Russian Roulette (Russkaya Mafiya) (42 page)

Placing my hand on her cheek, I tip her head to meet my eyes. “I love you, so much. Vee oo moy dooSHAA (you have my soul),” I whisper and bend to delicately touch my lips to hers. The kiss evolves from sweet to possessive where I own her mouth. Elaina submits, grasping my sides and returning the kiss with pure love.

Leisurely I pull away, resting my forehead on hers. My heart sings inside knowing that finally she loves me as well. I lightly run my pointer finger over her bottom lip. I wish I could make love to her right now, but I can’t. I’m so wobbly and I have to take care of the pressing issues.

She mumbles sadly, “I killed someone.”

“Elaina, I’m so sorry this is upsetting you so much, but to be frank with you, I’ve killed many bad people. You did it to protect me and out of self-defense. I’m positive after she killed me, Kendall would have come after you next. She never would have let us happily be together, or let me be with anyone for that matter,” I say sternly, determined to get her to let some of the guilt go.

She nods, but I don’t fully believe her. I pray she can move past this and find some peace. I’m not even going to blink twice at it.

“Come, little love, I need to touch base with my men. I’ve been indisposed for too long.”

I eventually locate my cell and send a mass text so everyone can meet us in the living room. I’m too worn out to hunt everyone down. Elaina puts more clothes on, as do I with her help and we head out there to speak with everyone.

“Boss, glad you are doing better, sir.” Alexei greets me as we sit down on one of the comfortable sofas. He sends Elaina a concerned look. I squeeze her hand tightly to help ease her discomfort and show her support.

“Thank you. Now where is everyone?” I scan the room, missing two of my men that I had sent messages to.

“Anatoli and Mikahel didn’t make it, sir.” Alexei delivers this news solemnly.

“Christ!” I snatch up the lamp from the sofa table beside us and throw it hard, shattering it against the wall. Elaina jumps but my men don’t even glance at it. They are so used to my temper that the little outburst doesn’t affect them.

“Calm, lovely,” I murmur afterwards and she clasps my other hand tightly. Surprisingly, her touch soothes me and I sit back, cataloging all the thoughts racing around inside my head.

“Okay, first off, where is Kendall?”

“Boss, the Missus is in here.” Spartak speaks up and gestures toward Elaina.

“I am fully aware of who is in this room. I’m the one who called you here, in fact. Elaina is mine. You shall treat her as boss, as you do me. Is that understood?” I say sternly and everyone nods their acceptance, looking at Elaina with a higher form of respect.

“Now, I’m sorry to hear about our men. I will take care of their families accordingly. That being said, where is Kendall?”

Spartak glances at Elaina nervously then toward me. “I had a few of the guys put her in the barn. I thought you may return her to her father as a show of good faith.”

Surprised, I nod, pleased at Spartak. “Yes, that’s very good. I will contact her father and see if there is any way we can talk and reach an agreement. How many of our men were killed here?”

Alexei leans forward in his seat. “Fifteen. They came in with guns out and ready to shoot. We weren’t ready.”

“Someone round up the bodies and take them to Minska Funeral Home, while you’re there check on how Sergei is doing. We may have one large funeral for all the families to pay their respects at once since there are so many. Clean this place up and get it secure again.”

“Sir, I took care of that already. I wasn’t sure how long you were going to be unavailable.”

“Good work. I’ll call Kendall’s father and get back to you about how we’re going to move forward.” I attempt to stand up but have to sit back down.

Alexei reaches to help me stand and I swat him away. “I can do it!” I grumble and stand by myself. Slowly, but I do it.

“Come on, Princess,” I say and hold my hand out for Elaina. She stands and eagerly accepts it again.

“Are you okay? Do you want anything while we are out here?”

“No, lovely, just to lie down, my head is bothering me.”

Alexei steps forward with a tube, handing it to Elaina. “For the boss’s wound. Doc said to apply it to the stitches and try to keep them soft for a few days. He also said not to wash the area, just rinse it for a few days.”

She nods and eagerly takes the ointment. “Thanks, Alexei.”

