Chapter 2 - Abe
"Everything's under control, Vlad. You worry too much," I said, leaning against the cool marble pillar in a quiet corner of the casino. The familiar weight of my phone pressed against my ear as I surveyed the bustling floor. "Nothing's getting past me."
As I did my job, I couldn’t help but reflect on my long history with the Vadims. They had taken a chance on me and my brothers when we had nothing, giving us purpose, power. They had made us The Unholy Trinity to be feared. More than that, they had become family.
“I know I can count on you, Abe,” Vlad said through the phone. “But I need to know if there’s any trouble at the first hint of it.”
I had tried to placate him multiple times already. Something told me he had trouble letting go of the reins. He had been calling every few hours. “I will, as I said. Now, there’s a ton I need to get a hang of around here. Should we chat later?”
I was about to end the call when Vlad cleared his throat. I pushed the phone closer to my ear. The confident Vlad seemed unsure at that moment. “There’s one more thing, Abe,” he said hesitantly. “Um, I need you to keep a close eye on Pippa.”
“On Pippa?” I frowned, confused by this turn of events. “We don’t trust her?”
“No,” he said, rather quickly. “Nothing like that. Pippa is aware of who we are but is innocent regarding our world. We have to make sure she stays safe.”
Pippa. The name rang in my head as I scanned the casino floor, searching for her familiar figure. Vlad’s request was unexpected, but I was used to following orders without much question.
I finally spotted her, the prim and proper Pippa, talking to a group of guests near the roulette tables, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her light brown hair cascaded in curls around her shoulders, and the red lipstick she wore stood out in stark contrast to her pale skin. Like yesterday, she was dressed impeccably in a fitted pencil skirt and a deep blue satin blouse that highlighted the dangerous curves beneath. Just the sight of her untethered me for a moment.
Vlad's voice crackled through the phone, his tone shifting from business to something more personal. "Abe, I can't stress enough how important Pippa is to us. She's not just an employee; she's family."
I felt the weight of his words settle on my shoulders. "I get it, Vlad. I'll keep her safe, no matter what,” my voice came out hoarser than it should have. The responsibility was clear, and I wasn't about to let the Vadims down.
"Good," Vlad replied, a hint of relief in his voice. "She's been through enough. We owe her this much."
Vlad cut the call and I found myself pondering over his words. What was it that she’s been through? I couldn’t help but allow my curiosity to fester.
I straightened my tailored jacket, fingers brushing over the tattoos peeking out from my sleeves. To most, I looked like trouble—all ink and issues. But the Vadims had seen beyond that and recognized my potential. Now, at 44, my brothers and I were their most trusted enforcers. Their loyalty had earned my own a hundred times over.
My gaze drifted across the casino, taking in the flashing lights and cacophony of slot machines. Amid the chaos, one figure stood out—calm, poised, and utterly in control of her domain. Pippa. The woman I was tasked with protecting, though she had no idea.
I felt a familiar spark of intrigue as I watched her deftly handle a situation with a drunk customer. With a confident stride, I made my way toward her. Time to ruffle some feathers and see what was hiding beneath that cool exterior.
***
I inhaled deeply, the scent of expensive perfume and whiskey mingling in the air. This was my element—the pulsing heart of the Vadim empire.
My mind was on a single track leading to Pippa.
"Time to see what you're made of, little firecracker," I muttered to myself, weaving through the throng of gamblers toward her. “What secrets are you hiding? What is it that you’ve been through now, hmm?”
This job just got a whole lot more interesting, and I was ready to play.
I had my eyes on her the whole time I walked. She was leaning over the bar, going over something on the computer. Her light brown curls framed her face as she bent over her work. Even from a distance, I could see the intensity in her sparkling green eyes, laser-focused on the task at hand.
"Damn," I muttered under my breath, admiring the way she commanded her space. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, her movements precise and efficient. She exuded an air of quiet authority that was impossible to ignore.
I couldn't help but recall our last encounter. The memory of her disguised annoyance sent a jolt of electricity through me. Despite her true feelings, she kept on a prim exterior.
Not to mention, there was an undeniable spark between us. The way her eyes had flashed when I'd pushed her buttons… it was intoxicating and I wanted more.
"You're playing with fire, Abe," I reminded myself, but I couldn't resist the pull.
I watched as her blouse rode down, giving me a peek of her cleavage. I looked away but looked back when she straightened up, smoothing down her skirt with one hand while the other adjusted her blouse. The red of her lipstick caught the light, drawing my attention to her full lips. Something about her had me hooked. She got straight back to work.
"Time to stir things up a bit," I grinned, making my way toward her. This was going to be fun.
