Page 27 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

M arissa

The words were shocking because they were meant to be.

His truths had stopped the ugly tantrum, driving reality into my mind.

Yet I didn’t feel the intense fear I sensed Kazimir wanted instilled in me.

Instead, I felt oppression. Anger.

I tilted my head, staring at the man who’d been my lover, wondering what in God’s name had made me attracted to him in the first place.

Yes, he was handsome, his dangerous aura unforgettable.

He was also cunning, able to trip me up in my own sorrow, spinning me into a lure so he could take what belonged to my family.

I wasn’t going to allow that to happen.

“You don’t believe me,” Kazimir said. He’d lowered his voice, using the calming, soft as velveteen tone that had wrapped around me like a blanket just moments before he’d fucked me. No more.

“Why should I believe you? I don’t know you and I don’t want to know you.”

He took a deep breath, shoring his shoulders as he rubbed the scruff on his face. I hated that I found his square jaw and chiseled features so attractive. “I’m not lying to you. I have no reason to do so.”

“You have several million dollars’ worth of a reason. Maybe you and this Russian asshole are going into business together.”

He laughed as if I’d just made the funniest joke. “I assure you that two Bratva families don’t like to be in the same room with each other, let alone in an alliance.”

I looked away, uncertain how I felt any longer.

Maybe I was just numb. I knew I was exhausted.

Every muscle in my body ached; my sleep had been fitful, the nightmares horrible.

I’d kept seeing Charlie’s face. And he’d been dead.

Swallowing, I thought about how to handle the entire ugly situation.

The attorney had been… strange on the phone.

In fact, I hadn’t been certain whether I could trust him.

He’d certainly maligned the Dmitriyev family.

Kazimir slowly took a few steps toward me. My instinct was to drive him away, but I knew in my gut and in my heart he would never allow me to escape. I just didn’t understand what he wanted from me. I felt used, like I was a crazy pawn.

Collateral. How long before I’d become collateral damage?

He pulled the flash drive from his pocket, holding it out in front of me.

When I didn’t take it like some good little girl, he shook his head.

“I know this is very difficult for you. I can’t imagine everything that’s going through your mind, but what I can tell you is that I do understand why you’re upset.

We’ve all lost someone special in our lives. First, your parents. Then Charlie.”

What was I supposed to say? Or did he expect me to fall apart like I’d done before, begging him to protect and save me? That wasn’t going to happen. When I didn’t take the drive, he reached out, every movement so I could witness what he was doing and took my hand into his.

There was no denying the connection we shared or the way my body reacted to his touch. Even as angry as I felt toward him, I tingled from the light pressure of his fingers. He took a deep breath and placed the flash drive into my palm, curling my fingers around the plastic.

“This is for you. There are emails and other documents that will provide you with all the information you’re looking for. Just know that in discovering the truth, you will experience additional pain.”

I started to jerk my hand free, but he gripped my wrist.

“I’m going to warn you that there are also some aspects about your family, what your father was into and other details that you will find disturbing.

If you’d like, I’ll keep this from you and you can go on living your life believing the best in your family.

And don’t get me wrong, Charlie put himself in harm’s way to protect you because you were his sister.

I also think your father did everything in his power to end the twisted relationship he found himself in.

That doesn’t change things. It’s up to you how you want to handle this. ”

He wasn’t being forceful or condescending. That was easy for me to see. I’d never felt so much at a crossroads in my life. Up until now, I’d known what I’d wanted. “What would you do?”

His chuckle was as strangled as the moment. “If it were me, I’d need to know every detail, but my reasoning and yours would be entirely different.”

“Because you’re using the information for plans on acts of revenge.”

The slight smile didn’t fool me. He could easily be a cold-blooded killer. “Yes. You’re innocent and kind, believing in the best of people.”

“Maybe before, but I don’t know what to believe in any longer.” There was sadness in my voice, but the anger lingered.

If only he knew that we weren’t all that different. His hand was still on mine, but he relaxed his fingers, allowing me to choose.

I chose information and the truth.

He eyed me carefully, giving a nod as if one of respect. “I have a meeting that won’t take very long. Do not think that you are leaving this house. The men will be here to protect you. They won’t bother you, but you are not to leave. Is that understood?”

I took a step away, fingering the flash drive. “Why, yes, sir.”

His features softened as his eyes swept down the length of me. While I wanted to feel as if he was undressing me with his eyes, his gaze was more clinical. He was trying to figure out what to do with me. “I’ve left my laptop in your office. The password is Zhasmin.”

A moment of surprise caught me off guard as he signed the name in letters while pronouncing the word. Jasmine. “What is that, someone special?”

His eyes darkened. “Someone I once knew.”

Yes, I could tell the name meant something to him.

“Okay. My choice. I understand.” The moment was awkward, but for a few seconds I’d seen into his soul. Perhaps his heart. Whoever Jasmine had been to him was special enough he carried the memory every time he used the computer. I was dying to ask him who she was, but I sensed he wouldn’t answer.

