Chapter 28
Stash
The stage had been set.
The players in their positions.
The trap baited.
The temptation was too much to pass by.
The security was tight.
Now all that was needed was the last key player.
“Breathe, my darling man. Just breathe.”
Hearing Saige’s voice, as seductive as it could be, dragged me from the intense moment.
She’d been right about one thing. The game was Kazimir’s to finish.
I respected that both with him being Pakhan and for having suffered more at the hands of Mikhail.
However, that didn’t mean my patience was intact.
“I am breathing.”
She tossed her napkin onto the table, pushing obstacles out of the way and forcing my hand into hers. “Relax. All three of you have done everything in your power to lure him in.”
I also leaned forward, pretending to snag her nose. Wow. I looked away as the quick memory began to fade. “Which wouldn’t have worked without your assistance.”
“Anything for my man. What is it?” she asked while rubbing her fingers across my palm.
“My father rubbed my hand that way when I was in the hospital. How can I remember that? I was two.”
“There are scientific studies indicating children have memories that young. You were scared and he calmed you down. That’s what fathers are supposed to do.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t know.”
“That’s what instincts are for.”
“I doubt I’d be good at knowing or doing the right thing. Not in my DNA.” As always, her voice lured me in like a fly close to a spider web. Only I was the one benefitting.
“I beg to differ.”
It was impossible to keep my hands off her. Why did I feel I needed to? We were in a Chertov-owned restaurant in a fabulous hotel owned by the family. We’d just enjoyed an incredible dinner with an amazing bottle of wine and we were together.
If we hadn’t been waiting for two events, I’d already have her sequestered in a hotel room where I’d spend hours ravaging her luscious body.
She leaned farther forward until our lips were touching. Lightly.
Romantically.
The candlelight and her sensual scent alone allowed me to continue pretending this was like any other night.
Yet it wasn’t.
We were the bait.
All the security in the room couldn’t change the fact Mikhail was dangerous.
Yet, with the Armenian election tonight, and the article that had gone out in the New York Times this morning on the possible downfall of the Chertov Corporation, the stage was buzzing with electricity.
We were very much in control of the game and how it was played. And I had my incredible companion to thank for so much of that. Including her brilliant penning of the very article printed by a reporter at the Times, a friend of hers.
Of course, the wording had been carefully selected since another article would clarify the accusations of blackmail and extortion. A risky game to play on its own merit, but one worth going through the hoops for.
My soon to be bride to be had laid it all out carefully. The timeline. How to go about correcting mindsets.
I rubbed my thumb across her chin as I took control of her mouth, enjoying the taste of red wine and the chocolate dessert we’d shared. An irresistible combination.
She slipped her tongue into my mouth, tasting me in the same way I was doing her. Fervently. With hunger that seemed insatiable.
But the feast would need to wait.
When I pulled our mouths free, she hummed slightly. “About time to leave.”
Easing back, I purposely rubbed my thumb across her stained lips, laughing when she took the thick digit into her mouth. I watched with continued lust in my eyes as she sucked for several seconds, allowing a hard pop when she pulled her lips free.
“Such a brat.”
Her eyes were instantly shadowed. “That’s what I used to call Tawny.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could have saved her.”
“She was a wonderful woman and a good friend. Something else for you to remember tonight. Life is precious. It can change on a dime and for that instant, you’ll wish you had more time to let go of what doesn’t matter.”
“Very profound.”
“I aim to please. Now, stop worrying. I received the last signed contract late this afternoon. All your blackmail candidates are now your partners.”
“I have no idea how you managed.”
Her laugh sparked the air around me. “And you’ll never know. It’s magic.”
My groan kept her laughter going. “I’ll remember this later. When I pull off my belt.”
She folded her arms. “Well, I might tell you my trade secrets. But only after I move into my new office?” Both eyebrows were now raised.
“Yes, ma’am. Being prepared as we speak.
” The only reason we’d agreed as a corporation to do business with the members on the specialized blackmail list was she’d figured out a concrete, very lucrative conclusion for all parties.
They would be our first stock owners when our shares went public.
Through her discussions with our attorney, we would always retain a huge percentage of stock as a family, no one party capable of purchasing enough to control the corporation.
