Chapter 11Jenny
CHAPTER 11
JENNY
T he prospectus I reviewed this morning for a high-concept Sci-fi TV show feels heavy in my hands as I approach Ivan’s office. I’m nervous about presenting it or giving my endorsement, since that’s outside my job description. I’ve been slowly working through Miranda’s files and came across it.
It’s daunting. Will he like my tastes? Will he trust my judgment? Will he tell me not to overstep my place? My steps falter, and not from nervousness, when I hear raised voices from within. I pause outside the door, straining to make out the words.
“...Morozov’s presence in Atlanta is a direct threat,” says Marcus. “We need to act now.”
“I’m aware of the risks,” says Ivan, his tone clipped, “But we can’t make a move against Alexei without solid intel.”
I don’t know who they’re discussing, but it sounds dangerous. The voices drop lower, and I press closer to the door.
“...Jenny’s safety is paramount,” says Ivan. “Double the security detail on her. I want eyes on her twenty-four-seven.”
My eyes widen. They’re talking about me? Before I can process this, the door swings open. I stumble back, nearly dropping the prospectus.
Marcus stands in the doorway, his expression stormy. His eyes narrow when he sees me. “Ms. Graham.”
I force a smile. “Marcus. I was just bringing this…something for Mr. Markov.”
He nods curtly and brushes past me. I watch him stride down the hallway, his posture rigid with tension.
“Jenny.” Ivan’s deep voice draws my attention back to his office. “Come in.”
I step inside, mouth dry. Ivan sits behind his massive desk, looking every inch the powerful CEO, but there’s a tightness around his eyes that betrays his calm exterior.
“I have a prospectus…” I say, setting the folder on his desk. I’m awkward and nervous, with my attention no longer focused on the project that excited me just moments before.
He doesn’t even glance at it. “How much did you hear?”
I swallow hard. There’s no point in lying. “Enough to know someone named Alexei Morozov is in Atlanta, and that you’re worried about my safety.”
Ivan’s jaw clenches. He stands, moving around the desk to tower over me. “You shouldn’t concern yourself with Bratva business.”
“I overheard it, not eavesdropped, but—” Anger fills me at the rebuke. “Shouldn’t I? When it directly affects my life?”
“Jenny—”
“No.” I cut him off, surprising us both with my vehemence. “You don’t get to brush this off. Who is Alexei Morozov? Why is he a threat? What the hell have you gotten me involved in?”
His eyes flash dangerously. “Watch your tone.”
“Or what?” I challenge, stepping closer. “You’ll fire me? Go ahead, but I deserve answers. You’ve dragged me into this world of yours. The least you can do is tell me the truth.”
For a long moment, we stare each other down. Then he exhales raggedly and some of the tension leaves his shoulders. “Sit down. This is a long story.”
I perch on the edge of a leather armchair, my anger giving way to apprehension. He pours two glasses of vodka from a crystal decanter, handing one to me before taking a seat across from me.
“Alexei Morozov and I have a...complicated history. He was another protégé of Vyacheslav. We were once allies, working together to expand our territories in Russia, but Alexei wasn’t suited for the lifestyle. I told our mentor that, asking him to give Alexei a safer, administrative-oriented role, and Alexei thought I betrayed him for power. He disappeared for a few years only to resurface with his own gang and determined to take me down. We’ve had…skirmishes for power ever since.”
I take a sip of vodka, welcoming the burn. “And now he’s here in Atlanta?”
Ivan nods grimly. “It seems he’s decided to expand his operations to America, and he’s starting with my territory.” He gives me a rueful smile. “Perhaps because I tried to decimate him in Moscow a couple of years ago when he was targeting my territory. It wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped.”
“But why involve me?” I ask. “I’m just your assistant. I don’t know anything about your...other business dealings.”
A muscle ticks in Ivan’s jaw. “You’re not just my assistant, Jenny. You’re...” He trails off, seeming to search for the right words. “You’re important to me. Alexei has realized that, and he’ll use any leverage he can find against me.”
My stomach twists. “So, I’m a pawn in your power struggle?”
