Chapter 16 - Adrian
The air in Mikhail's office hung thick with the scent of expensive cigars and unspoken tension. Adrian sat at the head of the mahogany table, his brothers, Lev and Ivan, flanking him while his cousins, Fedya and Viktor, occupied the opposite side. Irena, their fiercely independent sister, perched on the edge of a chair, her expression unreadable. The recent events—Rhiannon's near-kidnapping, the hastily arranged marriage—had thrown their carefully laid plans over finding information on the Irish into disarray.
"So, what's the damage report?" Mikhail finally asked, his voice cutting through the quiet. He was all business, his normally jovial demeanor replaced with a grim determination.
Lev summarized the incident, recounting the events from the security footage. "The guy was a nobody with no connections to any known groups. But whoever put him up to it…that's the question."
"Do you think it's someone who might've been working with Aleksander?" Viktor suggested. His tone was casual, but the question weighed heavily in the air. The Irish had been making increasingly bold moves against the Bratva, but their attacks had been mostly low-key, never anything that threatened the core of the family business.
"Doesn't make sense if it's connected to that weapons deal Rhiannon screwed up," Ivan pointed out, his gaze sharp. "Two separate incidents, unless…"
Adrian leaned forward, his expression grim. "That's exactly what's bugging me. Lucien's nonchalant response to my questions about the investigation was way off. Too casual. Like he knew something was going on, and it wasn't a big deal."
Fedya, usually quick to offer a snarky remark, remained silent, his eyes narrowed in thought. Viktor, though, was far less reserved. "Maybe this whole thing was a distraction? A way for Lucian to take care of the loose end and simultaneously get rid of his daughter."
Irena nodded slowly. "It would explain why he pushed the marriage so hard. It's more than just an alliance, isn't it? It's him protecting his interests."
Mikhail steepled his fingers, considering. "We lay low for now. Keep our eyes open. But Rhiannon… she's a target."
"Ilya's her main guard from now on," Adrian stated, "but she needs at least two guys on her at all times. No exceptions." He pulled out his phone and flicked toward his cameras, watching as Rhiannon got ready for the day.
A murmur of agreement circulated around the table. They shifted to a more relaxed conversation. Lev nudged Adrian playfully, his tone teasing. "Marriage suits you, little brother. You look…softer."
"Where's Rhiannon now?" Mikhail asked, amusement on his face. "I'm surprised you let her roam all on her own."
"Why wouldn't I?" Adrian replied as he switched off his phone and left it in his back pocket. "I know what she's doing, when she's doing it." He shrugged, crossing his legs at the ankle.
Ivan smirked, adding, "Yeah, he's definitely getting softer around the edges. It's almost creepy how you seem to have anticipated your wife's moves, always one step ahead."
Fedya chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "He's taken stalking to a whole new level. And look, it paid off, didn't it?"
"Fuck off, it's not stalking anymore," Adrian grunted, shooting them all a glare as they burst into laughter. And it wasn't. Regardless of how often he watched his cameras to see what his wife was up to, there was more between them now.
The meeting dispersed, leaving Adrian with a restless energy, a mix of concern and anticipation. He'd left Rhiannon at the apartment, promising her a serious conversation, and after the previous night, his body ached to feel hers wrapped around him again.
***
Adrian found her in his office, perched on the edge of his desk, her gaze fixed on a sheaf of papers. She was dressed as if she was preparing for a business meeting—a sharp, tailored pantsuit, her makeup flawless, her hair pulled back in a severe style. It was a striking contrast to her usual casual attire. It was also a very clear message that she was ready to discuss business.
As he approached, his own mind already racing, formulating strategies, plans, and ways to manipulate the situation, his gaze was caught by the way her dress clung to her curves, the way her legs were crossed, the way she was holding herself. He knew what she wanted, what she expected. He leaned in, his hand resting on the back of her chair, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine. He paused, savoring the moment, the undeniable tension that crackled between them.
"So," he murmured, his voice low, "business meeting?" He lightly touched the nape of her neck, his touch sending a shiver through her. She didn't flinch, and desire flooded him at the small sign of trust.
"Yeah," she replied, her tone business-like, but her eyes flickered toward his hand, giving him away. "I'd like to discuss my involvement in the family business."
He settled into a chair opposite her, his expression serious. He was ready. "If you want in, Rhiannon," he said, his voice direct and firm, his gaze locking onto hers, "you're in. But this isn't some casual thing. We're a team. I trust your ability, but I need you to trust me. You work with me, or you don't work at all."
