Page 57 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

“It’s me.” He reached over my head, his gaze never leaving my face.

“He said… you were dead.”

Kazimir chuckled. “Not a chance in hell. I told you I’d find you no matter where you were. Just take it easy.”

When my wrists were free, he gathered me into his arms, pulling me off the cot.

I pressed my hand against his chest, uncertain I wasn’t just seeing things that I wished for more than anything in my life.

“Baby. No one is ever going to hurt you again.”

“What happened?” He refused to allow me to see whatever carnage he’d left behind.

“Just cleaning up a little trash.” As he rose to a standing position, he lowered his head. “I thought I’d lost you.”

I slid my arm around his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair and nothing had ever felt so amazing. “I love you.” The words came easily. Maybe I was far too emotional, but deep inside, I knew I meant them.

As he nuzzled his head against the side of my neck, I didn’t need to strain to hear his whispered words or to feel the heavy load of emotions electrifying the tight muscles of his body. “My perfect virtuoso.”

How sad. How… He would never be able to say he loved me.

Rest.

I’d been told by a visiting doctor and by my beautiful, amazing, and powerful rescuer that I needed to rest, but that’s what I’d been doing all day and I was sick of it.

What little I’d learned was that Kazimir had started a war so he could find me.

While he’d left the details in the shadows, I sensed he was different than before.

The veil of decency and legitimacy he’d been seemingly proud to wear had been ripped into shreds, exposing the violent and protective Bratva soldier. In truth, I wasn’t certain which man I liked better. Then again, why did I need to choose?

I’d also learned my house was still considered unsafe and with business yet to conduct, we were safely holed up in the resort. From what I’d overheard, additional Dmitriyev soldiers had been brought in from Las Vegas to make the building and surrounding grounds a fortress.

Even then, he’d been like a caged lion prowling the suite while constantly checking on me. I’d had enough of playing the victim.

As soon as I walked into the living room, I was surprised to see he was sitting on the stool in front of the baby grand. The afternoon sun had created a golden halo around him and for a few seconds, I enjoyed just being able to watch him as he tickled the keys.

On the surface of the piano sat a drink on a napkin placed an inch away from his weapon. I shuddered from the thought, remembering the gunfire I’d heard only hours before.

I’d seen Rurik being held by two members of the Costa family, the man’s leer following me even as I was carried from the building to safety.

As soon as I walked closer, Kazimir stiffened. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I was resting. I’m bored.”

He chuckled as if my comment had been unexpected. As soon as he swiveled around, he pulled me into his lap. “You’re very disobedient.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “So punish me.”

“Don’t tempt me. How are you feeling?”

“I ache, but not bad. I was rescued by a hero.”

“I’m hardly a hero.” His face clouded over.

“What happened to Rurik?”

He brushed his fingertips against my face. “You don’t need to worry about details at this point.”

“He’s dead. Isn’t he?”

“Not yet.” He smiled, yet it waned immediately, the man as exhausted as I’d ever seen him.

“How did this happen? How did a Russian crime syndicate manage to fool my father?”

“I don’t think your dad was fooled. I think he truly believed he could pay back the loan easily. He loved you. It’s apparent in who you are, an incredible woman with the toughest resolve I’ve ever seen. Don’t think badly of him. He wanted to give the world to you and Charlie.”

Hearing his words meant more to me than I could imagine. “I’m not angry with Daddy. I’m angry there is so much evil in this world. That’s why I need to learn the truth, Kazimir. I’m not fragile. I won’t fall apart if you tell me what happened.”

He chuckled. “No, I don’t think there’s anything you could face that will break you. A network of people loyal to Popov including the general operations manager from the resort proctored a very well thought out plan.”

“Including Joseph. He followed me. He kept track of what I was doing.”

His nod was slow and slight. “Unfortunately so. My men are searching for him. He’s Popov’s nephew.”

“I knew there was something strange about him. What now?”

“Now, we play the game by my rules.”

“Which are? And don’t tell me I don’t need to know. We’re partners. Fifty-fifty.”

“Fifty-one, forty-nine.” At least he was able to grin. “Now, I have a meeting with Popov where I will explain things to him one final time.”

“What about the incoming shipment of weapons?”

The twinkle in his eye indicated he had a plan. “A surprise.” He eased me off his lap, gently placing me onto the bench. “Would you like something to drink? Juice, coffee?”

“A mimosa.”

He shook his head. “A mimosa it is.” As he walked to the bar, I shifted so I could play the piano.

As soon as I started playing his song, he stopped mid-action, turning his head toward me.

I made it through one chorus before a single tear slipped past my eyelashes.

I’d promised myself I was finished with being emotional.

There was no need. I was safe and knew I would be. At what cost didn’t matter.

The moment of silence added to the sadness and I found myself unable to look him in the eyes.

“You need to know something,” he said, his tone more imploring than before.

“Of course.”

“Jasmine was a beautiful soul, a girl I met in a bar of all places. She was in Vegas with members of a guest symphony. We struck up a conversation and one drink led to three. Then we spent the night together. After that, we were inseparable. She was on a tour with an orchestra, so I flew to several cities just to be able to spend more time together. We were both very young, acting as if we had the world in the palm of our hands.”

I heard his voice clearly and distinctly, still surprised that he was trying to sign the words. “There’s no need. I can hear you.”

He nodded in response before rubbing his hands on his trousers.

“Soon, we found ourselves in love.” His laugh was bitter.

“It was a whirlwind affair and we started making plans for the future. That was over ten years ago during a period where my father was still the Pakhan. We were still involved in some criminal activities, which of course had us facing several enemies. We had some threats that I didn’t take very seriously. We had them all the time.”

“This time it was real,” I whispered.

“Yes, it was. We were in Chicago and after that, she had a two-month break. That’s when we were going to get married. One night at a concert, she was taken just moments before she was to set foot on the stage. There was no advance warning, but I should have known.”

“There was no way you could have.”

“Yes, given my position, I should have kept security around her.”

“That’s no way to live, Kazimir. You know that. Plus, as you told me before, the bad guys will always find a way.”

He snorted, shaking his head. “I thought I was invincible.”

I rose to my feet, moving toward him. “None of us are. What happened?”

“I searched the city, interrogating twenty people. Eventually, I found her, but… But it was too late. Her body washed up on shore. I was so angry, I went after everyone involved, killing at least a dozen. But the violence and bloodshed didn’t bring her back.

After that, I made a promise that I’d never fall in love with anyone again because it was too dangerous for them. Not for me.”

He allowed me to close the distance. “Is that your way of telling me you can’t love me?”

“If you’d asked this time two days ago, I would have said yes.” There was surprise in his eyes.

“And now?”

After placing the glass he was holding onto the bar, he gathered me into his arms, cupping my face with one hand.

“Now, I realize that as hard as you try to block out your feelings, fate has other plans. I do love you, Marissa. Life won’t be perfect or easy, but I will do my best to make you happy.

You’re all I can think about. You’re in my mind to the point I can’t breathe.

Without you, I feel like nothing at all. ”

My heart thumped wildly, an incredible moment of joy wrapping around me like a tight blanket.

“Is that an offer?” My voice was breathless.

“Call it a reclaiming. As I said before, you’re all mine.”