7. CHAPTER 7
7
IVAN
My alarm blares, waking me from my dreamless slumber. Turning off the offending sound, I stretch my arms above my head, groaning at the pleasant feel of my limbs loosening. I sit on the edge of the bed, wearing only my boxers, and grab the hair tie on my nightstand to pull my thick mop of hair out of my face. This must be the thousandth time I've contemplated cutting it as it's more than annoying, but for some reason, I can’t go through with it. Stupid as it sounds, the idea of cutting my hair would be like shedding my life and all the secrets it held. Maybe it's nostalgia. I started to let my hair grow when I left here ten years ago. It was my fuck you to the world and a symbol of being free to be who I wanted to be. Thinking about it, maybe it's stubbornness. Or maybe I need to stop thinking about my fucking hair and get ready for the day, as today is gonna be a great one. Tyler will be back with the finalized plans for the build, and I can’t fucking wait. I wonder if he’ll fall for my charm. Or will I have to convince him with a little…force? Persuasion?
After a quick shower and beard maintenance, I dress in my black pants and black t-shirt, which cling to my body like a second skin. My full-sleeve tattoos look sharp, giving insight into the true Ivan and the dark soul that radiates off me when I let you get close enough. People are funny creatures. They only see what they want to see, not letting that undercurrent feeling of wariness and warning convince them otherwise. They ignore that gut feeling, which is so freakin dumb. Always go off instinct. That's who we are in nature, animals in the wild. Instead, they take my looks and golden retriever smile for real, which I’ve perfected since childhood, to give them this false idea that I’m an approachable softie. It’s all a mask. A costume. It has to be that way. How could you blend into society if you left all your demons out on display? That's why I came home. Dima and Lev are the same. It's our blood. The three of us were not meant to be your average person. We feed off pain and fear. Control and power, but cover it up in different ways. Hurting people is like being in a playground as a child, for me. It's fun and exciting, and it makes me feel alive. Inventing new ways to hurt people is my favorite hobby.
Believe it or not, after you’ve done our work for a while, it can get mundane using knives and guns—the standard torture shit. I get bored quickly if I don’t challenge myself. My most current weapon that I upgraded, which I used on Kai’s stupid friends, was a tattoo gun where I replaced the needle with a blade I designed and had custom made. I have some other new ideas, and I hope we get some action soon so I can try them out. Lev loves that shit too, and it's always more fun when you can share these things with others. Dima is a little different from us. He loves the blood, which I get, as the sight of the red liquid sliding down a victim's body is fucking erotic. But he isn’t keen on screaming, which you must listen to to get that result. I love the screams, the begging for their lives like it will make a difference, the quick shift from being the big man to a crying, snotty mess. Pain is part of life from when you are born. You come into the world screaming, it’s only fitting that you leave the same way. In most people's cases, anyway.
I leave my room on the other side of the mansion and make my way to the kitchen for a much-needed coffee to get my blood flowing for the day. As I enter the large space, I’m greeted by Seb and Kai, who are eating breakfast at the table.
“There’s coffee in the pot,” Seb says as he takes a sip of his own. I grab myself a cup and fill it to the top, ignoring the burn as I inhale the caffeine.
“How can you drink coffee like that?” Kai says, watching me as I finish the drink and fill my cup with another.
“Like what?” I ask.
“Doesn’t it burn? Do you even taste the coffee drinking that fast?”
“I’m not interested in the flavor. Only the effect.”
“Sounds about right,” Dima says as he enters the kitchen and grabs Seb for a sweeping kiss.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said. You've only ever chased the feeling. It's not a criticism,” Dima says as he grabs some orange juice from the refrigerator.
“Why wouldn't you chase a feeling if it's something that makes you feel good?”
“Normal people wouldn't chase a good feeling if it hurt others, Ivan. Christ, you’re as bad as Lev and D,” Seb says, rolling his eyes at me.
“Normal people? Is there such a thing?” I ask. Seb scoffs.
“After living here, I would say no,” Seb says.
“You want normal, beautiful?” Dima asks Seb, whose face softens. I think I’m going to throw up with the gooey-eyed looks.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“It’s too fucking early for this. Knock it off,” Lev says as he walks into the kitchen, utter disdain on his face at the interaction between Dima and Seb.
“God forbid. Luckily for you, I’m on my way out. See you later,” Seb says as he walks out of the room after a quick embrace with Dima.
“What time will Tyler be here again?” I ask Dima, who is at the kitchen window, watching his little pet Seb leave. Pathetic what he’s turned into.
