Chapter 27 - Damien
Alexai’s eyes widen in alarm as the ring manager leads him to his own personal office.
“Y…you liar,” Alexai bellows at the manager. The manager shrugs and accepts the wad of cash Boris gives him before leaving Alexai with us.
“What do y’all three want?” Alexai stammers, looking at each of us in turn. He plasters an unconvincing smile on his greasy face.
Lev cracks his knuckles, and Boris folds his arms across his chest, the muscles on his arms bulging. I remain composed, studying Alexai.
“The trick with the poisoned needles,” I say casually. “Care to explain?”
Alexai’s smile falters. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I walk over to him and drag him to a chair, pushing him down on it before bracing my hands on either side and staring into his eyes. “Lying will only make this worse for you. I suggest you tell us the truth. Now.”
He swallows hard, sweat beading on his forehead. “I swear, I don’t know anything about the poisoned needles.”
“You disappoint me,” I say softly. “I expected more from a ‘reputable’ businessman such as yourself.”
Alexai shifts in his seat, eyes darting between the three of us. “Please, I assure you, this is all a misunderstanding. I get that you think I might be involved, but you know me, Damien. I’ve bet with you for years now, man. I’ve never cheated you. In fact, I admire your victories.”
“You know,” I grab his chin and force him to look into my eyes. “Had we talked yesterday, I wouldn’t even have considered you a suspect. But I thought back to everything that happened today, and Alexai, you gave yourself up when you made one grave mistake.”
“W…what mistake?” he asks, pretending to be confused.
I give him a thin, threatening smile and whisper just loud enough for my brothers to hear me. “During all the years you supported me, I realized you have a betting pattern. You’re thoughtful and calculating. You bet to win. But today, when you upped the stakes to double, knowing that I usually don’t win, I took you up on the offer, not thinking much of it. But after what happened, I figured you got greedy because you knew I would lose, didn’t you?”
He opens and closes his mouth like a gaping fish. “N…n…no,” he mutters unconvincingly.
“Look here, asshole,” Lev scoffs. “Seems pretty straightforward to us. You made a deal to sabotage the fight in exchange for winning back your lands from Damien. Only you got caught, and now you have to face the consequences.”
“No, no,” Alexai protests weakly. “I did no such thing!”
I slam my hands on the sides of the chair, making him jump. “Enough lies!” I snarl. “You have one last chance to tell me the truth before we take this to the next level. And you know who we are, don’t you? The Bratva doesn’t take attempted murder of one of their own quite so lightly.”
The tension in the office is suffocating, but I don’t let it show on my face. Alexai is cracking, his composure crumbling with each veiled threat. It’s only a matter of time before he gives in.
Alexai deflates, shoulders slumping in defeat. “It was Gerald Russo,” he mumbles at last. “He approached me with an offer too tempting to cast aside. I’m sorry; I never meant for it to go this far.”
“Explain,” I say coldly, the blood rushing to my head. So Genevieve was right. She came to warn me. The fact that I owe her my life isn’t lost on me. I have so much to make up for.
“He told me that this was a surefire way for me to get the land I lost back from you. I tried to dissuade him and told him to use the old tactics, but he was adamant that if the player fought dirty, the fight would be forced to end, and I’d be back at square one, waiting for you to fight another round. This seemed… final.”
“Gerald,” Boris growls. “I should have known that pathetic waste of space was involved in this.”
“Please, have mercy,” Alexai begs, glancing between us in terror. “I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt me!”
I straighten, staring down at the quivering man before me. “You’ve given us what we need. Consider this your one and only warning—cross me or my family again, and you’ll regret it.”
“Th…that’s all?” he mutters in disbelief.
My brothers and I are nearly at the door when he asks the question. I turn around, remembering something else. “Just one more thing,” I say, staring right at him.
He takes a deep gulp.
“I want the paperwork for the transfer of ownership of your two underground rings passed on to me by tomorrow.”
“But—” he protests.
I raise a brow, cutting him off. “I’m done playing games, Alexai,” I say firmly. “You lost, and I won, fair and square.”
“Or we could always put you in prison for attempted murder,” Lev chimes in, holding up a tape recorder he had concealed in his suit. He presses play, and Alexai’s confession fills the air.
Alexai’s eyes widen in terror, but he swallows hard and nods. “Yes, yes, the paperwork will be in your hands by tomorrow.”
“Good,” I say, turning back to the door just as Lev switches off the tape.
