Page 16

Alexandra and I both slept in this morning, but it was for a good reason.

It was due to our marathon sex session the night before.

We ended up having sex three times before it was all over.

First, I was in charge, then I played the hardcore Dom, and finally, she topped me.

I came so much and so hard that my balls were kinda sore today, but I wasn’t complaining.

When Alexandra admitted her pussy was sore, I offered to lick it to make it better.

She’d chased me out of the bathroom, but she laughed the entire time she chased me. After a long soak in the tub of hot water and bath salts, she claimed she was all better.

No matter how much I tried to assure her there was nothing to be nervous about, she couldn’t fully settle.

I recalled how uneasy I was when I first met Mikhail’s cousin and wife.

It had eased after the wedding, but this would be the first time I’d be exposed to the extended family and guards.

I was a little nervous myself.

At the wedding and dinner that one night, only they and a few guards were there.

This would be an extended family gathering, according to Mikhail.

We drove southwest of Nashville, outside Franklin, to an area between Franklin and an unincorporated area called Leiper’s Fork.

When we pulled up to the gated estate in the middle of the country, you wouldn’t think a mobster lived there.

This area was where many celebrities lived, as well as in Franklin and Brentwood.

However, seeing armed men coming out to greet you and check your identity and car might be your first clue that this might be more than a celebrity’s home.

Once we were cleared, the imposing gate was opened, and we were permitted to enter.

We wound through a lush green estate full of trees, a pond, flowerbeds, and more.

The house sat back in the trees and wasn’t visible from the road.

When we reached the house, I found that it made Hoss’s mini-mansion appear like a doll’s house.

There were vehicles parked all over a massive driveway.

Finding a spot that I hoped was okay to park in, I stopped. Alexandra was checking it out with wide eyes.

“Let’s go do this,” I said.

She grabbed my hand. “Can we sit here until Mikhail or Hoss gets here? I don’t want us to go in and not know these people. What did I get myself into?”

she muttered.

“Babe, it’ll be fine. If you want to go in with one of the others, let me see if anyone is here. With all these cars, I can’t tell if they are or not.”

I checked my phone to make sure I hadn’t missed a text. I hadn’t, so I sent one to both men.

Me: We’re here. Alexandra is about to panic and run. She wants to go in with one of you. RU here? If not, how far out?

A honking horn made me jump. When I glanced over to the left and saw a grinning Hoss and Cady pull in next to us, I gave him the middle finger, which made the bastard laugh. Getting out of our car, I went around to open Alexandra’s door. Hoss would get Cady’s. When both women were out, we came together and exchanged hugs and handshakes.

“Asshole,”

I whispered to Hoss.

“Why am I an asshole? I can’t help that you weren’t paying attention to your surroundings. Hey, isn’t that Mikhail coming?”

he asked, gazing over my shoulder.

When I glanced back, I was relieved to see it was. Now, I could breathe more easily when walking in there. We waited for them to park and join us. Tajah was smiling, the picture of maternal health and happiness. She only had two months to go in her pregnancy. She and Mikhail decided not to find out what they were having. They wanted to be surprised. I was waiting for Cady to announce any day that she and Hoss were about to be parents. Thinking of it made me wonder what Alexandra would look like round with my baby. It wasn’t a picture I hated.

“Got your text, but was so close, I decided to wait. There’s no reason to stress. This’ll be a loud, rambunctious party with drinking and swearing. Since none of us are prudes, we’ll fit right in,”

Mikhail said.

“He’s right. I haven’t met everyone, but those that I have are sweet as can be. They’re nothing like what you see on television. Although if you messed with their businesses or families, that would change,”

Tajah added.

“Your dad came from this kind of money?” I asked.

“Yes and no. As the pahkan, Matvey lives better than the rest, but those who are in the inner family, like my dad would’ve been, wouldn’t be living in a slum or worrying about being poor,”

he answered.

“Do you regret that you didn’t grow up with this?”

Cady asked.

