Chapter 25 – Vivian
L ooking around the simple but masculine bedroom, a long sigh escaped my lips. The space was bigger than the pool house I was renting in southern Florida.
There was a noise in the private sitting room. Curious, I ghosted to the door. Luka had been holed up with his mobsters. I’d had dinner in the kitchen with Dani, her young toddler, and two teen cousins. There were other men roaming about the house. The constant bustle of people was so…strange. Considering I was an only child and rarely saw my parents, it was disconcerting to always be around people.
I’d fled up here under the pretense of unpacking the clothes we’d bought this afternoon.
But now, it seemed, Luka’s meeting was done.
“Yeah, I’m back,” he said into the phone. He stood by the windows, body a dark mass framed by the night. “The trip was good. How’s your hip?”
There was a pause, and then he chuckled. “Of course, lovely, but it’s not a very dark night.”
I stiffened.
It wasn’t just the word, it was his tone. Who was he talking to? Was that just a familiar nickname or was it something more?
Oh, jeeze, don’t be something more! Something ugly trickled down my spine. It was entirely possible he had a girlfriend—a boyfriend—a someone . We hadn’t talked. I didn’t know him! This man had a life before me.
Before he plucked me off the beach and brought me back to be his prisoner.
Not wanting to admit the hurt feeling in my chest, because it shouldn’t be there in the first place, I steeled my emotions and took a firm grip on my heart. Mad—I could be mad!
“There’s been…a development,” he sighed. “I’ll see you soon, a stór.”
Luka plucked his leather jacket off the hook by the door. Chuckling, he ended the call. He came across the room, raised his fist to rap against the door, but then lowered it. Shaking his head, he turned away.
I let out the breath I’d been holding. I didn’t want to confront him, but damn me, I wanted an explanation.
When the door to the suite clicked shut, I flung open the bedroom door. I walked to the windows but couldn’t see anything more than the dark backyard. There were lights beyond, running along the exterior stone wall.
“I need to get out of here,” I whispered. The faint reflection of myself in the glass didn’t disagree.
Yes, my brief conversation with Laurel before the mobsters came for their dinner meeting had been fascinating. She wasn’t some trophy bride. Her brain was wicked sharp, and if she’d been a lawyer, she would have given me a match for my money.
I huffed a short laugh. Hell, she’d even gone into their meeting! Apparently, she helped the big, bad boss run the bratva.
“She’s so pretty.” Flaming red hair, an expensive, chic taste in clothing….
And Daniella wasn’t so bad. She was wrapped up in motherhood, but from what I gathered, she was also really tech savvy.
These powerful men attracted powerful women.
“I would fit in here,” I admitted.
Too bad I was using Luka to outsmart the manipulative sonofabitch trying to acquire my trust fund. It wasn’t even like Luka and I were in some kind of a business deal. No, this marriage was a complete sham. We were using one another.
What is he getting out of this, though? That thought cracked through my mind like a whip. He wasn’t getting anything out of it. Not that I could tell.
“Is he just a nice guy?” I murmured.
That wasn’t possible.
I turned away from the window in disgust. I wouldn’t let the bad luck of my situation conquer me. It wasn’t as though I’d done anything to deserve a shitty, scheming pervert. He used my solitude to be my friend, my confidant, the leech I couldn’t escape. Well, I wasn’t helpless anymore, and this arrangement with Luka was my way of outsmarting him.
“I just hope it’s temporary,” I seethed, storming back into the bedroom to meditate before bed. Because I could not catch any kind of feelings, even lustful ones, for the man I was using.
So why did it sting that he had someone, and he was keeping that part of his life a secret?
***
“And so this is my office, because they don’t want me in an unsecured building,” Laurel explained, ushering me into the upper room of Club M?.
“Wow,” I breathed. “I can’t believe the club I got shitfaced at after finals is owned by the mob.”
Laurel nodded. “It’s not that uncommon. Lots of venues are run by criminal organizations. We don’t even know all our rivals’ moves.”
“Fascinating.” I took in double L desks that were pressed against one another, as well as the pairs of computer monitors on each side. “Who else works up here?”
We passed a second office that she’d told me belonged to Ilya, the manager for all their clubs.
“Oh,” Laurel chuckled. “Dimi. He isn’t here all the time, though.”
“I would have thought you had an office at Vasil’s.” I took in the bright lighting, the soft grey walls, and the plush cream rug. It was very chic and incredibly fabulous. It belonged in an upscale office building, not the upper room of a club.
I tipped my head to the side. “I could never work with a significant other. Isn’t he always getting in your way?”
Laurel considered that. “Truthfully? No. We love working together, and I miss him when business calls him out onto the streets.”
A chill suddenly ran down my spine. “Is he in….”
My voice trailed off. I didn’t know how to ask her.
“Yeah, he’s in danger.” Laurel walked over to one of the desks, the one with rose and gold décor. She pulled up something on her computer screen. “This is our newest project.”
