4. Nikolai
NIKOLAI
“ S he won’t eat, Udav ,” Andrei says, entering the office.
The walls of the room are filled with mounted animal heads, tasteless trophies from my boss.
A casual lounging space is situated in the center.
The room is cloaked in shadows, much to my preference of remaining in the dark.
Though, if I wanted, I could light the fireplace on my right, fueling it with liquor that might accidentally swallow the entire manor in flame. Wouldn’t that be a sight to behold.
I look up from the files I'm reviewing, glaring at him, as I’m not one who enjoys being disturbed.
It's been two days since we captured Sienna Falcone, and I’ve been keeping a close eye on the activity of the Italian mafia in New York.
From the reports I’ve received, it would seem as if business is running as usual, and my frustration and lack of patience around this task are already grinding on my nerves.
“What do you mean she won't eat? Agata is one of the best cooks. Force her if you have to.”
He arches an eyebrow, and I sigh, realizing that contradicts my previous order. Nobody besides me and Agata are permitted into Sienna’s room, on penalty of death.
I’m far more interested in monitoring Luca Armani’s actions surrounding her disappearance than dealing with a spoiled little brat who's lashing out. At least when they do retaliate, I can have some fun and be done with this task.
“She spoke to me through the door, sir, and has requested to see you,” Andrei tells me.
“Is that so?” I reply, leaning back in my chair. The ever-demanding princess. “By all means, bring her to me.”
He nods and takes his leave.
Through security cameras, I watch the men who patrol the grounds, taking note of all the blind spots. I prefer to keep most of the men outside because I don't trust any of them around her.
She is beautiful. And my men are no better than savages. However, I can’t temper my own irritation by her presence. When I agreed to the terms specified by my boss, The Wolf, I wasn’t expecting this to be such a trivial job .
After watching her so closely for the past few months, I don’t agree with my boss’s logic in kidnapping her.
It’s his ego and impatience that’s led to this situation.
Sienna was easy to pick off from the tight-knit group, and he’d hoped because of her association with the Armanis’ women that it would draw out one of the main members.
But he’s grown impatient that nothing has happened yet, even though it’s only been a couple of days.
He wants to prove to the other Bratva families that he can succeed where others failed with regard to expanding business in New York.
More specifically where The Lion failed.
And his recent fascination with the Armanis is certainly bound to get some attention if he succeeds.
His plan was to kick the hornets’ nest by kidnapping Sienna to see how far their power and reach go, all the while hiding behind me as I do his dirty work.
Because of that, my irritation has focused on her, instead of the issue itself. My lack of patience is what does me in.
I decide to stand behind my desk as I wait for Andrei to bring her to me. These types of tasks don't suit me. I much prefer the thrill and bloodlust of in-person, on-the-ground action. Not hiding behind someone else's whims.
I walk over to the windows and push open the shutters to let the sunlight spill into the room. I squint at the harshness of the sunny day. And as my eyes adjust, I can't help but think of this place as a prison in what many would consider paradise.
I'm used to slipping in and out of countries, but I’ve never once admired the warmer climates.
I suppose it just doesn't suit my temperament. Not that I see beauty in living in Russia either. But using the boss’s hidden estate in Croatia feels like it's more suited to the little princess we harbor as opposed to me.
Then again, The Wolf practically owns this island, and even if the little minx somehow was able to escape, she wouldn't get far. Unfortunately for her, once I have my prey, there’s no escape for them.
The doors open behind me, and Sienna walks in with a handful of clothes, and I notice that she's still wearing the same tight, fitted black dress from two days ago. Before Andrei or I can speak, she begins throwing the clothes at me.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think because you’re holding me prisoner that you can treat me like some kind of whore?”
I snatch one of the pieces of clothing from the air and let it hang in my fist. Then she throws another piece that completely covers my head. My jaw grinds as I whip it from my face.
“Careful, little doll, you don't want to see me angry.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Yeah, that goes for you too. Did you choose all of these clothes yourself? Do you have such poor taste? ”
On the contrary, I think I have immaculate taste. But when I take a closer look at the clothes in my hands, a storm quietly swirls in my stomach.
I look over her shoulder at Andrei, and speak to him in Russian. “Who was put in charge of selecting these clothes for her? Bring him to me.”
This is what happens when you don't do every little thing yourself. I’m certain I’ve been very specific about her preferences, but it would appear someone has ignored me.
Sienna glances between us, most likely not understanding Russian, so I say to her, “I apologize for the indecent clothing my men have selected for you. This will be resolved immediately.”
“I'm not some little doll to be kept and dressed however you see fit. I've still received no explanation or update, and I need fucking fresh air. I'm going stir crazy in that room.”
I sit on the edge of my desk, mildly impressed by her demand.
“You really don't understand the concept of being kidnapped, do you?” I'm surprised to see that she still has so much fire in her eyes, especially when I know she hasn’t been eating.
If anything, I thought she'd be sulking this whole time.
And it makes her all the more intoxicating.
Even without makeup, her skin is flawless, aside from the dark circles under her eyes from what I imagine to be lack of sleep.
Her lips remain in that dignified pout that I can very much imagine wrapped around my cock.
And those long legs drive me fucking insane.