***
We stride out of the dim arena halls, rage simmering in my veins. How dare Gerald plot against me? Despite everything that’s happened, I am his son-in-law. The fact that he stooped so low tells me one thing for certain: he has no loyalty.
And there is no place in our world traitors.
“We can’t let him get away with this,” Lev growls, cracking his knuckles. He has always been the quickest to anger, but in this case, I can’t fault him.
“We won’t,” I say grimly. “But we need to be smart. A direct attack won’t teach him the lesson he needs to learn. Besides, Genevieve…” I trail off, needing to say no more. No matter how much I hate the man, I don’t wish to hurt my wife. Injuring or killing Gerald would hurt her gentle soul, even if she doesn’t wish him to be a part of her life.
“Then what do you propose?” Boris asks. While Lev is ruled by passion, Boris remains rational—the perfect counterweight to my calculating mind. Together, the three of us are unstoppable.
I smile slowly. “We destroy him from the inside out. His business, his reputation—everything he holds dear. By the time we’re finished, he’ll have nothing left but the clothes on his back and the knowledge of what he lost.”
“Poetic justice,” Lev says with a fierce grin. “I like the way you think, Brother.”
“Gather what information you can on his dealings, legal or otherwise,” I order. “Find his weaknesses and exploit them. Call in old debts and favors, spread dissent. Leave no stone unturned.” My smile sharpens. “We’ll drive him out of the city. The Zolotovs always win.”
“The Zolotovs always win!” my brothers echo.
Our path is set. Alexai’s confession had sealed Gerald’s fate, and now there is no turning back. He would learn that the family he has betrayed does not forgive and does not forget.
Vengeance would be ours.
But before we act, there is one more thing that needs to be done. I have a fresh chance to heal my relationship with Genevieve, and a new start shouldn’t begin with secrets.
I tell my brothers my plan and ask where Genevieve is.
“Anoushka dropped her to your penthouse,” Boris tells me.
“Alright. Hey Lev,” I ask before getting into my car. “Mind if I borrow Alexai’s recording?”
***
I find Genevieve in the living room, pacing the floor. Her hands are clenched, knuckles whitening with strain, and her expression looks troubled.
The minute she sees me, her face breaks into a beaming smile. She comes running to me, and I hold out my arms, enveloping her in them. To my surprise, she begins to cry.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” I ask, afraid Gerald did something to her.
“I just,” she sniffles. “Oh, I was so scared watching you fight, Damien. When you showed us the needles, it was like my entire life flashed in front of my eyes. What would have happened if I hadn’t found out about Father and warned you…?”
She trails off, shaking her head, and I stroke her soft cheek. I don’t want her to be scared anymore. I want to protect her from all harm and make our life together beautiful and free of fear.
“Baby, I promised you that I’d stay alive,” I say softly, my voice steady and reassuring. “And I always keep my promises.”
She sniffles again, but a small smile forms on her lips. “I know, Damien, I know. I just... I trust you. Of course I do. But seeing those needles brought everything into perspective, you know? I don’t want us to fight anymore. I want to cherish every moment with you.”
“Me too, angel. Me too,” I murmur, then lead her to the couch.
“So, was my father behind it?” she asks. “I just…” she wrings her hands nervously. “I need to know for sure.”
My heart bleeds for her. Despite knowing the truth somewhere deep in her heart, she still wants to believe her father couldn’t stoop low enough to murder her husband.
“Sweetheart, you should be prepared for what I have to say,” I begin, trying to ease her into accepting the truth.
“We confronted Alexai after the fight,” I say, taking her hands in mine. They tremble slightly in my grip. “He admitted that your father was behind the trick with the needles. Alexai had been paid off to ensure I didn’t win the match.”
She sucks in air and shakes her head, tears falling down her cheeks. “No,” she cries out. “No.”
I say nothing but instead, pull out the recording and play it for her.
“I don’t understand,” she whispers when she’s done listening. “Why would my father do this?”
“I don’t know. Revenge, perhaps?” I squeeze her hands gently. “I’m sorry, milaya. I know he’s your father, but I can’t let this betrayal go unpunished.”
“I won‘t ask you to.” Her expression hardens. “He was willing to sabotage you and destroy your family for money and power. He’s not the man I thought he was, and he‘s certainly not the father I want.”
The fierce conviction in her tone makes me smile. My brave little hellcat, so strong and loyal.
She lifts her chin, meeting my gaze steadily. “Do what you need to do, but can you promise me one thing?”
“Anything,” I whisper.
“Don’t kill him, please. He is still my father.” She averts her gaze.