We take our leave and leisurely make our way back to the room. I can’t walk too quickly or I get dizzy. I refuse to have my guys help me to my room when I am still able to do it myself. It doesn’t matter how long it takes us, I’m too stubborn to give in.

I’m moody and exhausted when we get back to the bedroom. That’s the first time my men have seen me look so unprofessional and I don’t want to make it a habit. I should have had Elaina help me dress in my suit prior, instead of being so stubborn.

She squeezes my shoulder as I sit on the side of the bed. “You sure you don’t want anything to eat or drink?”

“Not now, I still feel too nauseous. Perhaps later if my stomach settles some.”

“You should just get some more rest then. I want you all better and you never get to just relax. You always have something going on or some kind of drama it seems. You must feel like you’re going to explode inside with the copious amount of stress.”

“I can’t relax just yet, I have to call Kendall’s father, Kristof Cheslokov.”

“I understand, Viktor. Geez, I feel bad for him having to learn to spell that growing up.”

I chuckle and dig through my pocket for my personal phone.

“Da (yes).”

“Kristof? This is Viktor Masterson.”

“Mr. Masterson, what can I do for you?”

“I was hoping to meet to talk peaceful terms.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“I have something that belongs to you.”

“Is it well?”

“No, it has gone bad and perished.”

“I see. Then perhaps you should bring very good terms with you.”

“I have an offer I believe you will be pleased with.”

“Very well.”

“Three days at the dock?”

“Da.”

I hang up and plug my phone into the charger.

“Well, lovely, that went surprisingly well and he took the news fairly easily.”

“How in the world could he not care that his daughter is dead? I couldn’t even imagine talking about it just now like you did.”

“Kendall has given him many problems for a number of years now. She was always stirring up trouble with men, she was the type who enjoyed them fighting over her. Kendall even got her sister suspended from her boarding school because she was sending random guys there, saying it was time her sister became a woman. Kristof will probably miss her since it’s his daughter, but I’m sure he is also relieved. He didn’t have to be the one to kill her and now he will get a piece of my stuff like he has always wanted. If anyone has an issue it would be his wife, but if we meet terms then he will handle her.”

“How do you know so much about Kendall?”

“Are you being jealous right now?” I smirk and she rolls her eyes at me.

“No, just wondering, you’re like an encyclopedia on her life choices.”

“Her father has always wanted me to marry her. He believed I could make Kendall settle down. She’d have money and of course he wanted an
in
at some of my territory.”

“Ugh, sounds like that whole family has lost their marbles.”

“Pretty much.” I make a disgusted face and she smiles. I’m so thrilled to finally see her send me a genuine smile again.

“I had Kendall watched for a long period of time and had extensive background work completed on her. I’ve never wanted any part of that mess.”

She yawns and quietly says, “Can we go back to bed? Now that you are okay, I feel drained. I had just fallen asleep when you woke up. After all of the chaos today I would like to just put this gooey stuff on your head, go to bed, then eat something when I wake up.”

“Yes of course, Elaina, whatever makes you happy, though I’m not looking forward to you touching my head. It burns horribly.”

“Dmitry left you a few Vicodin tablets in case you were too uncomfortable. I can get them for you, if you would like.”

“No thank you, I will deal with it and just take a few Tylenol. I want to be alert not loopy just in case anything else pops off.”

“You believe something else will happen?” Elaina utters, worried.

“Princess, I think we will be perfectly fine, it’s just a precaution.”

“Okay sounds good,” she rushes to the bathroom and brings me two pills along with a glass of water.

“Thank you lovely. You’re going to end up spoiling me, you know.”

She skims over my face, looking at me compassionately, “you deserve it Viktor. Not only because of what happened, but also because of before. For months you have taken care of me, watching out, offering if I ever needed anything, I was blind. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize how wonderful you are.”

“You think I’m wonderful, huh?”

“Really, that’s all you heard?” She giggles and I pull her down onto the bed with me.

“I want to make love to you so badly,” I rasp.

“I know, but you need to get better first. Please just rest. We have plenty of time to make up for lost time in the future.”

“That sounds perfect.”

She cuddles into me and I wrap my arm around her, holding her warm body securely next to mine.

