RUSSIAN

Lullaby

By

HollyBargo

©2016KarenM.Smith

HENHOUSEPUBLISHING

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allnames,places,andeventsarefictitiousorusedfictitiously.

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,scanned,orcopieswithout

writtenpermissionfromtheauthor.

Acknowledgments

ManythanksgotobetareaderNikki,whoseinsightfulcommentshelpedmekeepthe

storyontrackandmadethecharactersfeelcloser.Nikki,ifyoulivedcloser,I’dplyyou
with lemonade and cookies. Additional gratitude goes to Cindra whose unfailing
encouragementandsupportnevergounappreciated.

As always, thanks go to my husband, David, for his undying support and for the

entertainmentheprovides.

Last,butnotleast,anodgoestoMr.Spot,thebrownandwhitemini-lopbunnywho

showedusthatrabbitsreallycanspitandwithamazingdistanceandaccuracy,too.Heis
missed.

Chapter1

Six books hit the sidewalk with an untidy clatter as Giancarla’s arms were jerked

behind her. Three seconds and she had vanished, a black bag over her head, her wrists
boundbehindher,andaslamdunkontothesmellyfloorofapanelvan.Shestruggled.Of
course. She yelled. Of course. A brutal kick to the abdomen cut off the yelling with a
wheezinggasp.

Hardhandsgropedwheretheyhadnobusinessandshewrithedandbuckedinafutile

efforttoresistthem.Sheyelledagainandreceivedanotherblowforherefforts.Shecould
nothelptheviciousandunseensmilethatfollowedwhenherwildkickblindlyconnected
with someone’s family jewels. Unfortunately, her accuracy and spunk only netted her
anotherharsh,steeltoedbootintheribs.

Nausea threatened. She gasped to control it; vomiting within the bag over her head

simply would not do. Rough hands squeezed her arms, more grabbed her ankles, one
gropedherbreastandanotherpressedwithcrudeaccuracyathercrotch.

“No!”shecriedandtriedtotwistawayfromtheunwantedtouches.

“Aúnno,”someonesaid.Histoneseemedalmostbored.

She did not know what the words meant, but the hands at her breast and crotch

vanished, leaving only the slimy residue of impending rape to reduce her to a gibbering
mess. Distantly, she wondered if anticipation was worse than the real thing. Would it be
betteriftheyjustgotonwithit?Woulddelayedviolationhurtmore?Hermindskittered
away from that line of rhetorical questioning to wonder if someone would notice the
abandonedlibrarybooks?Herbookbag?Herpurse?Surely,someonewouldwanttotake
advantage of an abandoned purse with the potential of quick cash windfall. Maybe a
fraudulentchargeonhercreditcardwouldalertthecops.Orhergrandfather.

Herlipspeeledbackfromherteeth.Whoeverdidthistoherhadbetterprayforthe

police,becausehergrandfatherknewhowtodelivervengeance.Whichbroughtherright
backtothehorrorofimpendingrapeandthelikelihoodoffurtherbeating.

Thehorrifyingridesoonended.Hardhandsgrabbedherarmsandhauledhertoher

feet.Shestruggledwithacontinuedlackofsuccessuntilsomethingslammedthebackof
herkneesandforcedthemtobend.Theybuckledandshecollapsedontoachair.Therip

of duct tape was soon followed by her ankles being bound to the chair’s legs. She
screamedinpainasherarmswereyankedupandshovedoverthehardbackofthechair.

“Shutherup,”adeep,malevoiceordered.Itwasn’tthesamevoiceasfromthevan

anditsoundedstrangelyhollow.

The bag was whipped off her head, pulling off her glasses which went flying. She

heardthemlandonthehardfloorandhopedtheyhadn’tbroken.Sheblinked,butcould
seelittlemorethanthesweatingmaninfrontofher.Moreducttaperipping,alengthof
cold,stickyplasticaffixedtoherskinoverhermouth,andshewassilenced.Anotherblow
forgoodmeasurebroughttearstohereyesandshewhimperedbehindthetape.Thebag
wasyankedbackoverherhead,returningtheworldtofrighteningdarkness.

Footsteps approached and the men’s voices quieted. It was an uneasy quiet. The

footsteps stopped in front of her; Gia could feel their owner looming close and she
shudderedinterror.

“Is this she?” another masculine voice inquired, the accent distinct, but not so thick

thewordsweredifficulttounderstand.Giaheardsomethinglikeabagorbriefcasegently
placed on the hard floor. She heard some quiet clicks and the faint creak of leather and
intuitedthatacaseofsomesorthadbeenopened.Shedreadedwhatthecontentsofthat
casemightmean.

AspateofSpanishfilledthequiet.Thesoundnearlyechoed.

That same voice spoke again, in Spanish. Gia understood not a word. She sniffled,

tearsleadingtounpleasantsideeffectslikearunnynoseandcloggedsinuses.Shedidn’t
know why she’d been kidnapped, but her imagination worked overtime to fill in what
wouldhappennext.Unfortunately,noneofthoseimaginingswasremotelybenign.

Withahard,fastyank,hershirtwasrippedopen.Behindthetapeandthehood,Gia

yelpedandarchedinfutileprotest.Thebagwaspulledawayfromherface,settledback
on her head like a hat and ready to be yanked downward again. She blinked and found
herself looking into eyes the cold, bluish gray color of gunmetal. Her own brown eyes
widenedfearfullyandshetriedtopleadwithhimthroughthemevenastearsrandownher
cheeks.

The man looked into the young woman’s terrified gaze. The resemblance was

uncanny,butheknewitwasn’tthewomanhesought.

“You’vegotthewrongwoman,”hesaidashestraightened.Heglancedatherchest,

theB-cupbreastsencasedinpalepinksatin.Hedrewaknifeandslitbitofsatinbetween
thecups.Theelasticsnappedbackandherbreastsspilledfree.Hecouldpracticallysmell
thelustpouringoffthemenbehindhim.Exceptforthebruisesbloomingonherabdomen,
thesoft,paleskinwasunmarked.

“CarmenMontoyahasatattooundertheleftbreast.Thereisnotattooonthiswoman,

who is too young by a decade. You took the wrong woman,” the man said. He glanced
around and saw the spectacles lying on the concrete floor several feet away. He walked
over to them, picked them up, and peered through the lenses. He realized immediately

theywereprescriptionlenses;thewomanwasquitenearsighted.

“Youhavethewrongwoman,”hesaidforthethirdtimeashestraightenedthebent

frameandgentlyplacedtheglasseswheretheybelonged.

Giancarla blinked rapidly at the restoration of sight. What she saw did not reassure

her:thedimspaceofanemptyindustrialbuilding,asmallgroupoftoughlooking,greasy
hairedmenwithflat,deadeyeslikesharks.Trashscatteredtheconcretefloormarredby
cracksandpatchesthatlookedlikedamporoldoilstains.Shecouldnotseethelastman’s
face. He stood, which gave her a close-up view of his fly. The fine fabric of his slacks
gaveunderstatedtestimonytoanexpensive,tailoredsuit.

“ThenIsupposewe’llhavetodisposeofher,”thefirstvoicerepliedfrombehindher.

Thegray-eyedman’slipsthinnedwithdispleasure.“Don’tbewasteful.”

“Wecouldsellher,butthere’slittlecallforfour-eyedwhores.”

Giawhimpered.Shewantedtobeg,topleadthatshe’dnevertell,shewouldn’tgoto

thepolice.Itdidn’tworkinthemoviesandshewascertainitwouldn’tworknow,butthe
instincttoescapeoverwhelmedgoodsenseandlogic.

“I’lltakeher,”thegray-eyedmansaidashepulledoffthelatexexamglovesthatGia

onlyjustnoticed.

“Youwantthisputa?”theothermancackled.“Forasmuchtroubleasshehascaused

me,you’llpaymorethanshe’sworth.”

“She’dhavecausedyounotroubleifyouhadmadesureofheridentityfirst,”theman

said.“Wheredidyourmenpickherup?”

“Outsidethebiblioteca.”

The man shook his head and muttered something derogatory in Russian. “This girl

caused trouble for four men? Either she’s a martial arts marvel or your men are
incompetent.I’mleaningtowardthelatter.”

“Youareoutnumberedhere,Vitaly.”

“Andyouarefoolishifyouthinkanythingcanhappentomewithoutswiftandsevere

reprisal,Pepe.Let’snotannoyMaksim,hm?”

TheRussianboss’namemadeeveryothermaninthereturnpale.

“Bien,” the unseen leader of the thugs snapped. “Five thousand dollars and you can

haveher.”

“Done.Idon’tcarrythatkindofcashinmypocket.I’llpayyoutomorrowmorning.”

“Nomoney,noputa.”

Thegray-eyedman’sexpressionandtoneturnedglacial.“Doyoudoubtmyword?”

“Bah!Takethebitchandgobacktoyourmaster,perro.”

***

VitalySynvolkacarriedhisbagoftricksintotheCulebras’warehouse,acesspitinthe

cityiftherewasone.Fourofthefivemenwhowaitedforhiminthevast,emptyspace
shifted restlessly. He felt their anxiety and took no little pleasure in knowing that they
fearedhimalmostasmuchastheyfearedhisboss.

Hedetesteddealingwiththugslikethem,butintelligencehaditthatthey’dsomehow

capturedtheelusiveCarmenMontoyawhohadsomehowscrewedhisbossoutofseveral
milliondollars.Hesloweddownslightlyasheapproachedthewomanboundtoastraight
chair.Hispracticedgazeranovertheslenderlinesofherbody,theelegantdroopofher
neck.Heglancedatthewireframeglassescarelesslytossedaside,theframebent.

Thisdidnotlooklikeawomaninherlatethirtiesorearlyforties.

He set down his bag and unfastened it, drawing it open. The gleam of the metal

instrumentswithinwasusuallyenoughtoreducebravementosnivelingtattlers.Hepulled
outapairoflatexexamglovesandputthemon.Bloodnotonlystainedclothing,itstained
skin,too.

“Isthisshe?”heasked,ignoringthepatheticsnifflesemanatingfrombeneaththebag

overthewoman’shead.

Theleaderofthestreetgang,apock-facedthugwithgreasyhairandacompletelack

ofconscience,answeredhiminrapidSpanish.Vitalyhadnotroubleunderstandinghim.

Inthesamelanguage,hesaid,“I’llverifythat.Itwouldn’tbethefirsttimeyoumade

amistake.”

Gently,becausegentlenesscouldbemoredebilitatingthanroughtreatment,hepulled

thebagoffthewoman’sface.Hereyesandnoseranwithabandon,showingdistressand
fear.Herfacewasfartooyoung.Squattinginfrontofher,heglancedtowardtheglasses
several feet away on the floor and looked back into her eyes. After a moment, her eyes
focusedandheinhaledsharplythroughhisnose.God,shewasbeautiful!Shelookedlike
a young Sophia Loren, one of Hollywood’s Golden Age movie stars on the calendar a
colleaguehadgivenhimasagaggiftforChristmas.

He needed one more verification that this young, terrified woman was not Carmen

Montoya. With an efficiency that frightened his victims and aroused his bedmates, he
rippedherblouseopen.Buttonsscattered.Keepinghisgazeclinical,henonethelessfound
hisgroinheatingandthickening.

Had she been able to yell, the woman would have screamed her anger and

mortificationatbeingsorudelyexposed.Sheblinkedthosebig,browneyesandhecould
haveswornhesawinnocence,desperation,andapleaforhelp.Intelligencelurkedbehind
theterror.

Heknewit.TheresemblancetoMontoyawasuncanny,butshewasn’tMontoya.

“You’vegotthewrongwoman,”hesaidashestraightened.Heglancedatherchest

and gave into impulse. He extracted a small, razor sharp knife from his bag and sliced
through the taut fabric between the cups of her bra. The garment sprang back and her
breasts spilled free. He cupped the left breast, careful not to squeeze, lifted it, could not
help but brush his thumb over the rosy nipple. It tightened, but without accompanying
flushofpleasure.Shewhimperedagainbehindthetapeoverhermouthandshrankfrom
theunwantedtouch.

Helookedattheotherbreast,alreadyshowingthebluishtingeofroughhandling,and

tamped down the spark of anger. He was suddenly very grateful he did not have to
desecrate such perfect, lovely breasts. That these uncouth brutes had put marks on this
youngwoman’sskinmadehimwanttoshowthemthedeadlyskillshehadlearnedwellin
militaryservice.Onlygutlesscowardsbeatwomenandchildren.

The gangsters behind him shifted restlessly, excited by her exposure. Vitaly silently

chidedhimselfforputtingthepoorwomanatevengreaterriskofviolation.

Thesmooth,paleskinhehadexposedconfirmedshewasnotCarmenMontoya.

“CarmenMontoyahasatattooundertheleftbreast.Thereisnotattooonthiswoman,

whoistooyoungbymorethanadecade.Youtookthewrongwoman,”Vitalysaidcoldly.

He looked back at the glasses lying on the floor and retrieved them, pausing to

straighten the bent frame. He looked through them: as he surmised, these glasses were
worn from necessity, not for some nefarious purpose. The girl was nearsighted. With a
careforwhichhewasnotknown,hesettledthemonherface.

“Youhavethewrongwoman,”hesaidforthethirdtime.

“ThenIsupposewe’llhavetodisposeofher,”Peperepliedwithacarelessshrug.

Vitalycouldfeelhisexpressioncongealwithicycontempt.“Don’tbewasteful.”

“Wecouldsellher,butthere’slittlecallforfour-eyedwhores.”

Theyoungwomanwhimperedagainbehindthetapeoverhermouth.Vitalymadea

snapdecision,havingthefeelingthatleavingthiswomanwoulddestroywhateverwasleft
ofhishumanity.

“I’lltakeher,”heofferedasheremovedhisglovesanddroppedthemintothebag.

“You want this puta?” Pepe laughed his derision. “For as much trouble as she has

causedme,you’llpaymorethanshe’sworth.”

“She’d have caused you no trouble if you had made sure of her identity first,” he

pointedout.Pepefrownedathisunerringlogic.“Wheredidyourmenpickherup?”

“Outsidethebiblioteca.”

“Chertovyidioty,” he muttered in a low voice. More loudly so that Pepe could hear

himclearly,hecontinued:“Thisgirlcausedtroubleforfourmen?Eithersheisamartial

artsmarveloryourmenareincompetent.I’mleaningtowardthelatter.”

“You are outnumbered here, Vitaly.” The four men in question drew knives and

shiftedrestlesslyagain,theirmoodturningfromlustfultolethal.

“Andyouarefoolishifyouthinkanythingcanhappentomewithoutswiftandsevere

reprisal,Pepe.Let’snotannoyMaksim,hm?”

ThenameofVitaly’sbossmadeeveryothermaninthereturnpale.

“Bien,” the unseen leader of the thugs snapped. “Five thousand dollars and you can

haveher.”

“Done.Idon’tcarrythatkindofcashinmypocket.I’llpayyoutomorrowmorning.”

“Nomoney,noputa.”

VitalyturnedhisicygazebacktoPepe,whoprobablyhadthegoodsensetofearhim.

Heaskedinasofttoneredolentwithmenace,“Doyoudoubtmyword?”

“Bah!Takethebitchandgobacktoyourmaster,perro.”

He nodded. With studied nonchalance, he closed his medical bag, meticulously

fastening the latches. He turned back to the woman who watched him like a mouse
watches a hungry cat. He was hungry, no doubt of it, but he also prided himself on his
control.

“This will hurt. I am sorry,” he whispered to her as he reached for the tape on her

face.

Shegaveatinynodandsqueezedhereyesshutinpreparationforthediscomfortof

havingthetaperippedoffherskin.Itwasbesttogetitoverwithquickly,sohetookfirm
holdofonecornerandremoveditwithaquick,hardyank.Shegaspedatthepain,which
hewasmildlysurprisedshecouldfeelbeyondthebruiseoverherrightcheek.

“I’mgoingtocutyourwristsandlegsfree.Remainsittingifyouwishtolive.”

Sherespondedwithtinynodagain,herwholebodytremblingwitheithereagernessor

fear.Hedidn’tknowanditdidn’tmatter.Grippingthesmallknifethathehadn’tyetput
away,heslicedthroughtheducttapebindingheranklestothechairlegsandthenwalked
aroundhertocutthetapebindingherwrists.Hepausedtodroptheknifeintothebag’s
sidepocket.

Hepickedupthecaseandgesturedtoher.“Come.”

Facestillwhitewithfear,buteyesshowingabrightsparkofhope,sheroseshakily

fromthechair.Herhandsclutchedthegapingshirtclosedinafutilebidformodesty.

Inalowtone,Vitalytoldher,“Followcloselybehindme.Donotlookanywhereelse

butatmyback.”

Shenodded,ajerkylittlegesture,toshowsheunderstood.Herchintrembled,butshe

lockedherjawtightlyandpressedherlipstogetherinamutebidforemotionalcontrol.He
ledheroutofthedingyabandonedwarehousetohiscar.First,hedroppedhisbagoftools

onthebackseat.Theheledheraroundtothepassengersideandopenedthedoor.

“Getinandbuckleyourseatbelt.”

Sheobeyed,knowingresistancewouldbefoolish.Ittooknomorethanaquickglance

toseethatthisman,somuchbiggerthanshe,wasalsoveryfit.He’drunherdownand
overpowerherbeforeshegottenyards.Andthenhe’dbemadandshewouldbesureto
sufferevenmore.

Shehatedhavingtochoosethelesseroftheevils.

Hecrossedthefrontofthecarandseatedhimselfwithbriskefficiency.Withaturnof

thekey,theenginepurredquietlyandhedrovethemawayfromthewarehouse.