I look at her and smile. “I expected nothing else,” and kiss her on her forehead. The world might try to ruin Genevieve, but her values will always shine bright, and for that, she has my whole heart.
I pull her close, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss. She melts into me with a soft moan, her hands tangling in my hair.
However, she pulls away sooner than I’d like. “Go,” she says fiercely. “Finish what you must, and come back to me safely.”
***
Boris, Lev, and I wait until past midnight when we make our way to Gerald’s mansion. He still hasn’t left the city; too arrogant to believe we’d actually catch him in the act.
Time to disabuse him of that notion.
I walk between Lev and Boris, our formidable presence enough to deter any guards from approaching too closely. They won’t stop Gerald Russo’s son-in-law from entering the compound. They wouldn’t dare.
I lead the way, gun at the ready in my coat pocket,just in case.
After so many years under Gerald’s tyrannical rule, justice was at hand.
“Halt!” A guard steps into our path, rifle aimed at my chest. “State your business, or I open fire.”
I smirk, glancing at my brothers. “So Russo found out we were coming. By all means,” I turn to the guard. “Give it your best shot.”
The guard’s eyes widen. He fumbles for the trigger, cursing when Boris wrenches the gun from his hands and presses it under his chin.
“Where is he?” Boris growls.
The guard sputters. “W-who?”
“Enough games,” Lev snaps, cracking his knuckles. “Take us to Gerald Russo. Now.”
“I-I can’t—”
“Lev, if you please.”
My brother grabs the guard and twists his arm behind his back, eliciting a sharp cry of pain. “Talk, or you’ll lose this arm. Five. Four. Thr—”
“The study!” The guard gasps. “He’s in his study, top floor. I swear!”
I nod at Lev, who releases the guard with a shove. He scrambles away, leaving us to advance to the mansion.
“You heard the man,” I say grimly. “Time for a visit with dear old Gerald.”
We storm up the stairs and down the hall to Gerald’s study, not bothering to knock before entering.
Gerald whirls around, eyes widening at the sight of us. “What is the meaning of this?” He bellows, clutching at the papers on his desk. “How dare you barge in here!”
“Cut the act, Gerald.” I stride forward, my brothers by my side. “We know everything. About the poisoned needles, about your deal with Alexai. All of it.”
The color drains from his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t insult our intelligence.” Boris cracks his neck, glowering. “We have a full confession from your partner in crime. Did you really think you’d get away with it?”
“You have no proof!” Gerald backs away, glancing between us with desperation. “It’s all lies! Slander and lies!”
“Enough.” My voice slices through his protests. “We’re not here to trade words, Gerald. We’re here to tell you your reign of terror ends today.”
I pull out the tape and play it out for him.
“That’s not all,” Boris says, taking a seat and planting his feet on Gerald’s desk. “We know you had men spy on us. But for the right amount of money, they told our guys everything. You’ve been spying on all the families across the globe, haven’t you? The Popovs, the Sokolovs, the Andreevs…” He lists the names of the most powerful Bratva organizations in the nation and across Russia. “We’ve got copies of the files.”
“And we don’t mind sharing them with our frenemies,” Lev grins. “Once we do, tell me, do you think there will be a corner of the world you’ll be safe in?”
“What? N…No… Please,” he stammers, standing from his desk. “We are family. You wouldn’t!”
“Where were your familial loyalties when you tried to put your own son-in-law in the grave?” Boris shouts, slamming his fist into his chair. Gerald winces.
“The entire Russo family, except you, is now under the protection of the Zolotov name. If you value your life, you will sign over your assets and leave this city immediately. Your assets will be distributed fairly amongst your children, Gael and Genevieve. God knows they deserve it after putting up with the likes of you as a father,” I spit in his direction.
“If you ever threaten us again...” I bare my teeth in a cold smile. “Well, let‘s just say your next mistake will be your last.”
Gerald stares at us, chest heaving. Finally, he slumps into his chair, defeated.
“You win.” The words are barely a whisper. “Just... Just leave me with my dignity intact.”
“You forfeited your dignity long ago.” Lev steps forward. “Get out. Now. Before I call the families myself.”
Gerald flinches as if struck. Without another word, he gathers up his papers and sits back on his desk, shoulders hunched in surrender.
“Your power of attorney,” Boris hands him a paper we had our lawyers draw up just an hour ago. “Sign it over to Damien, and he will handle your asset distribution.”
He scrawls his signature with a trembling hand and passes it to us. Without another word, we rise.
