Page 40 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

I threw Mikhail a look, lifting one eyebrow. “News that’s supposed to be kept private until it’s necessary to use.”

“And don’t mention it to the lovely lady in red. I hear Marissa is a tigress in disguise.”

Everyone laughed at Alexsey’s joke, although DiAngelo was far more interested in ogling Nadia. “Marengo rightfully belongs to Marissa, which is one reason she insisted on being involved in the meeting.”

“And the other?” DiAngelo finally piped in.

I took a deep breath, once again admiring her from afar. “Revenge.”

“Understandable,” Giovanni said. “I know some of how Popov handles doing business. He and my father tangled many years ago.”

“What happened?” I was eager to have a firsthand story.

Giovanni moved closer to the bar. “Let’s just say it was a bloodbath.”

His admittance was a reminder we were swimming in treacherous waters. The last thing we wanted or needed was a repeat, especially given our disadvantage of being out of town. And the fact our entire family and alliance was standing in the same room.

While there was no way for Popov to learn that beforehand, careful steps had been taken in case Popov was determined to take out our entire regime. The extra precautions left a bad taste in my mouth.

“Don’t underestimate him,” Giovanni added. “If he’s set his sights on Ms. Valentine, he will stop at nothing to claim his prize.”

The Costa brothers looked amongst themselves with a story to tell.

Alessandro cleared his throat. “Tell them, Gio.”

I wasn’t expecting Gio’s answer, the admittance said with the same breadth of rage that I’d felt over the last two days.

“Our mother became the object of Vladimir’s desires twenty years ago.”

Instantly, I felt the electricity in our small group surge. “And?” Mikhail gritted out.

“She was taken,” Stefano interjected.

“And raped.” Giovanni finished, immediately looking away. “Vladimir has a collection of women he uses and shares with his… friends. Know that, Kazimir. If Ms. Valentine is taken, you’ll need to burn down his entire operation to get her back. And if you do, she will never be the same.”

“Your mother,” I said absently, immediately on edge more than before.

He sighed. “She’s never fully recovered.”

My fucking God. I made certain Marissa was still in the same place, my skin prickling from fury.

“What the fuck?” Alexsey growled. “Why isn’t Vladimir dead?”

“Our father tried,” Alessandro stated as he motioned the bartender. “But the loss of life became too great. Our father instigated a truce, but trust me, he never forgot and will never forgive. One day we will have our revenge.”

I sucked in my breath as the others ordered drinks, finally turning toward Mikhail and crowding his space. “That is not going to happen to Marissa.”

“No, it’s not, brother. Keep her close. We’ll help keep her safe.”

Nodding, I immediately walked away from them and toward Marissa. Vissarian caught my eye, heading me off before I could reach her.

“Are you certain this is a good idea?” he asked.

“I’m not certain of anything except that when Vladimir leaves here today, he will understand the ramifications of acting against our family.”

“And the woman you obviously care for. She’s lovely. I can’t wait to hear her play. She’s invited everyone to her concert tomorrow night. Are you down with that?”

Exhaling, I shook my head. “Not even close, but I won’t be the person responsible for destroying what’s left of her dreams or her life.”

“Just be careful getting further involved. Losing your sense of control could allow his to strengthen.”

I glanced at my cousin, nodding once. He was right. How the hell was I supposed to protect her when I couldn’t keep my thoughts of defiling her off my mind?

Marissa didn’t fight me when I pulled her away. In fact, her eyes lit up as if happy we had a moment together. “You have a nice family,” she said.

Chortling, I shifted my angry gaze from the entrance leading to the lobby back to the one just outside the pool. I was beginning to think this was a very bad idea. “They’re like any family, annoying yet protective.”

“You’re even more worried.”

I turned fully toward her, feeling the beating thrum of electricity in every tendon and muscle.

She could obviously feel it too. Her lower lip was quivering and it had nothing to do with fear.

She should be afraid. She should be terrified.

Telling her what I’d just heard wasn’t something I’d use unless absolutely necessary.

“We both should be, although the posturing is nothing new to me. However, this isn’t a game, Marissa.

These people are dangerous and will stop at nothing to get what they want. ”

“They can’t have my casino. That’s not what either my parents or what Charlie wanted.”

“Let me make this very clear to you. Marengo is only a beautiful piece of collateral that will allow them to launder money for weapons’ shipments. That’s not Vladimir’s truest desire. He wants something far more valuable.”

