Chapter Four - Kiara
I’ve never stepped foot in Sky Lever, but as soon as I do, my shoulders tense momentarily from the intimidating crowd surrounding me. There’s beautiful people everywhere. The men are good-looking, most of them are wearing suits, and the women are equally stunning.
I walk slowly through the door, but hesitate having this uncontrollable urge to pivot and turn right back around. The neon lights flashing in my head match the ones behind the bar.
Alert. Danger. Alert. Danger. Go home. Holding my breath as my stilettos clink across the floor, I take a deep breath, remembering the reason I’m here. I’m no slouch when I get dressed up, but usually I’m hunched over my computer in an oversized hoodie and sweatpants trying to make or break codes.
This isn’t the type of bar I would be caught dead in. It doesn’t look like that much fun. It’s for an older, more sophisticated type of crowd, but as I walk in, I’m hoping the way I’ve done my makeup, and my off-the-shoulder dress presents me as older than my twenty-two years.
I fool myself and everybody else, extending my legs and giving just enough hip sway to gain the attention of thirsty male onlookers. These aren’t the people who I care about ogling at me. I’m looking for one man, and one man only. Heading to the bar, I find a stool closer to the door strategically.
His name is Akim Utkin. If Emily can snag and conquer a Bratva man, it shouldn’t be a problem for me to do it. After all, she’s been like a sister to me. I found his name on outgoing invoices in my father’s office before the police combed through it, flipping it upside down. Interestingly enough, I found the same invoices with his name on it after the raid. That fact alone is what’s led me here, because the police would have seen his name signed on the documents as well. That means somebody in the Chicago Police Department has knowledge about him and is complicit in covering up the Bratva’s crimes.
They don’t care. This is why I must take matters into my own hands and save my father’s life. Thinking of how poorly my father’s already been treated on the inside procures an asinine bitterness. Bastards… Automatically my nerves settle as my eyes scan the bar looking for my prey.
Raven black hair. Slicked back with gel. Well-tailored suit. Tall enough for me to climb. Tattoos. Obsidian eyes. And enough intimidation factor to elicit deep shivers down my spine. When I connected with the darkness in his eyes on his nightclub profile picture, I wish I hadn’t, because merciless cruelty is all I saw in them.
Soon enough my eyes land on my chosen prey. His energy cuts through the room making a direct pathway to me. The intimidation factor returns as my eyes hold his for a split second too long. I snatch back my gaze, my palms clammy to touch. God. What is this feeling he’s giving me?
I signal to the bartender for a drink, calculating my next move. Shuddering from the intense eye contact, I keep my back to him. Akim’s human and a cocky Bratva man. He must have a weakness, and it’s likely with all these beautiful women in here, it could be a woman. All I have to do is figure out a way to attract him, but judging from the invasive glare he just gave me, I might not have to do much else to draw him to me.
Wrapping my hands around my glass, I sip slowly hoping Akim comes over, but in the same breath wanting to stay alone so I go home and regroup from his chilling eyes. That intense eye contact is a little tough to handle.
“Hi.” Akim’s voice isn’t what I imagined it to be. In my head, I thought it would have more bass than it does, but when he speaks it’s more like a hypnotic lullaby.
“Um, hi.” I keep it short, avoiding looking directly at him. Red-hot tingles prick down my spine from his close proximity, and is that a scorpion tattoo on his neck? Shit. But I keep telling myself I’ve got what it takes to get him to leave with me. If Emily can do it, so can I.
“Are you here alone? A woman as beautiful as you shouldn’t be drinking alone.” A common line made palatable by a snake charmer, and it’s not as if I’m completely immune, despite my reasoning for being here. I don’t want to be excited by him, but his suaveness is hard to withdraw from.
“I’m fine. I just came out to enjoy the music and the people. I’ve been wanting to check this place out for a long time. It’s got a good vibe,” I say nonchalantly as if these are the types of places I belong in, even though I would rather be at a slumber party with my girlfriend’s watching movies and eating popcorn.
“It has an even better vibe now that you’re in it. I don’t mean to be too forward, but you are fucking gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” I smile graciously at him, finding it hard to believe this is the same man who put my father in jail. “You’re handsome yourself. Is this your type of bar to come to?” I ask him innocently.
A smirk rises on his mouth as he puts his drink down, his finger circling the rim of the empty glass. “I own Sky Lever. So yeah. I would say this is the type of bar I like to be in.” He grins as I pretend to be awed by his status, chuckling along with him.
“Oh wow. I didn’t realize. That’s a funny coincidence.”
“Yes, it is. Another drink, pretty lady?”
“Yeah. Why not. I’m ready to really unwind and have a good time tonight,” I reply less than subtly, laying my intentions on thick.