“Be out of this city by 5 am and never show your face around here again, or else…” Boris says before slamming the door shut.
***
Back home, I tell Genevieve everything that happened. She sighs, leaning into my side. “It’s over.”
I press a kiss to her hair, holding her close. “It’s over,” I echoed softly. “You’re free, and so is Gael. The two of you can build an empire in your name as you deem fit.”
She looks up at me, that same mischievous glint I’ve come to love shining in her eyes. “I thought I was a Zolotov.”
“You can be both, Mrs. Zolotov.”
“That does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” she giggles, a fragile hope shaping in her voice. “Does that mean... We can finally be together? Properly?”
My heart swells, overflowing with love and joy. I cradle her face in my hands, gazing into her eyes. “That’s exactly what it means, milaya. You’re mine now... And I’m never letting you go.”
“Yours,” she whispers into my ear. “All yours, baby. Now tell me, am I a good girl?” she seduces me with hints of the little kinks she loves, and I immediately feel a thrill go down my spine.
I turn my face to her and bring her lips to mine. “You’re so fuckin’ good, baby,” I whisper, giving her lower lip a small bite. She tastes like sunshine and carnal sin, all wrapped up in one. She bites me back and the sheer roughness from that soft mouth sets my hunger ablaze, and in a sudden move, I grab her hands and hold them behind her back, forcing her to arch her breasts toward me.
She looks at me with wide eyes and parted lips, each breath a gasp for not air, but what I promise. For a second I forget myself, unable to comprehend how I landed up with the most beautiful woman in the world. My eyes gaze over from the strands of hair falling down her shoulders to the dip in her breasts.
Unable to hold myself back, I bend my head lower to lick the crevice of her cleavage.
“Oh, Damien,” she moans, trying to break herself free. I let go of her hands, and push her down on the couch by her shoulders.
I hover over her, my eyes locked on hers, as she giggles nervously, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Genevieve, my love,” I whisper, my voice low and raspy. “We have an entire city to conquer together, and we will start by conquering each other.”
I lean in and kiss her, savoring the sweetness of her lips. My hands caress her skin, and she shivers beneath my touch.
“Do you want me?” I ask huskily.
“I do,” she pants, her eyes filled with desire. “I just... I wanted to make sure we were on the same page first.”
“And we are,” I confirm, my voice low and seductive. “We’re on the same page, and we both want the same thing.”
“What’s that?” Genevieve asks, her voice a husky whisper.
“A life together,” I answer, my lips brushing against her ear. “A life where we can be equals, partners in every sense of the word. I love you, Genevieve Russo Zolotov.”
“And I love you, Damien Zolotov. Now, I want you to claim me,” she whispers, her breath hot against my skin. “I want you to make me yours, completely and irrevocably.”
I don’t need to be told twice. With a soft groan, I tear my gaze away from her eyes and focus on her lips. They are full and pink, beckoning me closer. I gently brush them with my fingertips, savoring the feeling of her skin beneath my touch.
I look into her eyes, seeing the same hunger reflected back at me. If she wants a meal, she’s going to have to work for it.
“Take off your clothes, Genevieve,” I command, my voice low and authoritative. “I want to see every inch of you. Every curve, every mark that makes you uniquely yourself.”
Genevieve responds to my command without hesitation, her hands working deftly at the buttons of her blouse, revealing the lace of her black bra beneath. “Slowly,” I command, my eyes fixated on those gorgeous, perfect half-moons spilling out from that sheer lace and her breaths become faster as she takes her sweet time reaching for the straps of her bra, gliding them down inch my inch until her breasts come free. I take in the sight of her perfectly rounded breasts, her nipples perky with desire and it sparks my own.
“Now, the rest of your clothes,” I instruct, my gaze never leaving her.
She nods, her movements slow and deliberate. She unzips her skirt, letting it pool at her feet, and then wriggles out of her panties. She lies before me, her hips jutting to one side, highlighting each curve, completely naked, unfathomably sexy and incredibly vulnerable.
I hover above her, my eyes never leaving hers. She swallows hard, the nerves beginning to show. I reach out and trace the contours of her face with my fingers, taking in the sight of her back arching.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper, my voice a rough murmur.
“Thank you,” she breathes, her voice barely audible.
I push aside any lingering doubts and reach for her. My hands grip her waist, pulling her close. She wraps her arms around my neck, her fingers digging into my skin. I wrap her legs around me from where she lies below me, my cock at her entrance, but don’t enter just yet. I take one finger and place it in my mouth, sucking it wet. She watches with part impatience and part shyness as I slide my hand down between her thighs and tease her clit. She jerks against my hand and tries to push herself on my cock, my fingers, on anything that’s me, but I pull back.
