Mafia Enforcer's Sassy Lover (The Karzhov Crime Family Series Book 4) (3 page)

Kostya had never been so glad to leave a nightclub containing so many barely dressed women in his life. What a complete waste of time! Come to think of it, Raul Cordoba is a waste of humanity!

Turning onto the freeway, he speed dialed Nikolai’s private cell number.

Nik’s voice came on at once, but he man sounded tired. Kos shifted in his seat and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing to trouble you. I must meet with Grigori—Danil’s deception must be dealt with, and we are having troubles with that. The Yakuza connection is still an issue.”

Frowning, Kos asked, “Do you need my help?”

“What—trying to come back already?”

Kos changed lanes and glanced behind him. This time of night the freeway seemed mostly empty. “Raul is not a problem. In fact, he is an idiot. The only thing he did right is to build a house in the middle of a warehouse—it will make a perfect safe house someday. But you didn’t mention he wasn’t really doing any of the work.”

“And who is?”

Kos thought about mentioning Tori—the black-haired girl with a body built for sin and the nature of a demon. He decided against it. Tori was his personal problem and he would deal with her once he had decided what was best. Raul had made it clear that he viewed Tori as his personal property, but Kos could also see that Tori did not share that idea. But Kos was unsure yet if the girl was worth keeping—tomorrow would decide more. Changing the subject, he asked, “Is Val back?”

“Yes, and he tells me that he has not had a minute to spend alone with Chelsea since they arrived in Vegas. But his little Darya started school today. Already she is making friends—ah, that one will break hearts someday. Val will be with me tomorrow when I take Katya to meet the rest of the
Pakhans
tomorrow.”

Kos sucked in a breath. He had thought he would be with Nik for that. “You will announce Katya’s parentage? You are still set that you will share the leadership of the San Moreno family from here on out with her?”

“And more if all goes well.”

Kos could hear the satisfaction in Nik’s voice. It was good he’d found Katya—she was good for him. Kos’ heart tightened. He had lost such a thing from his life and he would never know it again. He forced a lighter tone. “You spoil that woman of yours.”

Nik laughed. “Yes, pampering Katya could become habit forming. A lifelong habit, I hope. And now, I am going in search of my woman. Katya invited Chelsea to join her at the spa this morning. I believe they were going to get the full treatment. Now, what of the rest of the operation?”

Quickly, Kos filled in Nic about the basics. Raul and taken him to another, southern warehouse. A fungus had contaminated most of the plants due to over watering. Raul had recommended the place be burned and the insurance claimed. Kos didn’t want anything so high profile. Better to simply shut it down. Nic agreed.

Taking the freeway exit, Kos said, “I’m going to focus on the biggest warehouse. If the books don’t show a hefty profit, someone’s skimming. I’ll know more later this week.”
That is if a certain violet-eyed girl opens the books to me.

He shook his head. Tori would either prove to be no problem tomorrow—or he would deal with her.

Nik told him to check in later and hung up.

Kostya pocketed his phone and glancing at the dash clock. Already after ten on a Friday night. In Vegas, his night would be just starting.

He thought to check into a hotel for the night in downtown Denver. A good meal would be welcome. He touched the pocket of his leather jacket and felt the hard metal of keys. Raul had tossed them at him as they had left the nightclub. The living quarters had seemed luxurious, with a full kitchen. Kos had not had a home cooked meal in far too long, and he could avoid the trouble of checking into a hotel.
I can’t see myself living there for long, but it will serve for tonight.

Twenty minutes later he pulled up outside the warehouse. Raul had told him of a garage at the back. Kostya drove around until he found it.

He pulled in and turned off the engine.

Next to his Mercedes, an old Volkswagen crouched in the darkness.

Grabbing his overnight bag from the backseat, Kos pocketed his keys and headed toward the door that he hoped would lead him into the living quarters. Tomorrow he would ask for a complete tour.

Thinking of following that tight ass of hers brought a smile to his lips. He shook his head. That was one girl he did not want in his bed. She was far too pushy, too…too everything. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the dark haired beauty… her violet eyes and her guts. She hadn’t been shy about challenging him, and that both irritated him and left him admiring her.
.

He stepped inside.

Nightlights illuminated a hallway. He followed it and stepped into an area that looked to be a kitchen. A fridge, stove and sink stood to his right. The marble counters gleamed in the faint light. Lifting his head, he listened. He could hear soft sounds and knew immediately that he was not alone in the building. Had someone stayed late—or had someone broken in?

He set his bag on the floor, reached back and pulled out his Sig from his belt holster. Stepping forward, he noticed an open bottle of wine and a half-full glass on the counter. Next to them sat a plate and a fork. He sniffed. Pasta—clam sauce.

Had one of the employees made use of the kitchen? Raul hadn’t said anything about if the workers had access to this area or not.

Holding still, he cocked his head. The sound of water running carried to him. He could hear it along with the splash of the fountains. Slow and careful, he made his way to the next door. A light gleamed underneath in a thin strip. He pushed open the door. He found the bedroom empty and the bed made. The light next to the bed had been turned on. Clothing had been strewn over the end of the bed—jeans and what looked like a sweatshirt. A pair of bright pink hi-top tennis shoes sat on the floor.

The sound of running water stopped. Kostya listened for a moment. He heard a splash and raised his eyebrows. A thief would not be taking a bath.

He weighed his options for a moment, but he knew he must find out just who was here.

Stepping up to the bathroom door, he glanced inside. Steam curled in the air, warm and moist, and…flowery. The  mirror had fogged over.

Frowning, Kos pushed open the door. He caught sight of black boots a cropped T-shirt, denim skirt, and tights on the floor. He swallowed. Hard.

