Page 8 of Claim Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #2)

The man was a force of nature and anyone who crossed his path would find themselves directly in the middle of the storm.

I’d never had this powerful of a reaction to anyone.

A euphoric rush from his firm hold left me tingling in a way that would usually keep me craving more until I was drowning in the sea of passion.

What a treacherous feeling to have when my brother could be dying behind the closed door. I looked away, breaking the hypnotic moment. If he thought I could be pushed or used, he was dead wrong. “Why are you here? You’re not family.”

“Because Charlie asked me to be here.” His brow remained furrowed as he tried to figure out what was wrong with me other than being close to hysteria.

His answer didn’t mean anything, but the fact he’d called my brother Charlie meant they were close.

He allowed no one to call him Charlie except for me.

Did that mean I could trust him? No. My brother’s last phone message had made that apparent.

I’d read the call to text several times, even trying to call him back, but the call had gone straight to voicemail. Now I knew why.

“Do not trust anyone and I mean anyone. We need to talk when you return from LA.”

Charlie had left me no details. The moment I’d heard his voice and read the adjoining text, I’d known something was terribly wrong.

Now it could be too late.

Kazimir watched my every movement, and I sensed if I attempted to see my brother again or leave the premises, he’d stop me. His eyes darkened when I rubbed another tear from my eyes and the way his nostrils flared indicated he’d gathered a strong whiff of my perfume.

“Why?”

“To handle some business.”

“I don’t need you to handle anything.” My statement brought amusement, his upper lip curling into a smirk.

“I’m also here to care for you. How are you doing?

” This time, I was able to hear him. Maybe the shock of the tragedy was finally sinking in.

While soft, his voice was smooth, the husky accent creating a moment of soft comfort, yet the knot in my stomach and the near panic crushing down on me weighed heavily on my mind.

Care for me? I certainly didn’t need a babysitter.

He’d just riled my anger. My mother had Irish blood in her and she used to tell me I’d inherited her worst trait of flying off the handle without thinking.

Right now, I considered it her best. If the man believed he was going to handle me, he was dead wrong.

“How do you think I’m doing?” The question came out much harsher than I’d hoped, but Kazimir deserved it for his cagey actions.

He was holding something back from me. That was easy to see.

“My brother was shot by an unknown assailant who’s still at large.

He might die. He’s the only family I have.

But if you’re friends then you would know that.

” My tone was accusatory, but right now, I needed to blame someone.

I longed to take out my vicious anger on anyone who crossed my path.

How could anyone do this to Charlie? He was so kind, so giving.

Sadly, my thoughts drifted to wondering what he’d gotten himself involved in. He’d been so strange when we’d communicated, avoiding my direct questions all under the guise I didn’t need to be bothered. I’d sent him texts, emails. He’d finally seemed exasperated.

“I will take care of this,” Kazimir told me as if by waving a magic wand, he could take us back in time.

My laugh was bitter and he didn’t seem to appreciate that I was seemingly making fun of him, but I was simply reacting. “No one can. Certainly not a stranger who suddenly appeared in my brother’s life.” The ire dripped from my tone.

His eyes became darker, his chiseled jaw clenched. “You don’t understand, Marissa.”

“You’re right. I don’t, and in truth, I don’t care to. Now, I need to talk to the doctors and I’ll need to talk to the police. You can leave now. I’ve got this.”

I’ll be damned if he didn’t crowd my space. “Your brother asked me to protect you with my life and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I understand you’re upset. I am as well, but you’ll need to trust me in that I’ll find out who did this.”

“What then?” Why was I asking, just simple curiosity?

This time his sensual smile sent a chill through me. “Then I’ll handle it my way.”

His way. He’d just confirmed he was a dangerous man. Swallowing, the lump remained.

Powerful. Dominating. Dangerous. Not what I needed.

Keep it together. You can’t fall apart.

No, I wouldn’t. My brother needed me.

I started to look down when I noticed his lips moving again. “…play beautifully.” His tone had softened, his deep voice reverberating in my ears.

What?

A cold chill settled into my spine.

He’d heard me play? A strange and unsettling sensation tore through me.

During the last few months, I’d had a sense of being watched, followed every so often as if someone was keeping tabs on me.