She’s like a beacon, and it irritates the shit out of me how my gaze follows her, because I don’t need temptations while on this task. She just needs to keep her head down and do as I say.
“I've always been one to adapt to my situations, and waiting around to negotiate doesn’t exactly thrill me,” she says when I don’t reply to her previous demands.
I try to hide the smile because a part of me respects her for not letting this break her. Who knows, she might have the backbone to be a part of this world like her friends after all.
“I heard you haven't been eating.” I shift the conversation.
“You and your men like to gossip.”
“Actually, it's insulting to Agata since she’s such a fine cook.”
“I need fresh air. You can't keep me locked up inside.”
My jaw tics at the way she also shifts the conversation.
“Too scared to be in your own busy mind? And what can you offer me if you've come here looking to negotiate? What is it that I can possibly gain from you?” I ask as I step toward her. She might be considered tall at six feet, but being six feet seven myself, I still tower over her, and intimidation is one of my many natural talents. But as I stop in front of her, the fire in her eyes seems to burn even brighter in challenge. I’ll give her credit for not backing down.
“I'll have you know that my time is quite costly,” she bites out.
I hold back a smirk. “We're on island time right now, mishka .”
“You might be, but I'm not.” Her scowl deepens, and when I look down, I get a very clear view of her cleavage and the vintage green Van Cleef necklace that rests there. Her citrus patchouli perfume flares in my nostrils, and my cock twitches.
“You should be more scared of me,” I say, and that’s the truth. There are plenty of ways I can instill fear into this woman, even while being impressed by her courage.
“Well, I'm not.”
Of that, I'm sure. “I could do very, very bad things to you,” I tell her as I reach out to cup her chin. She slaps my hand away, and my cock twitches at the fierce expression in her gaze.
“My body is not part of these negotiations,” she seethes.
I lean in with a ruthless smile, brushing my lips against her ear. “I’ll remind you the men here don't play fair. It's in your best interest not to attempt any form of negotiation with anyone if you want to remain untouched.”
Her breath hitches, and as I study her in my peripheral vision, I'm certain her body shudders, not in fear but in anticipation. I lean away and turn back toward the desk, the smell of her too enticing.
I'm not a man who struggles with women. They serve a purpose—to provide me with a release. But no other woman I’ve met has carried the same fire that this one does. She demands to be seen. To be heard. To be taken seriously.
“I'll make a deal with you. I'll take you outside, allow you to receive some fresh air, and you’ll choose your own clothing,” I offer. “I'm most hospitable as you are a guest here, not a prisoner.”
“You make it sound like a dog being walked by its master.”
“Doesn't that just thrill you?” I ask, pocketing my hands as I lean against the edge of the desk.
There’s another hitch in her breathing, and I become more curious as to what this little minx might be into. I could break her effortlessly. Who knows, perhaps she'd be the type to easily be trained. Not that I've ever used a sexual partner more than once.
“I might even let you go off the leash.”
Her gaze narrows, broadcasting how pissed she is by the comment. I can't help but feel smug.
“What do you require from me?” she asks.
Ah, a smart woman after all.
“From now on, you join me for breakfast every morning. And you will eat.” She doesn't seem too impressed by the demand, which I find odd, considering she literally needs to eat to survive. “Do we have a deal?”
“How good is the walk?” she grits out.
“Once in a lifetime, since you’ll be in my presence,” I reply, working hard to keep from smiling.
“Sounds like I drew the short stick.”
“ Udav ,” Andrei says as he enters the room with one of my men trailing him. Andrei nods politely at Sienna, and I suspect it’s out of guilt from being the one who assisted in cornering her in the alleyway. I can tell in his expression that it doesn’t sit well with him.
The other man’s gaze immediately drops to the floor, and he knows better than to speak before being addressed. I can smell the fear from here, and there’s a noticeable drop of sweat running from his hairline to his eyebrow.
“Did you think this would be funny?” I ask him in Russian. Sienna looks between us, seemingly confused.
“No, sir, I simply thought it would be a waste to not see her body. We thought it would be a perk?—”
I cut him off. “ We ?” He goes quiet, and I look at Andrei. “Have any other men approached her room?”
“No, Udav , not on my watch.”
I glower back at the man cowering before me. “I'll need those other names.”
“I misspoke. I acted alone,” he says quickly.
Lie. My gaze narrows, locking in on my prey.
I turn to Sienna and flick my hand to indicate that she should step to the side. Surprisingly, she does it. Taking not one but two steps back.
“Then you alone shall die for their sins and misjudgment to act selfishly while under my command.” I pull out my gun, ignoring the shrill sound that comes from Sienna as she covers her mouth.
I pull the trigger and shoot the man right between his brows.
Andrei closes his eyes and turns away as blood splatters against his face.
As the body drops to the floor, I walk over to Andrei and offer him one of the dresses. “To clean your face. I'll also have you ready my car. I'll be taking the little doll out today.”
When I turn around, Sienna is staring into space as if her soul has escaped her, her body trembling. For just a split second, I wonder if perhaps I should've asked her to leave the room first. Then again, there's no point in pretending I'm something I'm not.
This jolt of fear might better act as a reminder for her to not be so demanding around me.