“Whatisyourname?”Vitalyasked,tryingtokeepfromfrighteningherevenfurther.

He could well imagine what was going through her mind and, though he acknowledged
suchatrocitieshappenedonadailybasisinhiscity,hedidnotwanthertothinkhimparty
tothatparticularcrime.

“Gia—GiancarlaBonetti,”shemutteredherreply.Asthoughhe’dgivenherleaveto

speak,sheasked,“W-whatareyougoingtodowithme?”

“Ihaven’tdecidedyet,”herepliedwithdisturbinghonesty.“ButI’venointentionof

hurtingyou.”

A sob escaped her, but she choked others back. After a moment’s struggle, she

managedtoask,“Whoareyou?”

“VitalySynvolka.”Hepaused,thenasked,“DidtheCulebrastakeyourpurse?”

“Ilostitwhentheykidnappedme.It’slonggonebynow.”Herlipstwistedbitterly.

“I’ll have to get a new driver’s license, Social Security card, student ID, and everything
else.”

“You’reastudent?”

Shesighedandsupposedtherewasnoharminvolunteeringinformation.He’dsaved

herfromafateworsethandeath,afterall.“Yes,I’minthemaster’sprogramatCleveland
State,themarinebiologyprogram.”

A small smile crossed Vitaly’s face. He thought he’d caught the glimmer of

intelligenceandwasgladshe’dconfirmedhishunch.Theyrodeinsilenceforawhileas
he drove toward the Cleveland suburb of Beachwood. Inner city gradually gave way to
more affluent neighborhoods. The car pulled into the garage of a tidy house, not
extravagant,butcertainlylargerthanonemanwouldneed.Giacasthimacovertglance.
WhateverVitalydid,hewaspaidwellforit.Andmaybehehadawifeandchildrenwho
livedwithhimintheprettyhouse.

Gathering her courage, she ventured to quietly rebuke him as the garage door

automaticallyloweredandcutoffanychanceofescape:“Ihadhopedyou’dbewillingto
dropmeoffathome.”

Vitaly nearly grinned at her small display of audacity, knowing she was still

frightened.Buthekepthisexpressionneutralandsaidmildly,“You’llbesafehereforthe
night.We’lldiscussyoursituationinthemorning.”

“Inthemorning!”

“Da.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the driver’s side door. “Trust me,

Giancarla.”

“That’s a little hard to do. You just bought me from those criminals,” she muttered,

hertonebitter.

“WouldyouhavepreferredIleftyouwiththem?”

“No!” Gia took a calming breath. “Look, I’m grateful that you got me out of there,

really,Iam.I’llpayyoubacksomehow.”Shewasn’tsurehow,butshevowedshewould
payhimback.

Vitalyshruggedandgotoutofthecar.Determinednottobeleftbehindand,strangely

enough, seeking comfort from this cold, hard man, Gia scrambled after him. He paused
longenoughtoholdthedooropenforherandshefollowedhimintoaspaciouscountry
kitchen. The first thing she noticed was that the kitchen was scrupulously clean, sterile
even.Therewasn’tevenabunchofbananasripeningonthecounter.Didheevencookin
thatkitchen?Didanyone?

Belatedly, she noticed he hadn’t stopped in the kitchen and she hurried after him,

throughadiningroom,alivingroom,upastaircase.Shepausedatthedoorwaytowhat
was obviously his bedroom. Vitaly looked up, seeing the fear and resentment she could
nothide.

“You’llsleepheretonight,”hesaid.

“I’mnotsleepingwithyou.”

Withashrughereplied,“Icanhandcuffyoutoanotherbedtosleepaloneoryoucan

sleepinmybed.Yourchoice.”

“I’mnothavingsexwithyou.”

“Ididn’taskyouto.”

Hiscalmrebuttalstartledher.Thenhereyesnarrowedwithsuspicion.“Justbecause

youdidn’taskdoesn’tmeanyouwon’ttakewithoutmyconsent.”

“I’mnotinthehabitofrapingwomen,”hereplied,hisvoicesoundingtired.Heset

downhisdoctor’sbagandpointedtowardanotherdoor.“Thebathroomisthroughthere.
Feelfreetotakeashower.”

Giaflushedattheindirecthintthatshewasdirtyandstank.But,sherealized,shewas

filthy and she did reek. The sweat of terror had an acrid stench. Not only that, but she
desperately wanted to scrub the residue of assault from her body. The memory of the
unwanted hands on her body made her stomach churn and her skin crawl. Swallowing
anotherresentfulcomment,shethankedhimandwalkedtowardthebathroom.Thenshe
pausedandasked,“Er,doyouhaveateeshirtIcouldwear?”

“Ihaveateeshirt,”hesaid.“Leaveyourclothesonthefloor.I’lldealwiththem.”

Shenodded,feelingshe’dpushedherluckenoughforoneevening.

Thebathroomdoorclosedbehindher.Vitalystaredatit,annoyedthatshesuspected

him of nefarious motives, although he admitted she had little reason to trust him. He
waiteduntilheheardthesoundsofawomanintheshower,theneasedthebathroomdoor
open. He could not help but look at the shadowy image of her body through the frosted
glassanymorethanhecouldpreventhisbody’sresponse.Hepickedupherclothesfrom
thefloorandgentlyclosedthebathroomdoor.Hedidnotleaveateeshirt.He’dsaidhe
hadone,notthathewouldgiveheronetowear.

Giafrownedasshedriedoff.Thebigjerkapparentlyexpectedhertoparadearound

naked. She snugly wrapped the towel around her body and held it securely. Stepping
cautiouslyfromthebathroom,thefragranceofhotfoodluredherfurther.

“You must be hungry, Giancarla. Come downstairs and eat,” he called from the

kitchen.

Gia marveled at his apparently supersensitive hearing. Either that or he had spy

cameras installed everywhere. The latter thought made her frown again. She briefly
considered rummaging through his drawers to find something besides a damp towel to
wear, but decided against it. If she delayed too long, he might deny her supper. And he
mightdecidetoembarkuponacareerofbeatingandrapingwomenifheweresufficiently
annoyedbyherintrusiverummaging.

Vitalyhardlysparedhisrescueaglanceashesetaplateofeggs,bacon,andtoaston

thekitchentable.Hepouredaglassofjuiceandsetitdownnexttoherplate.Heavoided
lookingather,knowingthatalongstareathersatinskinsoeasilyaccessiblewouldrevup
hislibidoevenfurther.

Giagingerlysatonthechair,thecool,polishedwooduncomfortableagainstherbare

bottom.Shepickedupaforkandwarilypickedupabitofegg.

“Ihaven’tpoisonedordruggedit,”hesaidashesatdownacrossthetable.

Sheblinkedandtriedtodimherawarenessofhimasaman.Theremovalofhiscoat

made that impossible, though. His broad shoulders strained the white fabric of his dress
shirt.Therolled-upsleevesdisplayedthickforearmsropedwithmuscleandcolorfulwith
tattoos.He’dtakenoffhistieandunbuttonedthecollarofhisshirt.Shecouldseemore
tattooswheretheshirtopenedathisthroat.

Nervously, she glanced at the clock on the wall. It was barely eight o’clock and

alreadyfulldark.Sheglancedbackdownatherplateandtriedtofigureawayoutofthis
mess. Even an unseasonably warm fall holiday was too cold to go wandering about in
nothing but a damp towel. If she made a dash for the front door, she was sure to be
apprehendedbeforeshetouchedthedoorknob.

“Thankyouformakingsupper,”shesaidpolitely.

“Ithoughtyoucouldusesomethingtoeat,”herepliedwithsimplekindness.

Giathoughtbacktohisleatherbagfullofsharp,shinythings,andasked,“Whatisit,

exactly,youdo?”

He chewed and swallowed as he thought, then gave her his mild reply, “I’m

somethingofajackofalltrades.Today,Iwastointerrogateathief.”

“Interrogate?” she repeated faintly. He could have agreed with those thugs who had

kidnappedherandinterrogatedherwithknivesandwhoknewwhatelse?Shepushedher
glassesbackuphernoseandforcedherselftotakeanotherbiteofegg.

“Youshouldnothavebeendraggedintothis,”hesaidtruthfully.

Nokidding,shethought,butwasprudentenoughnottosayaloud.Theinkcovering

his arms and chest suddenly took on a more sinister meaning. Vitaly Synvolka wasn’t a
rebel,hewasacriminal.Insteadshemerelysaidinatonefaintwithhorror,“I’venever
evenhadaspeedingticket.”

“NeitherhaveI,”herepliedwithasmallsmile.

Apparently, the expression wasn’t friendly, because Giancarla turned very pale. He

quicklyfixedit,composinghimselftomildneutrality.She’dneverknowhowmuchthat
costhimwheneverycellinhisbodyurgedhimtothrowheroverhisshoulderandhaul
hertohisbed.Hewasgladthetabletophidtherigidbulgebehindthezipperofhispants.

“Finish your meal,” he gently ordered. “You need to rest. I will ensure your safety

tonight.”

Reassured,sheate.Shefocusedhereyesontheplateandpointedlyignoredtheman

staringatherlikeshewassomeparticularlytastytreat.Whenshefinished,heorderedher
togobacktohisroom.

“There’s a new toothbrush still in the package in the upper left drawer of the sink

cabinetinmybathroom.Usethat,”heinstructed,forciblykeepinghistonemildandeven.

She made her escape, fleeing on wobbly knees and rubbery ankles. Just as he had

promised,shefoundthefreshtoothbrush.Sheusedhistoothpaste,grimacingatthetaste
ofbakingsoda.Whycouldn’theuseamintflavoredgellikeeveryoneelse?Shereminded
herself to be grateful for the concession of good oral hygiene and crawled into his bed,
stillclutchingthetowelaroundherbody.

Stress, adrenaline, or whatever hit her like the proverbial truck and she failed the

struggletokeephereyesopen,towaitalertandreadyforachancetoretrieveherclothing
andescape.Sheneverheardhimentertheroom.Shesleptthroughthenoiseofhisshower
thatfilteredthroughthebathroomdoor.Hefeltthedamplumpofthetowelshehadused
tocoverherselfandpulleditouttotossitonthefloor.Whenheslidbeneaththecovers
andsnuggledclosetoherfrombehind,shesighedunconsciouslyandrelaxedevenfurther
intohisembrace.

Asaconcessiontothewoman’ssensibilities,Vitalyworehisunderweartobed.The

thin layer of cloth irked him, but he hoped it would be a sufficient barrier to his cock.
Tuckingheragainsthim,heslowlydriftedtosleep.

Weak,earlymorningsunlightstreamedthroughthehalf-openblindsdrawnoverthe

bedroom’s eastern facing window and roused Gia from a very restful sleep. As she
wakenedsherealizedthat,1)shewasnotinherownbed;2)somethinglargeandtoasty
warmwaspracticallywrappedaroundher;and,3)somethinglongandhardpokedherin
thebutt.Theeventsofthepreviouseveningfloodedbacktohermindassheglanceddown
at the tattooed hands splayed over her belly and possessively cupping one breast.
Immediately,sheregisteredaheavy,achy,swollenfeelingfromthatbreast.Obviously,the
towelhadgonemissing.

The man within whose arms she had slept breathed deeply and easily. Perhaps, she

thought, she could sneak out. Escape. She slowly rolled forward, got maybe a couple of
inches before those muscular arms all too easily pulled her back against Vitaly’s big,
equallymuscularbody.

Okay, Gia thought, so subtle wasn’t going to work. Taking a slow, deep breath to

gatherherstrength,sherolleddecisively.Or,shetriedtorolldecisively.Butthosedamned
armsonlylethergetacoupleofinchesbeforehaulingherrightbackwherehewantedher.

“You’reawake,aren’tyou?”shemuttered.

Vitalypressedhisfaceintoherhairandinhaledthewarm,womanlyscentofher.He

smiledandanswered,“Da.”

Withadisgruntledhuff,shesquirmedagainsthim.Hisarmstightenedaroundherand

hishipsrockedagainsther,areactionhecouldnotquitecontrol.

“Liestillifyoudon’twantmetofuckyou,”hewarned.

Giagasped,butwentverystill.Shegurgledalittlewhenhishipsrockedagainsther

again,rubbinghiscotton-coveredcockagainstthepliantfleshofherbuttocks.

“Pleasedon’t,”shepleaded,squeezinghereyesclosedagainstthepossibility—again

—ofrapeasherfirstexperiencewithintercourse.

The only thing that stopped him from masturbating against her was the fear in her

voice.Withamutteredoath,herolledoutofbed,keepinghisbacktothewarm,soft,very
nakedwomanbeneaththecovers.Giadrewthecoversuptoherneckandhopedhewould
leavetheroom.

IttookamomentbeforeVitalywassureofhiscontrol.Thenheroseandwalkedto

hiscloset.Hepulledoutashirtandtosseditonthebed.

“Wearthat,”hesaidandstalkedintothebathroom.Whenheemergedaminutelater,

Giahadjustfinishedbuttoningtheshirtandwasrollingupthesleeves.Thegarmenthung
onherlikeatent,theshirttailsextendingtohercuteknees.

Sincewhenhadheeverfoundawoman’skneescute?

He saw her glance at the bathroom and gestured at her to make use of it. She

scamperedinsidewithrelief.Whenshereturned,hehaddressedinblackslacksandlight
blueshirtthatmadehispiercingeyesseemmorebluethangray.

“Weneedtotalk,”hesaid.

That sounded ominous. Gia sat down, perching at the edge of the mattress. Not

knowingwhattosay,shegesturedvaguelywithonehandtoindicateheshouldelaborate.

“Giancarla, you have three choices,” he began slowly, his normally light accent

thickening. “One, you can leave here a free woman, return to your usual activities, and
probably be killed within a week. The Culebras will hunt you down and eliminate you
beforeyoucanidentifyanyofthemtolawenforcement.

“Two, you can leave here a free woman and go very far away, never to return.

DistanceshouldprotectyoufromtheCulebras.”

“Neverreturn?”sherepeatedfaintly.Herbreathgrewshallow.

“No, all trace of your life here must be wiped out so there is nothing for them to

follow.”

“Andthethirdchoice?”sherasped.

“Marryme,acceptmyprotection.”

“Marryyou?”Hervoicegrewevenfainter.Shebegantopant.

Hisintensegazeburned.“Theyalreadythinkyouaremyproperty,butIdonotbuy

women.Ifyouaremywife,thenyouaretrulymineandIprotectwhatismine.”

“H-howcanyouprotectmeagainstthem?”

“I’mdangerousinmyownright,”hesaid,butthesmilethatbaredhisteethwasno

happy expression. “And anything that is mine also has the protection of Maksim
Andrupovich.Asmywife,you’llbeabletocontinueyourstudies.”

“And who is—?” she began, then stopped. She finally fit the pieces together and

whispered,“MyGod,I’vefalleninwiththeRussianmob.”

Hedidnotreact,whichwasconfirmationenough.ButGia’shandsflewtoherchest

andshegaspedforair,hyperventilatinginherfear.Vitalyrushedforward,droppedtohis
kneesinfrontofher,reachedaroundthebackofherhead,andcrushedhermouthtohis.
Theshockofhiskissstoppedthehyperventilation.Hepressedhistongueintohermouth
and invaded, stroked her tongue with his own, tasted her. A moan welled up from deep
within her. She kissed him back, tongue twining with his, her body surging against his.
The lusty response encouraged him; she was not indifferent to him after all. When he
finallyendedthekiss,shebreathedhard,butfrompassion,notfear.

“M-mayIthinkaboutitforawhile?”sheasked,afterlickingherreddened,swollen

lipsandwonderingjustwhatthehellhadhappened.She’dneverreactedlikethattoakiss
before.

Herrequestwasreasonableenough,buthedidnotwanttogivehertime.“Youhave

onehour.ThenImustwithdrawthefundstopayyourransom.”

Onehour?Giawantedtoprotestasshefollowedhimdownstairstothekitchen,but

wasawarethatthisman,thiscriminal,washonorableinhisownwayandhadsufficient
respectforhertolayoutheroptionsandlethermakethechoice.Sheknewshedidnot
wanttodie.Shedidnotwanttomovetotheothersideofthecountryandleavebehindher
friendsandfamily.Shedidnotwanttomarryhim,althoughthatkisshadblownheraway.
Sheraisedatremblinghandtohermouth;herlipsstilltingled;shecouldstilltastehimon
hertongue.

Vitaly efficiently brewed coffee and made French toast while the woman whom he

alreadyconsideredhissilentlymulledoverherchoicesatthekitchentable.

“Vitaly?”

“Da?”

“Whatwouldyouexpectfrommeasyourwife?”

Headyanticipationfizzedthroughhisveins.“Everything.”

Silence.

“YousaidIcouldfinishmystudies.”

He nodded, understanding the delicate negotiation taking place. “I do not want a

slave.”

“Andajob,acareer?”

He shrugged. “If you wish to pursue a career in marine biology, I would not stop

you.” He lips stretched in a small, closed smile and did not tell her that he could easily
supportawife.“Itisgoodforanintelligentwomantoexercisehermindandbebusy.She
haslesstimeormotivationtodeceiveherhusband.”

Gia’s jaw threatened to drop in astonishment. This huge Neanderthal actually

approved of his wife having a career? But then, he ruined that astounding image of the
modernalphamale.

“Butyou’llhavetocutbackwhenthechildrencome.Familytakespriority,always.”

“Children?”shesqueaked,eyeswidewiththerealizationthat,usually,withmarriage

camechildrenandthemakingofthem.