I ran a hand through my dark hair, acutely aware of the tattoos peeking out from beneath my rolled-up sleeves. The silver glint of my piercings caught the casino's neon lights as I moved. I knew the image I presented—an unpredictable man. Most people took one look at me and made their assumptions.
I knew Pippa had made hers too.
I smirked, imagining how she saw me. Probably as some overgrown delinquent playing at being a businessman. Her disapproving glances only fueled my desire to prove her wrong.
My eyes never left Pippa as I approached, drinking in the sight of her curved figure.
The air crackled with tension as I drew nearer. I could almost taste the anticipation on my tongue. My intentions were clear—to rattle that composed exterior and see the fire I knew lurked beneath. As I closed the distance, I saw her stiffen slightly, no doubt sensing my presence.
"Evening, Ms. Burrows," I drawled, leaning against the bar with casual confidence. "Busy night?"
Pippa's green eyes flicked up to meet mine, a flash of annoyance crossing her features before she schooled them into professional neutrality. "Abrahim," she replied, her tone clipped. "Can I help you with something?"
I grinned, enjoying the way she bristled at my presence. "Just checking in on my favorite employee. Making sure everything's running smoothly."
"Everything's fine," she said, her fingers flying over her keyboard. "As you can see, I'm quite busy."
"Oh, I can see that," I replied, my eyes deliberately roaming over her curvaceous figure. "But surely you can spare a moment for your boss?"
Pippa's jaw clenched, and I could practically hear her teeth grinding. "You're not my boss, Abrahim. Mr. Vadim is."
I chuckled, noting the way her cheeks flushed with irritation. "Semantics, Sweetheart. I'm here on Vlad's behalf."
She exhaled sharply, her pencil skirt swishing as she turned to face me fully. "Is there something specific you need, or are you just here to disrupt my work?"
I couldn't help but admire her spunk. Most people cowered in my presence, but not Pippa. She met my gaze head-on, her green eyes blazing with defiance. It was… refreshing.
"Maybe I just wanted to see what you were up to," I said, my voice dropping an octave.
Pippa's eyes widened slightly, and I caught the slight hitch in her breath. But she recovered quickly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Abrahim, I have work to do. If you don't need anything, I'd appreciate it if you'd let me get back to it."
I held up my hands in mock surrender, but couldn't resist one last jab. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you to your important spreadsheets. But don't work too hard, Pippa. All work and no play makes for a very dull girl."
Her nostrils flared, and I could see the internal struggle playing out on her face. She wanted to snap back at me, I could tell. But her professionalism won out, and she simply turned back to her computer, dismissing me without a word.
I leaned against her desk, watching her do what it was she was doing. I could tell she was aware of my every breath, all the while trying to make sense of the jumped Excel sheet in front of her. "You know, Pippa, if you use Tally, it could be easier than Excel to balance the books of the bar. I could get IT to set it up on your computer."
She paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. I could see the wheels turning in her head, trying to decide if she should ignore me or engage.
"I’ll give it a shot," she replied curtly, not looking up. "Now, if you'll excuse me—”
“Oh, what’s the hurry?” I chuckled, shaking my head. "Come on, Ms. Burrows. There's gotta be more to life than just work."
Pippa's head snapped up, her green eyes flashing. "I don't recall asking for your opinion on how I should fill my life, Mr. Ustinov.”
The sharpness in her tone sent a thrill through me. I loved seeing this feisty side of her.
"Fair enough," I conceded, holding her gaze. "But I bet there's a wild side hiding under all that… propriety. Maybe you just need the right person to bring it out."
I watched as a blush crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks. She opened her mouth to retort, then closed it again, clearly flustered.
The tension between us was palpable, crackling in the air like electricity. I found myself leaning in closer, drawn to her despite myself. Her scent—a mix of vanilla and something uniquely Pippa—filled my senses.
"I…" she started, her voice softer now. She had nothing more to say.
But the way her eyes darted to my lips told a different story. For a moment, neither of us moved, caught in this unexpected moment of connection.
I stepped back, a satisfied smirk playing on my lips. "Well, Miss Burrows, I look forward to helping you with any more… troubles with software." I winked, enjoying the way her blush deepened. "Until next time."
As I turned to leave, I couldn't resist one final parting shot. "Oh, and Pippa?" I called over my shoulder. "When you're ready to grab a drink, you know where to find me."
I caught a glimpse of her face—a mix of indignation and intrigue—before I strode away, the tension still thick in the air between us. The casino's ambient noise faded into the background as my mind replayed our interaction.
Pippa Burrows. She was nothing like I'd expected. That prim exterior hid a fire I was itching to stoke.