“That’s what I like to hear.” We flirt back and forth, but the more we talk, the more I’m anxious to execute my plan. Eventually, we leave for Akim’s lakeside penthouse near Bennett Park. As we drive into his underground parking lot and I look up at the 66-residence tower, I wonder if anybody will be able to hear me scream if something happens to me.
Stick to the plan. That’s all you have to do, and things will work out.
When Akim opens the door, I’m blown away by the luxury of the place, including the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, where the twinkling lights of Chicago’s skyscrapers bedazzle me. Akim is a far cry from the computer geeks I used to meet in class, that’s for sure.
Akim slips his fingers through mine as he drops me down on his large cream chaise lounge, dragging me to his lap quicker than I expect, not leaving time to think. I thought we might have a nightcap first, but he’s a little too keen to get started.
My purse. I have to keep track of it. Where is it? Holding on to the strap, Akim groans, lost in the moment as he inhales against my neck, all while dragging the bag out of my hand.
“You smell like fucking heaven. You are like a doll. Do you model?” he murmurs, his hands sliding up and down my back, his raven hair burying itself in the crevice of my chest.
Keep going. You only have to keep this up for a short time. Giggling, I place a hand on his chest as a barrier to slow him down, flipping my hair in his face as a deterrent.
“Whoa, whoa, cowboy. Take it easy. What’s your rush?” I ask him curiously, but panic’s setting in.
“Sorry, sorry. You’re right, but you’re like nothing I’ve ever seen. There’s something special about you,” he replies, both his hands cupping my face under all my hair and his lips pressing hard onto mine. I hate that I feel a tingle between my legs when his mouth prizes mine apart, his tongue insistent, yet gentle.
Heat flares as I let my guard down enough, his kiss more spell bounding than I want it to be. His hands somehow find their way underneath my dress as he cups my ass, pulling me forward to the hard length of him.
Shit. I’ve never taken it this far before. Only heavy petting. I’m not ready for a man like him.
“Umm—whoa.” Pulling back, I take a breath as Akim’s eyes fly open, his hips grinding into me. I tuck my bottom lip in, thinking I could handle this moment—but I fold, because I can’t.
“Is everything okay?” Akim asks breathily, his eyes darkening with passion as I take an up-close gaze at his eyes through the shadows. They’re more dark chocolate than black with specks of other colors in them. I finger the tattoo on his neck with a mild smile.
“Umm, maybe not. I, er… I’m not what you think,” I blurt out, not knowing how to broach the topic.
Akim doesn’t move me off his lap, his hot breath and eyes on my chest as his hands hold on tight to my waist. “Wouldn’t be the first time, and that’s not the big deal you think it is. I’m not what you think I am either,” he responds without faltering.
I put a firmer hand to his chest, surprised to feel how hard his heart is pounding. “No, I, um….” I trail off, tucking my hair behind my ear as I look down at the sizeable bulge in his slacks. “I came to the club to lose my virginity. I feel left behind with my friends. I’m twenty-two, and I guess I thought I could come home with you and lose it.”
Akim grins in shock. “Ohhh. I get it.” He nods, his knuckle stroking the side of my face. “You’re an even rarer breed than I thought you were, then,” he whispers, inching forward to kiss me tenderly, and it’s even more gratifying than his first kiss.
The hard knot in my stomach unfurls itself as the mood lightens up and I slowly untangle myself from his lap. He watches me carefully as I sit on the couch next to him, adjusting my dress, and thankfully there’s a bottle of red Pinot in front of us on the coffee table. That’s going to give me the lucky break I need.
The room is bathed in darkness, but lit up by Chicago’s grand lights, and I’m realizing Akim planned to get straight down to business. A chill spirals through me as he stands to his imposing full height, walking away. “Make yourself at home.” As the thud in my chest amplifies, I lick my tongue around my dry lips, deciding whether it’s now or never.
“Ah, this looks like a nice red. Can I pour us a glass each?” I propose, popping open a capsule inside my purse, careful about the contents not spilling out. Quickly, I pour his glass first, then mine, darting my eyes from his glass to him, gauging how many seconds I have to do this.
“You know what? That’s the perfect idea. We can relax together.” He sighs, stretching and taking off his jacket. He yawns, dropping it neatly over the back of the couch. Good. More time for me. As he approaches, panic bubbles inside me, my cheeks feeling flushed. He looks down at the glasses with a happy smile. “Are you not going to pour yourself one?”
“Oh yeah!” I giggle nervously, giving him a cheesy smile as I pour my own drink. Shit. I forgot. Maybe he’s suspicious. Doubts creep in, but now I’m trapped, but Akim gives me a second chance burying his nose in my neck and sniffing as I go about pouring my own drink.