“In the next few minutes. And I’m telling you, not asking you, to tone down the creepiness, Ivan. I want this project to go smoothly. I don’t have the patience to look for a new person.”
“Creepy? Fuck you. I’m endearing.”
Kai splutters, and I turn to face him.
“Got something to say?” I ask Kai with a raised brow.
“I don’t think endearing is the right word. Intense maybe?”
“Intensity is endearing. How else would he know that I’m planning on taking him?”
“You see, that's creepy,” Dima says.
“You’re one to talk. Have you seen how you speak to Seb? And didn’t you kidnap him to get him to date you?”
“Fuck off, Ivan.”
“Maybe just talk to him and find out what he likes?” Kai says, and I roll my eyes hard. These guys are such hypocrites.
“Kai, you turn up everyday looking like you’ve had the shit beat out of you because of yours and Jules’ weird ass hickey kink. Did he find out what you like in a nice conversation to get to that point?”
Kai blushes and lowers his face. The guy is so cute and sexy. It's a lethal combination and I can see why Jules claims him so hard.
“Thought so,” I say as I wash my cup up in the sink, when the doorbell rings. I have to restrain myself from running to the door. I need to get a smell of him this time. Imprint him so I will know if he walks into a room without looking.
“Come on, Ivan. Let’s get this over with as I have shit to do,” Dima says, and I follow behind him, giving a wink over my shoulder to a quiet Kai who blushes again. Such a cutie pie.
I stand close behind Dima as he opens the door. I know it's pissing him off by the deep irritated sigh that echoes in the large foyer as he opens the door. My big smile in place, I watch as the door opens and presents me with the gorgeous fucker on the other side. He has a gray suit on today, with an open white shirt, and a long woolen dark gray coat which makes his eyes stand out more. They’re an icy blue today, like a husky. He greets Dima first then his eyes land on mine, and he hesitates. Oh yeah. That reaction means I got to him before, made an impact. I want to rub my hands together and drag him off to a quiet room to dissect his thoughts while undressing him slowly. I would take my time, as if it was Christmas and I was unwrapping a special gift. Thoughts run rampant of Tyler wearing nothing but a big red bow and laying under a Christmas tree, waiting for me. I need to make that happen.
“Tyler,” I say, my voice deepening into a rumble not dissimilar to a purr. I wonder if Tyler purrs.
“Mr. Kozlov,” he says, as he grips my hand like he’s trying to prove something. If he’s trying to assert dominance, I’m the wrong person. I’m stronger than him. And meaner.
“Call me Ivan. We’ll be working close together, so no need to be formal.”
Tyler tries to pull his hand away but I hold it firmly, not breaking eye contact with him as I watch his pupils dilate. My eyes glide down to his lips which are plump and pink, he is panting, lips are slightly apart. It could be the cold outside that has done this, but I’ll accept it's me that's affecting him. I scan lower and watch his Adam's apple bob up and down in long hard swallows. I wonder if he’s ever sucked cock before? Can he deepthroat? Would I be able to see the outline of my cock on his throat?
“Ivan. Quit it,” Dima hisses and I chuckle. I don’t remember a time where an adrenaline rush was this much fun.
“Let’s go to the office, Tyler, so we can go over your plans,” Dima says, and I let go of Tyler and follow behind him when he enters the home, strutting behind Dima. I move in closer behind him as Dima opens his office door, which brings Tyler to a halt. I lean into his neck, but without touching, to smell his skin. Delicious. A masculine woodsy scent emanates off him and my dick takes interest. Tyler spins around faster than I expect, almost bringing us nose to nose if he was a couple of inches taller.
“Did you just sniff me?” he asks in horror. I can’t help but laugh at his tone. He has a spirit that I like. A fighter.
“Yes and I wasn’t disappointed.”
“What is wrong with you? What kind of person sniffs another person, especially a stranger?”
“A hot guy who has found his new obsession,” I say in a low voice. A sharp gasp leaves Tyler, and he seriously looks like he is about to scream out for help. Maybe I came on too strong. Nah. He wants me. He just needs to realize it.
“If I’m going to work here, I want you to keep your distance. Don’t touch me, flirt with me, or smell me. Got it?”
I love this feisty side. I’m so horny right now.
“Sorry did you say something?” I say, which earns me a cute growl as he storms into the office. Dima looks like he is about to explode at me, but the grin on my face remains. I couldn’t give a fuck if this pisses people off. My mission is Tyler.