“Thiswillnotbeamarriageinnameonly.”

Desirepooledlowinherbelly.Thegrowlingundertonemadeherwanttosqueezeher

thighs together at the thought of the big, virile male making love to her every night.
Surely,unlessshedidsomethingtopreventconception,hewouldquicklyimpregnateher.
Vitalydidnotgivetheimpressionofamanwithweakswimmers.Giacouldlookforward
toaveryshortcareer.

“Whataboutmyfamily?”

“Whataboutthem?”

“Youwouldn’tcutmeofffromthem?”

Vitaly grew irritated at her distrust, but tried to be fair-minded about it. The young

womanwhofiredhisbloodandlibidohadreservationsaboutthechoicesavailabletoher
and he needed to understand, to be patient, to coax her into making the choice that he
preferred.Why,hewondered,couldshenotrememberthathewastheonewhohadsaved
herfromtheCulebras?

“WhywouldIdothat?”hecountered,thetonemild,theundercurrentsteely.

Shepaled,butheldhergroundandsaid,“Oneofmyfriendsmarriedamanlikethat.

He seemed like a real prince until they got married. Then he started isolating her,
restrictingwhereshewentandwhen,whatshewore,evenwhatsheateandhowmuch.It
wasn’tlongbeforehebeganhittingher.”Shetookadeepbreathandconcluded,hervoice
shakywithlingeringgrief.“Shediedlastyear.Hebeathertodeath.”

Vitaly’s expression turned thunderous and his body seemed to swell with rage, as

thoughtheIncredibleHulkweregoingtomorphrightthereinthekitchen.“Onlybullies
andcowardsabusewomenandchildren.”

He rolled up his sleeves and her eyes focused on the intricate ink that covered both

arms, the backs of his hands. He felt a twinge of uncertainty and fought the unwonted
impulsetocoverthembackup.Instead,hehelduphisforearmsandrotatedthemslowly.
Letherhaveagoodlook.

“Mychildhoodwasharsh,hardlyachildhoodasyouwouldthinkofit.Iwasraisedin

state institutions, went straight into the military, from there into private business. When
the Iron Curtain fell, the only ones poised to take advantage of the new oligarchy were
criminals.”Hepausedtoflipslicesoffriedbreadontoplatesandsetthemonthetable.“I
hadachoicetomake.IcouldbepoorandpowerlessorIcouldbewealthyandpowerful.”

“Youchosewealthandpower,”shefinishedthestoryquietly.

“Da.Ifyouhavenevergonehungry,neverhadtofightforyournextmeal,thenyou

wouldnotunderstand.”Hesatdownandgesturedforhertodothesame.Shedid,butwith
sometrepidation.“Ilearnedself-relianceandtoughnessintheorphanages,disciplineand
honorinthemilitary,andloyaltyandrespectfromtheBratva.”Hedrizzledsyrupoverhis
French toast and took a bite. After chewing and swallowing, he continued. “Like any
organization,theBratvahasgoodleadersandbad.Iworkedveryhardtobeplacedwith
thebetterleaders.Maksimisonesuch.”

“You’vementionedhisnamebefore.”

“Da.Youwillmeethimandhiswife,Olivia,soon.”

Hereyesnarrowed.“Ihaven’tsaidI’dmarryyou.”

“Youhaven’tsaidyouwouldn’t,”hepointedoutlogically.“TheCulebrasaresmartto

fearme.TheyfearMaksimmore,asisproper.”

“So,”shesaidslowly,“youreporttoMaksimandhereportsto…?”

“Russia. The name is not important. What is important is that you understand that

Maksim’s territory covers the Great Lakes states. Should the leader of the Culebras

convince Maksim that you are a threat to their business, which will affect his business,
thenthere’shardlyanywhereyoucouldruntoescapehim.Hisresourcesarevast.”

Hewatchedwithanimpassiveexpressionashercomplexionturnedashen.Hisbelly

rolleduncomfortably,butthisinnocentwomanneededtounderstandjusthowlimitedher
optionsreallywere.

“Eat, Giancarla,” he urged, gesturing with his empty fork. She bent her face toward

heruntouchedbreakfast.Herhandshookasshecutoffacorneroffriedbread.Thenher
entirebodyshookandshepulledoffherglasses.Hot,saltytearsploppedontotheplate.

Castigatinghimselfforbeingsuchaheartlessboor,Vitalyshovedbackhischairand

circledaroundthetable.Hecrouchedbesideher.Shedidnotresistashegatheredherinto
hisarms.

“I am sorry, Giancarla,” he murmured as he stroked her hair as she sobbed into his

shoulder.“Iknowthisisnotwhatyouplannedforyourlife.”

“Why?”shewailed.

Heknewwhatshemeant.Kissingthetopofherhead,heheldheramomentlonger,

thensaid,“Weshallgetalongwellwitheachother,hm?”

Sheraisedherheadandstaredathimwithtearyeyes.“CouldyouleavetheBratva?”

Hislipstwistedinabitterexpression.“OnedoesnotleavetheBratvawhilehelives.I

might ask for fewer hands-on assignments, but to leave?” He shook his head. “No, it is
impossible.ShouldIexpresssuchadesire,theywillensureIhavenomotivationtoleave.
Shouldthatnotprovesufficient,theywouldthenkillme.”

Gia’seyeswidenedasshegraspedhismeaning.Hecouldprotectherfromallelsebut

hisownbrotherhood.

“Whywouldmarryingyousaveme?Idon’tunderstand.”

He pressed his lips against her forehead before answering. “A wife is loyal to her

husband.”

Hedidnot“orelse.”Hedidnotneedto.

Asomewhatmuffledbuzzsounded.

“Ah,thatwouldbeyourjeans.”Vitalyrosetohisfeet.“Eatyourbreakfast.I’lltake

your pants upstairs and you can finish getting dressed. I am afraid, though, that you’ll
havetowearmyshirt.Unfortunately,yourswasruinedyesterday.”

Giaraisedhertear-stainedfacetohimandsaidquietly,“I’llmarryyou.”

Triumphroaredthroughhimandheforcedhimselftonodandsaymildly,“Iamglad

forit.Eventually,Ihopeyouwillbe,too.”

“Vitaly?”

“Yes?”

“Whywouldyouoffertomarryme?”

“BecauseyoustirmysoulandIthoughtI’dlongsincelostthatpartofmyself.”

Chapter2

While Gia finished her breakfast and then returned upstairs to put on her jeans and

brush her teeth, Vitaly called Maksim. Just in case she happened to return and overhear
himbeforetheconversationended,hespokeinRussian.

“Maksim,Ineedafavor.”

“Iamalwayspleasedtoassist,myfriend.Whatisit?”

“Ineedapriest.”

“Didyoukillsomeone?”

“Not today. I’m getting married and the ceremony must be performed quickly.

Tomorrowwouldbegood.”

“Married?”Themanattheotherendofthelinecoughedonhisswallowofmorning

coffee.“Livy,didyouhear?Vitaly’sgettingmarried!”

Vitalyheardthemurmurofawoman’svoice,thenMaksimspokeagain.“Livysaysit

betternotbethatblondegolddiggershesawyouwithattheclublastmonth,orshewill
putahexonyourchildren.”

Vitaly chuckled. Sweet Olivia was far too softhearted to curse any child. But the

woman’sjudgmentwasalwaysperceptiveanduncannilyaccurate.“No,thatwomanwasa
shortfling.Oliviawascorrect,asusual;Rileywasnotforme.”

“So,whoisthisunknownwomanwhohassosuddenlycapturedyourheart?”

“TheCulebraskidnappedthewrongwoman.”

“Yes,yes,Iknowthat.Youofferedtobuyherfromthemforfivethousanddollars.”

VitalywasnotsurprisedthatMaksimknewthedetailsofyesterday’sdebacle.Hehad

informantseverywhere.“She’sinnocentandI’mclaimingherasmine.”

“Thatismostimpetuousofyou.”

“Haveyounotalwayssaidthatathunderboltstruckyouwhenyoufirstlaideyeson

Olivia?”Vitalyremindedhim.“Thatshewastheoneforyou?”

“Ididandsheis.IwouldbeamuchpoorermanifnotformyOlivia.Hassuchathing

happenedtoyou,oldfriend?”

“Ithas.”

Vitalycouldimaginetheoldromanticontheotherendofthelinesmilefatuously.A

vicious, cold-hearted thug to the world, Maksim nevertheless treated his wife with awe
andgentlecareandhischildrenwithlovingindulgence.

“IssheRussianOrthodox?”

“WithanamelikeGiancarlaBonetti,Idoubtit.”

“Hm,thatmakesthingsmoredifficult.IwillseewhatIcando.IfIcannotpersuadea

Catholicpriesttobendtherulesalittle,willyouconsideracivilceremony?”

“Iwill.”

Maksimlaughedheartily,wouldhaveclappedhissecond-in-commandonthebackif

he’dbeenstandingnexttohim.“Getusedtosayingthat,Vitaly!”

Vitalywantedtoaskhimnottothreatenanyclergyonhisbehalf,butknewthatdoing

sowouldoffendhisboss,neverawiseidea.HejusthopedthatMaksimwouldnotmake
himrepaythefavorwithmurder.

Thecallended,heshovedhiscellphoneintohispocketandwalkedtothebottomof

thestairsjustasGiaarrivedatthetop.

“Good,youareready,”hesaid.“Come,thereismuchtodotoday.”

She nodded and walked down the stairs to take the hand he offered. His palm was

broad and warm and held her hand in a gentle, protective grip. She could not help but
wonderhowitwouldfeelskimmingoverherbody.

“Vitaly?”

“Yes?”

“CallmeGia.”

Helookedather,nevermissingastep.Shefeltcompelledtoexplain.

“MyfriendscallmeGia.Aswe’retobemarried,it’sonlyfittingthatyoudo,too.”

“DoesnoonecallyouGiancarla?”

“Only my grandmother did.” Gia frowned. “She was a stern and cold woman. It

alwaysfeltasthoughsheneverapprovedofus,especiallymydad.”

“Whywouldshenotapproveofyourfather?”

“Becausehetookmymother’snameandleftthefamilybusiness.”

Vitaly’sbloodsuddenlyrancold.“Whatwasthefamilybusiness?”

Gia’smouthtwistedinasourexpressionandshereplied,“GrandpaMaglionewasa

capo.”

Vitalylaughedattheirony.

“Soyouwereraisedoutsidethemafia?”

“Onestepremoved,”sheadmitted.“Papatoldmethatthecapoprettymuchdisowned

him.”

“Whatdidyourfatherdo?”

“Papawentintoacademia.HeteachesRenaissanceliteratureattheMarianSchoolof

LiberalArts.”

“That’shardlythreatening.”

“That’swhyhefindsitfascinating,Ithink.”

“Andyourmama?”heaskedasheescortedherintothegarage.

“SheteachesviolinandplaysintheIndianapolisSymphonyOrchestra.”

“Ah, they chose occupations that were safe and nonthreatening. Wise of them.” He

openedthecardoorforher,shutitaftersheclimbedintothevehicle,andcrossedtothe
driver’sside.Oncehewasseated,heasked,“Andyoursiblings?”

“My older brother is a cop.” She watched his hand turn the key in the ignition.

“Wouldyoubelievethat?Ithinkhefeelssomeneedtoatoneformyfather’ssideofthe
family.Mysisterisanaccountant,marriedtoanotheraccountant,andraisingtwochildren
who have all the personality of calculators.” She huffed a little laugh. “My younger
brotherisamusicianlikeMama.HeworksatajazzclubinChicago.”

“Andyouaretheyoungest?”

“No,mymusicianbrotherisyounger.He’stwenty-three.”

“Andyouare?”

“Twenty-five.Howoldareyou?”

“Iamthirty-four.”

Giaexercisedcontrolnottogape.Heseemedolder.Perhapsitwastheharshlifethat

hehadledthatgavehimthegravitasofanolderman.

“Youaresurprised,”heobservedquietly.

“I’m…er…yes.”

Another of those small, bitter smiles twisted his lips. “A life like mine ages one. I

thinkyouwillrejuvenateme,returntomethejoyoflife.”

Joiedevivre,shetranslatedtotheFrench,learnedinhighschool,seldomused,and

mostlyforgotten.

Conversation lagged as he drove. Gia looked out the passenger side window and

wondered at the strange direction her life had taken. When Vitaly parked the car in the
bank’sparkinglot,sheonlywonderedforasecondwhethersheshouldsitinthevehicle
andwait.

“Comewithme,”hesaid.

Sheraisedhereyebrowsinsilentquestion.

“It’ssafer.Wewerefollowedhere.”

“Wewerefollowed?”

“Pepewantstomakesurehegetshismoney,hm?Sohesentoneofhismentomake

sureIkeepmywordtohim.”

“Hedoesn’ttrustyou.”

“IbelieveyourPresidentReagansaiditbest:‘Trustbutverify.’”

“So,thisguywillfollowusintothebank?”

“Probablynotinsidethebank,butIdon’twanthimholdingyouhostagetoforcemy

goodbehavior.Ifyouareinthecar,youarevulnerable.”

Shenoddedandsighed,aresignedsoundingexhalation.GiaexpectedthatVitalywas

somewhat—okay, really—exasperated with her, but she was trying to adapt to the
situationasquicklyasshecouldwithoutlosinghermind.Sheunbuckledherseatbeltand
openedthecardoorjustasheroundedthecartothepassengerside.Hisexpressionturned
thunderousandshewonderedwhyuntilhehissed:“YouwillwaitlikealadyuntilIopen
thedoorforyou,Giancarla.”

She took the hand he extended and allowed him to help her to her feet. “I’m not

helpless, Vitaly. I am fully capable of opening doors. In fact, I’ve been doing it a long
time.”

“Youarecompletelyvulnerable,”hegrowled.“Exposed.Letmeprotectyou.”

Sheopenedhermouthtoobject,butthencloseditwithoutspeaking.Sherealizedthat

she could not see around his bulk. Presumably Pepe’s minion could not see her through
Vitaly. He had placed himself so that any threat would have to go through him before
reachingher.

“I’msorry,Vitaly,”shemurmured.

Hetuckedherclosetohissideandpressedaquickkisstothetopofherhead.Hesaid

nothing,butshefeltforgiven.

Theycrossedtheasphaltandwalkedintothebankand,withthewearyacceptanceof

financial patrons the world over, got in line. Minutes passed. They shuffled forward. A
couple of older women noticed Vitaly’s tattoos on the backs of his hands and frowned
theirdisapproval.Ayoungmanwithlargegaugesdistendinghisearlobesandsilverrings
piercinghiseyebrowandlipfollowedthewomen’sgazesandgrinned.

“Niceink,man,”hecomplimented.

Vitaly nodded politely and did not waste his time explaining the significance of his

tattoos, the Cyrillic markings that marked him as a member of the Bratva, the visual
record of each murder committed at the order of the Bratva, the other assignments

successfullycompletedandthepromotionsearnedthroughblood,sweat,pain,andloyalty.
WhatVitalytoldnoonewasthathehadnotaddedasingletattoointhepastfiveyears,
choosingnottocelebratehisbloodyachievementsonhisskin.

Giaattemptedtotakeasteporthreebackwhentheywalkedtotheteller’sstationin

ordertogiveVitalyalittleprivacy,butheevenmorefirmlytuckedheragainsthisside.
So,shetriedtoignoretheexchangebetweenthethugandthetellerbylookingaroundat
theblanddecor.

ShelookeduptoseeVitalyslideafatenvelopeintoaninsidepocketofhisjacket.

“Arewefinished?”

“Yes,”heansweredcurtly,gazesharpandwaryasheescortedherbacktothecar.He

stood at the passenger side while she seated herself and buckled the seatbelt. Then he
hurried to the driver’s seat. The car was in gear and moving before the gangster could
reachthem.

Hedrovethembacktotheabandonedwarehouseviaadifferentroutethanusedthe

previousday.Giafoundherselfutterlylostinthatareaofthecitysheneverhadoccasion
tovisit—norwantedtovisitagain.MindfulofVitaly’sinstructions,shesatpatientlyuntil
heopenedherdoorandhandedheroutofthecar.Hekepthertuckedunderhisarmashe
approached the younger man slouching with insolence in a ratty recliner. Two even
youngermenflankedhim.Onemantwitchedtoabeatonlyhecouldhear.Theotherlifted
hischinandraisedthenoseofhisassaultrifleinsilentwarning.

Gia shivered. All three of the men had empty gazes, dead eyes. None of them

acknowledged her presence by so much as a flicker of recognition. To know that she
meantsolittle,thatshewaslessthannothingtothem,terrifiedher.

“Yougotmymoney,butcher?”

Vitaly patted his breast pocket and replied, “Do you relinquish all claim to this

woman?Doyouacknowledgesheismine?”

Pepeshrugged.“Theputaisyours.Enjoyher.”

Vitalyreachedintohispocketandthegunmenaimedtheirweapons.

“Easynow,”hecautioned.“HaveInotalwaysdealthonorablywiththeCulebras?”

“Standdown,muchachos,”Pepesaid.Thegunmenrelaxedinfinitesimally.

“That’sbetter,”Vitalysaid.

“What’stokeepusfromkillingyou,takingyourmoney,andkeepingtheputa?”Pepe

inquiredinaconversationaltone,oneeyebrowraisedinmockinginquiry.

“Doyourememberyourpredecessor,Pepe?”

Pepefrowned,turningalittlegrayishfromthememory.

“Thatwasmyhandiwork.Ifyourenegeonouragreement,Maksimwillnothesitate

toshowtheCulebrasevenlessmercy,”Vitalyelaborated,keepinghistoneconversational,

too.

