Chapter 21
Alexei
I didn't feel like leaving my house. Which is odd, considering this nuisance of a girl has invaded my private space.
I can see her wandering gaze, flitting about every corner of the living room. I'm almost hesitant to leave her alone here, but I have no choice.
There's a large shipment coming in and I want to be there to meet our new supplier in person. It's imperative I establish a good rapport with a potentially long term business partner, especially since our last one was shot dead a few weeks ago.
Daphne remains seated, her legs crossed over each other as she stares at nothing in particular. She's been zoning in and out all morning and I know I lost her again a few moments ago.
Is it because I told her she was perfect?
The words tumbled out of me like vomit, I wish I could turn back time and shut the hell up.
But in that moment she truly was perfect and just like when she scolded me outside the bar and the light caught the gold flecks in her eyes, this time was no different. Her clear cut statement coupled with the sight of her distracted me all over again.
I've watched her many times but it's the first time I really took a good look at her, under brighter lighting. And her face is so utterly captivating. Her every feature soft—small, slender nose, slightly rounded cheeks and almond shaped eyes, paired with lips that weren't too large nor too small.
We were used to Russian models who always had some sort of striking feature like duck lips or a high bridged nose, something that made them stand out in a crowd, but Daphne had none of those. And yet, together, her features blended harmoniously, making her so strikingly addictive to look at.
I've never met anyone who made me stare, and yet, the longer I looked at her, the more beautiful she became.
Today her long wavy dark hair swept past her shoulders, draping over my shirt—which looked better on her than it ever would on me.
I know this is wrong. I shouldn't be attracted to her, but when her eyes glinted as she recalled every second of that night in vivid detail, I'd lost my train of thought.
Her eyes...they mesmerised me. They appeared light brown from far, but up close flecks of gold littered the hazel in them. I wanted to stare into her eyes till I got bored of whatever fascination had taken over me.
She suddenly stands up as well and up close she barely reaches my shoulders. She looks like she wants to move past me and her throat bobs slightly as she swallows. She could easily walk around me but she stands there like a statue, waiting for me.
I feel it again. The tugging sensation, an imaginary pull drawing me towards her like coins to a magnet. My self control has never had to work this hard as I take a step back, watching as she heads to the kitchen.
"What time will your men be here to set up my room?" she asks as she fills herself a glass of water.
Part of me doesn't trust her enough to leave her alone here. Another part of me wants to stay.
Her eyes are wide as she stares at me, lips parted slightly, giving me ideas I don't want to have. I wipe a hand over my face. God dammit, the faster she gets her own room, the better.
"They'll be here soon. Don't worry." I study her face closely, wondering if she can't stand my guts and is just itching to get away from me. It sure sounded so just now when she asked when she could leave.
What she doesn't know is that she can never leave. Not alive anyway. Even if I wanted to release her, the organisation wont allow it.
She nods uncertainly, glancing at the clock in the hallway. "Alright." She sounds dejected and it irks me. I suddenly feel guilty. Why the hell do I feel guilty?
I've done this many times before. Not exactly like this, but I've used people and discarded them since I was a kid. My fingers bunch together tightly, I can't let this girl get the best of me.
She's already embarrassed me once.
Before she can affect me any longer, I march up the stairs and head to my bedroom. I quickly change into some formal clothes and style my hair because it looks like a mess. Whilst doing so, I glance at her toothbrush, which is in the holder next to mine.
It's been empty since I moved here six years ago. It's weird seeing someone else's things here. I pick up my toothbrush, contemplating if I should brush my teeth quickly after the glass of whiskey.
I've always been conscious about hygiene.
Mum ingrained the importance of it since I was a toddler, especially when it came to teeth.
She used to tell us a winning smile could make or break a business deal and back then, both Victor and I wanted to become successful businessmen just like we thought our father was.
I frown slightly, my toothbrush must be old. I notice the bristles have frayed. I then chuck it into the bin. I'll get more for us later.
Daphne is seated by the kitchen counter silently. Her bare legs are crossed over each other and she must not notice that the shirt she is wearing has risen high enough to expose the smooth curve of her ass as she shifts slightly.
Fuck, is she not wearing any underwear under my shirt?
My skin heats and blood rushes to my cock immediately, which starts to strain against my pants.
I'm about to backtrack when she catches sight of me.
I hope she doesn't notice. I try to think of anything else—mould, tooth cavities, bad breath—anything that would turn me off but then she stands up and my gaze instinctively falls to her chest.
I didn't notice before, but now it's painfully obvious that she isn't wearing a bra either. My shirt is loose around her but it's easy to see the points of her nipples pressing against the material, hard and pointy, begging to be tugged and sucked.