Her gaze faltered for a fraction of a second before finding his again, her expression unreadable. She nodded.
He continued. "That also means no rogue operations, no going behind my back. Absolutely zero surprises. We need to operate on trust, on absolute transparency."
Her gaze remained locked on his, unwavering. The underlying tension between them was palpable. He'd felt it ever since he'd saved her, that raw, untamed energy. It was exciting and terrifying, a combustible blend of attraction and mutual respect.
"I understand," she finally said, her voice a little softer now. "And I agree to your terms. However…" She paused, a hint of defiance flickering in her eyes. "There are conditions."
He smiled inwardly. She was still playing games, but he liked it. She was smart, resourceful, just as capable as her brothers, just as fiercely independent. She was his equal. A worthy adversary and a potential equal, even a partner, in this new enterprise. It was going to be exciting. And it was also going to be hot as hell.
"Name them," he said, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. He leaned forward, his fingers trailing lightly along her arm.
"I need guarantees, Adrian," she began, her voice low, her gaze intense. "Guarantees that my safety won't be compromised."
He nodded, his eyes serious. "Non-negotiable. You will always have a security detail. Ilya will be your primary guard."
She leaned back, contemplating. "And what about you?" she asked, her gaze steady, her tone challenging. "What are you doing to assure my safety?"
"Whatever it takes. I'm always under protection, which means you'll be doubly protected in my presence. Triple, if you consider my own experience in the matter of security." He reached across the table, his fingers lightly brushing hers, sending an electric thrill coursing through her. The warmth of his touch ignited something deep within her, awakening desires that had simmered beneath the surface.
"Is that all?" he whispered, trailing a kiss against her cheek.
"That's all," she replied, her voice laden with desire.
"Good," he purred, leaning back slightly. "But when it comes to business with my wife… well, let's just say all deals are sealed differently. You think we can start by christening this desk?"
She arched an eyebrow, her expression unreadable, though her breath hitched at his suggestion. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly, betraying her intrigue.
Adrian smirked, a wicked gleam in his eyes. The atmosphere thickened with palpable tension, every lingering glance and unspoken word hanging suspended between them. The business negotiations had just taken a thrilling turn, but neither of them could shake the undercurrent of attraction that surged like a current, drawing them closer together.
He watched as Rhiannon's breath caught when his thumb gently stroked her knuckles. That seemingly innocent touch ignited a fire under her skin, and he could see the way the intensity of his gaze pierced through her defenses. It made it difficult for him to focus on anything, but the memory of their lips molded together, the way they had moved in perfect harmony. The irresistible pull between them urged him to surrender to the feelings they had both tried to ignore.
As if he could read her mind, Adrian leaned in slightly, closing the distance. "You know I'm serious," he murmured, his voice low and husky. The warmth of his breath sent a tingling sensation coursing through her, igniting vivid memories of their last heated encounter, their bodies intertwined in a dangerous dance of passion and need.
The heat in the room intensified, a magnetic energy building as their gazes locked—each fully aware of the tension wrapping around them. He watched her flick her tongue across her lips unconsciously, her mind racing with expectations and fantasies that collided fiercely with the reality surrounding them. The desk—once merely a symbol of their business alliance—had transformed in Rhiannon's mind into a new territory where pleasure and ambition intertwined seamlessly.
"Christening has its advantages," she replied, her voice teasing but laced with an undercurrent of desire that she couldn't quite mask. "I suppose I can be persuaded."
"Oh, can you?" Adrian felt a surge of interest as his smirk widened. "Then why don't we begin with a little negotiation?" His fingers tightened around hers, a silent promise hanging in the air as he leaned even closer, their breaths mingling, filling the space with an intoxicating closeness.
In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. All that mattered was the space between them; the powerful pull of their attraction felt both exhilarating and terrifying. He watched her swallow hard, sensing the duality of her emotions—fear of the unknown mingling with the intoxicating thrill of giving in.
"I'm sure I can find something persuasive enough," Adrian proposed, his breath warm against her skin. The invitation hung between them, daring her to take the leap, and he could see her walls slowly starting to crumble.
With a decisive breath, Rhiannon leaned in, a spark of adventure igniting in her eyes. "You sure about that?"
Their lips met again, this time with a shared urgency that ignited all the pent-up desire between them. He pulled her closer, his hands encircling her waist, anchoring her to him as their kiss deepened, growing more fervent. The desk behind them faded into the background. Their world shrank to the intimate meeting point of their mouths, their bodies fitting together in a dance of unrestrained passion.
