Page 41 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

“It is my understanding you have interest in Marengo. I must admit I was surprised hearing the news.”

After taking my time placing my glass on the table, I chortled. “Yes., very interested. Consider me the resort’s caretaker, now part owner and operator given the murder of my friend.”

He’d had time to get over the surprise. Now he was perturbed that in killing Charlie, the pathway to ownership wasn’t as easy as he’d expected.

“Such a loss. Life is so precious.” Vladimir was trying to goad me. I wasn’t interested in taking the bait. I had all the time in the world. “Part owner. Quite an honor since you’re very busy running a resort of your own in Las Vegas. Genesis, I believe. Yes?”

“Let’s cut to the chase, Vlad. We’re both busy in our lives. Since you’re here, you’re aware that any intentional actions against my family, this resort, or any resort employee will not serve you well.”

Vladimir was obviously angry, his entire expression hardening. “You allow your brother to speak for you, Pakhan?”

Mikhail leaned forward. “Any of my brothers, my cousins, or members of the Costa family are welcome to provide suggestions or recommendations at any time. We are not just a family, but a well-oiled machine. Kazimir speaks for all of us. If you fuck with one, you fuck with every person in this room as well as countless others.”

Rurik snorted, leaning over and whispering something in Russian to his father.

I drummed my fingers on the table.

Vladimir finally motioned for one of the waiters. I threw the young man a look and shook my head.

“This isn’t a social call, Vladimir, and you’re not welcome here.” My tone was darker than usual.

“Straight to the point. I like that in a man. So I will be as well. I had a deal with both Jameson and Charles Valentine. Unfortunately, they chose to renege on the business arrangement, their untimely and horrible deaths preventing me from clearing up the misunderstanding. Given your involvement and that you’ve come in behind the eight ball, I thought I’d make this very easy for you. ”

“Meaning?” I did what I could to prevent myself from bristling.

“Since the original deal had been broken not once but twice, I’ve come to make an offer for the resort instead.

” When he reached into his jacket pocket, about a dozen of our men stepped forward.

He slowed his actions, tugging what appeared to be a check from the interior pocket.

“I think you’ll find this more than acceptable and given the circumstances, extremely reasonable. ” He slid it in my direction.

Rurik wasn’t happy with his father’s offer. His eyes were filled with anger, yet he knew better than to contradict his father.

I barely glanced at it, but seeing the number of zeroes, I could easily tell he was at least minimally concerned that the strength in our numbers could prove destructive.

“I’m certain the number should help ease the blow of such a tragedy.” Vladimir was pleased with himself.

As I lifted my gaze, I immediately shifted my eyes toward Rurik. “As part owner, I’m certain you’ll understand I need to consult my business partner.”

“Business partner?”

Good. Another point for Charlie’s attorney, the second element of surprise keeping Vladimir on edge.

“Yes.” I tipped my head over my shoulder.

Right on cue, Marissa walked into the light.

As I’d hoped, she took her time walking closer.

I could smell her anger from where I sat, but to her credit, she didn’t come out swinging.

Yet.

Good girl.

While there was an empty chair beside me, she moved behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders.

“Vladimir Popov. Your reputation as a… pig precedes you.”

I heard Nadia chuckling from behind me while at least two of the Costa brothers sucked in their breaths.

Given my cousin’s rebellious nature, my guess was the hour they’d spent together chatting had allowed Nadia to give my lovely virtuoso pointers.

I wasn’t certain whether to be furious or thrilled.

“Let me see the check,” Marissa cooed as she reached over me, allowing her long hair to fall into my face. Her whisper was covert. “Trust me.”

Trust wasn’t something to be tossed around lightly, but I’d give her some leeway.

She sighed and after staring at the piece of paper, she ripped it several times until the final pieces were confetti, which she promptly tossed in Vladimir’s direction. “Not interested. This resort and casino belong to me and my partner and it will stay that way. And you’re not welcome here.”

No one would accuse her of being a politician.

I smiled, even more amused that Rurik half stood, cursing in Russian. His blatant reference to her being a bitch wasn’t the worst offense. When he muttered his plans for her after she belonged to him, that was the nail in the coffin.

“ Kogda ty budesh’ prinadlezhat’ mne, ty nauchish’sya khoroshim maneram, dazhe yesli mne pridetsya privivat’ ikh tebe siloy .”

When you belong to me, you will learn manners even if I need to beat them into you.

I jerked to my feet and the moment I yanked my weapon into my hand, so did every other member of our family, our extended family, our alliance, and our soldiers. They were surrounded.

Rurik and the unwanted guests followed suit. Only Vladimir and Mikhail didn’t. They stood, now both staring at each other. Pakhan to Pakhan with Vladimir knowing he was outnumbered.

As enraged as I was, I kept my voice devoid of emotion, but as clear and succinct as my Pakhan had been. “ Lyubaya popytka tronut’ to, chto prinadlezhit mne, i ya zaveryayu vas, chto vy i vsya vasha sem’ya budete stradat’ do takoy stepeni, chto budete molit’ o smerti .”

Any attempt to lay a finger on what belongs to me and I assure you that you and your entire family will suffer to the point of begging for death.

I was seething, eager for Rurik to do something stupid. He had his sights set on her and there was no doubt in my mind that at some point, he’d make an attempt to kidnap her again. I’d lost one woman in my life because of who and what I was. It wasn’t going to happen again.

Marissa didn’t back down, moving beside me with her head held high. The heat of our bodies was intense and I could feel her trembling.