Swallowing, she pressed her fingers through her hair, her arm shaking. “Me. How can they honestly believe any human being would allow themselves to be used as collateral for a business arrangement?”

“Yes. You. The reason is that that’s how they’ve been taught how best to handle difficult business situations.”

“You can’t sell a human being.”

“In their world, yes, you can.”

“You mean in your world,” she challenged, the shimmer in her eyes acknowledgement she still was uncertain what to believe.

“Not any longer. You will not leave my side. Do you understand me? Don’t fight me on this, Marissa. I’m not joking.”

She licked her lips, which drew my full attention. “I know and I won’t.”

As soon as I heard the blip from a text, I garnered Mikhail’s attention while sliding my hand into my pocket. When I pulled it into my hand, Marissa glanced at the screen.

“They’re coming. Aren’t they earlier than you expected?” she asked. Thankfully, her tone indicated she did understand how dangerous the meeting was.

“Yes, exceptionally early.” I nodded to the others, who immediately grabbed their drinks and headed to various tables. One in the center would be used for the purpose of the meeting. Vladimir would be surrounded, his soldiers also contained. We’d done this before with absolute success.

“I am joining the meeting.”

I tipped my head. Her presence would rattle the brutal bastard. Why the hell not? “That’s fine. Why don’t you consider joining me after the Russian is seated?”

She rolled her eyes. “Which Russian?”

“Very funny. Go to the waiter’s alcove right by the bar. Do not venture any further.” There was no way of anyone approaching her except through a large brigade of armed men. Still, I wouldn’t allow her out of my sight.

When she squeezed my arm, I instinctively cupped her jaw, skimming the rough pad of my thumb just across her bottom lip.

There was such a strong connection between us I was still surprised.

As she rose onto her tiptoes, pressing her soft lips against my cheek, I knew nothing else in my world mattered but keeping her safe.

I waited until she’d disappeared from sight before unbuttoning my jacket and taking a seat at the table.

Mikhail joined me with Giovanni as head of the Cosa Nostra as well.

Everyone else stood casually yet prominently, the men with their jackets opened and Nadia insisting on adding a holster to her vibrant purple dress.

Another text indicated they’d walked through the front doors of the casino.

We all sat back in our seats, two waiters prepared to take orders when indicated.

Music continued to play in the main speakers, the sound filtering in through the lobby while the system had been cut off in the restaurant. You could hear a pin drop.

I looked over my shoulder, locking eyes with Marissa again.

She was such a creation of beauty. Just the thought of anyone touching her brought the ugly monster kept locked inside close to the surface.

She nodded and I’d be damned if she didn’t smile as if she was having the time of her life. Hmmm… She was a good little actress.

Vladimir walked in, stopping immediately inside the entrance. He was older than I’d expected, easily in his early seventies. A younger version of him flanked his side and as expected, he’d brought at least a dozen men, but I suspected there were more going toe to toe with our soldiers.

He adjusted his jacket before whispering something to who had to be his son before they approached. Then he nodded to one of his soldiers and the group fanned out.

Well, this should be interesting. The amount of firepower in the room could start a war.

We didn’t stand when Vladimir and his protégé approached.

“ Kakoy priyem. Chem ya obyazan takoy chesti? ”

What a welcome. To what do I owe the honor?

I chuckled enough to catch the younger version’s eye. This was Mikhail’s introduction to handle.

“ Uveryayu vas, chto eto ne privetstvennaya vecherinka, a prosto znak vnimaniya, kotoryy vam sleduyet prinyat’ .”

I assure you that this is not a welcoming party, but simply a single courtesy that you’d be advised to take.

My brother was nothing if not succinct.

“Sit down,” Mikhail instructed. He was already swirling his glass back and forth, his expression meant to provide a clear warning.

Vladimir smiled as he unbuttoned his jacket and sat down, the younger version doing so afterwards. He seemed genuinely surprised by the attendance of the Costa family.

Giovanni inched closer with Alexsey touching his arm to try to keep him from going off the rails. Today wasn’t the day to settle old scores.

“My son, Rurik. He will be Pakhan one day.” He turned his full attention to me. His smile was knowing.

I took my time, studying the two of them together before taking a sip of my drink. Popov seemed put off by what he likely considered insolence. Enough so, he didn’t wait for Mikhail or me to officially start the meeting.