These thoughts aren't helping my hard on at all.
I need to get her some baggy pants and loose t-shirts, and lots and lots of underwear. Maybe a face mask while I'm at it.
"You're heading out now, right?" she asks, sounding a little too hopeful for my liking.
"U-huh," I grunt out, turning to the side so that she doesn't see my dick straining hard against my slacks. "See you later. Don't try anything foolish. I'll be watching."
I don't wait for her reply as I hurry out to the lift and face away from the apartment. Once she's out of my sight, I lean against the cold metal wall and breath in and out, thinking about all the most unattractive things I can think of.
The image of her fights it's way into my thoughts stubbornly but I manage to push her out of my mind by the time I reach the ground floor.
My men are already waiting when I exit the lift and thankfully, I'm not as flustered as I was mere seconds ago. I catch sight of Yuri who is standing by the entrance and suddenly I wonder if I've made a mistake by dragging Daphne upstairs to stay with me.
Maybe it's not her or Yuri whom I shouldn't trust, but myself. I seem to become an idiot around her.
Dimitri opens the car door for me and I slip inside. I immediately scowl when I see Yuri seated next to me with a gun tucked strapped to his side. Protection my ass, I don't trust the guy one bit. Not since I found him and Daphne in that bathroom together.
He'd sliced his palm and knowing him, he must have made her a blood promise. His family is famous for that nonsense. His dad did those for my dad and now Yuri is doing it for my hostage.
So much for loyalty. I scoff to myself. What he promised holds no consequence to me, since he has no power to do anything for her anyway. He just gave her false hope.
"Sir," he immediately says, addressing me nervously.
"What," I snap, checking my gun to see if the safety's unlocked just in case he says something stupid again.
"Is she, okay?" His eyebrows knit together in worry and I grit my teeth. Why does he care anyway? Since when did he develop a soft spot for Daphne? I honestly feel like putting a bullet in his head just for worrying about her.
But then I remember that this is the first time he's ever had to hold a hostage before. I used to group him with our dealers until father decided he deserved to climb ranks. I should have known he'd be too soft for it. Dmitri would have been the better option.
"She's peachy. The question is why are you so concerned?" I side eye him and his pale face turns red.
"I just feel bad. She's innocent in all of this." He notices my finger latching over the safety on the gun and shuts his mouth quickly.
"There's no need to feel bad for someone whom we will discard with soon enough. Once we are done with her, she will no longer be of use." I give him a sharp look of warning. "It would be wise not to develop concern for a dead person."
His lips purse and I know he disagrees with me. It doesn't matter. He doesn't matter and I'm making it a point to transfer him somewhere far away from me once this is over.
We reach the docks and there are already a few cars parked by the gates. I see father's dark sleek limousine amongst them and wonder why he came all the way for this.
The meeting was quick. Just a few hand shakes and pleasantries, an exchange of some Russian vodka or two and soon evening turned to night.
"I'll make a move," father pats me on the back. "Walk me out front, will you?"
I nod and follow him silently, waiting for what he has to say to me in private.
"The girl. The witness. You have her?" he asks, voice raspy from all the cigars he's been smoking.
I nod, noticing the age spots that have clustered around his neck. Why does he look older every time I see him? A sharp tug of worry claws at me. I'm not ready to lose him too.
"Where? The men told me she's not at the compound."
"I have her somewhere safer. Somewhere only I can access," I reply and he frowns.
"You're staying with her?"
Guilt squeezes my throat and I swallow hard. "In my hotel, yes."
"It's too risky. You should keep her at the compound with the rest of the prisoners."
"I don't trust anyone, not even some of our own," I say tightly. I'm not backing down on this and he knows it.
"Who?" He pauses looking like he wants to say more but then the others catch up and he gets in his car. He gives me a look that I can't really read before they take off into the darkness.
"There are some of Marino's men at our club, causing a ruckus." Dimitri marches up to me and holds out his phone. The CCTV feed from our club downtown gives me a clear view of the group of men harassing our female staff.
I spot a face, framed by familiar curly hair and my blood starts to churn, my blood lust growing. "I think we should pay a visit."
Dimitri's hungry smile mirrors mine but then my phone beeps, indicating a trespasser in my house. More specifically my study.
I thought I locked the door. That room hides my safe, Daphnes belongings and all things pertaining to my business and the Italians. I watch the dot moving, scurrying around the place...like a little rat.
My tongue runs over my lower lip and I make a decision then and there. "I need to pick up something from my place first."