“No, not at all. My dad had more than enough money to take care of his family. He wasn’t cut out to be part of the family business. He was fortunate that when he asked to be allowed not to be, he was permitted. That was unheard of in a Bratva family, especially when he was young. You’re born into it, and you leave when you die. However, his father and uncles were more lenient. And they had enough clout that other Bratva families were afraid to touch Dad and us,”

he further explained as he led us to the massive double front doors.

Before he pressed the doorbell, one of the doors swung open. Standing there, looking casual and cool in his shorts, tennis shoes, and Polo shirt, was Matvey. He reached out and yanked Mikhail to him so he could kiss both cheeks. After releasing him, he carefully did the same to Tajah. As he let go of her, he touched her stomach.

“It’s so wonderful to see you and to know there will be another Ivanova soon. Welcome to our home. Victoria will be here momentarily. She was fixing something in the kitchen. Please come in.”

After we entered, he shut the door and greeted the rest of us. Since the three of us had met him, we were prepared to have our cheeks kissed and hugged. Alexandra wasn’t expecting it. When Matvey let go of her, he smiled over at me.

“You did great, my friend. She’s beautiful, and I know she’s smart. I heard she’s a nurse. I can’t wait to get to know you, Alexandra. Forgive me for being so forward, but it’s our way. I hope you’ll enjoy your time here. If we can get you anything, just let us know. Ah, there she is, the love of my life,”

he said as he smiled across the large foyer.

Coming toward us was the older yet still gorgeous Victoria. According to Tajah, she was in her mid-fifties, but she looked younger. Matvey was ten years older, according to Tajah. Neither of them looked their age, and they were very active and fit. Victoria greeted everyone the same way her husband had. When she got to Alexandra, she smiled sweetly and hugged her extra long.

We could hear the chatter of many voices. Victoria put her arm through Alexandra’s and tucked Cady on her other side. Matvey commandeered Taj, leaving us three men to walk together through the maze of hallways to what eventually became the largest kitchen I’d ever seen. There were men, women, and kids milling around everywhere in there. Through a glass wall that overlooked the backyard and pool, there were even more people outside.

I watched as the wall of glass windows was pushed back to reveal that they were folding doors that allowed the outside to become part of the inside. A fine mesh screen was hanging down to prevent bugs from coming into the house. You could enter through clever slits in the screen. I heard Alexandra exclaim about them and tell Victoria she’d seen them in a magazine but never in person.

When we entered the room with our hosts, we gained a lot of attention. Most were giving us curious glances. Others smiled. A few appeared more cautious. Based on their appearance, I tagged them as bodyguards, or whatever they called them. Several men broke away to come over. They hailed Mikhail. He smiled, shook hands, and kissed them back. Mikhail was very at ease with them.

Exclamations over Tajah were repeated as more people who hadn’t met her before were introduced to Mikhail’s wife. The rest of us hung back. She should meet them first. This was her family now. Once the introductions to her died down, it was our turn. Names were flying everywhere, and many were Russian, making it harder to remember them. Eventually, there was enough of a lull after the name marathon that we were fetched drinks and then taken outside in the backyard to meet more.

The large in-ground pool and extensive patio surrounding it, with various seating and tables, were stunning. In addition, there was a kiddie pool and a huge in-ground spa. We’d been told to bring our bathing suits. I saw why. They were in the car if we decided to swim. A built-in kitchen with grills and smokers galore made it incredible. Again, most were smiling and approachable, while others were more cautious.

I lost Alexandra as she, Cady, and Tajah were absorbed into a large group of women. The ladies were exclaiming over Tajah’s pregnant belly and asking her all kinds of questions. Seeing how relaxed my woman was, I felt okay straying further away. She was still within eyesight, but I wasn’t hovering over her.

A short while later, I found myself alone with Matvey, Hoss, and Mikhail. I decided it was my chance to say something. “Matvey, I want to thank you for what your men did for us. How they took care of that annoyance we can’t seem to get rid of.”

He waved his hand in the air. “It was nothing. My pleasure. Men like that deserve what they get. I’m all for a man being persistent when attracted to a woman, but there’s a line you don’t cross and a point when you must bow out. If she’s adamant she doesn’t want you, then go.”

