Chapter 12
Lainey
Death.
I’d never really thought about it before, at least not in the terms of seeing several dead bodies strewn about on a perfectly manicured lawn.
Granted, my favorite television shows were cop dramas, but not the kind you found on the networks. Bor-ring and censored to death. I enjoyed seeing the grisly aspect of violence and the aftermath and always had.
My mother had wondered if I’d turn out to be a serial killer one day. She’d even mentioned it flippantly during a barbeque she and my father had thrown for a few of their friends.
It had become a standing joke in the household, but their guests had been floored, staring at her with wide eyes and open mouths because of her serious tone.
However, since I’d never seen death up close or even from twenty yards away, I’d never had the displeasure of inhaling the stench of copper. Even now when I took a deep breath, I was still able to detect a hint.
Maybe even worse than the lightheadedness I’d gotten from a hint of nausea had been the ugly thoughts swimming through my mind.
Such as…
If I hadn’t ceased taking swings of the softball bat. What would happen then if a head was hit by a woman with extreme anger a dozen times? Would it pop like a watermelon when tossed against a wall?
Seeing the man’s weapon, I’d almost grabbed it and done target practice with his manhood. Just for spite for ruining such a fabulous day.
Okay, that was a little extreme, but after suffering what I had from Damien and after Scott yelling at me for a full five minutes on the phone before I’d hung up on him, I’d arrived at the party with voodoo on my mind. My manager had warned me what I was getting into with raging, violent criminals.
I could only imagine what he’d say after news broke about the attack. And I knew it would since countless photos had been taken.
I’d yet to ask if anything like the horrific attack had ever occurred before. I honestly hadn’t come down enough from the rafters to challenge anything I was feeling.
When I heard Sasha’s controlled but heavy breathing, I realized I’d been lost in my violent fantasies for far too long. I turned my attention to the powerful man. He’d foregone a coat and tie for the party, even wearing short sleeves and light-colored trousers that denoted the sensual side of him.
I studied the chiseled carve of his jaw, the angle viciously sharp, and the goatee a perfect illumination of his dangerous side. With his savage frown and smoldering eyes, he was the epitome of a man embroiled in rage and hunger for retaliation.
What had happened at the party had driven him back to the past. While his family was very protective of him, in speaking with Halle and his sister Nadia, I’d learned while Nina’s birthday was very special, the day was also a reminder of what he’d lost seven years ago.
The day his wife had been taken off life support, two days after a horrific accident. I’d gotten no details and hadn’t asked, but at least I knew the reason for why the darkness had returned.
Maybe it wasn’t my place, but I wished he would talk to me. Maybe I could help. Or maybe he’d just push me away.
His need for violence was palpable. I could almost taste the rise of smoke from where I was sitting.
How could I blame him?
For some reason and after everything that had transpired that afternoon, the only word that came to mind was gorgeous. Even in his brooding darkness and with the knowledge that if he so desired, he could crush a man with one hand, I couldn’t remove the thought.
I could hear all kinds of nagging voices whispering inside my head that we certainly would never be a match made in heaven. There were legitimate reasons like he’d killed a man or five. I didn’t ask, but I was curious. Call it the morbid girl dwelling inside of me.
He’d been frantic to find us. I’d seen it in his eyes. Once he’d realized where I’d hidden, the relief on his face had been what the plotline of a dark romance novel was made of.
Just bringing the crystal of clear liquid to his lips was hypnotizing, highlighting the strength in his hands.
“Why can’t I open the rest of my presents?” Nina asked as she thumped down on the chair in the living room of the suite I’d been provided.
“Because, little munchkin, I couldn’t fit all of them into the SUV. Duh,” Sasha said and made a funny face. As he did, I turned my attention toward him. He was such a good father, loving and gentle with his daughter, but I felt the strain and tension from where I was sitting.
And the anger.
It boiled deep within him.
I’d tried to pretend like what I’d experienced hadn’t bothered me.
I’d also acted as if seeing a half dozen or more dead bodies, blood soaking into the ground was just an everyday experience.
From what I could tell, so far I’d succeeded.
If so, it was only because I was numb inside and had gotten good over the years at plastering a smile on my face.