“Hedon’tknowthistownlikewedo,”Pepesneeredinanattempttoavoidlosingface

withhisunderlings.

“Hedoesn’thaveto,”Vitalyrepliedashesettheenvelopeintotheoutstretchedhand

ofthetwitchyshooter.HismildtoneleftnodoubtthatheconsideredPepeandhiscohorts
lessthanworthyofrespect.“Youhaveyourprice.Thiswomanismine.Irecommendthat
youhavegreatcareforhersafety.Shouldtheslightestinjurybefallher,theCulebraswill
beassumedatfaultandwewillensurenotevenamemoryofyouremains.”

“Hey,man,wecan’tberesponsibleifyourbitchstubsatoe,”Pepeprotested.

“You’d better hope it never happens,” Vitaly said and turned his back, drawing Gia

along with him. He walked with purposeful, measured strides that covered the ground
quickly.Shehadtoskipafewstepstokeepupwithhim.

“Youthreatenedhim,”shewhisperedincredulously.“Areyouinsane?”

“Itwasimportanttoshowmyselfstronger,”hewhisperedbackasheensuresshewas

safelyseatedinthecar.“Letushopehedoesnotescalatetophysicalconfrontation.”

Afteramoment’ssilence,sheasked,“WhathappenedtoPepe’spredecessor,Vitaly?”

Heturnedacold,bleakglanceatherandsimplysaid,“NeveraskwhatIdoforthe

brotherhood.Youdonotwishtoknow.”

Gia’s eyes grew wide with trepidation. She swallowed nervously and mumbled an

apology.Tohersurprise,hereachedoverandsettledhisbig,warmhandoverhers.

“I will not harm you, Giancarla. But you cannot reveal what you do not know. It is

enoughtoknowthatIamsufficientlydangeroustokeepyousafe.”

Hiswordsweremeanttoreassureher;instead,theyfrightenedher.Itwaslikebeinga

favored pet of a James Bond villain: safe and pampered while the villain indulged his
ephemeralaffection,butdeadonceshebecameinconvenientortheslightestbitannoying.
She wondered when the mighty explosion would occur and obliterate everything.
Probablyafterthecarchase.

Vitaly asked for her address and she gave it. He stopped in the seedy neighborhood

outsidetherundownapartmentbuilding.Cheeksredwithembarrassment,sheconfirmed
that,yes,shedidindeedlivethere.

“Youlivewithmenow,”hesaidquietly,lookingatthesurroundingenvironmentwith

distasteastheywalkedupthestaircasethatsmelledofgarbageandurine.

Giafelttheneedtoexplainandstumbledoverthewords:“Mostofmyincomegoes

totuition.There’salmostnothingleftoverforrentandgroceries.”

“Youlivedalonehere?”

“Er,no,Ihavetworoommates,CecilyandLatasha.”

“Aretheystudents,too?”

“Yes,”sheansweredwithasmallsighofreliefastheyreachedthethirdfloorandshe

knockedonthedoor.“Latasha’sanursingstudentandCecilyisintheculinaryprogram.”

The door opened and the young woman behind it squealed with surprise the instant

shesawGia.

“Gia!Wherehaveyoubeen?Weweresoworriedaboutyou!”Shewrappedherbony

arms around her roommate before belatedly noticing the hulking man a step behind her.
“Gia,whoisthisguy?DoIneedtokickhisass?”

Gia wanted to laugh hysterically at the thought of either roommate kicking Vitaly’s

ass.ButshekissedLatasha’scheekandsaid,“I’velostmypurseandeverythinginit.Do
youmindifwecomein?”

“Ofcoursenot!”LatashasteppedbackandrakedhergazeoverVitaly.“Who’syour

escort, Gia?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned her head and shouted, “Cecily!
Gia’sback!She’sgotamanwithher!”

A plump young woman appeared from around a corner and squealed with joyful

relief.SherushedforwardtohugGia.“You’reback!Weweresoworriedaboutyou.What
happened?Whoisthisguy?”

“Let’s sit, shall we?” Gia suggested with a weak smile, sniffing the fragrance of

tomatoandgarlicthatclungtoCecily.

Theothertwowomenexchangeddoubtfulglances,butretreatedtothemainroomand

took their seats on worn, secondhand furniture. Mismatched blankets draped over the
armchair and sofa hid the worst of the ruined upholstery. In fact, Vitaly noted that
everythinginthecheapapartmentwassecondhandorthird-handandbettersuitedtothe
rubbishbinthancontinueduse.ButthespaceappearedcleanandsmelledfaintlyofLysol
andbleach.

He understood the necessity of living as cheaply as possible while trying to better

one’sfuture.HetookapositionalongthewallandstoodlikeasilentsentinelasGiagave
herroommatesanexplanation.

“Whathappened,Gia?”Cecilyasked,gentlytouchingtheswollenbruiseonherface.

Inanearlyinaudiblewhisper,sheasked,“Didhedothistoyou?”

“I … I was mugged,” Gia replied, knowing that she could not divulge the whole to

her friends. “Vitaly—” she gestured with her hand “—saved me. We … we’re getting
married.”

Latasha’seyesnarrowedsuspiciously.She’dnoticedtheinkonthebackoftheman’s

hands and disappearing beneath the sleeves of his jacket. She knew ink like that meant
gang activity. Her idiot older brother had gotten involved with a street gang and now
languishedinprison.

“He’sinagang,Gia,”shehissed.

“He’sagoodman,”Giarepliedstoutly.

“Wasitloveatfirstsight?”Cecilyaskedwithahappylittlesigh.

Vitalyhidasmile.Theplump,softheartedwomanprobablyreadfrothyromancesby

thedozenandwouldlikelymakesomemanadoting,affectionatewife.Heratherthought
thatoneortwoofhiscolleaguesmightbeinterestedinmarryingasweetwomanlikeher.
Latasha,heknew,wastoocanny,toostreetwise,toentertainaromancewithoneofhisilk.

Gia smiled at her romantically minded roommate and said softly, “Yes. Yes, it was

loveatfirstsight.”

“Bullshit,”Latashasnorted.“Somethingstinksanditain’tCecily’sredsauce.”

“Latasha, let it go. Please,” Gia pleaded. “I’ll still see you and Cecily on campus.

Vitaly’sseentomysafety.”

“Whatdidyousee?”Latashademanded,hervoicerisinginfear.“Whydoyouneed

protection?”

Giagulpedair,notknowinghowtocontrolthissituationthathadlongsincespiraled

outofhercontrol.

“Giancarlawillbesafeasmywife,”Vitalysaid,histonecoolandimplacable.“That

isallyouneedtoknow.”

Cecilylookedathimandsighedagain,struckbytheman’spiercing,bluishgrayeyes

set in a strong, handsome face and complemented by a physique that could have graced
the cover of any of her favorite romance novels. She wondered if he had any younger
brothersandstifledanexcitedsqueal.

“Thisissoexciting!”ShereachedovertosqueezeGia’sarm.

Gia’sexpressionsouredslightly,beforeshecomposedherself.

“Giaisheretocollectherbelongings.Sheismovinginwithme,”Vitalysaid.

Latasha expression darkened. “Gia, we won’t make rent without you. I’ve only got

onemorequartertogo.Ican’tquitschoolnow.”

GiacasthimapleadingglanceandVitalysighed.Withacurtnod,hepulledouthis

cellphoneandplacedacall.

“Pyotr,it’sVitaly.Ineedafavor.”Withoutthinkingaboutit,hespokeinRussian.

“Vitaly!It’sgoodtohearfromyou.Whatdoyouneed,brother?”

“I am getting married tomorrow. My wife’s roommates live in an unsuitable

neighborhood.Theyneedsafehousing.You’llliketheblonde.Treatthemwithrespectand
kindness.”

“Youwantmetofindhomesfortwogirls?”Pyotr’stoneconveyedincredulity.Vitaly

wasn’tinthehabitofperforminggoodworks.

“They’recollegegirls.”

“WhyshouldIgiveahometosomesnootycollegegirls?”

“They’reworkingtheirwaythroughschool,tryingtobettertheirfutures.Havesome

respectfortheireffort,Pyotr.Theyneedalittlehelpandwecangiveittothem.”

“Whatwilltheygiveinexchange?”

“Theirrentwillbemyresponsibility,Pyotr.Don’tbefoolish.”

Vitaly’scolleaguesighedwithregretattheimplieddenialoffreshfleshforhisuse.If

Vitalywasinvolvinghispersonalfinances,thenPyotrwouldactthegentleman.IfPyotr
did indeed fancy the blonde, then Vitaly’s patronage of the girl would ensure the other
man’sgoodbehavior.

Heendedthecallwithaconfirmationthatacarwouldarriveshortlytopickupthe

girls, who looked at him with questioning eyes as they’d not been able to understand a
singlewordofhissideoftheconversation.

“New accommodations will be found for Cecily and Latasha.” He spoke directly to

Gia,thenturnedhisattentiontothetwoyoungwomen.“AmanwillbehereshortlyHis
nameisPyotr.Hewilltakeyoutoyournewhome.Packonlywhatyoumust.Yournew
homewillbefurnished.”

“Vitaly?”Giaqueried.

“Theywillbesafe.”

Shenodded,acceptinghisword.Shecoulddolittleelse.

“Whatthehellisgoingon,Gia?”Latashahissed.

“Youknow,I’mnotentirelysureanymore.”SheglancedbackatVitaly.“ButItrust

him.Ihaveto.AndItrusthiswordthatyouandCecilywillbekeptsafe.”

“Pack your things, ladies,” the big man’s deep voice ordered. “Pyotr will be here

shortly.”

“Pyotr?”Cecilyrepeatedthename,tastingitonhertongue.

“My colleague. He will see you and Latasha to a new residence. Do as he says for

yourowngood.”

Skinny Latasha bellied up to Vitaly, glaring at him without fear. “And what if we

don’tobeyorderslikegoodlittlegirls?”

Vitaly shrugged and said coldly, “Then Pyotr leaves without you and you take your

chancesagainsttheCulebras.”

Latasha’smilkchocolatecomplexionturnedashen.“TheCulebras?”

“Da.”

“Shit,” she muttered. “Shit, shit, shit.” She turned to face Gia and asked, “How did

yougetinvolvedwiththoseanimals?”

“Iwasn’tgivenanychoice,”Giamumbledandcringedbeneathherfriend’saccusing

glare.

“TheythoughtGiancarlawassomeoneelse,”Vitalyexplainedsuccinctly.“Nowmake

yourchoice:stayhereorgowithPyotr.”

Cecily muttered something about tending to her red sauce before it burned and

hastened to the galley kitchen. Latasha fumed, but retreated to the room she had shared
withGiatopackacoupleofsuitcases.

“I’msorry,Vitaly,”Giamumbled,dejectedandfeelingashamed,althoughshewasn’t

surewhy.

“Packyourthings,thentellyourfriendsgood-bye,”Vitalyorderedgently.Gialooked

upathim,surpriseandbetrayalminglinginherexpression.Headded,“We’vemuchyetto
dotoday.

Hisphonebuzzedsilentlyandhepulleditoutofhisjacket.

“Da.”

“Vitaly,Ihavefoundapriestwhowillcooperatewithourrequestinexchangefora

substantialdonationtohisparish.Iwillexpectpromptreimbursement.”

“Ofcourse,Maksim.YouknowIamgoodforit.”

“Ofcourse,youare,Vitaly.Itisgoodyouaregettingmarried.Marriagesettlesaman.

OliviaandIwillstandwithyou;wearehonoredtodoso.”Hequicklyrecitedthechurch,
thepastor’sname,andthestreetaddress.Vitalyrepeatedtheinformationandcommittedit
tomemory.

“Youhonorus,sir,”hesaidafterward.

“Word on the grapevine is that your affianced wife may wish to have a few more

guests,hm?”

“Iamsureshewouldliketohaveherfamilypresent,butitmaybetooshortofnotice

forthem.Shehastworoommateswhoshouldbethere.”

“Femaleroommates?”

“Da. I think Pyotr may settle his affections upon one of them. She’s a culinary

student.”

Maksimchuckled.“Pyotralwaysdidthinkwiththisstomach.”

“Thankyouforarrangingtheceremony,sir.”

“It was Olivia’s pleasure. She is excited to see you married, especially since her

nieceswillbecomingtovisitinafewmonths.”

Vitaly’s upper lip curled in a sneer that, fortunately, Maksim could not see. Woe

betide him if he or Olivia caught wind of his contempt for the two overly flirtatious
bubble-headswhovisitedtheirAuntOliviaandUncleMaksimeveryyear.Theirprevious
visit,he’dbarelymanagedtoescapethemafterthey’dcrawlednakedintohisbed.

“Those girls,” Maksim chuckled. “They’ll find themselves married off soon if they

don’t quit their hijinks. Did you know they attempted to seduce Yuri Petrov? Those two

idiots,prettyastheyare,wereluckyhedidn’tshootthem.”

Vitaly muffled a sigh of relief. At least Maksim knew that his wife’s nieces were

debauchedyoungwomen.

Maksimhadn’tfinishedspeaking.“Oliviasayswewillhostareceptionforyou.”

“That’sverygenerous.”

“Itis,”Maximagreedtersely,thenhelaughed.“Ithasbeentoolongsincewehada

party.Icannotthinkofabetteroccasionthanyourwedding.”

“WhatcanIdotoassisther,Maksim?”

“Youmakesureyougettothechurchontime.Oliviawilltakecareoftheparty.”

“I’ll reimburse you for the expense, Maksim,” he offered, wincing internally at the

extravagancehewouldunderwrite.

His boss laughed again and said, “Consider it your wedding present, Vitaly. Now, I

havebusinesstoattend,asdoyou.”

“Spasibo,”hethankedhisboss.

Not for the first time, he contemplated what he would have to do to get out of the

Bratva.Buthedismissedthatfantasyimmediately.NoonelefttheBratva,exceptthrough
death.

He had too much to look forward to now, namely a luscious armful of woman to

warmhisbedandthepossibilityofchildren.

He looked closely at Gia without seeming to and idly wondered if her grandfather

couldprotecthimfromtheBratva.Again,hedismissedthethoughtasfancifulandstupid.
Even if the Italian mafia could be persuaded to accept him and shield him from the
Russianmafia—andunlikelypossibilityanyway—they’dwanttousehisskillsetfortheir
ownbenefitandhe’dbenobetteroffthanhewasnow.

Heremindedhimselftoputfoolishfanciesaside.

“Youallmightaswellsitdowntoeat,”Cecilyofferedwithanervoussmile.“Imade

enoughforthegirlsandmetohaveleftovers,butsincewe’releaving,Iguesswewon’t
needtheseleftoversforlunchthenextfewdays.”

Vitaly graciously accepted the invitation on behalf of Gia and himself. “I’ll get

GiancarlaandLatasha,”hesaid.Heinhaled;theredsaucedidsmellheavenly.Yes,hewas
surePyotrwouldmarrythisone.

Cecilynoddedandsetthetable.

AheavyknockonthedoormadeCecilyjumpandgaspandlooknervouslyatVitaly.

He attempted to give her a reassuring smile, but the expression made her blanch.
Obviously,he’dhavetoworkonthat.Heansweredthedoor.

“Hello,Pyotr.Youmadegoodtime.”

Thebigblondmangrinnedandinhaleddeeply.“I’malwayshappytobeofserviceto

you,Vitaly.WhatisthatIsmell?”

“Your timing is impeccable, as usual,” Vitaly quipped. “One of my fiancée’s

roommatesisaculinarystudent.Itappearssheisquiteskilled.”

“Isshepretty?”Pyotrasked,eyesgleaming.“Amancouldmarryawomanwhocooks

likethatevenifshe’suglyasthesouthendofanorthbounddog.”

“She’sprettyand,moreimportant,she’sanicegirl.Don’ttriflewithher,Pyotr.Treat

her with respect.” Vitaly’s voice turned as stern as a papa meeting his daughter’s first
boyfriend.

Pyotrlaughedandclappedhimontheback.“Ifshe’sasgoodacookasIthinksheis,

thenI’llputheronadamnedpedestal.”

Cecilypokedherheadoutfromthekitchenandstartedtosay,“Lunchisready.Vitaly,

youcaninviteyour…oh,my,he’sabigone.”

Pyotrlumberedtowardherwithunexpectedspeedandcapturedherhand.Heraisedit

to his lips and asked in his thick accent, “Are you responsible for the delicious smells
comingfromthekitchen?”

“Er…yes.”

Withimpulsiveglee,hedroppedtohisonekneeandsaid,“Marryme.”

Cecily’slightblueeyeswentwidewithsurpriseandalittleanxiety.“Oh,oh,thisis

just…just…”

“Takenoheedofthisoaf,”Vitalysaid,comingtoherrescue.Pyotrrosetohisfeet,

butdidnotrelinquishherhand.“Heispronetofoolishenthusiasm.”

Cecilysighedinaudiblerelief.

Vitalyadded,“Butifheasksyoutomarryhimagain,thenyou’llknowhe’sserious.”

Heturnedhisfocustotheotherman.“Pyotr,don’tintimidatethegirl.”

ThebigblondgrinnedandrepliedinRussian,“I’velostmyhearttothisone.”

“You’vepledgedyourstomach,morelikely,”Vitalymutteredinreturn.

“Er…come and sit. I’m sure there’s enough for all of us,” Cecily invited him with

naturallygraciouswarmth.

“Ah,whatahostessshewillbe,”Pyotrpraised.