I was also craving the closeness we’d shared only hours before, even though my heart was fearful I’d never recover if even a single additional moment of passion was shared. He’d had that kind of effect on me.

My defiant tone allowed me to see a flash of irritation, but he immediately masked his emotions. For a few seconds, we studied each other, neither moving nor talking.

I’d heard him taking a shower earlier that morning. A huge part of me had wanted to join him. He stood in another suit, even more handsome than the day before. My stomach was filled with butterflies, my pulse racing.

Even my nipples were hard and aching.

Yet there was anger. So much anger I couldn’t control myself.

I grabbed the bouquet of roses I’d brought back with me from fucking Paris, babying them on the plane.

Then there’d been the ones in Los Angeles along with another incredible gift.

This time a stunning bracelet. I wasn’t certain if the piece of jewelry had made it home with me since I’d been so lost and hopeless.

“When I’m gone, I need you to contact the attorney who you spoke with.

My guess is he has other information that I will need including details about the resort.

Please have them forwarded to your email address.

We will need to have a meeting at some point just so we’re both clear on the details of Charlie’s will. ”

“You’re kidding me. Business as usual?”

“Your parents then your brother operated a multimillion-dollar empire. Unfortunately, business doesn’t cease when someone dies. I realize how crass that sounds, but it’s the truth. Can you do that for me?”

“Why, certainly.” He had no emotion at all. That confirmed he’d been playing a game with me. And with my brother. I would never forgive myself for daring to feel anything for the disgusting pig.

“Thank you.” So polite. So formal. “Charlie gave me a list of important people. I’ve already contacted the accountant.

He should be able to provide a list of employees, so I know where to start.

In addition, I need financials, which I’m certain you’ll want a chance to look at.

Plus, there are several bank accounts. And there’s the issue of your trust fund. ”

“So I gained a business manager as well as a gatekeeper?”

His smirk made me even angrier, his silence much worse.

I tossed the roses toward him. “Take those with you. I can’t stand the sight of them any longer.

” The nearly black petals broke apart, fluttering to the floor as if this were a macabre wedding of the dead.

He hadn’t bothered ducking, standing like some fucking statue studying me as if I was the problem.

His reaction only fueled the anger into rage.

Next came the jewelry. I hurled the box they’d been safely stored in toward him. This time, he managed to snap his hands around the wood. At least his jaw was clenched, highlighting his sheer annoyance with me. Who gave a shit.

He backed away, heading toward the door, placing the box on the stairs. When he did, I caught the glimpse of the weapon I’d seen on the nightstand and shuddered.

Whatever the meeting, I had a feeling only one would survive.

I wasn’t certain I cared.

With his hand on the door, he hesitated. The way he shifted so he could look at me created a knot in my stomach. “I understand your anger and your distrust, but what happened between us last night wasn’t about me using you. It was about me losing my mind. However, that can never happen again.”

“Wow. An unexpected news flash. From your perspective, why is that?” With the flash drive nestled tightly in my hand, I folded my arms.

“Because you won’t be safe unless I place my full attention on protecting you and I will keep my promise to Charlie.

If after you’ve read the documents and had some time to process the situation we’ve both been placed in the middle of you don’t want me in your life, that can be arranged.

But you will be protected every minute of every day.

You have no choice. You will need to take a leave of absence from the orchestra. ”

“I have a concert in two days, a charity benefit that I can’t back out of.” I’d forgotten all about the event. I wanted so desperately to play a solo, yet I wasn’t certain if the music would flow. How could it?

He took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds as if countering his frustration. “I’ll consider it. Just so you know, the items were gifts for a talented professional. You’re an amazing musician, Marissa. Never forget that.”

There were so many things to say, and maybe an apology needed for my atrocious behavior, but finding the right words wasn’t possible. I was just so very lost.

As he opened the door, he purposely turned his head away as if that would keep me from retorting.

Not a chance. If I didn’t say my piece, I’d never forgive myself.

“You don’t know me very well, Kazimir, and it’s obvious you believe me weak.

I do appreciate you wanting to protect me and honor Charlie’s wishes.

While it might not show right now, I can be very strong.

My life is what I choose to make it. Not you.

And you have no choice but to honor my wishes as we navigate these murky waters.

Try and remember, all I have is my music.

Nothing else. It was all taken from me. That’s something I believe you understand, although I’m certain you’ll never allow me to see that side of you.

That’s what trust is about. Seeing and experiencing raw emotions.

” Now I was the one who turned away from him on purpose.

No one was going to tell me how to run my life, including the man who’d awakened something deep, dark, and unforgiving inside.

When I turned back, he was gone.

For about a thousand reasons, I was more distraught than before. While the horror of my brother’s murder weighed heavily on my mind, the realization that what Kazimir and I had shared had been nothing more than a blip in time created the worst sadness of all.

A single sob left my throat and I stared down at the flash drive. Maybe I didn’t want to know the truth after all.