Chapter 13 - Iosif #2
I felt it was imperative that Clara not expose who she was or any part of her life. Heading towards them, with the intent of keeping them apart, I was pulled aside by my brother Avgust.
“I am on a mission,” I huffed at Avgust. “I have to prevent Clara from exposing herself.”
Avgust glanced at the two women at the bar and then spoke in a low tone as he looked back at me. “I think you worry too much, as it seems she is capable of hiding who she is.”
Staring at Zhenya and Clara, I had to admit that I was impressed by how she handled the situation. Then I noticed one of the Dubow cousins pulling Clara away from Zhenya. I have never met him in person, but have heard stories about him.
I watched for a moment, feeling my anger rise as he appeared to be overly touchy with Clara. Walking closer, I overheard the last part of their conversation. “I really like you,” the Dubow cousin told Clara.
The muscles in my jaw clenched as I felt my anger erupting. Moving closer quickly, I placed my arm around Clara’s shoulders. Staring him in the eyes, I spoke in a level tone. “Clara is spoken for.”
He turned his head to the side as he replied, sounding sarcastic. “I was not aware. I thought she was only a friend.”
“No,” Clara answered. “I never said or indicated that I was available.”
“What a shame,” the young man before us huffed as he lightly reached out and touched Clara’s hand.
I felt my anger turning to rage and knew if we didn’t move the conversation, a fight could be the end result. “I think that’s enough for tonight,” I spat at him as I pulled Clara towards me.
“You know,” I heard the young man say behind us. Stopping and turning, I looked him in the eye as he continued to push. “I can show you a good time.”
“I bet you can,” Clara shot back at him. I could see the disgust in her posture and hear the mocking in her tone.
Even though my blood was boiling, I felt proud of the way Clara handled the situation.
Pulling away from me, Clara stepped closer to the Dubow cousin. I ran my hands through my hair, feeling frustrated. We have an alliance with the Dubow and Mozorov families. How dare this man come to my house and hit on Clara?
“Maybe another time,” I heard Clara say to the stranger.
This was the last straw, as I felt everything inside me exploding. I grabbed Clara by the arm and pulled her with me as I walked out of the room. “I think we need to talk,” I spat at her, seeing only red.
I led her away from everyone. As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I turned her to face me. “Are you not happy? Am I not enough, that you want to show other men a good time?” I shouted, unable to control my anger anymore.
Snapping, I gripped Clara tightly as I pulled her towards me.
I took her lips by force, ensuing a passionate kiss.
Pulling back, she stared blankly into my eyes for a moment before snapping at me.
“He will never handle me this way.” Clara placed both her tiny hands on my chest as she tried to push me back.
“You think he is better than me?” I asked as I leaned closer.
My lips brushed her ear, as the smell of her intoxicated me.
Closing my eyes, I couldn’t imagine another man laying a hand on her.
“You have no idea of what that man is capable of,” I whispered into her ear.
I could hear the anger in my tone and knew I had to take a step back.
Letting go of her, I stepped back. “Why do you do this to me?” I huffed. The way I was feeling, I could drag her down the hall and show her what kind of man I truly was, consequences be damned.
“Iosif,” I heard Avgust calling behind me.
Turning, I glared at my brother as I was not done yet. “Something has come up, and you need to come with me now,” Avgust added. “Zhenya has a proposal she wants to discuss with you.”
I knew I should get back to my family. If I left them now to their own accord, things could get out of hand.
“I’m going to my room,” Clara spat at me as she headed up the stairs.
Watching her leave was kind of a relief. As the situation with the Dubow cousin couldn’t get out of hand. Following Avgust back to the entertainment area, I wondered what Zhenya had in mind.
“So,” I said as I sat down across from my sister. “Avgust said you have something to discuss with me.”
“Yes,” Zhenya replied eagerly. She raised her glass and took a sip, without breaking eye contact.
“Spit it out,” I replied. I could hear the frustration in my voice, even though it wasn’t her fault.
“Okay,” Zhenya huffed, raising her hands into the air. “It is in another city, and I need some of your men to secure the property. I have found a client that could prove to be valuable if treated right. This will be my baby, and I would like to have your support.”
Eager to get back to Clara, I replied quickly. “How many men do you need?”
“I have made deals on two warehouses and a section of the port for transportation,” Zhenya explained. “I assume I would need around thirty men.”
Taking a deep breath, I considered her answer before asking my own questions. “Why do you need so many men? And why are you not using some of the Dubow men?” I knew Akim had his own men and could assist her with this.
Zhenya looked me in the eye as she calmly explained the situation. “Like I explained in my email, we have had an incident. At this stage, I do not trust his men not to fuck up.”
“Fine,” I replied, giving in. Her safety was one of my priorities, as she was my baby sister. I have never been able to say no to her, and that hasn’t changed. Zhenya got up and leaned in to hug me. As she did so, she whispered into my ear. “Thank you, brother, I knew I could rely on you.”
It was getting late, and I was eager to speak to Clara to sort out our earlier conflict.
Standing, I spoke to the room. “Hey, everyone, I would like to thank you for the visit, but I think we could arrange a more formal get-together in the future. It is getting late, and I’m sure you all have business to conduct tomorrow. ”
There was a murmuring through the room before the guests started heading out. I walked with each to the door and saw them off. Zhenya and Akim were the last to leave.
“Thank you for coming,” I said to my sister as we greeted her at the door. “We will do this again soon.”
Once everyone had left, I made my way up the stairs to Clara’s room. “Printessa?” I called out, pushing it open. She wasn’t there. I moved to the bathroom door.
“Printessa?” I called out. There was still no reply. Opening the door, I found it also empty. My pulse was now racing, my heartbeat drumming in my ears. I quickly made my way through the upper floor of the mansion. Running from room to room like a crazy person.
There was no sight of her. “For fucks sake!” I breathed out loudly. I was frustrated, angry, and worried all at the same time.
How the fuck did she manage to escape again. I just couldn’t keep her where I wanted her. Why couldn’t she stay where I needed her? Why was she so fucking stubborn? She keeps on running from me, the one person who could protect her! I realized that I was kind of obsessed with her.
Yet, I had to get her back. She wasn’t safe out there. As I got downstairs, most of the people had left. My brothers were still there, Avgust and Lukyan were still there. “I can’t find Clara anywhere,” I spat at them.
“Have you asked Zhenya?” Avgust asked.
“No, why would I ask her? What does she have to do with Clara?” I enquired eagerly.
“Not sure,” Avgust blurted. “But I saw them talking outside.”
“Thank you, brother,” I said, turning and heading to my office.