CecilycalledGiaandLatashatothetable.Theyoungwomenstumbledtoahaltwhen

theysawtheunknownman.

“Who’stheViking?”Latashainquiredwithcustomarybrashness.

“This is Pyotr,” Vitaly answered. “He will escort you to your new residence and

ensureyouarekeptsafe.”

Latasha nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself. Gia and Cecily glanced at her in

surprise,astheirfriendwasnotknownforherreticence.

Chapter3

To any chef’s satisfaction, every bite of fresh pasta with homemade red sauce

disappeareddowngratefulgullets.Thecheapredwineoffsettherichtomatoandliberal
sprinklingofcheese.

“That was excellent,” Pyotr complimented as he patted a drop of sauce from the

cornerofhismouth.Hegrinnedwidelyandproclaimed,“Youshallcookformealways,
moysladkiy.”Heloudlykissedthetipsofhisthumbandforefingerinacomicimitationof
aFrenchgesture.

Cecilygiggledandblushed,pleasedbythepraiseandalittleinaweoftheflamboyant

Russian.

“Let’sgetthesedisheswashed,”Latashasaidassherosefromthetable.

“Lunchwasfabulous,Cecily,”Giacomplimentedandcarriedherplatetothecounter

whereLatashawasalreadyrunningwaterintothesink.Shelookedatherfriendandsaid,
“YouwashandI’lldry.”

Latashagaveherasadlittlesmile.“Thisisprobablythelasttimewe’lldothis.”

“Ofcoursenot,”Giasoothed.“Vitalysayshewon’tisolatemefrommyfriendsand

family.We’llvisitoftenandI’lldefinitelyseeyouoncampus.”

Latasha bumped her with her bony hip. “Don’t be stupid, Gia. We don’t see each

other now on campus. I’m in the school of nursing and you’re playing in the lake with
yourclassmatesandtesttubes.”

“Okay,sowewon’tseeeachotheroncampus.Butwewillvisit.Often.”

Latashaheldupasoapydrippinghand,pinkyextended.“Pinkyswear?”

Gialinkedherpinkywithhersandsaid,“Pinkyswear.”

Vitaly and Pyotr watched quietly as the young women softly spoke their good-byes

with promises to stay in touch. Gia sent him a quick, pleading glance. He nodded,
reminding her of his promise to her. She gave him a soft, grateful smile that, for some
weirdreason,depressedhim.Hedidwanthergratitude;hewantedmore.

“We’ll need to find a man for the third one,” Pyotr commented, speaking quietly in

Russian to keep their conversation private. “Iosif might like her. He prefers the exotic
types.”

“Healsolikesthemsubmissive,verysubmissive.Thisone’sfearless.”

“WhataboutGennady?”

“Gennady’sabrute.He’dbreakher.”

Pyotrcockedhisheadtothesideandponderedthematter.Thenhegrinnedwidely.“I

haveit,Vitaly.Timur.”

“Who’sthat?”

“He’s newly arrived from Russia just last week. He’s the new cleaner replacing

Yakov.”

Vitalynodded.“I’dliketomeetthisTimur.”

“It’snotlikeyoutoadoptstrays,Vitaly.”

“Thesearemybride’sdearestfriends.Itismydutytolookafterthem.”

“Youcarrydutyalittlefar,oldfriend.ButtrustthatI’llseethattheyremainsafeand

unmolested.”Pyotr’sexpressionturnedfierce.“SesiliyawillbemineandI’llkillanyman
whodisrespectsher.”

“Lethergraduatebeforeyoumarryher,”Vitalyadvised.

“Oh,likeyouare?”theothermanpointedouthiscolleague’shypocrisy.

“We marry quickly to keep her safe from the Culebras. I’d still want to make her

mine,butIwouldhavepreferredtowaituntilshegraduated.”

“Doesyourgirlcook?”

“Ihavenoidea.She’samarinebiologist,”hesaidproudly.

“Smartgirl,”Pyotrcommentedneutrally.“It’sthesmartonesyouhavetobewareof.”

“I’llearnherloyalty.”

Pyotr laughed, knowing just how Vitaly intended to affix Gia’s loyalty to him. The

Bratva’s notorious inquisitor had legendary skills both with his tools and between the
sheets.However,theothermanknewthat,regardlessofVitaly’sreputation,themandid
notengageinindiscriminatesexlikemanyoftheirbrothers.Vitalyalsohadareputation
fordiscernmentandselectivetastes.

“It’sbeenalongtimesinceyouflauntedawomanbyyourside,oldfriend.”

“Alongtimedoesn’tmeanI’veforgottenanything.”

“Ifnothingelse,naturewillremindyourcockwhatit’smadetodo.”

VitalycastanassessingglanceatCecily,whohadjoinedherfriendsatthesinktodry

dishes and put them away. “That one needs passion, not just an appreciation for her
cooking.”

Pyotrgrinnedathimandranabighandoverhiscloselyshorn,blondhair.“She’llget

it.Iwilldislikewaitingtosinkintosuchdelicioussoftness.”

Theirconversationendedasthewomenfinishedtidyingupthekitchen.

“Cecily, I hope you don’t mind, but Latasha and I packed for you,” Gia said as she

shutthecabinetdoorafterputtingthelastplateaway.

“As long as you remembered my favorite blue sweater, we’re good,” she replied

cheerfully, still riding the high of having two total strangers enthusiastically compliment
hercooking.

“Andtheapronwegaveyouforyourbirthday,”Latashaaddedwithaslygrin.

“Oh,notthat!”

“Youbet,sister.It’smygoaltogetyoueveryobnoxiousapronavailablebeforewe’re

thirty.”

Cheekspink,Cecilyshookherheadandheadedbacktoherbedroom,whichwaslittle

biggerthanacloset.

“We’reready,”Latashastated,settlingherhandsonherhips.

“Makesureyou’vesomethingtoweartothewedding,”Vitalysaidwithanod.

Gialookeduncomfortable,asherwardrobehadnothingsuitabletoweartoherown

wedding. Vitaly caught her discomfort and drew her into his arms. “That is one of the
reasonswe’regoingshoppingtoday.”

Shelookedupathim,embarrassedtoadmitthepaucityofherfinancesyetagain.“I

can’taffordaweddinggown,evenifwecanfindonethatfits.”

“Ican,”hesaid.

She opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her through the expedient method

usedbymenforuntoldages:hekissedher.Giagasped,whichgainedhistongueentryinto
her mouth. She could taste the lingering flavor of tomato and wine on his tongue as he
exploredhermouth.Amoanrosefromherthroatevenasherbodymeltedagainsthimand
herthoughtsfizzled.

“Wow, I think my I.Q. just dropped twenty points from watching that,” Latasha

whisperedtoCecilyastheywitnessedthecouple’sburgeoningpassionastheyrolledout
theirbulgingsuitcases.

“Iwantpassionlikethat,”Cecilyadmittedwistfully.Shelookeddownatherselfand

spreadherhands.“Butmendon’tgoforfattieslikeme.”

“You’renotfat,you’recurvy,”Latashasaidloyally.“And,ifIdon’tmissmyguess,

you’llbenexttohaveahotRussianmobsterputtingaringonyourfinger.”

“Don’tbesilly.”

“Ain’tnothingsillyaboutit.TheVikingovertherewassmittenfirstbyyourfoodand

thenbyyourTeutonicbeauty.”

“Teutonic?”

“Hey,Iknowbigwords,too.Gia’snottheonlysmartone.”

Cecilylaughedandmadeamentalnotetolookuptheword“Teutonic.”

“Gia,getyourstuff,”Latasharemindedherfriend.

Vitaly reluctantly released his fiancée who clung to him with a dazed expression he

wantedtokeeponherface.“Goon,moysladkiy.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”

“Itmeans‘mysweet.’”

AfatuoussmilespreadacrossGia’sface.LatashaandCecilygiggled.

“Oooh, she’s got it bad,” the skinny woman taunted softly, although her eyes were

kind.

Giagiggledandretrievedherluggage.

VitalyandPyotrtookcommandoftheirsuitcasesandhauledthemtothelargeblack

caroccupiedbyadriverwhosedead-eyedexpressionsentchillsupGia’sspine.

“Zdravstvuyte,Gennady,”VitalygreetedtheirdriverasheandPyotrloadedluggage

intothespacioustrunkofthecar.

Theslender,darkhairedmannodded,eyesnoticingeverything.“Thateverything?”

“Almost.”

Pyotrwasalreadybringingthelasttwobags.

“Youknowwheretotakethegirls,theblondeandtheblackone?”

“Pyotrsentmeatext.Hesaysthey’restayingwithhim.”

Vitaly’slefteyebrowroseinsurprise.PyotrwasindeedseriousaboutCecilyifhewas

goingsofarastoextendhishospitalityandprotectiontoLatasha,too.

“Pyotr’sagoodman.”

Gennady’snostrilsflared,buthesaidnothinginresponse.

“Cecily, Latasha, you ride with Pyotr,” Vitaly said. “Pyotr, if you don’t mind, load

Giancarla’sbagsintomycar.We’vesomeerrandstorunyet.”

Pyotr, whose demeanor had turned from jocular to alert and dangerous, nodded and

compliedwhileVitalyguardedthethreeyoungwomen.Ashepassedhiscolleagueonhis
waybacktotheothercar,hesaid,“Weareeven,youowemenothing.”

Vitalymerelyraisedhiseyebrow.Pyotrelaborated:“YougavemeCecily.Ioweyoua

favor.”

Henoddedhisunderstandingandhopedhe’dneverhavetocallinthatfavor.Pyotr’s

jolly demeanor could be especially frightening to his victims. While capable of great
affectionandgentleness,themanenjoyedhisworkasanenforcer.

“Whatwasthatabout?”Giaaskedquietly,tuggingonVitaly’ssleeve.

“What do you mean?” he asked with every appearance of innocence. It sat ill upon

him.

“Don’tbeobtuse.YouandPyotrmadeanexchange.Iwanttoknowwhatitwas.”

Heraisedaneyebrowinquery.Sheglaredathimandjustmanagednottostompher

footinpique.

“I’mnotstupid,Vitaly.What’sgoingon?”

Hecouldnothelpthesmallsmilethatcurvedthecornersofhismouth.Leaningdown

towhisperinherear,hesaid,“PyotrisenamoredofyourfriendCecily.”

Shelookedstricken.Sheglancedatthebigbruteandpaled.

“Hewon’thurther,willhe?”

“Pyotr?Hedoesn’thitwomenorchildren.He’snocoward.”

Giapursedherlipsandtriedagain.“Cecily’sasoftheartedsoul.Hewon’tbeunkind

toher,willhe?”

Vitalyshookhisheadandsaid,“Forhercookingalone,he’llputheronapedestal.If

shegiveshimsons—”

“Sons!Youdidn’tsayanythingaboutmarriage,”shehissed.

“Pyotr’sintentionstowardyourfriendarehonorable.”

“But—”

Vitalypressedafingertoherlips,quietingthewords.“Doyoutrustme,Giancarla?”

Shefrowned.

“Doyoutrustme?”

Slowly, possibly reluctantly, she nodded. Her uncertainty annoyed him, even if he

could understand her hesitation. What must he do, he wondered, to earn this woman’s
trust?

“PyotrwouldnomorehurtCecilythanIwouldhurtyou,”hewhispered.

Hereyeswidened.

“HaveInotalreadypledgedtokeepyousafe?Always?”

Shenoddedslowly.

“Good,”hesaid.“Weunderstandeachother.”

“Ready?”Pyotrcalled.

“Gowithhim,”VitalyorderedLatashaandCecily.

“WillGiabeokay?”Latashaaskedbeforetakingasinglestep.

“Iwillprotectherwithmynameandmylife,”Vitalyansweredsolemnly.

Shenodded,acceptinghisword.ShehookedherarmthroughCecily’sandmuttered,

“Comeon.Itlookslikewe’renotwanted.”

“No,that’snottrue,”Giaprotested.

“Yes,itis,”Vitalysaid.“Itoldyouwehavemuchtodotoday.”

“But—”

“We’llseethemsoon.Come.”Heheldouthishandandsheplacedherpalmagainst

his. That she did so without hesitation encouraged him. She trusted him, even if she
couldn’tquiteadmitityet.

From the rundown apartment he drove to the nearest upscale shopping mall. He

escortedhertothebridalshopwhereGiaspenttwohourssearchingthroughfrothywhite
and ivory gowns and finally settled on one that was deceptively simple in its styling. It
madeherfeelglamorousandlooklikeaprincess.Shesmiledatherreflectioninthetriple
mirror,thenlookedatthepricetagandfrowned.

“Doyoulikeit?”Vitalyasked.

“It’sbeautifulanditevenfitsproperly,”sheanswered,“butit’stooexpensive.”

Heglancedatthestore’sclerkandsaidcurtly,“She’lltakeit.”

“But—”

“Thisistheonethatmakesyousmile.Thisistheoneyouget.”Histonebrookedno

argument.

“Thankyou,Vitaly.”

Henoddedandcheckedhiswatch.Theyweredueatthecourthouseshortly.Witha

few short commands, he collected his fiancée, paid for the dress, and arranged for its
deliverytohishouse.HeheldouthishandandGiatookit.Theyreturnedtohiscar.

“Wherearewegoing,Vitaly?”

“Thecourthouse.Therearelegalitiesthatmustbesatisfied.”

“Oh.”

The city’s bureaucrats actually processed the necessary legal documents with

efficiency and pleasant wishes for a happy nuptial celebration. Vitaly found himself
surprised,butkeptallindicationofhisdisbelievingastonishmentoffhisface.Itwouldn’t
dotooffendthegovernmentminions.They’dmanagetolosethepaperworkorotherwise
delaytheprocess.

“Rings,”Vitalymurmuredtohimself.

“Sorry?”Giasaid,thinkingshe’dmissedsomething.

“Rings,”herepeatedclearly.“Come.”

Again,sheautomaticallytookhishandathisprompt.Itwasinterestinghowquickly

shehadgrowncomfortablewithherhandenvelopedinhis.Shelookedupathischiseled
profile,thestrongcolumnofhisneck,thebroadwidthofhisshoulders.Asthoughaware
of her misgivings, he glanced down at her and gave her a reassuring smile even as he
tuckedhermorecloselytohisbody.

“Allwillbewell,”hepromised.

Shenodded,uncertaintyglintinginhereyes.

Vitalydrovethemtoasmallshopnearthecenteroftown.Obediently,shewaitedfor

him to walk around to the passenger side of the car and hand her out of the vehicle. He
kepthertuckedclosetohissideastheywalkedintothemodestbuilding.

“Hello, Vitaly!” the proprietor greeted with a broad smile. “Is Maksim wanting

anotherbaubleforhislovelywife?”

“Hello, Istvan,” Vitaly said with a cordial nod in the jeweler’s direction. “I need a

weddingring.”

The man’s bushy eyebrows rose to his receding hairline in surprise. He nodded

towardGiaandasked,inRussian,“Itrustthisistheluckylady?”

“Da.”

“Welcome!Welcome!”theoldmanenthusedinEnglishashesmiledbroadlytoward

thenervousyoungwoman.“Wewillfindsomethingmagnificentforyou,no?”

GentlepressureatherlowerbackpropelledGiaforward.Sheglanceduncertainlyat

Vitaly,whomerelysaid,“Choosewhatbestsuitsyourtaste.You’llbewearingitforthe
restofyourlife.”

Istvan chortled and said, “See! This is a man who understands the value of jewelry.

It’smeanttobeworn.Iftheladydoesn’tloveit,thenshewon’twearitandthat,mygirl,
isawaste.”

Then, as though recalling his manners as their host, he called out, “Kornelia! Bring

coffeeandthoselittlebuttercookiesthatVitalylikes!”

Amomentlater,aplumpwomanofanagewiththeportlyjewelerbackedthrougha

doorcarryingasilvertrayloadedwithacoffeepot,delicatechinacups,andasmallchina
plateheapedwithanassortmentofDanishbuttercookies.

“Vitaly likes these, eh?” the jeweler remarked with another teasing grin. In a loud

whisper meant to be overheard, he added, “You give Vitaly these and he can refuse you
nothing,nothing!”

As he picked up a cookie in silent admission of a culinary weakness, Vitaly rather

thought that there was something else Giancarla could offer him that would melt any
objection or protest to any request she might make. He popped a cookie into his mouth
and nodded encouragingly at her. Unbidden, he sighed with pleasure as the crisp butter
cookiemeltedonhistongue.Korneliaindeedhadalightandexperthandwithpastries.

“Wereyounotalreadymarried,Iwouldkeepyouformyself,”hecomplimentedthe

olderwomanwhoblushedarosyredwithpleasure.

Giasmiledtoherself,thinkinghowniceitwasforbig,fearsomeVitalytooffersucha

sweet compliment to the jeweler’s wife. She looked over the rings for several minutes
untiloneseemedtobeckontoher.

“Ilikethatone,”shesaid.

“Thebigsolitaire?”Istvaninquired.

“No,theonebehinditandalittletomyright.”

“Hah!Yourgirl,eh,Vitaly,shehasagoodeye!”thejewelercommentedashelifted

thebridalsetfromthebrightlylitcase.Hedirectedapiercinglookattheyoungwoman:
“Itcallstoyou?”

Shenodded,relievedtheoldmanseemedtounderstand.

“Tryiton,mydear.”

Herhandstrembled.Vitalysteppedforwardandgentlytookthering.

“Allowme.”

He slid the entwined circles of yellow and white gold, with one of the three circles

alternatelystuddedwithdiamondsandrubies,overherfinger.Heheldhertremblinghand
steady and inhaled with surprise at the deep feeling of satisfaction he felt upon seeing
whatheimmediatelythoughtofashisringuponhiswoman’shand.Itfitperfectly.

