Page 3 of Hunt Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #1)

He offered a dour look. “I haven’t decided yet. What I’m trying to tell you,” he chortled as he clapped me on the back, “is to lighten the fuck up. Don’t ruin this for Lilia. She deserves to be happy.”

I threw him a look and shook my head. He was right as usual, yet I remained worried the union would produce more than Russian-Italian heirs.

Even the structured alliance couldn’t keep us completely protected from the seedy underbelly of the territory. There were always those intent on violently attempting to claim what rightfully belonged to us.

Including the Irish fucks refusing to stay in their lane. Or in their city. I’d gotten wind a few Irish were in town. While they’d yet to cause trouble, I would keep an eye on their activities.

As I headed to the bar, I thought about what was being brought to the table by the Costa family.

They ruled Reno like we did Las Vegas. On paper, our alliance would create an unstoppable empire.

We had control of everything from several billion-dollar resorts, Michelin Star restaurants, and casinos to a hold on the entertainment and sports industries.

Our combined effort would make us some of the richest people in the world.

Our fortunes and our connections also kept targets on our backs, which no one seemed to worry about.

“Here you are, Mr. Dmitriyev,” the bartender said as he pushed another Macallan in my direction. Contrary to popular belief, I couldn’t stand vodka.

“Thank you, Scott.” I walked away realizing my brother was correct. I was bored. People were annoying, especially high rollers whose egos constantly needed to be stroked. While I was good at what I did, that didn’t mean dealing with them didn’t leave a bad taste in my mouth.

I moved through the lingering crowd toward a group of unoccupied tables when I noticed a woman sitting by herself.

I’d seen her before, the bridesmaid’s dress catching my eye when she’d walked down the aisle before Lilia’s grand entrance.

While I had no idea who she was, she was obviously close with my sister.

While I’d remained at the rehearsal dinner for fifteen minutes, the woman’s stunning beauty had grabbed almost all of my attention.

She’d darted looks in my direction, deep in thought as she’d dragged just the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.

I’d watched her as she’d sipped her wine, doing her best to fade into the group.

But nothing about her could hide in the shadows.

She was a precious gem, a beautiful flower waiting to be opened.

My cock ached from the longing to brush my fingers across her smooth skin. I fisted my hand, enjoying the feeling of desire for the first time in months.

She was sitting all alone while the other bridesmaids were actively partying together. A few seconds later, one of the male guests I didn’t know stumbled toward her, immediately placing his hand on her shoulder.

Something stirred inside of me that I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t know this woman, yet I felt somewhat possessive. Now I was curious as to what she’d do.

The look she threw him could drill him to the center of the earth.

She plucked his hand off, issuing a statement I wasn’t close enough to hear, but her facial expression reminded me of a venomous snake.

I applauded the way she handled the unwanted situation.

There was no scene, no name calling or tossing her glass of champagne into the man’s face.

Just strong words thrusting him aside like a rodent.

My cock twitched in appreciation and my curiosity was piqued. How long had it been since that had happened?

Yet the fucker refused to comply. He moved into her face, grabbing and wrenching her arm.

The perfect angel didn’t have time to react. I took three long strides, snapping my hand around the back of his neck and jerking him away.

His look of surprise quickly turned into one of horror as recognition flashed across his miserable face. I recognized him as Sergio’s latest prize possession, an up-and-coming soldier, yet right now, I was ready to reduce him to ash.

“ Ty znayesh’, kto ya .” I kept my voice low and inaudible to anyone else.

You know who I am.

“ Da, Pakhan .”

Yes, Pakhan.

“ Togda ty znayesh’, na chto ya sposoben .”

Then you know what I’m capable of.

He nodded vehemently, his eyes remaining open wide. He suddenly clutched my shirt, twisting the material as if begging me to allow him to live.

No one would die tonight. Unless the fucker touched the woman, my woman again.

“ Idi domoy. Seychas zhe. Ona prinadlezhit mne .”

Go home now. She belongs to me.

When I dropped him, he teetered forward, turning toward the stunning woman and whispering words of apology.

As he stumbled toward the exit, she followed him with her eyes. Her mouth was twisted in amusement. Once he was gone, she slowly shifted her heated gaze in my direction.

“I was doing just fine,” she insisted.

“Yes, you were, but men like that usually don’t take no for an answer.”

“Ah, so you were standing by so you could be my hero.”

I chuckled softly. “I assure you that no one would ever consider me a hero.”

No, some would consider me the kind of man nightmares were made of.

She yawned as if the entire situation bored her to death.

I desired to unravel the woman, breaking all her defenses. My cock twitched in full appreciation of the sadistic hunger festering inside.

After waiting for a full minute, I moved a few seats away from where she’d taken up residence, the vantage point allowing me to see both doors leading into the ballroom and the bulk of the guests.

The unknown beauty didn’t bother looking in my direction, her feigned boredom continuing. But I could sense her interest.