I came up behind her. They were renovating a historic structure, and the business plans for the boutique, hotel, and event space were incredible. I found myself instantly leaning over to look at it.
“Doing something like that has to come with a lot of red tape,” I mused.
With a short laugh, Laurel tapped her mouse. “Yes, yes it does.”
I gaped as files flashed on the screen. My fingers itched to scroll.
There was a tap on the open door. Laurel and I looked up in unison.
“I distinctly remember the pakhan telling you to keep this door shut.” Luka faked a serious look. But the twinkle in his eye betrayed him.
He wore a white linen button down. It was open at the collar. Ink teased at where that beautiful chest piece ended. I refused to let my mouth water at the sight.
I didn’t know this man, and if I let him in, he was going to only bring hurt and misery.
It was easier to hate him. If only I could get my body on board.
“Go ahead and tell him,” Laurel dared.
Luka chuckled. “Someone wants to be on her husband’s bad side?”
“And that’s enough of that.” Laurel put up her hand to stop him.
“Can I drop you off at home, Laurel?”
“I’ve got some work to do. Toli or Anton can take me home.” Laurel waved her hand.
“Alright, let’s go, Viv.” Luka swept his arm.
My choices were to throw a fit, to tell him I would rather stay with Laurel—and I would, or go with him as he asked. But I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to smell his cologne or catch the flex of his muscles. No, I wanted to keep my distance.
Luka hadn’t come home until three a.m. When he’d rolled out of bed at five this morning to go who the hell knew where, I spent the morning with Laurel. I liked her. I respected her. Causing a scene would only make things uncomfortable for her.
So I said my goodbyes and followed Luka out of the room.
“Hi there, pretty lady, how’s it going?” Luka looked down at me, a broad grin on his face.
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped.
He stopped mid-step, eyes narrowed. “Good afternoon to you too.”
When I didn’t comment, he continued.
“I was thinking we could do lunch, see if there was any more shopping you needed to finish, and then there’s a store I wanted to pop into.” While his ever-present smile was on his face, there was something more.
I couldn’t read the strange emotion. Hope, maybe? Shyness? But what did a man like him have need of those things for?
“I’m good, actually.” I stopped short. “I’ll hang out with Laurel and hitch a ride back to my prison with her.”
Those light blue eyes narrowed to slits. “That’s not an option.”
Of course, it wasn’t. I kept walking, ignoring the prickle at the corner of my eyes. Emotions all over the place, I hadn’t realized just how much I’d been stewing about his phone call. It was festering.
“Just like everything else isn’t an option,” I scoffed, clattering down the back stairs. “How am I not surprised.”
Pushing through the doors, I retraced our path from earlier. This hall led from the back labyrinth to the private rooms. Patrons could rent them and look over the club, but not be seen. There was balcony seating on the other side of the club, and a mezzanine wrapped around this second level.
Everything was quiet, heavily shadowed, and a touch spooky.
A force shoved me to the side. The door to the private room flung open, and I pitched forward.
“Hey! That was definitely touching,” I shouted, turning around.
Luka held up his hands as he kicked the door shut. “Technically not, but if it wasn’t clear to you, I’ll make this next time crystal.”
Slapping his palm against the wall, colorful lights bloomed on the L.E.D. strip that ran around the top of the room. They weren’t flickering or pulsing, so I didn’t bother telling him they could be a trigger for me. I wouldn’t appear weak in front of him. I wouldn’t give him any more power over me than he already had.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, proud that there was no tremor in my voice.
The door fell shut behind him. “I want to touch you.”
An incredulous laugh pushed past my lips. “That is not happening.”
Slowly, he lifted the corner of his shirt. Heat pulsed between my legs at the flash of toned flesh. Traitorous body! But I was unable to look away. My gaze tracked the movement. Something black contrasted with the bronzed skin, hiding beneath the waist of his pants.
Luka drew the object out, and the knife’s wicked blade flashed in front of me.
My heart stopped for a second before slamming into my ribs at a rapid pace. Words stuck on my tongue. The bravado flickered out as the anger and dislike winked out of existence.
The black blade cut through the kaleidoscope of color from the lights. It slashed across his forearm. Dark bloomed over the white of the shirt.
Horror washed through me, and I jumped after him, ripping my cardigan off. I slammed the bunched-up fabric on his arm.
“What were you thinking?” I gasped. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
A rich, warm chuckle rumbled in his chest. “People have been asking that question since I was born.”
I pushed the shirt up his forearm, fingers reaching to grab the flesh and better examine the cut.
The moment our skin made contact, Luka pounced.
“Mine,” he growled.
The room tilted. My back hit the couch. Luka covered me, his lips on my neck, biting and sucking.
“Get off!” I protested, struggling to scoot out from under him.
“You knew the rules, Vivian.”