“We’lltakeit,”hedecided.

“Khorosho!”Istvanapproved.

“Won’tyouneedaring,too?”Giaaskedherfiancé.

“Da,”Istvanagreed.“Thegirlisright.Youneedaring,too.Ihaveamatchingone

here.Tryiton.”

Looking a bit pained and browbeaten, Vitaly took the masculine version of the

weddingringfromthejeweler.Hishandstrembled.

With the corner of her mouth curled upward at the irony, Gia took the ring and his

handandsaid,“Allowme.”

Shesighedassheslidtheentwinedgoldcirclesoverhisthickfingerandsighedagain

uponrealizingthatitfithimperfectly.

“Ya prodayu sootvetstviya petukh kol’tso,” the jeweler offered with a sly smile. He

waggledhisbushyeyebrows.“Wearthatandyou’llnotfeardisappointingyournewbride,
eh?”

“Iwon’tneedit,”Vitalypolitelydeclinedtheofferofamatchingcockring.“Atleast,

notyet.”

“Keepitinmind,youngman.Thewomenenjoythem.”

Vitaly nodded, grateful that Kornelia had already returned to the back part of the

housewheresheandIstvanlived.ThementalimageofIstvan’swrinklyoldcockadorned
withsuchjewelryashemadelovetohisplumpwifewasnotwhathewantedburnedonto
hisretinas.

“Whatareyouwhisperingabout?”Giaasked.

“Istvan was offering some coordinating jewelry, but I said that the wedding bands

weresufficient.”

“Oh,ofcourse,”shehastilyagreedinallinnocenceofadirtyoldman’ssuggestion.

“I’mnotgreedy.”

“No,you’renot.Andyou’velittleneedforjewelrytoenhanceyourbeauty.”

Sheblushedatthefulsomecompliment.

“Butwhataboutyou,Vitaly?Shemightlikesomethingshinysosheneednotlookat

youruglyface,”Istvancrackedandcackledmerrily.

“Idon’tthinkhe’suglyatall,”Giasaidwithquietconviction.

“Must be true love,” Istvan commented with a sigh as he deftly boxed the rings.

“ShallIsendthesetoyourbestman?”

“No,thankyou.I’llhandthemtoMaksim.”

“Maksimisaromantic,”thejewelercommentedslylywithasidelongglanceatGia.

“You’dneverknowittolookathim,butheabsolutelydotesuponthatprettywifeofhis.”

“Then Vitaly has a good example to follow,” Gia replied with her own answering

grin.

“Da.”TheoldmanshookafingeratVitalyandadmonishedhim.“Youtreatthisone

good.”

Vitalysmiledslowlyandhiseyelidsdroppedtohalf-mast.“Youcanbesureofthat.”

HelookeddownatGiaandasked,“Areyoureadytogo?”

“Sure.”

Theyhadafewmorestopstomake:ashoestore,alingerieboutiquewhereGiaflatly

refusedtomodelherpurchases,andaflorist.

“Whataboutyou?”sheasked.“Don’tyouhavetogetasuitorsomething?”

“Ihaveatux,”herepliedevenly.

Gia made an effort not to gape. She’d never actually known anyone who owned a

tuxedo.Hereyesroamedhismuscularphysiqueandsheimaginedhimwearingadashing
tuxedo. He would undoubtedly look impressive. Then she remembered that, beyond the
luxuryofthisshoppingtrip,shewaspreparingtobindherlifetohisfortherestoftheir
lives…andshereallydidnotknowtheman.

“Tellmeaboutyourself,”sheasked.“Please.”

Heglancedatherandreplied,“Youalreadyknowmorethanmostofmycolleagues.”

“ButIdon’tknowyourfavoritecolor,yourfavoritefood,whatmusicyoulike.”

“Red,steak,andclassicrock.”

Shefrownedatthesuperficialknowledgehecarelesslyimparted.Itwasn’tsufficient,

but she didn’t know how to go about ensuring that he wouldn’t treat her poorly without
givingoffense.

“I’mnervous,Vitaly,”sheadmitted.

“I know,” he acknowledged, knowing there was little he could do to alleviate her

anxiety.“Maksimwillbeenchantedbyyou.Olivia’sawarm-heartedsoul.Shewilltake
youunderherwingandurgeyoutoeatuntilyouwanttoexplode.Iwillkeepyousafeand
giveyoupleasureandbabies.”Heshrugged:whatmoredidsheneedtoknow?

Herhandstwistedinherlap.Hecoveredthemwithhisandsqueezedlightly.

“Thisisforthebest,Giancarla.We’llbegoodtogether,you’llsee.”

Giarecalledthehot,rigidlengthofhimthathadpressedagainstherthatmorningand

wondered if her estimate of his size was correct and, if so, whether that thing would
actually fit inside her. She swallowed nervously and knew that he needed to know her
utterlackofexperience.

Cheeksburning,shestuttered,“V-Vitaly?Th-there’ssomethingyouneedtoknow.”

“Yes?”hegentlyprompted.

“I-I-I’m…er…notexactlye-e-experienced.”

His hands tightened on the steering wheel, the knuckles showing white, as he

interpretedhershyadmission.“Giancarla,areyouavirgin?”

“Yes.”Hervoicewassmall,almostinaudible,nearlyashamed.

Vitalywonderedhowayoungwomanasprettyasthiscouldhaveremainedvirginal

atwhattheripeoldageoftwenty-five.Hedecidednottoquestionthatgifthorse,butto
simply give thanks that this woman whom he had claimed and meant to possess utterly
wouldbehisineveryway.

“Thisisapreciousgiftyouoffer.”

Sheturnedherfacetolookoutthepassengerdoorwindowandthoughtthatitwasn’t

likeshewasactuallygivenmuchofachoiceinofferinghimhervirginity.Butthatchoice
of the least of evils had the best potential for continued existence and perhaps some
comfort.He’dprobablyregrethisoffer,shethought,andheracceptance,especiallyifhe
everfoundawomanhereallyloved.Didhard,violentmenlikeVitalyevenlove?

When they arrived home after a long afternoon of shopping, daylight had already

givenwaytodusk.Again,GiawaitedforVitalytohandheroutofthecarbeforeheading
tothetrunktoassistwithcarryingintheirpurchaseswhichwerequicklyputawayforthe
nextday’suse.

“Hungry?”Vitalyasked.

“Surprisingly,yes.”

Hewonderedwhy“surprisingly,”butthendecidedthatshewasmerelynervousabout

theirweddingthenextday.Hepulledoutapackageofshrimpfromtherefrigerator.

“Um, I can make a quick shrimp gumbo if you like,” she offered, thinking that

cookingsupperwouldbesomesmallrecompenseforallthathehadalreadydoneforher.

“Youcook?”

“Idookay,”shesaidmodestly.“I’mnothinglikeCecilythekitchenwizard,butI’ve

managednottopoisonanyoneeither.”

Hegaveherasmileherattemptathumor.

“I’veneverhadgumbo,”headmitted.

Shetiltedherheadtoonesideandasked,“Doyoulikemildorspicy?”

“Alittleheatisalwaysgood.”

“Doyouhaveanytabascosauce?”

“Imight.Whatelsedoyouneed?”

She ticked each ingredient off on her fingers: “Bell peppers, celery, thyme, garlic,

chicken broth, rice, onions, flour, butter, lemon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and
mushrooms.”

“Mushrooms?”

“I like to add a few ingredients that you don’t find in a traditional Cajun recipe.

Mushroomsaddtextureandaheartierflavor.”

“PerhapsyouareasmuchofakitchenwizardasyourfriendCecily.”

Shesmiledandshookherhead.“No,Ijustliketoadlibabitinthekitchen.I’mnot

truly as creative and skilled as she is.” Tilting her head again, she added perceptively,
“YourfriendPyotrwillgainahundredpoundsinayearifhegivesCecilytherunofhis
kitchen.”

Vitalylaughed.“ThenIpredictthatPytor’skitchenwillbetheenvyofusallandhis

invitationstodinnerwillbemostcoveted.”

Herexpressionturnedworried.“You’resurethatLatashaandCecilywillbesafe?I’d

hateiftheywerehurtbecauseofme.”

Hedislikedherdistrustofhisearlierreassurance,butrealizedthatsuchworrydidnot

reflectuponhim,nottruly.Shesimplydidnotknowhimsufficientlytounderstandthata
man’swordwashisbond.IfheandPyotrsaidthewomenweresafe,thensafetheywould
be.

“Pyotrwillgivehislifeforthemifcircumstancessodictate.”

Hereyeswidenedathisserioustone.“Iwouldn’twantittocometothat!”

“Itprobablywon’t,”hesoothed.Heconcentratedforamomentandthenrecitedthe

listofingredientsshelistedamomentearlier.“Isthatcorrect?”

“Yes.You’vegotanamazingmemory.”

Henoddedandsaid,“Stayinside.Donotanswerthephoneoropenthedoor.Iwillgo

tothemarkettopickupthoseingredientsIdonotalreadyhave.”

She nodded, already knowing better than to defy him. After all, he couldn’t protect

herifsheactedstupidly.

“I’llbebackinhalfanhour.”

“Okay.”

Andthenhewasgone.Giarummagedthroughthecupboards,refrigerator,andpantry,

finding most of the ingredients she needed. She filled a pot with water for the rice and
then set to chopping vegetables. When he returned, she was ready to begin cooking in
earnest.Likethey’dbeenmarriedforyears,shethankedhimforthoselastingredientsand
shooedhimfromthekitchen.Hekissedheronthecheekandallowedhimselftobewaved
away, but not without glancing back at her sexy backside and fantasizing about hoisting
hertothecountertopandsteppingbetweenherlegs.

The kitchen was likely to become his second favorite room in the house, right after

thebedroom.

The gumbo was fabulous. Vitaly made a mental note to sing its praises to Maksim,

who practically lived on a diet of roasted meat, potatoes, and cabbage. He hoped that
Oliviahadplannedthereceptionwithtastesotherthanherhusband’sinmind.

Hehelpedherclearthetable,cleanthedishes,andputthemaway.Giasenthimsome

curiousglancesasthoughhisdomesticitypuzzledher.Heshovedtheobservationaside;it
wasn’t important. A man did what was necessary and keeping his own home clean and
tidywasnecessaryifhedidn’twanttorunthroughaprocessionofincreasinglynervous
housekeepers.

Itjustwouldn’tdoforthemaidtorunacrossastashofweapons.Orthespecialized

toolsofhisbloodytrade.

“Come, relax with me,” he urged, taking her by the hand and drawing her into the

livingroom.Sheaccompaniedhim,buthereyesshowedwarycaution.Heseatedhimself
on the sofa and pulled her down beside him, making sure that she snuggled warmly
beneaththebulkyarmdrapedaroundhershoulders.Withhisotherhand,hepickedupthe
remotecontrolandbeganflippingthroughtelevisionchannels.

After a long moment of irritation, Gia snatched the remote from his hand and said,

“Quitthat.Pickachannelandstickwithit.”

He smiled to himself as she settled upon a channel playing a rerun of Big Bang

Theory.Itwasn’tsomethingheusuallywatched,butheenjoyedherchucklesandtheway

sherelaxedagainsthim.Heenjoyeditsomuchthatheneededtoshifthisseatforcomfort.

With the warm, feminine scent of her filling his nose and the soft weight of her

pressed against his side, he found his hand lightly stroking her shoulder and upper arm.
Glancing down, he noticed the press of her nipples against the fabric of her shirt, the
occasionalshiftandpressofherthighs,theslightlyelevatedpaceofherbreathing.

Hewasn’ttheonlyonesufferingfromarousal.

Vitalywantedtocarryherofftobed,butamanwhowasanykindofmanatalldid

not haul his virgin bride to his bed for pre-wedding defilement. So he endured another
hourofprimetimetelevisionandthetortureofawarmlyarousedwomansnuggledsafely
beneathhisarm.

Gia blinked with surprise when Vitaly took back the remote control and set it aside

afterturningoffthetelevision.

“We’rebothtired.It’stimeforbed.”

She opened her mouth to protest that she wasn’t sleepy, but the words disappeared

intoayawn.Sheallowedhimtohaulhertoherfeetandthenmeeklyallowedherselftobe
towedalongbehindhimtohisbedroom.

“Vitaly,”shebegan,butdidn’tquiteknowwhattosay.

“Yourvirtuewillremainintacttonight,”hepromisedashedrewherclose.

Heat radiated off his big body, which seemed to stimulate an answering heat in her

ownbody.Shetrembledashehuggedher,therigidlengthofhiserectionpressingthrough
layers of cloth against her belly. Her body answered the feel of that with a gush of
moisture between her thighs. Vitaly’s nostrils flared as he caught the scent of her
heightenedarousal.

“I should sleep in a separate bed,” she muttered even as she inhaled the masculine

scentofmanandfoughtnottoburrowmoredeeplyintohisembrace.Whatwasthaturge
torubherselfagainsthimlikeacatinheat?

“Nyet.Yourplaceiswithme.”

Shewantedtoargueor,rather,shethoughtitwasherobligationtoargue.But,damn

it,shelikedwhenheheldher.Hemadeherfeelsafe,secure,anddesired.Soshenodded
heracquiescence,cheekrubbingagainstthesoftmaterialofhisshirtandfeelingthebulge
ofhardmusclebeneaththefabric.

“Clean up for bed,” he ordered and gave her a little push toward the bathroom as

thoughshewereachild.“Wehaveanearlydaytomorrow.”

Giaobeyed,performedhernighttimeablutions,andemergedstillfullyclothed.Vitaly

satonthebed,cladonlyinhisundershortswhichdidnothingtohidethethicklengthof
his erection. Gia’s gaze locked on to the evidence of his desire for her, unconsciously
licking her suddenly dry lips at the sight of the bulbous tip of him protruding above the
elasticwaistbandallthewayuptohisnavel.

Vitaly wanted to groan. He wanted to yank her to the bed and crawl over her, to

plungeinsideherwetheat.Withfinecontrol,heheldoutateeshirt.

“Sleepinthistonight.”

Shelookedasthoughshemightobject.Afterall,herclothinghadbeentransferredto

hishouseandshecouldwearherownnightgown.

Beforeshecouldsayanything,heroseandsaid,“Wearthis.Ilikeseeingyouinmy

shirt.”

Gia opened her mouth to protest, but again the words died before she could utter

them. Instead, she nodded and took the shirt from his hand. He disappeared into the
bathroomandshehurriedlyexchangedherclothesforhisshirt.Becauseshedidn’tknow
whetherlingeringoutsidethebedsominimallycladorwaitingforhimtojoinherbeneath
the covers was worse, she decided that she might as well get a lead on making herself
comfortablebeneaththecovers.Shefeignedsleepwhenthebathroomdooropenedandhe
climbedinbesideher.

“I know you’re awake,” he murmured in her ear as the mattress dipped beneath his

weight and caused her roll into him. His arm wrapped around her, drawing her into the
shelter of his big body. He wriggled his hips a little so that his penis, long and hard,
nestled neatly between her buttocks. She stifled a choke when it jumped and pulsed
againsther.

“Ithasamindofitsown,”hesaid.

Hiswarmbreathwaftedoverherear,onlytobefollowedbythelighttouchofhislips

againstthetenderskinofherneck.Giacouldnotstiflethesighthatescapedhermouthas
hekissedandnibbledherfromearlobetoshoulder.Norcouldshequellhermoanwhen
hisbighandcuppedherswollen,heavybreastandbegantokneadthepliantflesh.Noman
hadevertouchedherlikethatandshecouldhardlyhelpbutyieldtothepleasurehisslow,
sensuoustouchgaveher.

She squeaked when his hand traveled downward and slipped beneath the nylon

waistband of her panties. His long fingers tangled in the wiry hair covering her mound.
Herbreathcaughtagainwhenthosefingersdelvedlowerandonehairy,muscledlegslide
betweenherstoopenherthighsenoughforunimpededaccesstothewet,heatedcoreof
her.

Shepantedandherbreathhitchedwhenhedippedafingerbetweentheswollenlabia.

She could not help the rocking of her hips as he slowly, gently, mercilessly drove her
passionhigheruntilshekeenedandbeggedforrelease.Vitalyrockedagainsther,giving
himself the pleasure of friction as he touched his virgin bride. She moaned, biting her
lowerlipinmortificationwhenheflickedhisfingertipoverthetinybudofherclitorisand
sheshatteredinhishand.Withagroan,hepressedhishipsagainstherasheeruptedinhis
shorts,somethinghehadn’tdonesinceadolescence.

Hewithdrewhishandfrombetweenherlegsandbroughthisfingerstohismouth.He

took a second to inhale the musky fragrance of her arousal, then enjoyed sucking her

creamoffhisfingers.

“Vitaly?”

“Hush,Giancarla.Gotosleep.”

Surprisingly,hefellasleepquickly,too.

Chapter4

Vitalysatathiskitchentablesippingpipinghotcoffeeandreadingthemorningpaper

whenafistthuddingagainsthisfrontdoorcapturedhisattention.

“Openup,Vitaly!”Maksim’svoiceboomed.

Vitaly rose from the table and obligingly opened the front door, which if not made

fromseasonedoakwouldhavebeendentedfromthebigman’shardfists.Maksimstepped
throughthedoorandpulledhisassociateintoanenthusiasticembrace,thumpinghimon
thebackandplasteringanaffectionatekissoneachcheek.

“Maksim,you’reembarrassingtheman,”theBratvaboss’wifegentlychidedinher

smokyvoice.“Besides,Iwanttohugthegroom,too.”