Rurik hissed, shoving his gun further in my face then pointing the barrel directly at Marissa. She didn’t cower. The woman continued to shock the hell out of me.

“Enough!” Vladimir snarled. “Put your weapon away. All of you,” he snapped and swept his men with his angry gaze, allowing it to fall finally in my direction.

“This is not how we do business. An offer was made and refused. There is nothing more we can do. However, there is one last order of business, the loan offered in good faith to Mr. Valentine before his untimely death.”

“You mean his murder, which you’re responsible for!” Marissa hissed.

I pressed my hand against her stomach, hoping the simple action calmed her. Right now wasn’t the time to show our hand or to become emotional. A man like Popov fed on weakness like a dog to a bone.

While his head had turned toward his son, the statement he’d issued had been directed at Mikhail.

“With regard to the loan. This family will not tolerate acts of extortion. Therefore, I’ll be happy to repay the original amount with, say, a finder’s fee.

That is the extent to which I’ll go.” I knew from the look on his face the intention for capturing Marissa hadn’t been about collateral, but about a different form of payment.

While my rage was just below the surface, I did quite well in hiding it. Sadly, I wasn’t certain if Marissa had been used as some tradeoff by her father. While I didn’t want to believe something so horrible and disgusting, men in desperate situations did unimaginable things.

Including selling their own children.

I’d seen it before and had heard dozens of stories. If the old Russian ways were still intact, I’d be married to a woman I didn’t love because the alliance suited the power of the organization.

The thought alone left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Unacceptable,” Rurik answered for his father.

Vladimir threw out his hand, his eyes now locked on mine before flitting them to Marissa. The motherfucker smiled. “My son is right, but I’m certain we can come to some arrangement that will be beneficial to both our families. The original deal still stands.”

Marissa gripped my shoulder, her breathing labored.

“Which is?” I needed him to spell out the unscrupulous deal Vladimir had likely forced.

Vladimir turned his full attention to Marissa.

“The loan was made in good faith with repayment due within one year. Unfortunately, the terms were not met and the conditions of collateral were applied. In this case since Mr. Valentine had nothing tangible in other properties, priceless cars or jewels, a simpler deal was offered and accepted. His daughter’s hand in marriage to my son. ”

I felt the entire family bristling, which didn’t surprise me.

What did was Marissa’s control of her emotions.

She took a deep breath, even managing to issue a slight laugh, which forced various dark and filthy thoughts into the back of my mind.

Rurik was furious. It seemed he’d felt that after the deal he could sweep Marissa off her feet, chaining her to his bed.

Just like I’d wanted to do.

I sensed Mikhail’s fury, which was almost as significant as mine.

“One last time and if I’m forced to say it again, there will be consequences.

Marissa is not for sale. She is not an object.

She will never enter into an unwanted marriage.

As for Rurik, if I hear of you stalking her again, there will be other consequences.

” I kept a wry smile on my face while sliding my hand underneath the table to easily grab my weapon if necessary.

Rurik issued another slew of defamatory comments while Vladimir accepted my challenge of remaining calm. He slowly lifted his gaze to Marissa then to Mikhail.

“You will regret your decision,” Vladimir said calmly.

“I doubt it,” I told him.

Rurik continued spouting off, muttering enough I knew he believed a deal had been made with Marissa as his personal prize. I did what I could to keep my cool. He put his gun away, but his desire for Marissa was clear.

“This is a legitimate and profitable business, Vladimir, but as Ms. Valentine has determined, you are not welcome here. I anticipate your complete compliance. Anything otherwise would constitute grounds for a war and I’m certain that’s not what you want.

” Mikhail was angrier than I’d seen him in a long time.

“Two attempts were made to kidnap Ms. Valentine. As you might imagine, that angered everyone in this organization. An example of how we handle such atrocities was provided with the loss of two additional soldiers. There will be others if necessary.”

“Yes, I understand. I assure you those incidents were not sanctioned by me,” Vladimir stated, although he chuckled as if this was one big game. Whether true or not, I just didn’t give a shit.

“Furthermore,” I said as I allowed Marissa more room at the table, “human trafficking of any kind will never, and I will repeat myself so you understand this clearly, never be tolerated. You have been given the courtesy of a warning. One is all you’re entitled to.”

Rurik slammed his fist on the table, this time pointing a finger at me. “This is not over. She belongs to me.”

“Yes, son. It is over. For now. However, I suggest you rethink the amount you’re willing to pay in exchange for the very generous loan. The offer to purchase still stands,” Vladimir said gruffly as he threw his arm in front of his son. “However, Ms. Valentine comes with the deal.”

I kept my quiet stare. The fact he was willing to purchase the resort meant he was no longer worried about how the acquisition would appear to the Feds.

The shipment was large enough that once they were finished repackaging and selling, they had plans on laying low for a while and having a legitimate operation would suddenly help their tarnished reputation.

“We are businessmen. Thank you for your time, gentlemen, Ms. Valentine. Good luck on your new endeavor and I am very sorry for your loss.” Vladimir moved from the table, immediately buttoning his jacket.

He stopped, turning toward Marissa once again.

“I will admit you have a gift with the piano. It would be such a shame for you to discontinue a wonderful career for one considered highly dangerous.”

Everyone remained quiet, although Marissa smiled in response.

Only when they slowly left the room did I take a deep breath.

“Be careful, brother,” Mikhail said coolly. “This isn’t over.”

“No, it’s not. It’s just beginning.”