Page 25

I spent the whole night in the guest room, and Dima never came looking for me. I had mixed feelings about that to the point I just had to shut it all down, because why did I care so much if he left me alone? Wasn’t that what I wanted?

It seemed like we really were back at square one, and I’d have to start over from scratch to get him back on my side, all while fighting the attraction that had it all crumbling again. Because I couldn’t keep my feelings straight.

The best course of action was to just be chill and not bring anything up until Dima did, so I got out of bed and decided to start gardening. What else could I do? I didn’t trust myself around him yet because if he looked at me wrong, I might blow up, and if he looked at me right, I might end up in his arms again.

It was still early, but as I headed past the front hall to sneak into the kitchen for coffee, someone pounded on the door, making me jump out of my skin.

“Doesn’t he see the damn doorbell’s been installed?” Dima muttered, appearing from down the hall with a scowl.

“Ivan?” I asked.

“Who else? Though why he’s here, I have no idea.”

If I hadn’t been so on edge, I would have laughed at his annoyance with his younger brother, but Ivan would at least have kept him occupied. No chance of any pesky apologies that might make me waver, except—would Dima really apologize? It was hard to recall what had me so upset. In his mind, he was protecting me. I saw it differently. I certainly didn’t want to have to say the words.

“No breakfast to be found in town?” Dima waved away the guard and opened the door himself.

Ivan grinned and came in. “I already ate,” he said, shaking his head. “You used to get up early, Dima.”

“It’s barely eight,” I said, coming across like I was defending Dima, when I was only stating the obvious. Still, I got a smile that I found very difficult not to react to.

“The perfect time.” Ivan rubbed his hands together. “Where’s your shooting range? I’ve been dying to blast some things.”

“We don’t have one,” Dima answered, turning to go to the kitchen.

“I wouldn’t mind shooting some things,” I muttered, very much under my breath.

He still heard me and turned, raising a brow. “Oh yeah? Then we should set one up.”

Ivan clapped his hands, and the two brothers set off out back, past the pool and newly renovated garden, and into the jungle. Curiosity burned like a hot coal, but I forced myself to go into the kitchen and make a cup of coffee. It was only when Ivan returned half an hour later and started pulling guns out of the cabinet that I broke and followed him when he hurried back out.

We ended up in a clearing, where they’d set up some cans and bottles on a fallen log, and they both looked as proud as little boys who’d come home with a good report card. Their excitement was infectious, and I helped load up the guns with the boxes of ammo Ivan had stuffed in his pockets.

They marked off distances, and pretty soon, the first can was flying into the forest with a loud crack. Birds abandoned the trees that surrounded us at the first shot, and squawked with anger at the second.

“We’ll have to set up something more sustainable,” Dima said, right before knocking down three cans in a row. “Just not today.”

“This is too much fun,” Ivan agreed, taking his turn and bringing down a bottle.

“Excuse me,” I said, as Dima got lined up for his next turn. “What happened to ‘ladies first’?”

“Oh, the missus wants to shoot something,” Ivan crowed, handing me his gun. “Show us what you’ve got. Here, wait, let me set up an easy one for you.”

He went to the pile of things they’d hauled from the recycle bin to serve as targets and placed a wide milk jug in the middle of the fallen tree.

Dima jumped in to try to show me how to line up the sight, but I stepped away from him and took out three of the smaller bottles in rapid succession.

“Holy crap,” Ivan said as Dima just stared at me with his mouth hanging open.

“I don’t know why you’d assume I couldn’t shoot,” I said mildly. I grew up around the Bratva. Of course, I could handle a gun.

“Lucky shots,” Ivan goaded, hurrying to pick up some rocks off the ground.

They were about the size of his fist, so not tiny, but much smaller targets than the bottles. As soon as he put them on the log and cleared the range, I sent them flying one by one. Okay, was I having fun? There was nothing quite like blasting things to oblivion when you were stressed.

