Chapter 19 - Ivan
So far, I have done a relatively good job keeping Daria separate from the family business. It made more sense for me to keep both things in their own world, but as time went on and I found myself wanting to earn more of her trust, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep her completely away from it.
It was risky to blend both worlds together, but a part of me didn't care. I wanted us to understand each other better, if nothing else, and I figured showing her more of my life away from home would help with that.
We had numerous clubs and other businesses, but the one I had in mind was always my go-to. It was one I wanted her to see.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her while she was in that tight dress with her hair loosely curled and draped over her shoulders. Struggling to pull away from the small of her back once we reached the SUV, it took more self-restraint than I cared to admit to let her climb in.
The warmth of her skin through the fabric was so addicting, I didn't want it to end.
I had come to know the feeling of her body against mine, and it was almost absurd how easily it affected me.
Even if it was absolutely true, I didn’t want Daria to know she had any kind of sway over me. I had been far too adamant about the opposite before, and I knew that made me a hypocrite.
She sat quietly next to me while we moved through the city, watching as the sights went by. She was unaware of how I’d sneak the occasional glance at her, drinking in how good she looked.
My ringtone shattered my reverie the moment it went off in my pocket, stirring me from my thoughts. With a sigh, I grabbed it to find Aleks’ name on my screen. I answered it and brought the phone to my ear, well aware that Daria was right beside me.
“Yeah?”
“Where are you?” my brother asked simply, skipping any kind of greeting.
“Out. Why?”
He snickered faintly. “At least you can multitask…why have numerous brothers when none of them ever pick up? Anyway…I was just told the drop-off scheduled for Tuesday has been changed to tomorrow instead. Since you’re the one to pick up first, I’m handing that responsibility to you.”
I wasn’t entirely pleased that Daria was able to listen in, but I continued anyway, hoping to leave out any glaring details.
“Lucky me…how perfect for a Saturday morning.”
Of course, leave it to Aleks to have the perfect timing. It’s not like I planned on taking my wife out for the night or anything.
Aleks stepped around my less-than-enthused reaction and continued, “I need you to be there and make sure everything goes right. Can I count on you?”
Regardless of my vague irritation at the thought, I knew it was important, and I had a duty to my family and our business. “Of course…I’ll make sure the others don’t fuck up.”
He chuckled then, apparently happy with my compliance. “Good. Let’s hope this trade doesn’t end up like the last.”
“I hear Reggie’s still recovering…maybe he can be an example for our other associates.”
“Recovering his pride is more like it. But yes, use him as an example if you must. Just make sure everyone stays in line tomorrow.”
“I will,” I affirmed, nodding to myself. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“All right…I’m counting on you.”
I knew that was true, and I didn’t take my brother’s faith in me lightly.
Finally, we said our goodbyes, ended the call, and I slid my phone back into my pocket. I could feel Daria’s curious gaze on me before she even had the chance to say anything.
“Yes?” I asked her, meeting her eyes.
She blinked back at me, aware she had been caught with her curiosity. Then she asked, “Was that one of your brothers?”
With a gentle breath, knowing I shouldn’t hide everything from her, I nodded. “Yes. That was Aleks. He’s the oldest.”
“Is he your leader or something?”
“Most people would call him a kingpin, or the head of our family, but yes. He dishes the orders, and we make sure they happen.”
I was somewhat surprised to see just how interested she seemed about the matter, but in a way, it was almost nice. Still, it wasn’t wise to share every aspect with her.
“And do all of your brothers have something to do with your family’s empire?”
“In one way or another.”
Daria looked me over for a moment as if considering whether she should ask or not, but she apparently couldn’t resist. “What’s your role?”
“You could say I’m the persuasion…” I began, looking closely at her features to gauge her reaction. “When we need answers or to put someone in their place, I’m the one to do it. I’m not opposed to getting violent when I need to.”
The faintest flicker of fear, or at least alarm, moved through her at that, and she swallowed hard. “I don’t doubt that. You can be…very persuasive.”
Amused by her agreement, I chuckled and rested my hand on her thigh, feeling how she barely tensed at the contact. My thumb brushed absently against the bare skin beneath her hem. “Perhaps the persuasion I’ve used on you is a bit different, but either way, I always know how to make someone crack.”
Overshadowing her faint apprehension given my admittance, a soft, almost longing veil seemed to cover her eyes. She shivered faintly beneath my touch.
Despite how she still seemed curious to know more, the club came into view, and the driver pulled up to the curb. With some relief, I was glad our impromptu Q&A session was cut short. I wasn’t opposed to sharing some things with her regarding my work, but a part of me was still on the fence about trusting her completely.
I wanted to believe that we were making strides, but I could never be too careful when it came to anyone outside of my family, regardless of us being married.
It would take time before we could even begin establishing that kind of absolute trust. Lowering that guard of mine was a massive feat, and if she could manage to do it, then I’d have nothing but respect for her.
Regardless, I popped the door open and got out before offering Daria a hand and helping her out.
On our way inside, while she took in the sights of everything, I guided her with my hand on her back once more, feeling the selfish need to keep her close.