“Damien,” she protests with a breathy moan.
“Shh,” I whisper, tucking back a strand of hair with such gentleness that she melts into me. Then, without warning, I slide my finger into her tight pussy. She gasps, her eyes fluttering open as she comes vividly alive in my arms.
I start by rotating my finger in slow, soft circles. She begins to run her hips to my tunes, pushing against my finger. “More,” she whispers. I grin as I slide in another finger and this time, keep one pressed against that sweet spot under her clit, and feel her throbbing walls with the other.
“Oh my god,” she moans, biting her lips and placing her arms behind her for support, her legs still wrapped around me. Her pussy now drips, and I can hardly feel my fingers from how hard I’m working.
“God, Genevieve,” I bite her lower earlobe, as I begin to grind my fingers in a fast, quick dance with her throbs.
“Damien,” she cries out. “Just like that, baby. Just like that,” she shrieks, her eyes squeezed shut in intense focus. I see the beads of sweat trickling down her breasts and bend down to lick them off. She lurches and moans, and places her hand on my hair, pushing me to her hard nipple. I suck her gently with my tongue, and slam her with my finger and keep slamming her, over and over again until I feel her muscles begin to clench around me, her legs tremble, her breasts jiggle.
She’s losing control, and she’s on the brink. ”Fuck, Damien!” she cries out, her pussy pulsing around my fingers. Her muscles start to contract, her walls become tighter and I feel the orgasmic wave building inside of her. I can sense she”s about to cum all over my fingers, and I want that so badly.
I keep thrusting into her, hammering her against the back of the couch as she rides my fingers, her hips moving in sync with mine. She”s so close now, her breaths short and sharp, her entire body trembling under me.
Her eyes are half-open, wild with lust, looking at me with a plea for more.
”Please,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. ”Please, Damien. Show me how much you want me.”
And with those words, I decide to give her what she wants. I pull out my fingers from her, and in one swift motion, I reposition myself between her legs and roll my hips, pushing into her pussy, savoring the feeling of her warmth and wetness against me. She gasps, her nails digging into my skin as I enter her.
“You’re so tight,” I groan, my voice hoarse with desire.
“All for you, baby,” she says. “All for you.”
She looks so beautiful, so enchanting, and my dick swells in her pussy. I grab her waist and roar when I can no longer be gentle. I smash my cock into her, deep and hard, feeling her inner walls clutch at me, responding to my every thrust. Damn, she feels good.
She cries out, her body writhing beneath me as I thrust into her, fulfilling my every desire. My heart races, my blood pumping with raw adrenaline as I claim her. Genevieve arches her back, her nails raking my skin, and I revel in the sensation.
My cock glides in and out of her, her wetness coating me whole.
She gasps, her voice breathless with pleasure. “Take me, Damien.”
I do, and my thrusts become more urgent, more forceful.
“Harder,” I demand, my voice low and guttural. “Fuck me like you mean it, Genevieve.”
She bucks her hips repeatedly, meeting each thrust with equal force. Our bodies slam together, skin slick with sweat and desire.
Wanting more, needing more, I pull out for the briefest second, grab her hips, and turn her on her knees, her ass now facing me. I gently place her face down on the cushion and hold her hands behind her back before driving my cock into her pussy one more time.
“You feel me now, baby?” I moan, knowing that she can take me deeper in this position.
“Oh baby, I feel you,” she gushes.
I thrust into her in this position, feeling her walls tightly hugging me, turning my dick to steel, driving me closer to climax. Her ass, round and soft, feels like a plush heaven against my groin, and I wonder how many times I can take her like this.
“Damien, just like this,” she gushes. “I want you just like this. I’m cumming, baby. Oh, I’m cumming…”
I feel her inner walls clench around me, and I know she’s close. I thrust harder, my balls slapping against her now sweat-soaked flesh. “Cum for me, baby,” I growl, my voice rough with desire. “Let me feel it, let me feel you cum for me.”
“I can’t hold back anymore,” she cries, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’m cumming, Damien, for you!”
The feel of her convulsing around me is enough to push me over the edge. I slam into her one last time, filling her with my own release. My cock pulses inside her, emptying every drop of my anguished pleasure into her depths.
We both collapse onto the couch, our bodies tangled together. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, and she rests her head on my chest.
She’s mine.