Every tentative caress, every sigh, only stoked the flames of longing that blazed within him. Adrian reveled in the feeling of Rhiannon's body against his, drawing her even closer as if he could keep the chaos of the outside world at bay. He felt the heat radiating off her, a mixture of desire and possessiveness, leaving him breathless.
Time became a blur, lost in the heated connection that crackled between them—a fusion of business, attraction, and undeniable chemistry that demanded surrender. As they finally pulled apart, breaths mingling in the charged air, he sensed they both understood that this partnership, which had begun out of necessity, had evolved into something much more significant—something far more exciting than either of them had anticipated.
With a slow smile gracing his lips, Adrian kept his gaze locked on hers as he knelt in front of her, fingers sliding up her legs to remove her clothes. "Be a good girl and help me strip you," he said, fingers tugging her pants off. "And I'll show you just how persuasive I can be. Lift your hips for me, Baby."
Grinning wide, Rhiannon lifted her ass for him to remove her panties, and as soon as they were gone, he tugged her from the desk and told her in a deep voice that sent shivers running down her spine, "Bend."
Her mind blanked at the dominance in his voice, and when she blinked again, she found herself splayed across the desk with her ass in the air.
"You know," her husband crooned as his fingers entered her pussy. Just three, unlike last time, though she couldn't help but wonder if he'd try and fist her again. "I think I'm starting to enjoy negotiating with you."
She was damn sure he did, Rhiannon smirked, but the thought flickered away as Adrian pulled his fingers from her and teased the rim of her asshole. "Don't you fucking dare!" she squealed, throwing him a glare over her shoulder.
His laugh was low. "You never know, you might like it."
"Would you?" she snarled, her stomach clenching as he unbuckled his belt and stripped himself of his pants.
Adrian only smirked before pulling her into an awkward kiss over her shoulder, and before she could continue arguing with him, he thrust into her.
Rhiannon hissed. His cock was heavy, and even after they'd been together so many times, it still stung a bit as he sank deep.
"Relax for me, Baby," Adrian grunted, his fingers dropping to her clit. Her head swam as he rubbed circles around it and Rhiannon did exactly what he said, dropping her forehead to the cool table as her body melted for him.
"There's my good girl," Adrian purred and her breath caught as he started fucking her in that same lazy manner as before.
"Adrian," she breathed, her blood heating as he dipped a finger between them. His cock stilled and he pressed his finger in alongside it. Rhiannon's breath hitched and she widened her legs. It hardly should've been possible, he was so big, she didn't think there'd be any more space, but there was and he kept it there, as if to prove a point as he started to fuck her anew.
A moan left her, tingles sparking down her spine when he finally pulled his finger away and started to play with her clit again.
"Your pussy's so wet," he teased, and as she started to clench around his heavy cock, he pulled his hand away. "Does this mean I've won?"
Rhiannon was so frustrated, she made a low, growling sound she'd never made before. Her husband only laughed. "Tell me what you want, Baby."
Twisting to face him, she snapped out. "I want you to stop playing games and fuck me harder, Adrian Nikolai." A vicious smile flickered across her lips and she added in a saucy voice, "Unless you think you can't last that long?"
A sharp slap on her ass answered her, and the fire it lit in her made her squirm as Adrian muttered, "Clearly, you've forgotten the last time I fucked you. Maybe I should remind you."
"Do that," Rhiannon taunted, but her voice was breathy and high-pitched as Adrian picked up his pace. A cry burst from her as he smacked her ass again, something about the heat of his palm, and this position, left her blood burning in a way she'd never felt before. Squirming and gasping, Rhiannon slipped a hand down to rub her clit, but Adrian pulled her hand away and leaned over her.
On his next thrust, his cock dragged against something that made her swallow her protest and it wasn't much longer before Rhiannon came, her eyes rolling back into her head.
It still didn't feel like enough. "Adrian," Rhiannon moaned, squirming as he fucked her harder. "Adrian, please."
"Tell me you're mine," Adrian told her, his voice deep and rumbling as he pressed in close.
"I'm yours," she promised him, her breath catching as he finally dropped a finger to her clit. Even after that first orgasm, it throbbed. Adrian rubbed circles around it until she came for him again. She expected him to pull away and continue fucking her hard and fast, but he didn't. He kept his thrusts slow and lazy, as if claiming her like that was no effort at all, as if it didn't cost him a thing to keep rubbing her clit while he fucked her.
Rhiannon moaned, cursing him outloud as she tried to escape, but Adrian didn't stop until the third, then the fourth, wave crashed over her. By the time he finally spent himself inside her, Rhiannon was slumped on the desk, and still moaning his name.