“I don’t want this. I don’t want you! ”
“Tell me another lie, sweetheart.” Shifting his hips, he yanked down my pants. Cold air brushed against my skin, making me shiver. Luka slid two fingers into my core. “You’re drenched for me.”
“Fuck you!” I wrenched against his hold to hide the needy little shudder.
His dark chuckle was velvet against my ear. “What do you think I’m doing?”
The black denim shorts hit the ground with a deafening finality. This was happening. I touched him, and although I would never admit it, I knew exactly what I was doing.
I want this.
Those words stayed firmly behind closed lips.
Luka’s fingers rubbed tight circles, sending a fire through my veins. Blood trickled down the cut on his other arm that was braced on the couch behind my head. Several drops fell on me. His chest heaved as deep breaths filled his lungs. He wanted this as badly as I did.
Pushing every twisted, tangled thought to the back of my mind, I surrendered to the moment.
“Fine, do it then,” I said through clenched teeth, rocking my hips into his touch.
A low whistle blew through his lips. “Would you look at that? You’re desperate.”
Fucking asshole! I let my gaze scream it back at him.
The smirk on his mouth told me he heard it. In the myriad of colors from the L.E.D. strip, the monster above me could have been related to the hatter from Wonderland. The dance of lights played over the manic scene, making me crave the madness.
I wanted to taste it.
His touch slid against my throat. Those fingers didn’t cut off the air, but their touch was firm, solid—unrelenting.
Drip—
Drip—
His arm leaked on me. Each drop echoed the crash of my pulse.
There wasn’t a part of me that wanted to admit I liked it, but the whimper that escaped my lungs said it for me.
Luka rubbed his thumb against my pulse. “Look at you. You want it so badly.”
The fingers between my legs disappeared. Wetness slicked my skin. My bare pussy wept for him. She didn’t have to wait long. Luka unleashed his cock. My insides convulsed at the sight. Anticipation coursed through me, sending a rush of pleasure spiking my veins. That monstrous piece of equipment bobbed between us.
My core clenched. Any second now!
“It drives me crazy when you look at me like that,” he rasped, the hand on my throat moving up to cup my cheek. The intensity of his gaze twisted inside me.
Lost in the moment, I didn’t realize Luka was pushing my legs further apart. The tattoos decorating his body seemed to move in the blaze of lights. They danced, blank lines, across his body. A living story—one that I couldn’t read.
With a vicious thrust, Luka slammed into me.
I gasped, the air stinging the back of my throat.
Stretched and full, the feeling of his invasive presence sent me to another world. Stars dotted my vision. Blindly, I scrambled for purchase. My fingers clawed against his chest to find purchase.
“That’s it, darlin, just like that,” he panted, driving into me with an unforgiving abandon.
His fingers laced around my throat once more. This time, they squeezed. Cut off from the precious oxygen, excitement rushed through me. The pressure was momentary, however. Luka drew his touch into my curls, tangling at the base of my skull.
Pushing my knee high, he thrust with an unforgiving force. He was impossibly deep, fucking me relentlessly.
I drew my nails down his body, relishing the animalistic sound that rumbled in his chest.
Those broad shoulders flexed as he thrust into me. I moved against his punishing hold, ignoring the scream of pain as my hair pulled. My teeth sank into the flesh. Salty, but not unpleasant. I sucked hard, relishing the desperate groans escaping his throat.
The heat that had been simmering in my body since our last encounter, the same that spiked every time I was close to this man, was unleashed in a furious blast. There was no more holding it back.
Luka tugged against my scalp.
I ignored him.
He was going to have another beautiful bruise marking his body. My mark. Evidence of this collision.
Luka’s hand snaked out of my tangled curls and clasped around my neck. I gasped but wasn’t quick enough. He squeezed hard enough to cut off the flow of air, not letting go like last time.
“Quit biting,” he hissed.
My teeth sank deeper.
Luka’s pressed harder. I broke away, struggling to bring air into my lungs. His hold clenched tight for a second and then released. A rush of air sent spots to the edges of my vision.
He was ruining me. There was no other man who could touch me like this, feed the fire roaring in my body.
“More,” I ground out, my voice rough from the effect of his hold. I didn’t care if he knew how desperate I was for release. He was the only one who could give me what I needed.
“As you wish,” he laughed roughly.
And he did. He fucked me straight to the edge. It was primal, desperate. His blood, crimson and sticky, coated my chest, and smeared down my throat. Stuck in my hair. We were a mess, bruised and tangled. Trapped in a web of lust where reason didn’t exist. Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room. I clung to him, rising to meet each thrust.
I could hate him, I didn’t trust him, but damn…this was otherworldly.
The exquisite burn rose to a crescendo. I succumbed to the fury and let it send me over the edge. The orgasm ripped through me, singeing every nerve ending in a blast of pleasure.
“Beautiful woman—mine. My wife.” And then he followed me over the edge to embrace the insanity. He fucked me with a force unheard of as the release thundered through him.