Page 32 of Hunt Me (Dmitriyev Bratva #1)

M ikhail

Beguiling.

The word was one I hadn’t used in a very long time, if ever.

However, that’s what the lovely Bristol Rork truly was. She’d awakened my senses like no other woman had.

She’d also infuriated me with her insolence. I could tell by the look in her eyes she thought me a monster. Yes, I was, but not with a woman. Never with a woman.

My fucking heart thudded in my chest from a raging desire that continued to captivate me. Her punishment had been as cathartic as it was electrifying.

I usually considered myself an attentive lover, acutely aware of a woman’s needs while enjoying providing them much like I had with Bristol on the previous night of passion.

Tonight had been different. Tonight I’d allowed the brutal man inside of me to breach the surface, the hunger so intense that nothing about sliding my cock into her sweet pussy had been gentle.

I’d wanted to possess every inch of her.

Not just for one night, but for much longer.

Maybe I’d expected her to break.

Instead of whimpering, she’d purred. Was her acquiescence nothing more than another attempt to manipulate me?

Her initial distrust and basic hatred of the kind of man she’d heard I truly was had given way to the heated attraction we’d felt since sparring at the reception table.

The emotions and strong desire weren’t being faked.

Her defiance remained fascinating, which had kept me from handling her as I would any other person who had information I required.

I’d been furious when I’d found her trying to escape me, her fear of being found something I’d been able to smell from the driver’s seat of my Ferrari. I’d caught her slinking in the darkness to her small car, scanning the parking lot of her apartment complex before tossing a duffle bag inside.

Smart girl.

I’d sensed immediately she’d decided to leave, to take shelter elsewhere. In a way, I’d underestimated her.

I raked my hands through my hair and rolled the tips of two fingers down the long line of her back.

She rolled over, staring at me with her eyes wide open. “Who are you, Mikhail?”

“Evidently you think you know.”

“I need for you to tell me.”

“I’m curious. What was said on the broadcast you heard?

” I asked, curious if suddenly every network was trying to frame the family and the corporation for crimes we had nothing to do with.

If they were, someone was using them to satisfy a vendetta, which wouldn’t surprise me.

We had our share of enemies on the right side of the law as any successful corporation did.

We’d also been used as target practice by those who longed for revenge from the days of old.

There were enough syndicate leaders from across the country who’d retired to Las Vegas to fill an entire housing development.

Several over the years had made no bones about the fact that they weren’t thrilled that the Dmitriyev family had so much power.

A few had made overtures they were considering getting back in the business.

Fewer still had tried to make good on their threats.

They hadn’t fared well.

This blatant and very quick finger pointing sounded orchestrated.

She studied me as if debating whether she should tell me anything. “That you’re Bratva. The reporter alluded to you being mafia, but I sensed that before and no, not because of Lilia. She and I were friends, but we’d agreed not to discuss our family lives.”

“I’m supposed to believe that?”

“It’s something you can easily confirm with your sister.

I know that you’re dangerous. I sensed that the moment you walked into the restaurant the night before the wedding.

You oozed power. You controlled the room.

You can hide behind all your acts of philanthropy and pretense with your glitzy movie stars and sports legends while wearing ten-thousand-dollar suits and driving expensive vehicles, but that won’t change who you are. ”

“You give me much more credit than I deserve. However, since you seem to know more about my family than I believed, please do tell me what you think I’m hiding.”

“That you’re a monster who doesn’t mind using exploitive methods to achieve whatever goal you desire.”

Every cell in my body was electrified from the fire burning deep within her. “I do tend to take what I want, Bristol. You’re right about that.” I could tell my limited answer frustrated her.

“Who was the man who was murdered?”

“Someone who worked for me.”

“A security consultant?”

I chuckled. “Sergio was indeed in charge of my security team.” She’d paid very close attention to what had been said.

While she’d been terrified before, not only had her defiance returned, but she was also eager to learn more about me.

My instincts said it had nothing to do with her father or whatever agenda he had on the table.

I’d seen her very quick look of irritation when I’d mentioned him.

Perhaps it was possible she believed her own father had manipulated her. Everything was on the table at this point, but I still couldn’t trust her any more than she could me.

“Why murder him? Was your organization threatened?”

“A very good question. I won’t lie to you, Bristol.

My family is steeped in power and control.

That provides an ample opportunity for threats to come in every manner from emails to phone calls.

Even social media posts. Most aren’t taken seriously.

However, our business is entirely legal.

We’re businessmen. We give to charity. We provide our employees with top notch benefits and a fantastic work atmosphere.

The days of slaughtering people in the streets are long gone.

You might choose to believe a reporter looking for his fifteen minutes of fame, but I have no reason to lie to you. ”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“My sister is very much like you are, Bristol. But if you were friends, you already know that. She believes in right versus wrong. She never knew the life my father and uncle lived, or that I experienced at an early age. My parents didn’t want that for their children, which is why they left Moscow.

” I honestly wasn’t certain why I was telling her my family’s history, other than coaxing her to trust me.

“How honorable and admirable.”

“Yes, it was. They sacrificed significantly. Lilia had a chance to be anyone she wanted to be, which wouldn’t have been the case if we’d stayed in Russia.”

While she frowned, I could tell she was paying close attention, processing everything I’d told her.

I studied her in the light, her long, dark hair spilling out over the comforter.

She was more diligent in her resolve to escape than I had envisioned, which kept my cock aching and my balls tight.

I’d expected her to whimper, cowering like the majority of other assholes who dared to cross me.

This girl was entirely different, her acts of defiance creating a spark deep within me.

She rose onto her elbow, completely comfortable in her nakedness. I took a few seconds, brushing the tip of my finger down her arm, rolling it under her breast.