“No,” he says sharply, glaring at me. “Never a pawn to me. You’re under my protection. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I laugh bitterly. “Your protection? I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t sign up to be caught in the crossfire of a mafia war.”
“I know.” His voice softens. “And I’m sorry for that, but it’s too late now. You’re involved whether you like it or not.”
Fury rises in me again, hot and choking. “Because you decided to pull me into your world? Did you ever stop to think about what that might mean for me? The danger you’re putting me in?”
Ivan’s eyes narrow. “I’m keeping you safe.”
“Safe?” I stand, pacing the office. “How is this safe? Having a target on my back because of you?”
“My men are trained to handle threats like Morozov,” Ivan says, his tone maddeningly calm. “You have nothing to worry about…including Stephen”
I whirl to face him. “Nothing to worry about? Are you serious right now? You just told me that a dangerous criminal is targeting me to get to you, and you think I have nothing to worry about?”
Ivan stands, closing the distance between us. “Jenny, I promise you?—”
“Don’t.” I hold up a hand, stopping him. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You can’t guarantee my safety. Not when you’re the one who put me in danger in the first place.”
Hurt flashes in his eyes, quickly replaced by firm determination. “I will do whatever it takes to protect you. You have my word on that—and with or without me, you’d still be in danger from Stephen, so don’t pretend getting my protection doesn’t benefit you.”
I flush, realizing he’s right. Stephen was a problem I let into my life before Ivan ever saw me for the first time. Still, I resent being dragged into Bratva business. I open my mouth to utter a retort, but before I can, the intensity of Ivan’s gaze captures me, pinning me in place.
We stare at each other for a second as the temperature rises. I’m suddenly flushed and fitful, and he strides forward. I step back, trying to keep pace with his advance until he backs me against the door. His proximity ignites something deep within me, a magnetic pull I can’t resist. In a moment of reckless abandon, I close the distance between us, pulling Ivan in for a passionate kiss.
Our lips crash together, and the world falls away. The kiss is electric, sending sparks racing through my body. Ivan’s arms encircle my waist, pulling me flush against him. I tangle my fingers in his hair, reveling in its silky texture.
The kiss deepens, growing more urgent. He traces the seam of my lips with his tongue, and I part them willingly. He tastes of expensive whiskey and forbidden desire. A soft moan escapes me, swallowed by his hungry mouth.
My back presses against the cool wood of the door, a stark contrast to the heat of Ivan’s body. He cups my hips before gliding his hands up and down my sides, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arch into him, craving more contact.
Time seems to stand still. There’s only this moment, this kiss, and this man. The danger, the complications, and the consequences all fade away in the face of our shared passion.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless and startled. I stare up at him with my lips tingling and my heart thumping a rapid rhythm. His eyes are dark with desire, and his breathing is ragged. For a moment, neither of us moves.
The realization of what I’ve done hits me. I’ve crossed a line. Right now, with Ivan’s body still pressed against mine, and the taste of him on my lips, I can’t bring myself to care.
He cups my cheek in one large hand, using his thumb to trace my kiss-swollen lower lip. “Jenny,” he murmurs, his voice rough with need.
I shiver at the sound of my name on his lips. “Ivan, I?—”
He cuts me off with another kiss, this one softer but no less passionate. When he pulls back, he stares down at me with brooding intensity. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to do that?”
The admission sends a thrill through me. “How long?” I ask.
“Since that night when I rescued you. The bruise on your cheek made me want to murder Stephen, but your trembling lips made me want to taste them,” he says, his gaze intense. “You’ve haunted me, Jenny. Every day, every night…every second since.”
His words make my head spin. I struggle to form a coherent thought. “This is crazy,” I say, even as I sway closer to his touch. “We can’t?—”
“We can,” he interrupts while cupping the back of my neck, holding me in place. “We are. Unless you tell me to stop.”
I should. There are a thousand reasons why this is a bad idea. Ivan is dangerous, complicated. Getting involved with him could destroy me—but I can’t bring myself to say the words. Instead, I surge forward, capturing his lips in another searing kiss. He responds immediately, pressing me harder against the door. Where he touches me leaves trails of fire in their wake.