There’d been no question about Sasha and Nina coming here. I needed to be with them. I craved to wrap my arms around the powerful Russian, burying my head into his chest so I could have a good cry. But what good would that do and in doing so, I might terrify Nina.
At least she hadn’t mentioned hearing gunfire. Another good thing about the panic room was that it was soundproof. Other than the first two shots, which could be excused as fireworks, there was no way they could have heard the others.
What I also wondered was whether she was immune to the danger or had been taught how to handle an attack.
From seeing the litter of bodies on the lawn, it was obvious there’d been dozens of bullets fired. I was shocked to learn no family member had been injured. Only the assailants had been killed. That made Sasha and his entire family weapons experts.
Nina giggled, which thankfully brought me down from the rafters. “Your father is right,” I told her. “You have like five gazillion presents. He couldn’t have seen to drive if we tried to put even a third in the SUV.”
She shrugged, kicking out her little feet. “I guess.”
Her voice was full of drama and I bit back a smile while searching Sasha’s eyes, making my own faces while he sat pensively.
“You know what? Why don’t we mix things up a little bit.” I gave her an amused look.
“How so?” she asked hopefully, peering at me with such intensity in her eyes.
“How about we see if we can order some yummy treats from room service. You know the kind I mean. The kind your daddy tries hard not to allow you to eat. Maybe pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches. Then we can watch a movie together.” My God.
I’d almost said as a family. The thought brought a shudder. “What do you suggest?”
“Potato chips and ice cream.”
That was my kind of girl. “Together?” I asked.
When Nina nodded, I laughed and that pushed her into a fit of giggles. I’d been tasked with shoving a few items of clothing into a bag and other than her sketchpad and the box of art supplies I’d given her, I’d had no idea what to bring.
Sasha and I had yet to find another moment alone, which I could sense we both desperately needed.
“What do you say, Daddy? How about honoring the birthday girl’s request?” I gave him the same pouty look that his daughter was offering. While I wasn’t looking into a mirror, I’d have to say they were both award winning. Oscar worthy.
He tried to ignore us on purpose, even turning his head away. When he did, I placed my finger over my lips as I looked at her, pointing toward her father. Then I mimed jumping on him, which somehow, she understood.
So we did.
He finally broke out into laughter, which was a welcome sound after his earlier gruffness.
Finally, he tried to push us off. “Okay. Okay. We’ll order pizza and ice cream and potato chips and whatever you girls want. Now, off, you beasts.”
Nina was at least satisfied with what we had planned. She jumped off, still laughing as if a joke had been played on her father.
“Why don’t you go create a masterpiece while I place an obnoxiously ridiculous order of foods so bad for you that they’ll stunt your growth?” Sasha asked, giving her one of his fatherly looks.
“Oh, I get it,” she said. “You want to be alone so you can kiss Lainey.”
His face and likely mine held some sense of horror. He was momentarily unable to provide his usual retort.
That made her laugh that much harder. “I know what kissing is, Dad. Don’t look so shocked. Mommies and daddies do it all the time. I’ll go draw a picture.”
She skipped her way into one of two bedrooms in the suite.
Mommies and daddies. At least her comment had brought a slight smile to his face.
For a full minute, we remained silent. Then I realized I was still lying on top of him, my knee now pressed against his cock with my arms around him. While I was perfectly comfortable, I doubted he was.
He took a deep breath as I slowly turned my head. If the eyes were the gateway to a man’s soul, then I could clearly see several layers, but only for a brief few seconds.
My protector was a cautionary tale of a father figure and corporate mogul, a Bratva leader and potential killer who also showcased a side that confused the hell out of me.
Passion and guilt.
When he placed his arm around me, yanking me although there was no chance of getting any closer to him, I sucked in my breath.
“I’d thought the worst,” he said in his smooth, deep baritone.
“I’m tougher than you think.”
“That shouldn’t be necessary.”
I toyed with his polo, fingering the buttons. “You were there to protect me. Everyone at the party too.”
“Not enough,” he growled. “Those responsible will die.”
A shiver shifted down my spine.
“You’re not a killer.”
He chuckled in an entirely different way than he had with Nina. Darker. Full of anger. “Apparently you don’t know me very well and didn’t use that gorgeous brain of yours to assess the body count.”