Chapter 25 #2
He narrowed his eyes and pushed an inch inside. A flood of sensations rocketed through me, discomfort threatening to pull me out of the sweet rapture. But he took his time, his eyes never leaving me as he pushed in another inch.
Then another.
I arched my back, gasping for air as the discomfort morphed into a hint of pain, but almost immediately, the strangest, most intense sense of pleasure washed over my entire body.
“Oohh…”
He chuckled behind me, smacking my bottom a second time.
Even the slight infliction of pain was passionate.
He jutted his hips forward, filling me completely.
His cock throbbed, the pulsing sensations electric.
As he gripped both hips, he thrust deep and hard, pulling almost all the way with every stroke.
My breath skipping, I clawed the bedding, my body still trembling. He wasn’t gentle, the force used almost pushing my face into the bed. But I loved it, even pushing back against him as he plunged like a wild animal. We were both panting, the bed squeaking and I was shocked at his stamina.
It was as if the man could go all night. Only I knew the instant when he couldn’t take it any longer by the sound of his animalistic grunts and the tenseness of his body.
With one more crack of his hand against my bottom, his entire body arched as he lifted his chin toward the ceiling and released. His cum was hot, the series of vibrations dazzling. At that moment I realized he’d taken every inch of me.
And was fulfilling every single fantasy.
* * *
Being in his arms was everything a girl could want. I hadn’t expected that he’d enjoy cuddling after sex. I honestly hadn’t anticipated that he’d ask me any questions, but he seemed interested in my life.
“What’s going on with your parents, Saige?”
“What do you mean?” Instantly, I bristled, even trying to pull away, but he was having none of it, his muscular arm holding my back against his chest.
“You know what I mean. The reason you seem to have no issue stepping into the gray area.”
“It’s obvious you already know.”
“You need to tell me.”
I did my best to turn around in his arms, fighting him playfully as I did.
He appeared serene, completely relaxed with his head in his hand, his elbow on the bed.
He was already half hard again, his cock pressing against my stomach.
“A land developer wanted my father’s ranch for years for the land.
A new resort. The asshole tried several times to sweet-talk my father and when he wouldn’t budge, he found a way to possibly force the ranch to come to auction. ”
“Back taxes owed?”
He wasn’t being judgmental, just matter of fact as he handled all aspects of business.
“Yes. Times were tough over the years and my father had been trying to pay everything back, but the penalties are just terrible. If the ranch goes to auction, I can guarantee you that son of a bitch had already threatened anyone else interested in the property that if they dare bid, they’ll suffer.
My parents will get next to nothing for it. ”
To see the rage on his face gave me the warm and fuzzies.
“When is the sale?”
“Three weeks.”
“Good to know.”
That’s all he said, but I could see something brewing in his eyes. “What about your family. I know you haven’t always been a part of the fancy Chertov world.”
With a single finger, he rolled the tip down from my forehead along the bridge of my nose. “You’ve been checking on me.”
“Isn’t it prudent to discover information about the competition?”
“I’m your competition?”
“I could want to become CFO one day.”
“I guess I’ll need to keep you on a very short leash.”
“Do you think that bothers me?” I tickled him playfully and he shook his head, his smile slowly fading.
“Maybe it should. Classic story. My birth father had an affair and I’m the product of that six-month relationship.
He didn’t want anything to do with either one of us until his wife was murdered.
Then suddenly, he wanted his entire family surrounding him.
Within a couple months, my mother, who’d sworn she hated him with all her heart, surprised me with an announcement they were getting married. ”
“Uh-oh. And you were unhappy.”
He brushed hair from my face, his expression reflective. “I was livid. To this day, there’s a slight rift with my mother still. Although I will say she was happy for a little while. Until he was murdered.”
“I’m sorry. However, mothers are important in our lives.”
“A dangerous occupation. He lost his first wife to murder and yet he remained very much in charge of the Bratva and there was no question his sons would follow in his footsteps. Kazimir is a good leader, a fair and reasonable man. He adores his family and would do anything for them.”
“Yet the world is still dangerous.”
Stash eased onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. “Yes, which is why I don’t want you involved.”
I scooted closer, resting my chin on his chest. “Apparently, I already am. Someone has already noticed we’re close.”