However, with the companies getting in on the ground floor of this opportunity before our expansion efforts were complete, they would become very rich.
In exchange for their full loyalty.
A true win-win.
After tonight.
A voice sounded in our ears and we looked at each other as one of my soldiers provided new information into the small microphones.
Why not use modern technology in heading into battle?
“It appears viper is on the move,” Jason stated into our earpieces.
The viper.
“Sounds like the Born Killer needs to get busy,” she purred after turning on her microphone. I did the same. Being wired was one thing, but no one was allowed to overhear our private conversations.
“How do you know?” I was curious.
Saige chuckled. “Facial recognition software.”
I pointed toward her, my eyes opening wide as I mouthed the question as to if she was responsible. Her smile was cagey.
“She is correct. Works beautifully,” Jason commented.
“How far out?” I asked him as I scanned the restaurant out of habit.
“Stepping out of his car now. I’ll let you know how many others in a minute.”
“Get in position,” Kirill said.
“Be careful. I don’t need to remind either of you that Mikhail has everything to lose. When he discovers his world is about to crash and burn, there is no telling what he will do.”
Kazimir’s voice of reason brought my eyes to hers.
Saige nodded and was the first to rise from the table. We’d lured the man in with social media. Selfies taken at the bar where we’d had a drink. A few at dinner. All posted to Saige’s Facebook page.
Another brilliant idea that I could take no credit for. Saige was determined to prove her worth in becoming a vice president. Little did she know her office was all ready to go.
The risk had been whether Mikhail would take the bait and show up tonight or wait until the party that had already been announced prior to the fake article going out. Now we knew my instincts had been correct.
While he blamed his father and his brother for taking his mother away from him, he blamed me for being the one to take his rightful place in the regime.
In his mind, the explosives had been established, both with his leak regarding the blackmail and extortion attempts to the FBI and his attempt at controlling the Armenians.
Everything was working as it should. The one piece that continued to irritate me was that Saige was involved.
The moment we were in the elevator heading to the top floor, I pushed her against the back wall. “You should head to the hotel room. I’ll handle it from here.”
“And you know damn good and well if I’m not seen on social media he’ll turn around. Relax. You’ll protect me. My hero.”
She’d tossed the word around as if it was actually true. “Just do as I say or else.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted me, laughing as she did.
The terrace had been closed in preparation for the upcoming party on the next night, which would also provide cover and security for our guests. We didn’t want them wandering into a bloodbath.
Once outside, she led us toward the edge almost exactly where we’d been the night we’d met, pulling out her phone.
“Smile and cuddle,” she instructed while positioning the screen just so.
“That’s the easy part.” I pulled her close, enjoying the way she felt in my arms.
After she uploaded the photo, we both took a moment in silence.
However, I took her into my arms again, pulling her into a sweet dance. “We might as well enjoy the stars.”
She threw her arm over my shoulder, swaying her hips. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
We moved in time to unheard music, staring into each other’s eyes.
Several minutes passed.
“He’s in the elevator. Four men lingering outside.”
Neither one of us responded.
“You’re very handsome tonight,” she said in her soft voice.
“And you’re beautiful.”
On purpose, she batted her eyelashes. “I’m curious. Do you love me?”
“What?” Love hadn’t popped into the conversation as of yet.
“A simple question needing a simple answer.”
I spun her around, even dipping her. While in a deep arc, I lowered my head. “Yes. How about that?”
Her entire face lit up. “You better.”
As I yanked her back into position, our lips were just a breath apart, both ceasing to move. “You’re a very special woman.”
“And you’re a very special man. Never forget all that your mother taught you.”
“So you think I’m also a decent man.”
“I do.” She cocked her pretty little head in a challenge.
“Viper got off on the wrong floor,” Jason snarled.
“Don’t worry,” I said, “he’s on the move. He’s ensuring he’s all alone.”
“Leave the stairwell alone,” Kazimir instructed.
We continued to dance, taking our time to do nothing more than to stare into each other’s eyes.
She was right about so many aspects of my life and perhaps my heart.
I couldn’t continue hating a dead man or blaming him for anything.
He’d wanted nothing more than for me to be given his name. A name I should be proud of.
Time ticked away and I was beginning to sweat. Where the fuck was the asshole?