Tipping her face up and meeting my eyes, she says quietly, almost bashfully, “I love you Viktor.”

“Ah, baby, I love you too.” I respond happily and Elaina gives me a chaste kiss on the mouth.

God, I can’t wait to make love to her, to fuck her, to marry her, all of it. I love her more now than I ever have before. I can’t believe she finally gave in and admitted to me that she loves me back. Hmm, I wonder if she will even want to marry me.

We have to discuss this work thing also if I’m not able to reach terms with Kristof. I swear if anyone tries to hurt her again, I won’t hesitate, I will kill them in a moment’s notice. Elaina deserves so much; I hope I can give it to her, while running the Bratva. I wonder what she thinks of it all.

“Princess, how do you feel about my life with it being so involved with the Bratva? Can you live with it?” I pry and get no response. “Princess?” I question louder.

“Hmmm?” she mumbles sleepily.

“Never mind, Elaina, get some rest, god knows you have worked for it.”

“Love you, Vik.”

“Love you, too.”

No one’s ever called me Vik before and I think I like it. My stomach clenches firmly with excitement each time she says it and I just want to squeeze her tight.

I hope she’s lucky enough to sleep without her horrible dreams haunting her. I won’t hold my breath though. Every night Elaina screams in her sleep; I shake her gently, hold her and do what I can to comfort her. There are even nights when she cries out and claws at her skin.

I don’t believe she’s aware of it as she never acts like any of it happened in the morning. Some days she looks so exhausted. In the past when she appeared tired and worn out, I always believed it was from her working late hours and partying. However, now I see the real reason is that she has this monster coming after her in the dark.

I wish I could go back and torture that scum, Tollfree, all over again for her. I would hurt him in many other excruciating ways. I know it’s him Elaina dreams about. I know he still haunts her even long after he’s dead.

Now she has this truck load of guilt dogging her as well. I can only imagine what horrific things she will dream of now. My poor love. I will continue to love her and hold her tight. I will do everything I can to protect her, even if it is only from her dreams. It’s my job now to make sure she’s okay.

TWELVE

ELAINA

three days later

I perch my hip against the tan granite
kitchen
counter
and cross my arms. “I’m pretty sure I’m going with you,” I argue stubbornly. He’s not going to get away with bribing me with bacon. I love it, but it doesn’t help his case in any way right now.

“Why would I take you with me when I’m attempting to reach an agreement with the man whose daughter you killed?” He glares at me, irritated. Big bad Viktor isn’t used to anyone arguing with him, well, news flash! I won’t just lie down and take orders.

He sighs loudly and continues, “Not smart, Elaina. I want you here and kept out of sight. I won’t be able to think clearly if you are there and can get hurt.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I need to go.”

“What do you mean you
need
to go? This is men’s business.”

“Oh, you pig. You seriously just went there?”

“I didn’t mean it like that, Princess. I’m Russian, we just handle things differently. You Americans think everything has to be a discussion.”

“Us Americans? My God, you just keep sounding worse today! Please, dig yourself a deeper hole.”

“Look, you’re not thinking about this rationally. There will be many angry men there with plenty of weapons. You could be shot at any moment.”

“Viktor, I need to be able to look at her father and tell him I’m sorry. It may not mean much to him or you, but it’s something I have to do.”

“So I’m supposed to chance losing you completely, just because you have the need to apologize?” He looks at me incredulously.

Exasperated, I huff, “You won’t lose me, geez!”

“Oh, you’re damn right I won’t lose you. I’m a very selfish man, Elaina. If something were to happen to you, I’d blow through that whole goddamn family to get my justice. Now is that a chance you really want to take? Because you know it’s true. I will slaughter that entire family as if they were cattle.”

I can’t imagine the devastation it would bring to those who don’t deserve it if that were to happen. I don’t doubt Viktor’s word at all, especially when he looks so determined. I refuse to be the cause of more pain like that for any family, so I relent.

“Fine, Viktor, I’ll stay put.
But
you have to keep me updated. It can just be a text message with a smiley face or something. I just need to know you are okay as well. Every hour, you better send me something.”