Page 79 of Claim Me

“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.

“Iamjoining 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’.”