m fucking crazy. But I’ll listen to that crazy part of my brain because she’s right.
Rurik needs me.
“What’s wrong with her?” One of the men asks, looking a little nervous.
The door behind them opens, and I don’t think they even notice it. I look at both of them, ignoring the pain on my face as I grin widely. “You shouldn’t have threatened the love of my life, misters.”
Before they could react, my best friend, my sister, and my family comes in with — wait, is that my dagger? — and stabs one of them in the head, with Oscar rushing in and shooting the other guy.
I stare at them both with wide eyes.
“A fucking dagger?” I cry out seconds later, feeling like I’m going to combust from the adrenaline coursing through me.
“What?” Nat grins, passing it to me. “You’re right. Using it made me feel like some fantasy hero.”
“C’mon, you two.” Oscar snaps after looking over me for any injuries. “We have your artist boyfriend to save.”