Dima still stared at me as Ivan refused to believe I had such a good eye. My brother-in-law set up some more rocks and aimed for them, only hitting two out of the three. I didn’t bother to hide my smug look, easily taking out the rock he missed. Since he was a known crack shot, I had to believe he was going easy on me, and was determined to prove myself without any handicaps.

“Why don’t we back up and try from a greater distance?” I suggested.

“After Dima’s turn,” Ivan said, setting up again. “Unless you’re afraid your wife will show you up?”

With a grumble, Dima took the gun, giving me a long, slow look that had me simmering. This time, not with anger over… what was I mad about again? Dima took out the rocks with ease, and I paced off to a new starting point while Ivan found smaller rocks. It felt good to know my skills hadn’t grown rusty, even though it had been ages since I found the time to go to a range and practice.

Yes, I was having a good time despite everything. The brothers’ laughter and the simple camaraderie reminded me of similar moments when I worked for Max, and Dima would show up, joking around and trying to make me smile. Way back when, I thought he was my friend, and I had that secret crush on him.

“There’s no way you get those,” Ivan said, drawing me back to the present.

I smirked at him, my eyes skating over Dima as he watched me with such intensity my hand shook.

“She can do it,” Dima said.

It was hard to muster up outrage that he betrayed me like he did, when he was acting like my biggest cheerleader right now. What would have happened if I kept my big mouth shut and never told him my father was in trouble? Would I have been able to escape my exile in Russia more easily than trying to get free from here?

It was doubtful, because the Fokins and the Kuzmins wouldn’t have rested until their money was returned.

I glanced at Dima again and he gave me a slight nod, his eyes intense. I really hated being indebted to him most of all. My jailer. If only he hadn’t made me so relaxed that I let my guard down, but he was still much too good at that. And I had to admit I liked not having to be perfect all the time, since he was so easy going he was acting like I’d never stormed off last night. No apologies necessary, not that one was forthcoming from me.

God, if only I could stop finding myself having a good time with him.

Taking a moment to breathe and shake off the feel of his eyes caressing me, I aimed and fired. Three tiny rocks pinged into the air, exploding into dust.

“That is the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen,” Dima said in a low growl.

Our eyes locked, and a shimmer of need washed over my skin. If only I could stop being so damn attracted to him, too.

“Get lost,” he told Ivan in a voice no one in their right mind would have argued with. “We’ll meet you for dinner in the village tonight.”

Knowing not to pick a battle he’d lose, Ivan rolled his eyes and traipsed off through the jungle.

“Find your new friend if you want to make it a double date,” Dima shouted after him.

I turned toward him in surprise. “Do you mean Zoey? Does that mean she passed her background check?”

I was so pleased I forgot to act disgruntled that he ran one at all. A double date sounded so much like one of the things I longed to do if I ever got my imaginary, normal life that I held my breath while waiting for Dima’s answer.

“I want you to be safe,” he said. “Not lonely and sad.” His tone was gentle, having more effect on me than the raw look in his eyes. “Now, where did you learn to shoot like that?”

I didn’t answer because I was too busy throwing my arms around him. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

He grunted and pulled me close, his hands gripping my backside, so I felt every inch of his hard shaft against my belly. “That really was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“I believe you,” I whispered.

My eyes drifted shut as I lost myself in the feel of his roaming hands and his desire pulsing hot between us. In the next heartbeat, his lips were on mine. It was still early, but the sun blazed through the canopy of trees to beat down on us. With his body so close to mine, it was much too hot for clothes.

I tore at his t-shirt, wanting to press my hands against his skin, needing to dig my fingers into his shoulders.

“Let’s get this off,” he said, pulling away from our kiss long enough to whip my shirt over my head.

A second later, his was off and flying onto a bush. His fingers deftly unclasped my bra, and he ducked to suckle each nipple as my breasts were freed. I moaned and felt my legs giving out. His strong hands were there at my waist, holding on tight as he eased me to the ground.