“Exactly. His showing up at her work for a second time caused her to be written up. Her boss said that if it happens again, she could be terminated. She can’t swear Reef isn’t dangerous to the staff or patients. He’s looking out for the welfare of everyone, but it sucks for her to lose her job because of his issue,” I added.

“I agree. For a wonderful woman to lose out would be shameful. And she’s a nurse. I know how desperately they’re needed. If that were to happen, God forbid, at least she should be able easily to find another job, I would think,”

Matvey exclaimed.

“Probably, but it might not be in the specialty she works in, pays as much, be in Nashville, or a host of other things. But we’re hopeful that Reef’s mind has been changed, that he’s seen the light of day, and that he will avoid her,”

I tacked on.

“Mikhail informed me that if this visit and one from some other friends of his do not work, a final, more lethal conversation will probably be necessary. If that becomes necessary, I can assure you, my people will take care of it, and you won’t need to worry about him or backlash from it,”

Matvey said with satisfaction.

“We pray that it won’t come to that, but if it does, thank you. I’ll owe you even more.”

“No, you do not owe me. You’re close friends with my cousin. He claims you as family. Therefore, it makes you an extension of my family. We do things for our family without owing. Now, I suggest we have fun and enjoy this spectacular summer day. Drink, swim, eat, and play. The estate is fifty acres, so there’s a lot to explore. You’ll see guards patrolling, but pay them no mind unless they say somewhere isn’t safe. Mikhail, tell me if you need anything.”

Before I could thank him again, Matvey strolled off. He was smiling and stopping to greet a person here or there. Watching him, a question popped into my head.

“Mikhail, do Matvey and Victoria have children? I don’t recall any being mentioned or introduced to us, but maybe they don’t live here.”

A sad look appeared on my friend’s face. He shook his head. “Sadly, they don’t. They love children and wanted to have a house full, but they weren’t able to. It seems there was an illness when Victoria was young that left her barren, although they didn’t know that until years later, after they were married. When they discovered it, she demanded that Matvey divorce her and marry another woman who could give him children.

“He refused, and when she tried to leave him so he’d be forced to divorce her, he flew into a rage, tracked her down, and brought her home. They remained isolated, just the two of them, for a week. When they rejoined everyone, there was no more talk of it, and they were even more loving toward each other. He calls her the love of his life, and he swears he’ll have her no matter what. She was twenty when they married, so they’ve been married for thirty-five or six years. I lost count. They get their nurturing in on the kids of their cousins and friends. I’ve already heard of how spoiled Tajah and I’s kids will be.”

“They do seem very much in love, which is great to see. Between Cady and Carver’s parents, and you know what mine was like and how my brother is, it’s great to have role models. Wouldn’t people shit if they heard us saying a pahkan and his wife are our ideal married couple?”

Hoss teased. This made all of us laugh.

As time passed, we wandered and got involved in several conversations in smaller groups or sometimes with one or two people. Occasionally, our women joined us, and at others, they were off doing this or that. It was a fantastic day, and I relaxed beautifully.

The food would be served closer to the evening, so as the heat of the day grew, we were cajoled to put on our bathing suits and get into the pool. It didn’t take a lot of convincing. While the women were changing in one bedroom, we men were given another to put our trunks on. It didn’t take us long to change, so we went out to wait near the pool. We’d knocked on the door of the room they were in and told them where they could find us before we did.

I hadn’t seen Alexandra’s bathing suit. She packed it without showing me. I was curious to know if she wore a one-piece or two-piece. And how it would look on her sexy body. My first clue they were coming was the stunned look on Mikhail’s face that quickly morphed into a smoldering one. Before I could turn to glance over my shoulder, Hoss whistled. He wore a huge smile and had a wicked gleam in his eyes. Whipping around, I saw a breathtaking sight coming toward us. We weren’t the only ones looking, either.

Three very different yet equally gorgeous women, in their own ways, were sauntering closer. Tajah was dressed in a one-piece bronze-colored bathing suit that showed off her belly and complemented her ivory skin, honey-brown hair, and amber eyes. Next to her was my sister, the shortest of the three. She was dressed in a one-piece as well, but hers was emerald green and had cutouts along the ribs, and the legs were cut higher on her hips. Her chestnut brown hair was in a bun atop her head, whereas Tajah’s was in a braid. The suit made Cady’s medium gray eyes appear almost green.