I hold his head in position making a few gurgling sounds to show him how aroused I am, taking the opportunity to dip my hand in my purse.
“You might be a virgin, but you know how to turn me on alright,” he mutters as the dissolvable powder floats to the bottom of his glass. I’m glad it’s red and not white so he can’t see it. I pray it’s enough to knock him out. If it’s not, I’m in trouble, but it won’t take much of the stuff.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to be a tease, but you’re too attractive, so tall, and all these bad boy tattoos. What do they even mean?” I flirt, swirling his drink discreetly, handing it to him.
Akim readjusts his package, but his eyes are still thirsty with desire. He doesn’t tell me about the tattoos but answers my other question.
“You’re not a tease, trust me. You’re an irresistible woman and it’s hard to keep myself off you.” Blinking a couple of times, I notice tiny particles of residue near the rim of his glass, horrified at my misstep. If he notices, I can kiss my short twenty-two-year life goodbye. Painfully, I watch as my heart skips. He gulps down a large swallow of wine bringing me relief.
“I guess I can take that as a compliment,” I reply. If I’ve played my cards right, then I’ve got under half an hour before Akim starts sinking.
“You can.” He eases his arm over the back of the couch, turning inwards as I relax more. “You asked about my tattoos.”
“Yeah. The scorpion on your neck is really something.”
“I think it’s self-explanatory. Don’t you?” Akim’s fingers dance over my skin, goose bumps prickling under his deft touch.
“Maybe,” I toy. “I guess I just wanted you to explain.”
Akim smiles, surprising me with his warmth. “I do have a sting to me, but that’s probably the tamest of my tattoos. They do have meanings, but if I tell you, I’m going to have to kill you.” He chuckles, taking another sip of his poisoned drink.
“Well, I want to stay alive, thanks. Are you single?”
Akim’s fingers circle around my forearm, his brow furrowing as he blinks his eyes open.
“Ah… yes. It’s hard to find the right woman in my business. It can get lonely sometimes, because everyone is out for blood,” he admits, his eyes shifting. If I’m not mistaken, I think I see a sadness in them, but I refuse to feel sorry for such a heartless man.
“What business is that?” I ask, feeling calmer, his eyes becoming droopy. Shit, this is working. Night, night, Akim. You’re going to sleep for the night soon.
“Clubs and other ventures. You’re not like the others. You carry yourself with class, and I like that. You shouldn’t rush to lose your virginity,” he slurs, my confidence growing.
I drain the rest of my red wine, nodding my head at the contradiction. “But you would have happily taken it if I wanted to keep going, wouldn’t you?” I propose.
Akim’s head starts to wobble. “Only if it’s something you wanted me to take. Let’s talk about you. What are your hopes and dreams?”
“Hopes and dreams? That’s a deep question. Can I trust you with those?” I reply cautiously as Akim shakes his head, finishing off his drink.
“Sure you can. I might even be able to help you with them,” he remarks, struggling to find the table to set his glass down.
“I’m a computer science major.”
“Computer science,” he slurs, saliva dribbling from the side of his mouth. “Um,” he coughs. “Sorry. I er—I feel strange. I think it’s been a long day maybe.”
“Yeah, long day, huh?” I pour a little more red wine in my own glass celebrating the poison hitting Bratva’s boss’s bloodstream.
I watch on as Akim’s eyes flutter and he shuts down, falling forward onto me. I capture his head, not knowing what to do for a second, waiting to see if it’s 100 percent accurate. A few seconds later, I listen to his light snoring. Yes, yes, yes. I’m being painstakingly careful to slide out from underneath his heavy weight letting his head rest on the couch.
“Your day might have been long, but your night’s about to be even longer,” I murmur under my breath as I pat down his pockets. “Shit! Where’s your phone?” I whisper under my breath reaching over the back of the couch into his jacket pocket, finding what I’m looking for.
I ease the phone into my own pocket, gasping loudly as Akim stirs, reaching out and grabbing my arm as he sleeps. “Hmm. Mat, Mat,” he cries out in a whisper as I pry his fingers off my arm, realizing he’s in a deep sleep. Frowning, I stare down at him wondering what the hell he’s talking about. Who or what is Mat?
I’ve got to get out of here before he wakes up and finds out what I’ve done. Discreetly, I reach inside my purse, pulling out my extraction device, clipping into Akim’s phone. Thirty seconds. That’s all I need, and I’ll have everything I want.
The next thirty seconds feels like thirty years, but I hold on waiting for all his cell phone data to load on the device and run out as fast as I can afterwards.
Thank God I got out alive.