Page 63 of Claim Me

“How?”

“They always have telltale signs. Quirks. Facial tics. Hand movements. Nervous energy.”

“Fascinating. What do you do with those caught cheating?”

Ryker scratched his head. “It depends on the severity of the crime.”

“Mmm… You handle punishment in house.”

“Yes, sometimes.” He walked closer. “What is it you’re asking, Ms. Valentine? I mean no disrespect, but it seems as if you think we’re the criminals.”

“I don’t know what to think other than what I’ve read.”

“Don’t believe everything you read. My mama taught me that. She also would disown me if I was doing anything illegal.”

It was almost as if he’d been primed to try to make me feel better. In truth, his words manage to do just that.

His obvious love for his mother caused me to smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Who is Jasmine?”

When his facial expression hardened, I wanted to press.

“You’ll need to ask Mr. Dmitriyev, Kazimir about that. It’s a subject best kept private.”

“Perhaps the love of his life although I seriously doubt a man like Kazimir knows what love is.” Now I was being cruel. That wasn’t my personality.

“Ms. Valentine, again no disrespect, but you don’t know any of the Dmitriyev family at all. Do you?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then please try and remember they are people, decent and hardworking people with families. They provide a damn good living for all the employees. Ask anyone who works with them. They are great people to work for and treat all of us with respect. Everyone has the capability of feeling love, but sometimes when tragedy stomps on their emotions and what they believe in, it takes someone very special to crack open the locked door. I hope you know what I mean.”

His obvious respect was touching.

I thought about what he’d said and nodded. “Yes, I do. Very much so.” Although not in the way I knew Ryker had meant. Something about loving a woman had broken Kazimir’s heart. Jasmine.

He started to say something else when the door burst open and Kazimir rushed in, both his hands wrapped around his gun.

As if by instinct, Ryker jumped in front of me, preparing to take the bullet.

“Stop. Kazimir. It’s okay,” I half shouted as I moved from around Ryker, confronting Kazimir.

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” Kazimir hissed and with two strides, had Ryker by the throat, pitching him against the wall. The loud reverberation could be felt in my feet.

“Don’t you dare. I invited him in for a goddamn drink since you didn’t think of providing anything for your men.” I moved in front of the Russian’s face, glaring at him as I spit out the words.

He was more annoyed than shocked, but his fingers continued to dig into Ryker’s neck and the barrel of the weapon was only an inch away from the man’s head.

“Stop,” I encouraged when he didn’t budge. I placed my hand on his arm, shaking my head. “Please, don’t. This was my fault. He heard a noise and thought I was in distress. Okay? He’s on your side.”

Kazimir cursed in Russian. I didn’t need to understand the language to know what he was doing. I was surprised since his accent wasn’t that heavy, but from what I’d read, he’d been a baby when arriving in America. The family legacy.

“It’s alright, Ms. Valentine,” Ryker said.

“Like hell it is. This is still my house and I can invite any guests I want into my home.”

Kazimir growled and finally looked at me. “I’m responsible for your safety, and my men are when I’m absent. If I can’t trust they’ll do their jobs, then who can I trust?” He dropped his hand, taking a step back.

“You can be such an asshole. Ryker was just singing your praises since I wasn’t. Now you do this. Proves my point. I’m sorry for getting you in trouble, Ryker, but you are always welcome in my house.”