I lose myself in the sensation, in the taste and feel of him. Nothing else matters. Not the danger, not the complications, nor the uncertain future. There’s only Ivan and this burning desire between us.
When we finally break apart again, we’re both panting. He rests his forehead against mine, his eyelids closed. “We should stop,” he says, but he makes no move to pull away.
“We should,” I agree, even as I continue to explore the planes of his chest with my palms.
He opens his eyes to stare into mine. “I want you, Jenny,” he says huskily. “More than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”
My core clenches at his words. “I want you too,” I admit with enough heat that it surprises even me.
He nods, looking arrogant and pleased. “ Da , but this isn’t the time or place.” He steps back, looking as cool and composed as ever, while my world feels discombobulated.
On shaky legs, I stumble out of Ivan’s office, my cheeks burning and my heart racing. The kiss replays in my mind, a constant loop of passion and confusion. It takes every ounce of willpower I possess not to turn around and go back for more.
“Focus, Jenny,” I mutter to myself as I make my way to my desk. “You have work to do.”
Concentration proves impossible. My fingers hover over the keyboard, but my mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Desire wars with common sense, and fear tangles with an exhilarating thrill. It’s not safe or rational to want him this much, but I can’t seem to care.
A knock on my office door startles me out of my reverie. “Come in,” I say, grateful for the distraction.
Marcus enters, his expression unreadable. “Ms. Graham, Mr. Markov asked me to deliver these files to you.” He places a stack of folders on my desk.
I nod, avoiding his gaze. “Thank you, Marcus.”
He lingers for a moment, and I can feel his gaze on me. “Is everything all right?” he asks, his tone carefully neutral.
“Of course,” I say, too quickly. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t comment further. “If you need anything, let me know.”
As he turns to leave, a thought strikes me. “Marcus, wait.” He pauses, looking back at me. “What can you tell me about Alexei Morozov?”
His expression darkens. “Where did you hear that name?”
I swallow hard, realizing I may have overstepped. “I...overheard it. In Ivan’s office.”
He grits his teeth. “Ms. Graham, that’s not a name you want to be throwing around lightly. For your own safety, I suggest you forget you ever heard it.”
His words make me tremble. “Is he really that dangerous?”
“More than you know,” he says grimly. “Stay out of it, Jenny. For your own good.” With that, he leaves, closing the door behind him.
I slump in my chair, my mind reeling. What have I gotten myself into?
The rest of the day passes in a blur. I go through the motions of my work, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Ivan and the kiss we shared. By the time five o’clock rolls around, I’m a bundle of nerves.
I gather my things, debating whether I should stop by Ivan’s office before I leave. In the end, cowardice wins out. I’ll deal with the fallout at his place.
As I step out of the elevator into the parking garage to meet the SUV my guards are driving, I shiver. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched. I remind myself Andre and Daniil are lurking somewhere, which explains the sensation, but I’m still on edge.
I quicken my pace as a hand clamps down on my shoulder. I whirl around, my heart in my throat.
Ivan stands before me, his eyes blazing with an intensity that takes my breath away. “Running away, Jenny?”
“I... no, I was just...” I stammer, unable to form a coherent thought with him so close.
He backs me against a car, caging me in with his arms. “We need to talk about what happened in my office.”
I swallow hard, acutely aware of every inch of space between us. “Do we? It was just a kiss, Ivan. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
His eyes narrow. “You and I both know that’s not true.”
Before I can respond, his lips crash down on mine. The kiss is even more explosive than the first, filled with pent-up desire and unspoken emotions. I melt into him, all thoughts of resistance evaporating.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing heavily. He rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed. “Let me show you how much it means.”
With a whimper, I pull away. “I can’t. I can’t give in to this. You’re my stalker, Ivan.” Never mind I feel safer with him than I ever have with any previous boyfriend. “It’s a matter of principle.”
I expect him to be angry, but he just smiles. “We’ll see how long your principles last in the face of this need, kotik .” Looking at ease, he says, “Are you ready to go home?”
I nod dumbly, not sure how to respond, or what I should be thinking or feeling right now.