Slamming my hands against his chest, I stopped him, barely able to draw a breath to speak. “Do you want to go back to the house?” I asked.

A ridiculous question, despite the rough undergrowth jabbing at our skin as we fell in a tangled heap on the ground. His mouth trailed down my neck as one hand found its way between my legs.

“I’ll risk the ant bites,” he said. “I can’t wait that long to be inside you.”

I couldn’t answer, only sucked in a breath as he found my clit, working the swollen nub until I writhed against him. Leaves crackled under my back, and he paused to assess the situation.

“I don’t care,” I gasped. “Just kiss me some more.”

The slightest shake of his head, and he had me on top of him, straddling his hips. Gripping my backside, he eased me onto his thick cock, not giving a damn that sticks and rocks were digging into his own back.

“I love this view,” he said, reaching to tweak my nipples as his length filled me. “Let me see these perfect tits of yours bounce while you ride me.”

I nodded, breathless, as I held onto his shoulders and began moving slowly and steadily, taking every inch. Watching his face had me mesmerized, along with his hands teasing me from behind.

Once again, he was in complete control of my body, even though I seemed to be in charge. It was only seconds until he had me in a frenzy, and I rode harder and faster, moaning louder as our bodies slapped together.

“I really like when you fuck me,” he said, groaning when I slammed down hard. “Christ, Liv. Your body is so damn gorgeous.”

Digging my fingernails into his shoulders, I ground against him with his cock so deep inside me it felt like I might split in two. And yet I wanted it all, and more.

“Now, now, now,” I demanded, leaning close.

His mouth claimed mine as he gripped my ass and took over the rhythm. “Come with me,” he said. “Right now.”

I shattered, crying out as bliss exploded in every nerve ending. I could feel him explode inside me, and I held on. “Dima,” I gasped. I had to say his name and hear it in my voice.

He was mine, all mine. When he was inside me, I wasn’t the only one who was owned. And I needed him to know it.

“I’m right here,” he soothed, holding me tightly as our hearts pounded. “Damn, we’re out of control.”

I let myself go limp against him, and he held on, the feel of the cool breeze hitting our sweaty skin as soothing as his arms around me.

Then he hissed in pain. “Fucking ants.”

I sat up, finding a trail of them heading our way, a couple already swarming up Dima’s thigh.

Swatting them off, one bit my hand, and I yelped. Laughing and swearing, we jumped up and found our clothes, running as if wildcats were after us and not from a few fire ants. Halfway back to the house, we paused to get dressed so we wouldn’t shock the workers or guards.

“I’m officially off today,” he said. “I just decided. Get changed, and let's go into town early.”

“I need a shower after that,” I said.

“Great idea,” he told me, picking me up and carrying me into the house, up the stairs, and only putting me down in the shower in our bathroom.

He joined me under the stinging spray, sudsing me up with care. I returned the favor, and we had a makeout session until the water turned cold, and I shivered in his arms.

“We could skip going into town,” he suggested as he dried me with a fluffy towel until the goosebumps disappeared.

I stared past him, through the open bathroom door to our bed. We still hadn’t used it for anything other than sleep. It was tempting.

Too tempting. I wasn’t about to allow myself to lapse into despair because I slipped up again, and I wasn’t about to lose out on a chance to go into town, either. But holy hell, it was really tempting.

Thankfully, I took too much time to answer, and he started getting dressed, so I was saved from making a bad decision. Another one, anyway.

Downstairs, he called for one of the guards to drive us in. “I want to sample all the local wines,” he explained when I stiffened. “He’s just the designated driver.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

He slapped me playfully on the bottom. “You didn’t have to. I can read that pretty face of yours like a book.”

In town, we found Ivan in the coffee shop, already sitting with Zoey, deep in conversation like they were new best friends. I wasn’t sure how that would work to my benefit, but since Dima was taking the day off of work, maybe I could also take the day off plotting and planning. Just one day.

“I promised myself I’d actually do some writing today,” Zoey said as we sat down at their table. “But he’s been a bad influence.”