However, I was devouring my woman's incredible loveliness. She was in a two-piece suit that showed off her generous curves. It was a deep peach color that made her warm honey skin, dark brown hair, and light green eyes pop. Over it, she had on a three-quarter-length see-through cover-up that hid nothing. It was merely there to tantalize you. It was doing its job.

Not wasting a moment, I rushed over to her while Hoss and Mikhail did the same to their ladies. I wrapped Alexandra in my arms and brought her flush against my body. She gave me a tentative smile. I wasn’t paying attention to what my friends said to their wives.

“Baby, you look unbelievably sexy and tantalizing in this. I don’t know if I can control myself. You’re giving me a hard-on,”

I whispered softly and hoarsely. My hands were clasped on either side of her waist, holding her so she could feel it.

“You’re not angry that I wore it? I didn’t have another one to bring. I wasn’t going to bring this one, but Cady begged me to do it so we could all swim. She’s been dying to get into a swimming pool.”

I eased back as I gave her a puzzled look. “Why would I be upset? You can wear anything you want, Alexandra.”

“In the past, I was discouraged from wearing things that showed off too much of my body in public. You’ve not seen me in my skimpier play clothes. We didn’t include clothing choice in our contract or discuss it.”

“Let me guess. That fucker Germain made negative comments or reprimanded you for wearing sexy clothing, didn’t he?”

I growled.

“Yes, he hated me exposing too much. He claimed my body was his to look at, and I was trying to gain other males’ attention if I chose to wear more revealing clothes. He claimed he didn’t want me to get ideas and cheat on him when my head was turned by other men.”

“Son of a bitch, I’d like to meet him just once,”

I muttered before I took a deep breath and dispelled her apprehension. “Baby, you can wear whatever makes you feel good. If it gains you attention, so be it. I know you can handle yourself. But if you need my help, I’ll gladly give it to you. As for you cheating on me, if that’s all it takes to make someone cheat, there would be a ton more of it than there is. It was his guilty conscience talking on that part, and the other was his insecurities. I love the thought of other men seeing you and desiring you yet knowing you’re mine,”

I added. Then, I plastered her against my front again, and I kissed her.

As we kissed, there were whistles, catcalls, cheers, and more happening all around us. We didn’t care who was doing it. When we finally reluctantly parted, I discovered we were in the middle of many eyes, but we were sharing it with the other two couples. Based on Cady and Taj’s flushed and dazed faces, they’d just been kissed senselessly.

Turning so I could wrap an arm around Alexandra, I walked proudly toward the pool. And the fact that I was sporting an erection didn’t bother me a bit. I did laugh, though, when Cady exclaimed she wished she were blind and how gross it was to see her brother with a woody. That got the rest of us laughing, and that led to teasing. When we reached the stairs to the pool, shoes and wraps were removed, and the clothing was laid on a table.

Walking into the water, I found it a perfect temperature—cool enough to refresh me from the heat, yet warm enough not to be cold and make me want to get right back out. There were others in the pool. We were soon convinced to join them in a game of volleyball. Since Alexandra and Cady were short and Tajah was pregnant, the ladies stayed in the shallower end and watched us play a game.

They would cheer us on and heckle the others on the opposing team. This led to a lot of good-natured smack-talk from the opposing team, but it was all in fun. All three women were feisty and had no backup. My sister let her inner brat out to play, but not in an offensive way. Hoss was helping her to know when and where to let that side of her out. It was marvelous to see how happy she was. He’d transformed her.

After playing one game, we let others take our places. We stayed in the water and spent time with our women. Others who were enjoying the water but not playing volleyball would swim or float over to chat with us. The majority were in some way related to the Ivanovas, though the families of their guards and personal help were intermingled with them. I felt this kind of togetherness wasn’t typical in other Bratva families. It illustrated one of the ways Matvey and Victoria were different.

When the food was ready to be served, we’d change out of our bathing suits and back into our regular clothes. Tajah, Alexandra, and Cady insisted on helping to set things up despite Victoria’s objections. The food was served buffet style, and the tables groaned under the weight of how much was there. The selection made it impossible to taste only a few things, so my plate was straining to hold my selections. The women teased Hoss, Mikhail, and me about our food after we were seated.

