Chapter 23 #2
“Mamma manages that on her own, believe me.” She plopped down on the leather couch. She didn’t change the furniture here, but the TV was new. “You know she was all for this marriage. You’re her favorite son-in-law.”
“I’m her only son-in-law. But let’s not deny that the Amalfi Coast villas played a part in her approval.”
“No, it’s more the Zahkarov name.”
I snorted.
“What? You’re Russian nobility. Mamma is a domestic goddess. She was groomed to be a mafia wife. Her parties are legendary. She’s an amazing cook and can entertain like nobody’s business, and you should see all our properties with her knack for interior design—they’re showrooms. I’m none of that.”
“I don’t need those in my wife,” I told her.
“You don’t?”
“Are you fishing for compliments, Lusenka?” I murmured, scooting closer to her. “Besides being very responsive in bed, I admire you for your brains too.”
She emitted a husky laugh, and I loved how she melted into me. “You better.”
“You’re very resourceful. Why do the pesky work when you know exactly which people to call for their expertise, hmm?” I put my arms around her.
“I should have called Mamma immediately and not wasted your money.”
“It’s not wasted. It taught me about the finer points of married life.”
Lucy leaned away. Her mouth was twitching, but her eyes widened in mock outrage. “What?”
“Not to sweat the small stuff. I would have gotten used to that yellow painting.” Was I lying? Probably. But I didn’t like making my wife insecure about her domestic abilities. I wanted to be an encouraging husband, right? “I was incredibly insensitive. I apologize again.”
Her mouth pursed with impish humor. “You’re forgiven.”
“Thank God,” I deadpanned. “Did we just settle our first domestic dispute?”
Her tinkling laughter made my cock jump. I nuzzled her neck and felt her breathing hitch. “How about you sleep in my room tonight?”
“Hmm…I’m tempted,” she whispered. “Those were beautiful flowers, and you actually apologized.”
My teeth nipped her chin. “Wait. I have a better idea. How about that weekend trip to the Bahamas? We can fly out there this evening and be on the yacht by morning.”
“Maybe…convince me.”
I captured her lips and groaned, realizing how much I had missed kissing her for one night. Her mouth was sweet and addictive at the same time. The urge to bear her down to the couch and fuck was overwhelming, but I didn’t want to stop and be left blue-balled because anyone could walk in on us.
I broke the kiss. “Fuck. How about you go pack and I make the arrangements?”
“You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack,” I said. “Just you and me. And there’s plenty of room on the yacht, so we don’t have to share a bed. But just to get away even for the weekend.”
“A weekend under the sun sounds good.”
“I’ll take you on a longer vacation next time.”
“Kirill, aren’t we—”
“No, we’re not. I say we need this.”
She grabbed my jaw and kissed me hard. Then she stood and grinned at me. “I’m excited.”
“Go on, Lusenka.”
I needed a few minutes to wrap around the impulsiveness of my actions.
But I was on the cusp of having a real marriage.
One that wasn’t built on lies and revenge.
I didn’t know if Lucy and I would last. Just the idea of the divorce made me want to break something.
But that hollowness in my chest was gone. It was filled with all things Lucy.
I jumped to my feet. I needed to call Kolya to make sure he had the job this evening handled. I even sent Sato as backup.
The plant that was in my office was now on top of a foyer table. I smiled. It made my wife happy to put a splash of green in my office. Didn’t they say green was calming? Maybe that was her intent.
I picked it up, passed an astonished Sorcha, and muttered, “What? I changed my mind. Just make sure someone waters it.”
After laying the planter down by the window, I called Kolya.
“Everything’s fine,” he said. “You didn’t have to send Sato.”
“But he’s there. Use him.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m flying out to the Bahamas with Lucy this evening. It’s just for the weekend, maybe until Monday. I need you to be alert and keep an eye on things.”
Kolya didn’t answer for a long time. I thought the connection had died.
Finally, he said, “You’re getting rid of her?”
Anger surged inside me, and I could feel a vein pop in my temple. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You’re going on the yacht.”
“Yes, why does this matter? It’s a pleasure trip, not business.”
Kolya huffed. “You’re in the Bahamas, Kirill, there’s plenty you could do that’s business.”
There was. We had allies on those islands as well as people we wanted to get rid of.
When I didn’t say anything, Kolya added, “Don’t tell me you’re not tempted. That madame who’d been part of that sex trafficking of minors is hiding out there. She ratted out our shipment from the Colombians. I can get you her location. Three days? Huh, you can take care of her in a few hours.”
“Does Sergei keep the barrels on the yacht?” I asked.
“Always.”
“Lucy is sharp. She’ll notice I’m up to something.”
“Use your charm.”
I chuckled darkly. “What charm?”
“The madame likes you. You can charm her before you put a bullet between her eyes,” Kolya said.
But I wasn’t going to do this to Lucy. There could be no bratva agenda on this trip. Still, I couldn’t help saying, “I’m sure she’ll fit nicely into the barrel. I could dump her in the ocean.”
“See.”
“It’s crazy how I like your crazy.”
“We’re two of a kind, Kirill,” he said. “Anyway, I gotta go.”
“Go, then.”
“Enjoy your honeymoon.”
It wasn’t the honeymoon Lucy deserved, but I would take a quick vacation with my wife for now.
After I ended the call, I made arrangements with Sergei, my man in the Bahamas, who was in charge of bratva business.
He did everything from managing our offshore accounts to arranging the crew for the yacht.
I was about to call and have our plane spun up, but I wondered what time Lucy would prefer to leave. I’d like to get there by morning. But when I knocked on her door, she didn’t answer. Could she have moved her things to my room?
A pleasant feeling expanded in my chest. But it quickly deflated when I didn’t find my wife in my room either.
I descended the steps and stalked toward the kitchen. It was empty.
“Lucy,” I called.
I headed to the back of the mansion towards the servants’ quarters and ran into Sorcha.
“Did you see Lucy?”
The old woman frowned. “Isn’t she in your study?”
Bile rose in my throat as a conclusion started to form and pieces of my phone call with Kolya started a playback in my head.
“No. Why do you say that?”
“She noticed the plant was missing in the foyer, and I said you decided it’s perfect for your study after all.”
Fuck. Shit. Fuck.
And knowing my wife’s propensity for eavesdropping, Lucy had heard my side of the conversation with Kolya.
She thought I was taking her on vacation to kill her.