Maksim laughed and stepped aside to let his dainty wife wrap her slender arms

aroundVitaly.Shepattedhischestandsaid,“We’vecometokidnapyourblushingbride.
It’sbadlucktoseeherbeforethewedding.”

“That’snonsense,”Vitalysaid,givingOliviaaquick,lighthugback.

“Ofcourse,itis.Butit’sfun.”Shegrinnedathim,herirrepressiblecheerbringingan

answering smile to his usually dour expression. “I’ve got a hairdresser waiting, and a
manicurist.Oh,we’regoingtohaveasuperindulgentgirltime.”

Vitaly looked at Maksim who simply shrugged his shoulders. The big man whom

evenothergangleadersfearedwasentirelycowedbyhisdiminutivewife.Itwasanopen
secretthatOlivia’swordwaslawinthathousehold.VitalyhadtheuneasyfeelingthatGia
wouldholdthesamepoweroverhim.

“I’llfetchher,”Vitalyoffered.

“No,no,youdon’t,”Oliviasaidasshepushedpasthim.“Issheinyourbedroom?”

“Da.”

Shecluckedhertonguereprovingly,butsaidnothingmore.Maksimshruggedagain

and gave him a look that expressed a “what can you do?” type of resignation. Olivia
woulddoasshewouldandMaksimmadesurenoonegainsaidher.

Several minutes later, the small woman walked back down the stairs with a groggy

Giaintow.

“Gobacktothekitchen,Vitaly.You’renottoseeheruntilit’stimefortheceremony,”

hervoicerangauthoritatively.

Vitalyknewbetterthantodisobey.

“Maksim,I’veputGiancarla’sthingsinapileonthebed.Pleasefetchthemforme.

She’lldressatourplace.”

“Yes,mylove,”hemurmuredwithgenialgoodhumorandhastenedtoobeyhiswife’s

command.

Rustledfromasoundslumber,Giastumbledafterthepetite,indomitablewomanwho

hadblownthroughtwoofthearea’smostfearedmenlikeaforceofnature.Oliviakeptup
a steady chatter as she prodded Gia to get into the limousine and then scooted over to
makeroomforMaksim.Giajustlistenedandwatchedandthought,Iwanttobejustlike
herwhenIgrowup.

Thethoughtmadehersmilealittle.

ShelistenedasOliviarecitedtheday’sschedule,whichbeganwithahotshowerand

a session with an aesthetician who, she discovered all too quickly, had a penchant for
torturingwomenwithhotwax.

“Quitwhining,”Oliviachastisedwithanevillittlesmile.“Womenmustendurepain

toachievebeauty.”

“That’snot—OUCH!”

“Relax, Giancarla. The sooner you stop struggling, the sooner you’ll get this over

with.”

“ButI—OUCH!Stopit!”

Olivia patted her arm and said, “He’s nearly finished, dear. We can’t leave you half

done,youknow.”

Giancarlagrittedherteethandyelpedasherpersonaltorturerrippedoutyetanother

stripofhairbytheroots.

Whenfinishedwithwaxingandplucking,thetorturerdeparted.Hisplacewastaken

by another muscled man who immediately got to work rubbing oil in his palms and
kneading Gia’s body into a nearly liquid state. With a final spank that incited another
surprised yelp of pain, Gia obeyed her hostess’ command to bathe. Another personal
attendantawaitedherandscrubbedherskinwithoutmercy.Feelingrawandmorethana
little violated, Gia then found herself wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe while another pair of
handsscrubbedherhead.Sheobedientlysatstillwhilethehairdresserworkedhismagic.
He praised her thick, dark brown tresses as he coiled and pinned and curled until he’d
achieve a fairytale princess look for her which was finished with a choking fog of
hairspray.

“Gertiewilldoyourface,”Oliviaannounced,gesturingtoawomanwholookedlike

she,too,enjoyedpouringmeltedwaxonotherwomen’sprivateparts.Giashuddered.

Gertie muttered to herself as she smoothed on foundation and powder, blush for

cheeks,morecolorforeyelids,mascara,and,finally,lipstick.Unconsciouslynervous,Gia
caughtherbottomlipwithherteethandbegantoworryit.

“Don’tchewyourlip,”Gertiesnarledandreappliedcolortotheabusedskin.“You’ll

ruinmywork.”

Giasighedandstoppedgnawing.

“Timetogetdressed!”Oliviaannounced.

Gia’sstomachrumbled.Shewashungry,damnit.Oliviawashavinghertortured;the

leastshecoulddowasfeedherbreakfast,too.Butnothingwasforthcoming.

“Ineedtobrushmyteeth,”Giamuttered.

“Whydidnotyoudosoearlier,girl?”

“Becauseyougotmeupanddraggedmefrommybed.”

“YoumeanVitaly’sbed.”

“Er,yes,Vitaly’sbed.”

“Oh,youpoordear,youmustbehungry!”

“Yes,Iam.”

Oliviapattedherhandandcalledforatray.

“She’llruinherface,”Gertieprotested.

“Then you’ll just have to fix it,” Olivia retorted calmly. “We can’t have the girl

faintingfromhungeratherownwedding.”

The cosmetician growled and muttered, even as Olivia’s housekeeper brought in a

silver tray laden with bite-sized quiches, juicy strawberries, and sweating glasses of
orangejuice.

“Eat,”Oliviacommanded.“ThenyoushallbrushyourteethandGertiewillfixyour

face.”

Giawantedtoprotest,buttheforbiddingexpressionsonbothwomen’sfacesdeterred

thatfoolishcourseofaction.Sosheateandwasgladshestillworetherobe,becausethe
strawberries dripped their red juice onto the fluffy fabric and the flaky crusts of the
quichesdroppedcrumbs.Atleastshespillednojuice,althoughthesweatingglassdripped
condensation. She began to apologize for the mess, but Olivia just shooed her into the
bathroom.Giatookadvantageoftheopportunitytorelieveotherpressingneedsofnature.

“Betternow?”Oliviaaskedarchlywhensheemergedfromthebathroom.

“Yes,thankyou,”sherepliedpolitely.

“Good.Gertie,fixher.”

Gertiefrowned,ploppedherselfinfrontofGia,anddeterminedlywentbacktowork.

Shestoodwhenfinishedandstompedfromtheroom.

Olivia glanced at the clock and gasped. “We’re running late! You must get dressed

quickly!”

Withthehousekeeper’scheerfulassistance,Giafoundherselfdressedinweddingday

finery. When she looked up, Olivia had changed into a pretty silk dress that screamed
hautecouture.

“Youlooklovely,dear,”Oliviapraised,thinkingitwasjusttoobadabouttheglasses.

Perhaps she could persuade the girl to get contacts or even LASIK surgery. “Now stand
thereanddon’twrinkleanythingwhileIcheckwhetherthecarisreadytotakeustothe
church.”

Shedisappeared,leavingGiaunderthehousekeeper’ssharpgaze.Giafeltidioticjust

standingthere,armsakimbo,practicallytremblingwiththefearshe’dhavetogothrough
themorning’stortureagainifshesomuchaslostasequin.

“We’reready!”herhostesssang.Sheledherchargethroughthemansiontothecar,

assisting in the task of keeping the gown’s hem from dragging on the ground and, thus,
becomingsoiled.SheclimbedinbesideGiaandtookherhand.

“Maksim says Vitaly has not dishonored you,” she began with as much delicacy as

shecould—whichwasn’tmuch.ShepattedGia’shandandgaveitareassuringsqueeze.
“Isthereanythingyouneedtoknow?”

“I’m pretty sure I know the mechanics,” Gia replied in a dry tone. “But thank you

anyway.”

“MaksimandVitalywillmeetusatthechurch.”

Gia nodded, her anxiety increasing by leaps and bounds. Olivia, of course, noticed.

Shenoticedeverything.

“Youneednotfearhim;Vitaly’sagoodman,asgoodashecanbe,considering.”

Giaclosedhereyesagainstthememoryofhowtheymet,thecruelimplementsofhis

trade.

“Youdoknowwhathedoes,right?”thenervousbrideaskedhoarsely.

“Ido.Heoftenservesasmedicforus.”Olivia’smouthcurledinaslysmile.“You’ll

enjoyhisbedsidemanner.”

Giablushed.

Thelimousineglidedtoasmoothhaltinfrontofthechurch.Maksimwasthere,along

with Pyotr and Gennady, Cecily and Latasha. And a few more dangerous looking men
withsuspiciousbulgesbeneaththeirsuitcoats.

“Thosemenarecarryingguns,”Giamurmuredtoherhostess.

“Of course, they are,” Olivia replied blithely. “Now come along. We’ve only a few

minutestofixyoubeforeyouwalkuptheaisle.”

Giawasn’tsurewhatneededtobefixed,butshemeeklyobeyedasOlivialedherinto

an anteroom and helped shake out her skirts and arrange her veil. Cecily and Latasha
hoverednearby.

“Areyousureyouwanttodothis?”LatashaaskedherquietlyafterOlivialeftthemto

checkontheorganistandtheflowers,herchocolategazeintense.“I’llgetyououtofhere
ifyoudon’t.”

“This is all so sudden,” Cecily complained quietly. “But Pyotr’s dreamy, don’t you

think?”

“Didshe—?”Giastartedtoask,thenbitoffbecauseitreallywasn’therbusiness.

“God,yes,”Latashablurted.“Loudly.”

“Cecily?Youhavegottobekidding.”

“I’mrighthere,guys,”Cecilypointedout.Shehuffedasigh.“Yes,PyotrandIdidthe

nastylastnightandhe’sabsolutelymarvelousinthesack.”

Latashaputpalmtoforeheadandsaid,“Cecily,whendidyoubecomesuchaslut?”

“Hey,Idon’tsleepwithjustanyone,youknow.”

“Ishouldhopenot,”Giaretorted.“Butshouldn’tyougettoknowaguybetterbefore

youdo?”

“You’re one to talk,” Cecily pointed out. “You’re getting married to a man you’ve

knownforonlyacoupleofdays.”

Gia’sshouldersdroopedandshesighed.“You’reright,Cecily.Ijustworryforyou.”

Cecily giggled. “Don’t worry over me, girlfriend. I’m not nearly as dimwitted as

everyonethinks.PyotrwillkeepmecomfortableandsatisfiedaslongasIcookforhim.”
Asly,knowinggrinspreadacrossherfaceandsheadded,“Iliketocookasmuchashe
likestoeat.”

Latashashookherhead.“Aren’tyougoingtofinishschoolandgetyourdegree?”

“Sure. Pyotr’s okay with that. But I want to stay with him.” She shivered as a

deliciousthrillranthroughherbody.“Heissoooappreciativeofmycooking.”

Latashathrewupherhandsandsaid,“Ican’ttalktoheranymoreaboutthis.Maybe

youcanfindmeaBlackRussianwho’llrockmyworld.”

“IfIcan’t,I’msureOliviacan.”

LatashastuckouthertongueandGiagiggled.Sheneededthatbitofsillinesstocalm

hernerves.

Organ music suddenly swelled. Olivia appeared at the door to the anteroom and

hissed,“Come!It’stime!”

Each taking a deep breath, the three young women walked up the aisle, Cecily first

andescortedbyPyotr,thenLatashaescortedbyanotherofthebigRussianbruteswhom
theydidn’trecognize.

“Iwillescortmygranddaughter,”afirmvoicedeclared.

“Grandpa?”Giagasped.

Shorter than the average North American male, Giuseppe Maglione extended his

manicuredhandtowardhisgranddaughter.Herjawdroppedinsurpriseasshetookinthe
dapperman’sunderstatedelegance.Sheglancedintothenaveandsawseveralpewsfilled
withhergrandfather’scolleaguesandsubordinates.WasthatCousinGiovanni?

“Come,Gia,”theoldmancommanded.

“I’msosorry,Grandpa,”shewhisperedbrokenlyastearswelledinhereyesandshe

putherhandinhis.Hetransferredittohisarm.

“It’s not the match I would have made for you, but Vitaly is a good choice,” he

reassured her, understanding without having been told that she’d had little choice at all.
“Your mamma and papa are disappointed, but they will get over it as soon as you start
giving them grandchildren. They send their regrets that they could not be here for you
today.”

“Er…how did you know about this, Grandpa?” she whispered. “Not that I’m not

gratefulyou’rehere.”

“Iknoweverything,cara.”

Gia forcibly snapped her jaw shut. If she asked about the Culebras, she would no

doubthearmorethanshecouldbear.Instead,shetookadeepbreathandsimplysaidwith
agenuinesmile,“I’mgladyou’reherewithmetoday,Grandpa.”

HepattedherhandastheyproceededuptheaislewhereVitaly,Pyotr,andthethird

thugwaited.GiuseppeMaglionesmoothlytransferredherhandtoVitaly’sandleveledan
icy,darkglareatthemuchbiggerman.

“Mygranddaughterwillbetreatedwithrespect.”

Vitalynodded,understandingthedeadlythreatandknowingthatMaglionewouldbe

keeping eyes and ears open for any domestic disturbances. Maksim had power and
influence,butnottotheextentthatGiuseppeMaglionedid.Theoldmanneedednoshow
offorcebecauseheheldtheupperhand.

GiuseppeMaglionekissedhisgranddaughter’scheekandtookaseatinthefrontpew

nexthiscurrentlyfavoredgrandsonGiovanni.GiaglancedbackandGiovannigavehera
faint smile and a nod of encouragement, already scheming on ways to benefit from this
newlinktotheBratva.HeandGrandpapawouldhaveaninterestingconversationafterthe
ceremony.

The priest’s nose twitched nervously, because he recognized the caliber of guests

fillingthechurchanddidnotwanttooffendanyofthem.Yetheheededthecallingtobe
true to his faith and profession and, after welcoming the affianced couple and guiding

themtotheirseatslocatedintheepistlesideofthealtar,hebegancelebratingMass.Gia
took comfort in the ceremony and rote responses and remembered little of the actual
marriagesacrament.

“Please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Synvolka,” the priest invited. Polite applause

answered.Vitalyledhisbridedowntheaisletothewaitinglimousinewhichwouldtake
themtoMaksim’smansionwhereOliviaassuredhimafeasthadbeenprepared.Hewasn’t
particularly hungry for food, but understood that hauling his new wife off to bed so he
couldsatiatehimselfwithherbodyprobablywasn’tgoodform.

Giuseppe and Giovanni followed the limousine. Olivia and Maksim accommodated

theunexpectedguestswithgracioushospitalityandnofearthatthey’drunoutoffoodor
wine. The reception lasted two restrained hours without dancing, toasts, or other
entertainment.

Giuseppe rose and everyone else took his cue. He approached his granddaughter,

Giovanni shadowing him, and pressed another dry kiss upon her cheek. “You need
anything,anything,youcontactmeorGiovanni.Wedon’tabandonfamily.”

Notquiteknowingwhattosay,shesimplymurmured,“Thankyou,Grandpa.”

The old man kissed her cheek again, then looked steadily at Vitaly. “You will bring

hertovisitmeinonemonth.Stayforlunch.TheCulebrashavebeentakencareof.”

Heturnedonhisheel,madehispolitegood-byestoMaksimandOlivia,anddeparted.

Giaslowlysatbackdown,stunnedbyhergrandfather’swords.Therehadbeennoneedto
marryVitaly.TheCulebraswerenolongerathreat.

Vitaly watched the expressions cross her face and knew what she was thinking.

Dippingdowntowhisperinherear,hesaid,“Yourgrandfatherwouldnothaveknownif
notforourwedding.”

Hershouldersdrooped.Vitalyspoketruly.

“I’msorry,Vitaly.I’msurethisisn’twhatyouhadplannedforyourself.”Itcertainly

wasn’twhatshe’dplannedforherselfeither.

Hesettledhishandsonhershouldersandturnedhertofacehim.Brushinghismouth

overhers,hemurmured,“Planschangeandoftenforthebetter.Idonotregretthis.”

Butwouldsheregretit?

Hebrushedhismouthoverhersagain,delicatelytastingher,lettinghertastehim.She

sighed,moist,warmbreathflutteringoverhisskin.Hisunderwearfelttight.Alightflush
pinkedherupperchestandneck.

“Let’sgohome,Giancarla,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandthick.

Shenodded,nottrustinghervoice.

Vitaly straightened and entwined his bride’s fingers with his. He looked at his boss

and said, “Thank you, Maksim, Olivia, for your hospitality and your service. You honor
us.”

Oliviabustledforwardandhuggedthebothofthem.AfterkissingGiaonthecheek,

shesaid,“Icouldnotbehappierforyouthanifyouweremyownson,Vitaly.Youtwo
willbegoodforeachother,Iamsureofit.”

Vitalyhopedso.

Maksimfollowedhiswife’spath,hishulkingbodymovingwithponderousgrace.In

Russian,hesaid,“Thisunioncouldbemorebeneficialthanwethought.Astrokeofgood
fortuneforusboth,no?”

“Da.”

Maksim bussed Gia on both cheeks and waved them off. “Go on, go on! It’s your

honeymoon.Makethemostofit!”

Vitaly raised their entwined hands and kissed the back of hers. He fully intended to

makethemostoftheirhoneymoon.

The limousine carried them back to his house. Vitaly had to exert strong control to

restrain himself from dragging Gia into the house and up to his bedroom. Instead, he
firmlyandgentlyescortedher.

“Vitaly?”

Helookedintoherprettybrowneyes,sawtheanxiety,thevirgin’sfear.

“Pleasure,”herasped.“TodayIgiveyounothingbutpleasure.”