“Hey brother, when was the last time Alexandra fed you?”

Cady jokes.

Without missing a beat, I smirked at her as I replied. “Don’t you worry, she feeds me very well. In fact, last night, let me tell you what she fed me in bed.”

Cady’s hand flew up instantly. “Stop! No sex talk, you perv. I don’t want to know. In my mind, you’re a virgin and always will be. It’s the only way I can keep my sanity.”

“Oh, but it’s fine for you and Hoss to be all over each other and make your sexual comments and innuendos in front of me,”

I protested.

“Exactly,”

she said, smiling.

“I second Cady’s request. The idea of you having sex is disturbing, and since you’re the brother of my heart, the same goes for me,”

Tajah added.

“Well, I love you too, sister number two, and I don’t want to imagine you and Mikhail,” I stated.

“Why not? You don’t like hearing how I chase her through the woods, and when I catch her, I—”

his words were cut off by me.

“Nope! Nada. Zip. I’m trying to eat this delicious food. You’re cretins. Let me eat in peace,”

I mockingly growled.

There were more lighter jests and chuckling as we ate. We were at a table that consisted of the six of us to start with. It wasn’t until later that we were joined by two men. I vaguely recalled being introduced to them. They were two of Matvey’s soldiers.

They gave us chin lifts and then focused on Mikhail. “Excuse us for joining, Mikhail, but we wanted to ensure that everything was to your satisfaction, as well as yours,”

the tall blond one said, directing the last part to me.

“Satisfaction with what?” I asked.

“This is Rurik, and with him is Issak. I know you’ve been introduced to a ton of people today. They’re part of Matvey’s most trusted soldiers, soldaty. They helped with my problem with Dominus when he wouldn’t stay away from Tajah. They were the ones who talked with Reef the other night,”

Mikhail explained.

This focused my attention, and I felt Alexandra tense. We’d shared with her the broad details of the night and that Reef, while in the hospital, wasn’t going to die or be permanently impaired. I wouldn’t have cared if he was or not on the latter part—however, the full details hadn’t been shared. I wasn’t sure they should be. However, it seemed they might come out, and I didn’t know how to stop them.

“I was very satisfied, thank you. We’re optimistic it might make him leave us alone,” I said.

“We prayed for that, but even though we thoroughly talked with him, he didn’t seem inclined to listen. We wanted to warn you of that. Do not underestimate him. He’s obsessed with your woman,”

Isaak stated.

“What makes you think he’s obsessed with me? I know he’s persistent, but that isn’t always indicative of obsession,”

Alexandra protested.

Oh shit, here it came.

“In our experience, Ms. Roche, men who have a room like his are obsessed,”

Rurik replied.

“A room? What room?”

Cady asked. It was clear from their puzzled expressions that none of us had told our women what else had been discovered that night. They wouldn’t be happy with us.

Isaak and Rurik didn’t show their surprise, but they did straighten. There was a long pause, and then Rurik asked, “Did we say something we shouldn't have? If so, we’re sorry. We weren’t told not to mention it.”

“You did nothing wrong. It was our fault. We only told the ladies part of it. Call it trying to protect them from more worry. It was silly to try,”

Mikhail explained.

“What didn’t you tell us, Misha? We deserve to know,”

Tajah said with a slightly demanding tone. The other two women were nodding in agreement. Mikhail glanced at me. Knowing I was in a corner, I could only give him a chin lift, and then I launched into the explanation.

“When Reef was visited by these two. I assume it was only the two of you?”

I asked, stalling.

“Yes, it was only us,”

Isaak answered.

“When Isaak and Rurik paid that visit to Reef, they swept his home. In doing so, they stumbled onto a room. The contents troubled them, so they reported it to Matvey, who passed it along. The three of us talked and thought it would be best not to tell you that part then. Tajah is pregnant and doesn’t need stress. Cady is dealing with her clinic move and all that. And as for you, the stress of dealing with Reef and having your life turned upside down is more than a sufficient amount for you. It doesn’t change our plans for him other than make it almost certain the final step will be necessary,”

I hurriedly explained.