Eyes narrowing, and still smarting over her earlier attitude, he decided a little payback was in order. He glanced at the tub and saw a tousle of black hair, the purple tips pulled up into a careless knot. He grinned. She had her head tipped back, her eyes closed and earbuds trailing from dainty ears.

Tucking his Sig back in its holster, he stooped and gathered up her clothing. He grabbed the towels and left one very small hand towel. Backing out of the bathroom, he tossed her clothing and the towels on the floor, dropped the pile of towels he still carried in his arms on the floor next to the door. He grinned. The night had just become far more interesting than he had anticipated. He sat down on the bed to wait.

A faint worry niggled at Tori. She sat up and opened her eyes, the relaxation of a moment ago cooling even faster than the bath water. Pulling her earbuds from her ears, she shut off her phone, and placed it on the edge of the tub. She glanced at the bathroom door. It stood open a crack. She tensed.

Her clothes were missing.

Heart thumping, she surged from the tub. She stared at the empty towel racks. A single hand towel sat next to the sink. She shivered and goose bumps rose on her skin. She swallowed down her fear and wet her lips.
This is like a scene from some B-rated slasher movie.
Shivering, she stepped from the tub and onto the bath rug. At least that was still there. Reaching for the bathroom door, she slammed it shut and threw the lock. She would have privacy for the next few minutes.

She used the small hand towel to dry her body. She also started opening every door she could reach, hoping to find something she might use as a weapon.

She found a comb, a hair dryer, her emergency makeup kit, and two bottles of nail polish.
Great! I can stun my assailant with perfectly styled hair and glittering nails!
She hefted the hair dryer—she might at least be able to use it as a club. A really weak, plastic club. She let out a long breath and slammed shut the medicine chest. She closed her eyes—what was she going to do if Raul had come back? The doorknob rattled. She looked at the door and held the hand towel against her chest. Would the door splinter next from a kick?

“Tori?”

She straightened. That deep male voice had a slight accent—and it wasn’t Raul’s accent.

The doorknob rattled again. She held her breath just in case he came waltzing through the door.

Kostya?
What was he doing back here? He was supposed to stay in a hotel tonight! She slapped her forehead. Raul hadn’t said a hotel—he’d said the Russian was going to make his own arrangements. Dragging in a breath, Tori decided she’d have to come up with an excuse for why she was here. Meantime, the best defense….

She lifted her voice and yelled at the door, “Kostya? Did you take my clothes?”

“Come out and we shall discuss how you can get them back.”

“Is this some sort of stupid game you Russians like to play? I can tell you right now, I’m not having fun!”

“A game is exactly what I have in mind. It is called eating the words you throw at another. Open the door and join me. I brought the rest of your wine and your glass is waiting for you.”

“I’m not thirsty. Tell you what, how about you head into the kitchen and we’ll talk there. Or you can talk and I’ll listen. I realize I might have gone a little overboard today, but I can explain.”

“Ah, I look forward to that.” She heard a smile in his voice. A distinctly wolfish one.

The bathroom was rapidly cooling. Tori shivered and not just from being naked. She grabbed a breath to prevent herself from screaming in frustration.
And you thought he was hot and that you wouldn’t mind falling into bed with him? What were you thinking?

She looked at her reflection in the mirror and realized she only had two options. Go out a cowering, embarrassed mess and beg his forgiveness, or storm the castle, take the bull by the horns and make that Russian sorry for messing with a real woman! She knew she was mixing her metaphors, but plan B sounded so much better than playing the simpering, weak female.

She opened one of the drawers and yanked out her emergency makeup bag from the back. She swiped on makeup with seduction in mind. Dark shadow for smoky eyes. Mascara. Blood red lipstick. She combed and dried her hair, making sure it hung killer straight.

“Tori, what are you doing in there?” Kostya called. He sounded impatient.

Good, you crazy Russian, you.

She glanced in the mirror. She’d always thought she felt naked without her makeup. Now she was pretty sure she could only feel naked because she was naked. She wasn’t ashamed of her body. She had a flat stomach, courtesy of the Pilates classes she had taken for years. She hadn’t been able to attend for the last few months, but she still worked out here whenever she could. She went for pale skin—no tan lines showing. The purple tips of her hair brought out the violet of her eyes—too bad she couldn’t quite manage a Lady Godiva look with hair covering the basics. At least her breasts didn’t have a sag in sight! And she had her tats.

A pair of angel wings covered her upper shoulder blades. A lacy filigree sat at the base of her spine, right above the dimples of her ass. A dragon graced her upper left chest, its tail running around and between her breasts. And scrolled words circled her belly button with a reminder to her to always be true to herself. The silver belly button ring matched the small rings that adorned her ears, as well as those that hung from the tips of her nipples.

She nodded and summoned again for her reflection. That Russian thought he had the upper hand, but he was about to find out that Tori Graystone didn’t do anything in half measures.

And…okay, maybe she would apologize for being a little mouthy, that is if he was still thinking of making her pay once he got a good look at her. She didn’t think she was conceited. She simply knew men were predictable. Show them a well-proportioned woman without any clothes on and the brain shut off.

Taking a deep, calming breath, she opened the bathroom door, tossed the tiny hand towel at Kostya and walked into the bedroom. She took a look around her. He had gathered candles from god knew where.  The room took on a soft glow of flickering light.

Wow—she hadn’t expected this.

The Russian stood facing the bathroom door, his arms crossed and his feet planted wide. He also looked as if someone had hit him upside the head. He stared at her, his mouth open slightly. She could see the pulse beating rapid and unsteady in his throat. He closed his mouth and opened it again, as if he’d lost his words.

Her own pulse skipped a few beats and she could feel the flush warming her skin, but dammit, she was going to do this. She propped a hand on her hip. “So—where’s my wine?”