And I could smell her desire.

Even given the late hour, she didn’t appear intoxicated. In truth, she appeared as bored as I’d become. The only way she allowed me to know she sensed my presence was by shifting forward in her seat.

With her long, dark hair spiraling in curls to her waist and the makeup that perfectly matched her violet velvet dress, she was a woman of true beauty. And I’d yet to see her eyes. I sat back in my seat, enjoying the view.

She finally took a deep breath, casually glancing over her shoulder.

Seeing her eyes in the light not only drew my complete attention, but that of my cock. They were the color of her dress and the way her long black eyelashes skimmed across the shimmer of her cheeks was breathtaking. She wrinkled her nose as if disliking what she saw.

That amused me more than anything. I was used to snapping my fingers and getting a woman for the night. Not that I’d had either the inclination or the time during the last few months, but the understanding I could have any woman I wanted remained in the back of my mind.

However, lately the girls I’d taken to my bed had also bored me. They were all the same, greedy for power and wealth.

She shifted so her head was turned further away, finally bringing the glass of champagne to her lips.

They were voluptuous and my mind shifted to the filthy beast I had inside of me.

All men did, but mine was primal in nature.

I imagined her succulent lips wrapped around my cockhead with her stunning eyes peering up at me.

I toyed with my drink, running the tip of my finger around the rim creating a humming noise. For some reason, that caught her attention and she allowed me the joy of seeing her entire face. She was the most gorgeous woman I’d laid eyes on in a very long time. If not ever.

“Do you mind not doing that?” she asked. Her tone was haughty, full of annoyance, and the fire in her eyes was a challenge.

I did so love a good challenge.

“Doing what?” I continued the action, eager to see how she’d react. The hum was low, certainly not loud enough for anyone else to hear.

“That.” She pointed toward the glass. I expected to see perfectly manicured nails like every woman in the room had. Hers were short, one nail broken off. When I allowed my gaze to fall to her long fingers, she folded them into a fist.

“This?” I asked as I repeated the action for a few additional seconds.

“Men always need to be top dog. Don’t they?”

“Is that what I’m doing?” I crossed my legs, swirling the glass as my lips upturned in a smile. This was the best entertainment I’d had all night.

“Come now. I’ve been around the block a time or two. You find a woman sitting by herself at a sappy wedding and you figure she’s easy pickings.”

“From what I can tell, nothing with you is easy. A man will need to enrapture the very darkness within your soul.” I found it interesting she hadn’t asked for my name. Maybe she already knew it.

“How profound. I’m curious what you use as pickup lines.”

I was more than intrigued. I was fascinated. She obviously couldn’t care less who I was. That made her even more interesting. “Please, keep going. You must have a magic eight ball. How do you know for certain I’m after more than just a pleasant conversation with a beautiful lady?”

She threw me another much longer look, allowing her heated gaze to fall very slowly to my Italian loafers. When she finally allowed her eyes to settle on mine, there was a moment shared, one that I had no words to describe. More than just a blast of chemistry or kismet. Something entirely carnal.

“You have that useless, bored billionaire appeal that you believe most women find attractive. Expensive suit likely handmade for you by some fabulous old white guy your entire family has used for years. Shoes that likely cost more than rent for my apartment for six months, and if I had to guess, I’d say you have a Maserati waiting for you in the hotel parking lot.

Your idea of a date is simply a conquest, a notch on your belt, then you move on, never to see the woman again. How am I doing?”

The mysterious beauty had leaned forward while cutting me down to size. I did the same thing, my reach enough so that we were only inches apart. Heat continued to build between us, creating a fascinating vacuum.

Suddenly, there was no one else in the room.

“Yes, my suit was tailored specifically for me, but I assure you that Margot would prefer not being called an old white guy. My father once told me shoes made the man, much like for a woman. I indulge in the finest leather whenever possible, although there is nothing quite like the feel of a pair of Nikes. And no, it’s not a Maserati, but a Lamborghini.

But I will admit I also own a Ferrari as well. All in all, nicely done.”

“If you’re trying to impress me, it’s not working.”

“Ouch,” I said with a smile on my face. Few women were comfortable enough to challenge me. I found it irresistible. “Then I guess I’ll need to try harder.”

“Please don’t. That will bore me to death.”

“Alright. Now, since we have all the pleasantries out of the way, would you consider having a drink with me? Certainly, that’s noncommittal. You might even find it enjoyable.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” After offering a pointed look that could easily set a man on fire, she lifted her glass, taking her time to enjoy a sip of bubbly. I watched her intently as she licked a bead of champagne from the edge of the glass. She was toying with me on purpose.

“This,” I said, waving my hand and meaning the reception, “is not my style.”

“What is your style?”

I leaned even closer, offering a smile as well as providing a sinful opportunity. “May I suggest you take a chance and find out.”