“Yes, Saige. They have. I think you were targeted at the club that night, but I can’t prove it.”
“Yet you have suspicions of who’s behind the attack.”
His shrug was noncommittal. “An old nemesis.”
“The man in the Chertov Revenge file?”
I risked what trust he’d placed in me, but I had to know the truth. Plus, I wanted him to know I wasn’t scared of what might happen. Foolish or not, I didn’t care. What I did care about was the man barely covered by sheets. “You are an insatiable brat. What do you know?”
“Only that you’re calculating his moves, which means you anticipate he’ll attack again.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
“Who is he?” When he didn’t say anything immediately, I stroked his skin. “You can trust me.”
“It’s not about trust. It’s about… the anguish I feel even though I don’t really know him.
He’s my other half-brother. He was a kid when his mother was murdered, Kazimir becoming his caretaker.
Mikhail had cancer and Kazimir became his surrogate mom.
So when Mikhail spiraled into hating his own brother, believing him partially responsible for their mother’s death, something snapped inside him.
People want to believe he went crazy, but he orchestrated his own father’s death and planned and executed having his brother kidnapped and imprisoned. I call him cunning as fuck.”
I sat up, horrified at what I’d just heard. “My God. That’s terrible.”
“And Kazimir allowed him to live, banishing him as if that was punishment enough.”
“He tried again. Didn’t he?”
“Yes, here in New York. The bastard walked away from a horrific fire while Kazimir and his second in command along with the woman Kirill recently married almost died.”
The realization was terrifying. “You’re next.”
Stash grinned, but I could see true concern in his eyes. “Apparently. Your apartment was trashed, Saige. I think he’s planning on finishing what he’s considering a game.”
“What? That son of a bitch.”
“You left your notes, the pages you’d printed from the blackmail list on the coffee table. I suspect if Mikhail is behind the break-ins, he’ll use that information against us by warning those on the list.”
“Oh, shit. He’s out to destroy the company as well.”
“With the perfect opportunity. He won’t stop until he gets what he wants. The worst part is that I’d always wanted to have siblings. Isn’t that crazy?”
“No, that’s not crazy.” I thought about what he was saying. “Do you think it’s possible he murdered Tawny?”
“I know for certain he has people working for him. And if I had to guess, I’d say he’s been undercover all along, posing as someone else. He is a master of disguises. We learned that the hard way.”
“So he could be anyone.” I thought about my last full conversation with Tawny.
“Yes. He could be. He has the money to create a new identity that stretches back years. My guess is he’s amassed enough powerful friends he can hide anywhere and right now, my instinct tells me he’s doing so in plain sight.
Which is why after we get some coffee and you get dressed, you’re going to start from the beginning and try and remember every detail.
There’s a necklace I found on the roof that I’m hoping you can identify. ”
He threw back the covers, kissing me on the forehead before climbing out of bed.
“Okay,” I mostly whispered.
“Which also means you are stuck with me for the time being.” He was trying to be jovial, even laughing as he headed to his closet. “No kidding this time. You’re not to leave this house unless I give the okay and with protection.”
“Okay, fine.” Was it possible what I was thinking was real?
“What’s wrong? You’re agreeing.”
“Is there a nickname for Mikhail?”
“What?” He moved closer to the bed, his eyes searching mine.
“Is there some nickname. You know, like Jeff for Jeffrey?”
He cocked his head. “Misha or Mishka. Why?”
“Do you have any pictures of Mikhail?”
“I’m sure I can find one. Why?”
I scrambled out of bed. “Did you bring me some clothes from the apartment?”
“Yes, along with everything for your cat. It’s downstairs. What are you remembering, Saige?”
“I need a picture of Mikhail. I think the man Tawny had a date with on the night she asked me to work for her might be your brother.”
“What?” He walked closer until he was so close my heart began to thud. “What makes you say that?”
“Something she said.”
“Talk to me.”
“Does Isabelle mean anything?”
His entire body tensed. “Why?”
“The name of the boat. Lady Isabelle.”
“That was the name of Kazimir and Mikhail’s mother. Why, Saige? I need to know.”
A series of prickling shocks drifted through me.
“Because Tawny showed me a picture of both the yacht and her date while he was on the phone. And she called him by name. Miska.”