Her smile was slight, an almost knowing look in her eyes. Perhaps she believed she knew me. She was wrong. But she did bring out a side of me so unexpected I was caught in a moment of seeking more than just answers from her.

Yet I would temper my desires.

For now.

“You’re truly trying to tell me you aren’t doing anything illegal. You own half of Las Vegas. That much I do know.”

Now I laughed. “I wish I did own half. Yes, my family owns several profitable resorts and we have interests in several other corporations, but the days of backroom decisions skirting the law are long gone. However, reporters love to push the idea we’re nothing but brutal men.”

“You aren’t?” Her smile was sly.

“No, we are not.” When she kept her heated gaze on me, I pinched her nipple. “At least not usually. Unless we’re pushed.”

She shuddered from my touch, her eyes now half closed. I caressed her skin, lightly tracing the length of her arm. When she finally pulled it away, I fisted my hand.

“You have an idea why your friend was killed. Don’t you?” The attorney inside her was asking.

“To be honest with you, I’m uncertain. For once, I was completely caught off guard. There were no recent or pointed threats.”

“How did you know I was at his house?” When I didn’t answer, she groaned. “He had security cameras both inside and outside his home.”

“Yes. Sergio was very careful, a secure man, although the cameras outside were disabled and he only had a camera on the front door, but there was no sign of forced entry.” Why was I sharing the information with her? Did I think she’d suddenly place her trust in me? I doubted that.

As her eyes darted back and forth across mine, I leaned closer until we were just inches apart. Most people in this position would pull away by instinct if nothing else. She inched closer until our lips were almost touching. “Did you see anyone else?”

“No, but I wasn’t on the scene very long. I plan on going back. Now, I need to know the truth about this. What did Sergio say to you?”

The single tic in the corner of her mouth indicated she would try to hold out on me.

“He said nothing of value. Gibberish. He was dying, Mikhail. The poor man was foaming at the mouth.”

I cupped her jaw, absently rubbing my thumb across her succulent lips. “Then what did you see once you were inside?”

“Nothing. I heard a noise in the kitchen and knew I was in danger. That’s why I ran and called the police from the car. I refused to become another victim.”

Exhaling, she didn’t blink when I blew hot air across her face.

My instincts were almost never wrong. She was keeping something significant from me.

Perhaps out of fear, lack of trust, or perhaps another reason that I’d need to explore.

Right now, she believed we were equals in this game of push and pull.

She’d soon learn otherwise.

She studied me intently. “What now? Are you going to kill me?”

“Is there a reason I should?”

“I thought you said you weren’t a killer.”

“And I thought a woman of your convictions always told the truth. I guess we’re both wrong.”

“Maybe so.” She allowed her gaze to fall, completely confused about her attraction to me.

Seconds ticked by. The brutal man inside of me wanted nothing more than to fuck her once again.

“Let me explain something to you, Bristol. I want you to completely understand what we’re dealing with.

I believe you didn’t kill Sergio. I also believe you were only there to deliver a pizza.

However, I don’t believe that you’re telling me everything.

You have a very analytical mind. You were scared, which meant the killer or killers were likely still inside the house.

If I discovered there was a witness, then it’s only a matter of time before the people responsible will as well.

I assure you the enemies I mentioned don’t take kindly to being spied on. ”

“I wasn’t spying.”

I’d hold my thoughts on her father for another discussion. It was vital I garnered everything she knew about Sergio.

“The people responsible don’t know that. The type of people determined to create issues for my family and my corporation don’t like loose ends. Many have no understanding of innocence or coincidence. They will hunt you down. And they will kill you.”

“Are you trying to scare me?”

While everything about her rebellious nature captivated me, at some point I’d need to better explain to her that her only option was to place her full trust in me and quit lying.

“I’m simply telling you the truth.”

“Your truths and mine are completely different.”

At this, our conversation would go no further and I’d reached the end of my patience. “You have two minutes to dress. Then we are leaving,” I said almost in passing.

Her smile was a challenge and my balls tightened.

I rose from the bed, peering down at her while she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip.

After taking a deep breath, I fastened my pants, running both hands through my hair before removing my weapon from the table. I fingered her phone before sliding it into my pocket.

“That’s mine.”

“You’ll get it back,” I told her as I turned my head, locking eyes with hers. “If you obey me.”

Her snort was as insolent as before.

By my own requirements, I should interrogate her until she told me the truth, but she was unbreakable, which was intriguing as hell.

She’d also awakened more than the monstrous beast inside of me, my hunger remaining just at the surface.

Maybe I was crossing a line, but I no longer cared.

I grabbed my shirt, heading for the door, stopping long enough to give her a long, hard look.

She was sitting with her knees bent, her arms folded around them, staring at me intently.

“Do you understand me, Bristol?” Her hesitation pissed me off more than I cared to say. She seemed either oblivious or unconcerned that I had her life in my hands.

And that if whoever was responsible found her, they couldn’t care less about her father or what he could do.

“Fine. I hear you. Where are you taking me?” she asked, her tone just as defiant as before. Another intriguing aspect about the lovely girl. I’d been impressed she’d gone for the gun, as if she had even a slim chance of being able to use it.

“To a secure location.”

“I’m curious if I should be more concerned about you or about the men who killed your friend.” She turned sharply, glaring me in the eye. Her cheeks were wet, a single tear remaining.

“Perhaps both.”

“Then why bother taking me with you?”

Unable to resist, I rolled my thumb through the salty bead, collecting it on the tip of my finger.

When I pulled it into my mouth, she pursed her lips, an expression of disgust on her face.

The possessive man inside of me knew no bounds.

He also had no intentions of letting go of what already belonged to him.

“Why? Because I own you, Bristol. I’m going to enjoy breaking you. Two minutes.”

“I have news for you, Mikhail. No man can break me.”

I turned away. “I guess we will see.”