“That’s what he’s best at,” Dima agreed, looking fondly at his brother.

We ordered coffee and the delicious sugar cookies the place made fresh every day, and Ivan and Zoey got refills. After we finished, Zoey mentioned she found a shop selling handmade dresses in a neighborhood we hadn’t explored yet, so the guys tagged along as we went to check it out and shop.

The afternoon flew by, and it was easy to believe I was living the life I would have wanted. I shouldn’t have let myself sink into the fantasy, but what was one day off? As the sun got lower, we all agreed that the fresh fruit cups we stopped to sample weren’t cutting it, and it was time for dinner.

We decided on the restaurant instead of the cantina, since it would be quieter. Ivan and Zoey were getting along so well it actually felt like a double date, but his flirting was notorious and I wondered if I should let things play out or warn my new friend about his reputation in the real world.

Because I was still very much in the real world, despite the wonderful afternoon of pretending I wasn’t. I didn’t want Zoey to get caught up with a man in the Bratva any more than I wanted to be shackled to mine.

It was time to start thinking about my plan to get her on my side again, but it was difficult when both Ivan and Dima were being so charming, and Dima was coming across as the perfect, attentive husband.

Not the tyrant I needed her to believe he was.

Halfway through dinner, a man I recognized as being one of Dima’s new business partners rushed in, hurrying to our table. He spoke in rapid-fire Spanish, and all I could make out was that there was some kind of trouble. Whatever it was, Dima seemed to think it was important, and Ivan rose when he did.

Our designated driver sat at the bar sipping a fruit juice, and Dima tasked him with keeping an eye on me while they went to take care of whatever was wrong. The guard switched positions, so I was in his line of sight, but stayed at the bar, not exactly obvious, but there was no way of hiding what he was.

After the guys left, there was a long, awkward moment at our table.

“I don’t mean to pry,” Zoey said. “But are you someone important or something?” She nodded toward the guard, who pretended to ignore her, though I was certain he was aware of everything.

Now was my chance. “That’s Andre,” I said. “He’s actually one of the nicer ones.”

“You have more than one?”

I nodded, trying to look brave, but also beaten down. “I’m not allowed to go anywhere on my own.”

“Are you serious?” She moved her chair closer, then slid it back, clearly freaking out about being under scrutiny.

“Deadly serious. My husband is…” I trailed off, gauging her reaction to see if I needed to elaborate. I shook my head, acting like there was no way I could ever tell her what I went through.

Zoey was instantly sympathetic. “If you ever need anyone to talk to, or anything, I’m here.”

I nodded, pressing my lips together and twisting my napkin. “That’s so nice, thank you.”

“I mean it,” she said. “Anything at all.”

There was outrage in her voice, and I felt bad manipulating this nice woman, only trying to help out another woman in need. But I was in need. Even if Dima wasn’t actually hurting me like I was leading her to believe, he stole my freedom and independence, not to mention my ability to have the life I wanted. He was hurting me in that way, wasn’t he?

With the memories of our time together this morning and throughout this entire day fresh in my mind, it was hard to know for sure.

But, of course, he was. Since the seed had been planted with Zoey, I meant to keep watering it.

As night fell, and Dima and Ivan didn’t return from the restaurant, Andre came over and grunted that it was time to go. As soon as he turned away, I gave Zoey a meaningful look, and she returned with sympathy while giving my hand a quick squeeze.

If I played my cards right, I’d be on my way to freedom in no time.

At home, I took a swim, got a shower, and tried to read, but it was getting late, and Dima still hadn’t returned home.

Turning off the light, I tossed back and forth, finding it hard to get to sleep even though I was worn out from the full day. Where the hell was he? He had some late nights before, but it was getting close to dawn.

What kind of trouble had he and Ivan gone off to deal with that was taking so long? I got up to ask one of the guards if they heard anything, but my pride stopped me, and I got back in bed to stay awake some more.

There was no way I was worried about Dima.

No way in hell.