Chapter 31
Fallon
“I have a meeting with my father in about an hour.”
Vissarian’s declaration wasn’t a surprise. I’d overheard him discussing various upcoming meetings involving the entire Dmitriyev clan. That’s what I’d taken to calling them.
Not out of disrespect, but because being a member of the regime wasn’t all about family. Carlos had risked his life and had lost several of his soldiers because of his friendship.
While I hadn’t learned much about the rather handsome Cuban, I was no dummy. His bread and butter was in the sale of illegal drugs.
Hell, I’d snooped while we’d been stuck in the warehouse, finding bags of white powder. A blind person could have connected the dots.
Still, what he’d done had been honorable.
Then there were members of the Costa family.
I’d heard all about them and the alliance they’d entered into with the family after peppering Vissarian with questions. Alliance or not, they’d dropped everything to come to our rescue.
From what I’d overheard from phone calls and how he’d dealt with other members of his family, he was tight-knit with all of them.
There was something admirable and desirable about that.
Enough so I’d felt a hint of jealousy. I missed my little family that had been destroyed because of love.
And the hunger for power.
I only hoped that wouldn’t taint my perception in the future since I couldn’t get Vissarian out of my mind. He was like a mad Russian scientist, able to connect with my brain. We were a lot more alike than I would have believed.
God, just looking at him kept my pussy wet. I shifted in my seat, reminding myself this wasn’t a vacation. This was simply a stop mid-action in a war that neither one of us had wanted.
“I should be there with you at this meeting. This does affect my life as well.”
He stood over me with his hands in his pocket, blocking out some of the midday scorching sun. “Not this go-around and don’t argue with me, Fallon. I need to talk to my father. He knows more about your family, Ludolf Hoffman, and the Brunis than he’s ever shared.”
I sensed he was angry, furious that he’d been kept in the dark. “Don’t be too hard on your father, Vissarian. I’m sure he has a reason he felt keeping information from you was necessary. Like keeping you safe.”
“As someone once told me, I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t know about that. I think you need my help.” I tried to break the heavy mood. It wasn’t my place to interfere with the family business, but I was terrified of what came next.
“Oh, really.”
“Yep.” I popped the p hard, which made him laugh.
He nodded several times before hanging his head. “What to do with you.”
“I guess anything you want.”
“Be careful making offers you don’t mean.”
“Try me, buddy.”
I took a deep breath, inhaling his aftershave. Why did he need to look so scrumptious when I felt so exhausted?
“Oh, I plan on doing so over. And over. And over.”
“Promises. Promises. Do you believe in karma?” I asked. Yes, the question could be considered out of the blue yet after everything we’d been through, I was beginning to believe there wasn’t a single thing occurring in a person’s life that hadn’t been predetermined.
Hearing Vissarian’s chuckle created a series of flutters. We’d flown into Las Vegas in the dead of night after refueling in Texas.
Carlos had been right. I’d needed to stroke engine number two, but under the circumstances, the jet had handled the flight beautifully.
“I absolutely do,” he answered and sat down in the chair next to me.
I casually looked over, no longer shocked that even in hundred-degree heat he was wearing a confining suit.
The consummate businessman.
I lifted my sunglasses to get a better look before we both heard a splashing sound. Jerking up, I almost immediately raced to the pool to jump in and save Bella. But she hadn’t fallen.
The little monster had purposely jumped in and was having the time of her life frolicking under the waterfall.
The house was surrounded by gorgeous mountains, the backdrop with cactus and tufts of some strange grass in the forefront.
With vibrant yellows and pinks in flowers, I could easily describe the setting as beautiful.
His house was large, but I certainly wouldn’t call it a mansion. The furnishings suited him perfectly and I’d spent an hour going from room to room to try to learn more about him.
He’d said nothing, merely trailed behind me as I’d touched his things.
Without asking.
But he hadn’t seemed to mind.
“If so, I guess we’re both going to hell,” I said almost whimsically.
He didn’t expect my answer, choking to the point I laughed. “You’re serious.”
“Probably. We killed people.” I had felt guilt for doing so, but when I’d served in the Air Force, I’d shot down a plane full of insurgents. What was the difference? Just as he’d protected me more than once, I’d been able to return the favor.
And it had felt damn good.
“Because it was necessary.”
“All in a day’s work.”