“You’re procrastinating. Spit it out. Tell us,”

Alexandra demanded.

With no other option, I did. “He has a room that is dedicated to you, Alexandra. He has pictures of you plastered on the walls everywhere. Some are from him watching you at Lustz over the months, probably before you and he ever played. The rest are of you out in town, entering or leaving your apartment and work. He’s made multiple copies of them and used the photos to wallpaper this room. That’s what they mean by obsessed. A man like Reef won’t be deterred by the beating he got, no matter how good of a one it was.”

The ladies didn’t say a word for a couple of heartbeats, then the angry outbursts came. However, only Cady and Tajah said them. Alexandra remained silent. We let them admonish us for not telling them for a few minutes. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I held up my hand, and they quieted.

“Alexandra, you haven’t said a word. I know you want to and that you’re angry with me. I’m sorry you are, but I’m not sorry that I tried to protect you. You know the sort of man I am. I only follow in certain situations. Your safety isn’t one of them.”

“Carver, I know what kind of man you are. I get it, but you have to know what kind of woman I am. I want to know the details, no matter if they’re stressful or upsetting or whatever. You can protect me all you want, but know that protection goes both ways. You didn’t share details about his injuries, but I bet you know them. Well, so do I.”

“How?”

I immediately asked. Had she gone to see him and not told me?

“Get that look off your face. I didn’t go to the hospital to see him. That would defeat the purpose. However, you forgot. I’m a nurse, and I have connections all over in Nashville hospitals. I called and spoke to someone I know there. I didn’t have to ask to get the rundown on his injuries.”

She paused before glancing over at Isaak and Rurik. “You did a rather thorough ‘talk,’ but there was room for improvement,”

she barely smirked after she said it.

Their faces showed surprise tinged with laughter and respect. Rurik bowed to her. “We’re always open to critiques and perfecting our conversation skills,” he joked.

“Then we should talk,”

was all she said in return.

She was still upset with me, and I could feel the other two were as well. The silence grew awkward until the two soldaty excused themselves. Once they did, we were back to whispering angrily.

“That was bullshit of you guys to withhold that information,”

Cady hissed.

“It stresses me more thinking you’re hiding stuff from me, Misha,”

Tajah told Mikhail.

“Can we wait and do this when we’re alone? This isn’t the place for this,”

Mikhail stated.

Knowing he was right, we subsided, but the silence left behind was stilted. We struggled to find a topic to get us back in a happy mood. We weren’t successful. It wasn’t long before Victoria and Matvey walked up. Immediately, Victoria addressed us.

“We understand from Rurik and Issak that they caused trouble between all of you. We regret that. They had no idea that all the information wasn’t shared with your ladies. We don’t want you to leave here angry with each other. Tajah, Alexandra, and Cady, I’d like you to walk with me. We need to talk in private,”

Victoria graciously demanded in a way they couldn’t say no.

As they followed her, Matvey remained behind with us. He waited until they were out of earshot before he sat and said anything. “As if you can’t guess, I’m here to discuss this with you. I want to let you in on something that has proven successful for me in the past thirty-six years I’ve been married to Victoria. As much as I want to protect her, I do it physically, but never without her knowing the facts.

“Regardless of whether they are disturbing, vile, or stressful, she is told until she says she has heard enough. She knows that despite that, I will do everything I can to protect her. If she wants absolute honesty, she has to give me absolute trust and permission to protect her. Sometimes, it restricts her movements and independence more than it already does, but she has grown to be able to ignore it and enjoy life. My advice is to do the same with your women. Anyone with half a brain can see they are intelligent, strong, and independent women. They are the best kind, but they can sometimes make it hard to take care of them. You will have a long and loving relationship if you do what I said. And when that is not enough to appease them, I find sex does wonders,”

he grinned after the last remark.

This made us chuckle and nod. A smidge of my inner tension eased, but I knew it was far from a closed subject. Alexandra and I would no doubt be talking about it at home. It wasn’t something we could ignore. Matvey was right. I just had to get my mind to work that way.