No one had been overt and other than the first time four months before when I’d seen a man standing outside my window, I’d simply had the tickling sensations.

The stupid girl inside of me had hope that it was my mystery fan. My fantasies had become more vivid, real in a way that I often awoke with my inner thighs wet, my pussy aching.

What if… I backed away from Kazimir, almost tripping when I did. He reached out, but curled his fingers, pulling his hand away when I pressed my back against the wall to avoid his touch.

“You’ve heard me play.” My legs began to shake.

“Yes, I have. You’re amazing and very talented.” He chose his words carefully. The man was a lot to take in, so much so that I forced myself to look away from fear I’d become mesmerized by him and lose my train of thought as well as any common sense.

Right now, I needed to think this through. Even if Charlie survived, his life would be in danger. Where were the police? Be strong.

Again I felt completely unnerved. I reminded myself that Kazimir, if that was his real name, could be responsible for shooting my brother and he was here to finish the job.

Seconds ticked by, his dark gaze continuing.

I had nothing else to say to the man. I moved to the window, placing my palm against the glass.

My brother had been so strong, keeping me from losing my mind after our parents had been killed in the accident.

He’d never broken down while I’d cried on his shoulder several times.

Even before that, he’d encouraged me to follow my dream with Julliard, flying with me to New York, cheering for me when I’d been hired by the symphony.

He’d pushed me to select our home city after I’d gotten several job offers. He’d wanted to keep an eye on me.

I’d thought it was simply out of basic brotherly love. Sadly, I was already thinking otherwise.

Kazimir remained hovering behind me, his predatory stature lingering like his deep musky scent.

Suddenly, the door opened and the crash cart was pulled from the room. I took a deep breath, holding it as I waited to hear the terrible news. I could tell he was still alive, the monitors indicating he was breathing. But for how long?

As a gray-haired man appeared, tears slipped past my lashes, falling slowly down my cheeks. While Kazimir kept his distance, I sensed he would remain like a predator. I moved closer, every muscle tense.

The doctor smiled in such a way that I knew even if Charlie was alive, he wouldn’t be for very long. “Ms. Valentine?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Dr. Westley. We were able to stabilize your brother’s heart, but his condition is still critical.

I need to be frank with you. Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll make it through the night.

We will continue to do everything we can do, but the damage to his heart was extensive and he’s still bleeding internally.

He’s asking to see you, but in and out of consciousness. ”

A single sob escaped and I pressed my hand over my mouth. This wasn’t possible. Not my brother.

“I know how difficult this is for you. As I said, we’ll do everything we can.” The doctor patted my hand and I was caught in a moment of limbo.

“Thank you,” I managed, remaining where I was as he walked away, disappearing around the corner.

Less than a minute later, the two nurses left the room.

I wasn’t certain I could do this all alone.

Teresa had offered to come with me. Now I wished I’d taken her up on the offer. I’d never felt so alone in my life.

I felt Kazimir crowding my space only seconds later as I stood where I was, terrified of going into the room by myself. I wasn’t certain I had the strength.

When he placed his hand on my shoulder, I immediately bristled.

Soon after, I felt his hot breath skipping across my skin and damn it to hell if tingles didn’t erupt, trailing all the way down the backs of my legs.

My defenses began to crumble, the anger I’d felt for Kazimir fading behind the veil of truth.

I was losing Charles. “I’m scared. I can’t lose him. ”

Kazimir shifted in front of me and when I dropped my head, tears giving away my weakness, he gently curled his finger, sliding it under my chin.

With complete tenderness, he lifted my head, so I’d be forced to look into his eyes.

This time, they were filled with compassion as well as an uncompromised strength, which was exactly what I needed.

“Would you like me to go in with you?”

He wasn’t pressuring. “I don’t know.”

“It’s your choice, but I will be here.”

“Why is it necessary? I’m a big girl.” Don’t fall for his lure. He could be dangerous.

“I understand. As I told you, your brother asked me to take care of you and that’s what I will do.”

“You mean when he’s gone.” I was struggling with the words for several reasons. When I was nervous or terrified, they were suddenly jumbled in my mind as my auditory perception failed me. I needed to use my hands. They were my safety net, but he wouldn’t understand.