I didn’t know what had gotten into me, but seeing her wearing that dress and looking done up was enough to make it seem nearly impossible to focus on anything else but her.
Given a nod from the bouncer, the two of us moved inside, and we were immediately surrounded by the usual music and ambiance of the place. Beneath the changing lights and the faint haze in the air, I directed her through the crowd and over to the closed-off VIP section.
With some relief, I noticed it was empty, and none of my siblings were there. At the very least, that meant I had fewer questions to answer, and I had the chance to focus solely on her.
We both took a seat on the plush couch, and I couldn’t help but watch while Daria soaked it all in with a faint look of wonder in her eyes. At the same time, I caught the eye of one of our bottle girls and motioned for her. Once she arrived, I leaned in and gave her the orders of what to fetch us.
Once we were left alone again, my hand resumed its almost protective hold on her thigh.
“I’m assuming your brother never let you go to places like this?”
The reminder made her expression drop slightly, but Daria sighed before responding, “I’ve been to a few clubs before, but nothing like this.”
Reminiscent of her previous curiosity, I couldn’t help but wonder more about her dynamic with her brother. With faint encouragement through my touch on her thigh, I asked, “How much did he show you of our world?”
She considered it for a moment, entertaining me regardless of how she didn’t seem too keen on the topic. “Nothing more than I needed to see. He kept me hidden away growing up, only taking me out when he needed something from me…I’m not a complete stranger to the violence, but it’s not something I like to be a part of.”
Nodding my understanding, I knew that only made sense.
As the bottle girl returned, I hummed closer to her ear. “Enough about all that, then…we’re here to have a good time.”
Daria seemed relieved to hear that, and she nodded, seemingly welcoming the idea.
With the tray of various bottles and shot glasses placed on the table in front of us, I moved to the edge of the couch and reached for one of them. In our section, the music was quiet enough for me to speak without needing to shout.
She looked at the bottles curiously, noticing the names on the labels before meeting my gaze. “This is yours?”
With a faint grin at how she connected the dots, I nodded and poured some vodka into the glass. “That’s correct…this is my most recent endeavor. Our premium line just released this week.”
Even if it likely didn’t mean all that much to her, she still looked vaguely impressed. “I didn’t know that was something you were into.”
I hummed my amusement. “You wouldn’t…but now you know. And I want you to try them.”
Intrigued by the idea, Daria nodded and went to accept the glass, but I kept it just out of her reach, letting my lips pull slightly. I gently took her chin between my fingers and nudged her. “Head back.”
Surprised by it, she hesitated before tipping her head back while I held the shot glass above her lips.
Smoothly, I slid my fingers through her hair and against the back of her head, cradling it while I took in the intrigued glimmer in her eyes. I didn’t miss the slight shiver that moved through her and only amused me more.
“Open up for me,” I murmured, brushing my thumb lightly against her lower lip.
Daria let go of a shaky breath before parting her mouth, letting me do what I wanted.
Carefully, I tipped the glass forward and let the vodka stream into her mouth, washing over her tongue before letting go and allowing her to swallow.
All the while she drank it down, braving the burn of it, Daria kept her eyes on mine.
I maintained that gaze for a moment longer, taking in the sight of her compliance after the fact. Then I asked, “Thoughts?”
After a moment, she cleared her throat and winced faintly. “It burns.”
“As it should,” I said with a chuckle before throwing back the rest of the shot. I pulled in a breath and gestured to the other bottles. “Want to try more?”
To my surprise, Daria’s eyes gave away that familiar interest, and she nodded.
Pleased by her willingness to participate, I did exactly that.
Once we were several shots deep, my fingers returned to her scalp while I gently stroked her head and brought another glass of liquor to her lips, watching how the soft skin of hers pressed against it while she accepted the drink.
My eyes were completely fixed on her face all the while, noting the soft yet erotic flush in her cheeks and how I wanted nothing more than to see her lips wrapped around me instead. The thought, paired with her flushed appearance, made me shiver.
Despite our tense antics, charging the air between us, we were silent. I watched her with complete reverence while she allowed me to dish those shots for her in the club, not caring about anything else happening around us.
At that moment, I could only focus on her and how gorgeous she looked. I had half a mind to take her right there.
Whether she knew it or not, she was making it so hard to hold back.
I cursed the fact that we were in public still the moment a drop of tequila rolled past her lips and down her jaw. Unable to resist, I leaned in and lapped it up from where it reached her neck, savoring the taste along with the smooth texture of her skin.
We both shivered, and I could feel my restraint slipping more as I pressed an open-mouthed kiss against her neck.
It was obvious what we both wanted, and I knew it wouldn’t take long before we were making a complete mess of each other.
Caught in a pleasant tipsy haze, it was unclear how the rest of our time at the club went. In between flashes of recognition, I could feel the back seat of the SUV beneath us, and the softness of her lips through messy kisses.
Every touch and taste pushed me closer to the brink of losing my mind, not registering anything outside of that moment between us in the back of the vehicle, silently praying we’d be home sooner rather than later.
Completely consumed by the feeling of her skin beneath my hands and the way her mouth was just as eager as mine, I knew I wouldn’t be sated until I had her again. Until she was writhing beneath me.