“Not in my typical day. At least not any longer. I’m curious. After your analogy for using protective measures, what do you think about love?” He asked the question with a single eyebrow lifted.
“It’s like a hurricane.”
“O-kay. Explain.” I did so adore the dimples that only showed when his smile covered his entire face.
“Horrific wind that sucks you in and refuses to let you go.”
Even under his dark shades, I could tell he had no clue what to make of me. Why not keeping him guessing?
“When you put it that way, I want nothing to do with it.”
“Okay, bad boy. How would you describe it?”
There was something so adorable about the way he scratched his facial hair. Now it was a full-on beard. He’d still yet to shave and I found the look incredibly edible. I giggled at the thought.
“Love is like the first taste of peaches in the springtime after they’ve had a chance to ripen.
Sweet and juicy. Love is like running into a rainstorm, feeling free while water soaks your skin.
And love is very much like feeling the excitement of being lost in someone else, experiencing things that you used to take for granted as if for the first time. That’s what love is like.”
I eased my legs off the lounge chair, leaning over so I could really take a good look at him. “You read that somewhere. Right?”
This time, his grin was lopsided. “Maybe. But it’s true.”
“Have you ever felt that way?”
He removed his sunglasses and reached over to slip mine down my face. “Yes. Twice.”
As his eyes darted back and forth across mine, I took and held a shallow breath. No other man had ever made me feel the way he had. Everything about him was exciting, even if at times I wanted to smack him across the face.
“When was the last time?” Why in God’s name did I ask? What if there was another woman out there in the wild I’d be forced to hear all about? Oh, stupid girl.
“About four days ago.”
A tiny thrill tore through me. “Love at first sight?”
Vissarian wrinkled his nose. “More like a bit of lust with contempt mixed in.”
“Mmm… Sounds like a match made in heaven.”
“What if I told you that’s exactly how it feels?”
“Then I’d say you were… right.”
For a beat we stared at each other, uncomfortable and awkward like two high school kids forced to endure the first dance.
Woof. Woof!
Bella broke the sweet moment, racing toward us. When she jumped on Vissarian’s legs, she did the unthinkable.
She shook.
A full body shake with her head dancing back and forth.
Then she proceeded to plant her front, very wet paws on his chest and crisp white shirt.
He threw out his arms and I thought for certain he would be enraged.
But he wasn’t.
His laugh floated through the air and he tussled with her, even kissing her on the muzzle. Something told me that there wouldn’t be another time in his life when he didn’t have a fur baby by his side.
“Oh, look. You’re all wet,” I teased and climbed off the lounge altogether. I hadn’t packed a bathing suit with me so shorts and a tank top would have to do. “Care for a cold beverage? I scoped out what you have in your tiki bar. Maybe a pina colada.”
“Maybe a cold beer. I think I need one before dealing with my father.”
“Comin’ right up, bad boy.”
A momentary thought about my apartment entered my mind.
And the attacks in Cuba.
If Antonio was behind them, he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.
At least I better understood why he’d been so angry the day he’d stormed into my parents’ house.
His twisted obsession had created a family of his own.
Why did I know that? Because he resented what had been formed with Luis marrying my mother.
Yet even when he’d stood on the outskirts much like I’d done, the memories of what I’d shared with my real father had reminded me there were beautiful relationships.
He’d had no such good memories, his mother dying when he was a baby and his father barely paying any attention to him.
“What’s wrong?” Vissarian asked from behind me.
I hadn’t realized I’d just stopped only a couple of feet away from the chair by the edge of the pool lost in thought.
“Antonio thinks I belong to him.”
“I know, but you don’t and you won’t. Ever.”
“What if you can’t stop him?”
His laugh was so full of confidence. “I assure you that he will be stopped.”
In my mind, the thought of Antonio facing harsh punishment for what he’d done to me felt right. And wrong. Did I want him to endure exactly what my mother had? Yes. But that wasn’t who I was as a person. “Don’t kill him, Vissarian. Promise me you won’t.”
“You mean Antonio?”
“Yes. Do this for me.”
His hesitation was followed by a very long, intense exhale. “What you’re asking is to ignore all I believe in.”
“I know.”
“Fine. I promise you he won’t die by my hands.”
Relieved, I turned to face him, softening almost immediately. “You really are very wet.”
“Mmm… So I am. I’d prefer to be wet for another reason.” He took me into his arms and I threw mine around his shoulders.