“I—I’veheardthefirsttimealwayshurts.”

“You won’t notice it,” he promised and hoped he could keep that promise. With a

gesture,heshooedherintothebathroomtotakecareofanylast-minuteneeds.Whenshe
returned,shestillworeherweddingdress.Hestillworehistuxedo.

“Wewillgoslowly,”hesaidandraisedtremblinghandstohershouldersasthoughto

steady both her and himself. She gave a small, curt nod. He cupped her face with his
hands and kissed her gently. She stood stiffly as he plied his lips to hers, deepening the
kiss when she softened and yielded. Then he took slow possession of her mouth, his
tongue sweeping inside, stroking against her tongue. Her hands rose, splayed across his
chest, then clutched at his shirt. Vitaly shrugged off the jacket, tore at his necktie. Gia
fumbledwiththebuttonsonhisshirt,butmanagedtounfastenthemanddrawthefabric
aside.Shesettledherhandsuponhisnakedchest,exploredthecrispcurlsthatcoveredit,
tracedthehillsandvalleysofheavymuscle.

Vitalygrunted,hisdickpressingpainfullyagainsttwolayersoffabricandaconfining

zipper.Hewascertainthathiscockwouldbeartheimprintofthatdamnedzipper.Heran
his hands to Gia’s back and thick fingers clumsily found the tiny pull of the zipper. He
lowereditdown,down,downuntilitstoppedatthecurveofherbottom.Stilloccupying
her attention with his mouth on hers, he drew down the bodice and pushed the sleeves
downherarms.Sheshookoffthesleevesandthedresspooledonthefloor.

Heyankedathiscummerbund,flingingitacrosstheroomwhenitfinallycamefree.

Hishandshurriedlyunfastenedhistrousers,affordinghiserectionasmidgeonofrelief.He
toedoffhisshoes,kickedthemaside,thenshovedpantsandunderweardown.

“Touchme,”hesaid.Begged,really.

Gia’shandssliddownuntilshecameintocontactwiththebobbing,throbbinglength

ofhim.Hereyesopenedwideandsheglanceddownward.

“Oh, no,” she gasped and took a small step backward. “Oh, no, there’s no way that

thingwillfitinsideme.”

“Itwill,”hereassuredher.“Trustme.”

Andthat,shethought,wastheessenceofit.Trust.Sheswallowedalumpofanxiety,

took a breath, and watched her hands as she stroked the erect male organ. It pulsed and
jumpedinherhandsasthoughithadamindofitsown.Perhapsitdid.Shemarveledat
thesoftdelicacyoftheskinoverthesteelylength,thepearlofoilyliquidbeadingatthe
fattip.Vitalyhissedwhenherthumbsweptovertheglans.Shelookedup,fearingshe’d
hurthim.Shereleasedhim,buthishandcapturedhersandreturnedittohiscock.

“Itfeelsgood.Yourtouchfeelssogood.”

“Oh.”

She returned her attention to sexual exploration and Vitaly unhooked her strapless

bra. He flung it aside and cupped her breasts. She gasped at the feel of his warm hands
over her breasts. They felt swollen and achy and his touch seemed both to sooth and
excite.Hernipplestightenedtohardpoints.Withoutrealizingshedidso,shearchedher
back to push her breasts more fully into his touch. Vitaly accepted the invitation, gently
heftingthewarmweight,strokingthesoftflesh,kneadingit.Hismouthwatered.Heknew
thatifhedidnotsucklethoserosynipplesinthenextminutehewoulddie.

Heliftedherandcarriedhertothebed.Gentlyloweringherdown,hecrawledover

her,cagingherwithhisbigbody.

“Sobeautiful,”hemurmuredandthenlickedonenipple.

Giagaspedyetagain,thenmoanedashesettledintoanoralexplorationofherbreast.

Shehardlynoticedwhenhishandtuggedathergarterbeltandpanties.Hetransferredhis
attention to the other breast; it wouldn’t do to neglect either of them. An expert
multitasker,hedrewoffhergarterbelt,panties,andstockingsandflungthemacrossthe
room.

Giafeltasthoughsheweredrowninginaswirlingseaofsensation.Amidsighsand

murmured praise, heated skin misting with perspiration, the silken slide of flesh against
flesh,shesankintoamaelstromofpleasurethatmeltedeverybraincellandannihilated
everyinhibition.

Ifthatwaswhatthepoetsandnovelistsspokeof,thentherealitymorethanlivedup

tothehype.

Shefeltherselfreaching,strivingtowardsomething.Sheknewtheterm,theword,but

not the feeling. Like crystal she shattered, the gasp of breath as she called out Vitaly’s
name,theonlythingthatcouldanchorhertothisEarthasshesoared.

Hebroughtherdowngently,scissoringhisfingersinsideherstillquiveringbodyto

stretchhersoshecouldaccommodatehisgirth.Heburiedhisfaceinthecrookofherneck
and shoulder as he edged forward, straining against the feral urge to surge forward and
claimherashis,his,his.Heinchedbackward,thenforwardagain,slowly,slowlygoing
ever more deeply into her body until he bumped against the barrier of her innocence.
Sweating,trembling,hebusiedhimselfwithdistraction.

Gia could hardly focus. His mouth and hands were everywhere, building arousal,

stimulating her, making her writhe and beg beneath him. When he pushed through the
maidenhead,shegasped,butwasn’tsurewhetheritwasbecausehetookherinnocenceor
whetheritwasbecausehebitgentlydownonhernipple.

Soon,toosoon,notsoonenough,Vitalyrockedhisentirelengthbackandforthinside

herbody.Giafoundhisrhythm,matchedit,metit.Shemoaned,keened,surprisedatthe
soundscomingoutofherthroatevenassherelishedhisownsoftgruntsandgroans.Her
handsclungtohisbroadshouldersashecommandedherbodyandtookresponsibilityfor
herpleasure.

With an incoherent cry she leapt over the precipice again, shattered in a shower of

sunlit crystal. Again, Vitaly buried his face in the crook of her neck and shoulder as he
pumped two, three, four more times and his semen spurted in sizzling jets that left him
gaspingforbreath.

Thebulkymusclesofhisshouldersandarmsgaveuptheirstrengthandhecollapsed.

Gia lay beneath him, body still quivering with aftershocks, feeling him pulse inside her.
God,hewasheavy,buthishot,sweatyweightpushingherintothemattressfelt…good.
Comfortingeven.

“Forgiveme,”hewhisperedandpressedakisstoherswollenlipsbeforerollingaside

andwithdrawingfromherbody.“Ididnotmeantocrushyou.”

“I…I…er…liked it,” she admitted sheepishly and stretched sensuously as the air

cooledherbody.

Vitalyrosetosweepbackthecovers.Heclimbedbackonthebedandpulledhisbride

intotheshelterofhisbody.Hedrewthecoversoverthemandbadeherrest.

“I’msticky.”

“Yes.Doyouwantmetocleanyou?”

“Um…yes?”

Vitaly’s teeth gleamed as he scooted beneath the covers to introduce her to the

delights of cunnilingus. When he finished and she’d screamed herself hoarse, she no
longercomplainedofbeingsticky.

Chapter5

Wakingalonethenextmorning,Giastretchedandgruntedatthesurprisingsoreness

ofeverymusclesheneverrealizedshehad.Asecondlaterandrealizingwhyshewassore,
a sly smile spread across her face even as her complexion reddened with a weird
combinationofarousalandembarrassment.Hadhereallydonethattoher?Hadshereally
enjoyedit?

Yes,onbothcounts.

What she hadn’t realized was that conjugal gymnastics wore a body out. The smile

disappeared in a grimace as she made her way to the bathroom for a hot shower. She
glanced longingly at the tub, but wasn’t really sure how long she’d have before Vitaly
fetched her. Why he’d fetch her, she couldn’t say. A shower instead of a long soak just
seemed…prudent.

HearingthesoundofwaterrushingthroughthePVCpipes,Vitalycreptupstairstohis

bedroom.Heopenedthedoorandpeeredintoacloudofsteamfromthehotshower.The
blurredimageofher,wetandslickinhisshower,shotstraighttohisgroin.Heshookhis
headtoclearitofcarnalintent.He’dtakenhervirginitylessthantwenty-fourhoursago;
she’dbesore,tootendertoaccommodatehimagainsosoon.Agoodhusbandhadcarefor
hiswife.Heknockedontheopendoorandsaidloudlyoverthesoundofrunningwater,
“You’llbesore,Giancarla.Takeanice,longsoak.”

Shemusthaveheardhim,becauseamomentlatertheshowerheadspraystoppedand

thetubspigotranfullforce.

He clenched his fists as he wrested control from the little head trying to do the

thinkingforhimandturnedbackaround.Backinthekitchen,hepouredanothercupof
coffee and carried it to the table where he resumed reading the newspaper and mulling
overtheramificationsofhavingmarriedintotheItalianmafia.

Giuseppe Maglione had slipped him a business card at the reception, along with

another warning to treat his granddaughter with all due kindness and respect. The old
mobster hadn’t needed to state the “or else” part of his admonition. Vitaly pulled the
businesscardoutandstudieditforthethirdtimethatmorning.

It was plain, no garish graphics for Giancarla’s dapper grandfather. The type on the

cards was engraved, much more expensive than ink, a sign of old fashioned class and
wealth. It contained nothing more than the man’s name and a telephone number. Vitaly
wonderedifthemanhimselfwouldansweracalltothatnumberorifitwasageneralcard
he carried and handed out to everyone. Somehow, he didn’t think so. He wondered if
GiuseppehadgivenonetoMaksim.Again,hedidn’tthinkso.

HesetthebusinesscarddownandpickeduptheotheronegiventohimbyGiovanni

Maglione.It,too,exemplifiedanunderstatedelegance,butthatonehadanadditionalline
of information: Giovanni’s email address. The young man, who was obviously the heir
apparent to his grandfather’s empire, had whispered another warning in Vitaly’s ear. His
explicitwarningleftnothingtotheimagination.

Thetelephonerang,shakingVitalyfromhisthoughts.Heansweredit.

“Yourin-lawsworkquickly,”Maksimsaidwithoutpreamble.

Vitalylookeddownatthepaper.Themassacremadeheadlines:GANGWARENDS

BADLY.Hewonderedwhichidiotreportercameupwiththat.Itwasn’tagangwar;itwas
amassexecution:

Twenty-sixmen,allknowntobemembersof
a vicious Hispanic gang called the Culebras
were found dead in various locations
throughout the city last night. Neighbors
reported hearing gunshots. Most of the
deceased were well known in their home
neighborhoods. Their deaths leave many
spouses and children grieving for their lost
husbandsandfathers.

Vitaly snorted at that last sentence: grieving, indeed. More likely those few spouses

and bastard children were celebrating. Low-life gang members weren’t known for their
family-friendlytraditionsandattitudes.Hecontinuedreading.

The Culebras—which means “snakes” in Spanish—

have been implicated in many car hijackings, drive-by
shootings, convenience store robberies, and other violent
crimes through the greater Cleveland area. They are
considered powerful rivals to other gangs operating
locally. Officials speculate that the massacre was
perpetratedbyoneofthoseothergangs.

Lawenforcementwillcontinuetoinvestigate.Mayor

Edward Malcomb assures the public that the murderers
willbebroughttojustice.

Vitalyshookhisheadincontempt.Thepolicewouldfindnoevidenceimplicatingthe

actual murderers, but he wouldn’t have put it past the Magliones to have left sufficient
evidencetopointlawenforcementtowardeithertheUkrainianorJapanesegangswhich
had set up shop in the region. He hoped the Bratva hadn’t been framed; a solid alliance
betweenItalianandRussianmafiaswouldbeprofitableandstrengthenbothorganizations.
Otherwise,Maksimwouldgoonthewarpathandbloodwouldflowinrivers.

Vitaly did not relish having his loyalties split between the Bratva and the mafia.

Traditionally,heknewthathiswifewassupposedtogivehimeveryloyalty,butrealitydid
not work so neatly. He’d seen the affection she and her grandfather shared; she’d not
supporttheRussians.

Astupidcaseofmistakenidentityhadbroughthimawifeandpossiblylandedhimin

themiddleofawarbetweencrimelords.Thethoughtofhiswifebroughthismindbackto
thepreviousdayandthebedroompleasureshehadenjoyedwithher.Astrangesoftening
inhischestaccompaniedthoughtsofherandhefearedwhatthatmeant.

Hehadtoremainstrong.Hehadtorememberthathecouldenjoyhersoftbody,but

thathemustnotallowhisaffectionstobecomeengaged.Thatwaylaycatastrophe.

Unfortunately, he feared he was too late. Something about her had tugged at his

heartstrings—he, who was rumored to be heartless—from the second he’d realized that
she was not Carmen Montoya. She’d been terrified, but determined not to succumb,
determined to meet her fate with dignity. It had been that quiet dignity that captured his
attention, convinced him to save her, shown him there was something special about this
particularyoungwomanthatgavehimhopehehadnotlostallhishumanity.

No, he’d already lost the opportunity to hold himself aloof. Ever practical, Vitaly

admittedthathe’dfallenforhisbrideandtherewasnogoingback.Heonlyhopedthat,in
time,she’dcometolovehim,too.Inthemeantime,hecouldwooherwithmorepleasure
thansheeverimagined.Vitalylookedforwardtoit.

Hiscoffeehadgrowntepid.Hesetitasidetofinishreadingthepaper.He’dfoldedthe

paperandsetitasidewhenGiaenteredthekitchen,allmoistandpinkfromherbath.He
gaveherasmile,angledhisbodytowardthegasrangesoshewouldn’tseehiserection
andthinkthathewantednothingmorefromherthanconstantsex,andsaid,“Youmustbe
hungry.Twoeggsorthree?”

Shegavehimashysmileandanswered,“Twoisfine,thankyou,Vitaly.”

Hehadthesenseshewasthankinghimformorethanjusttheofferofbreakfast.

“You feel better for your bath?” He glanced over his shoulder as he took two eggs

fromtherefrigeratoranddeftlycrackedthemintothehotskillet.

“Yes,notquitesoachy.Ineededthatsoak.”

“Iwastooroughwithyou.”

Sheheardtheremorseinhisvoiceandapproachedhim,setaconciliatoryhandupon

hisback.

“No,Vitaly,youweren’ttooroughwithme.I…Ilikedeverythingyou—we—did.It

wasamazing.Ijustwasn’t…er…usedtoitall.”

Heappreciatedherattempttosethimatease.“Amanshouldhavecareforhiswife.”

“Andyoudid;youdo.I’mnotcomplaining,Vitaly.”Hercheeksflushed,buthedidn’t

seebecausehewasconcentratingfiercelyonthefryingeggs.“I’msureIwon’tbesosore
themorewe…er…practice.”Shetookadeepbreathandcontinued.“It’slikeanyexercise.
Thefirsttimehurts,butthemoreoneplays,thebetteronegetsandthemoreaccustomed
one’sbodybecomestotherigorsofactivity.”

“Giancarla, did you know your speech becomes very formal when you’re

discomfited?”

“Er,yes?”

Heslidtheeggsontoasmallplateandhelditout.“It’scharming,butyouneednever

beuncomfortablewithme.NoonewillknowyoubetterormorethoroughlythanI.There
isnothingthatwesharebetweenusthatwillbeshameful.”

Shesmiledsoftlyathisreassuranceandfelttheflutterofbutterfliesinherbelly.She

wasn’tsurewhatthatmeant,butacceptedtheplateofeggshehandedtoher.

“Silverwareisinthetopdrawertoyourleft.”

Sheopenedthedrawerandtookoutafork,thencarriedtheplatetothetable.Rather

thanstareatthewall,shereachedforthenewspaper.

“No,don’t—”

Butitwastoolate:shesawtheheadline.

“Whydon’tyouwantmetoreadthenewspaper,Vitaly?”

“Itis…upsetting…today.”

“The news is always upsetting,” she retorted dryly as she turned it over to the front

page. “There’s always a shooting by some crazy person, another terrorist attack
somewhere.”

“Thisismorelocal,”hesaidwithasighofdefeat.

Sheskimmedtheopeningarticle,hermouthopeninginsilentsurprise.Shelookedup

athim:“Didyoudothis?”

“Iwaswithyouallyesterday,remember?”

Sheshookherhead.“Imisspoke.Didyourorganizationdothis?”

“No.”

“Then…oh,dear.”Hereyebrowswentnearlyallthewaytoherhairline,thendownin

afrown.“Oh,dear,Grandpamustbeinvolvedinthis.”

Shelookedathim.Vitalywiselygaveherasmallshrugandsaid,“Maksimwouldnot

havedonethiswithoutlettingmeknow.”

Without including him in committing the atrocity, she corrected him silently. She

sighed.HerparentshaddonetheirbesttoshieldtheirchildrenfromGrandpaMaglione’s
heritage,hiswayoflife,buttherewasalimittothelevelofignorancetheycouldimpose.
Giaclosedhereyesandrecalledanearlymemoryofvisitinghergrandparentsandplaying
with a brutish looking man called Sal. She remembered asking him about the firearm
holstered under his arm as he’d obliged her by attending her pretend tea party. She
realizedlaterthathe’dbeenpostedasoneofseveralguardskeepinghersafeduringher
visit.

SheneversawSalagainafterthatvisit.Creepingthroughthemansionplayinghide-

and-seek with her sister and brothers during a subsequent visit, she’d overheard that Sal
hadbeenkilled.

Sheneverspokeofit.

Secretssharedwerenolongersecrets.

“Do you think any of them were innocent?” she asked, her voice quivering with

uncertainty.

“Thearticleliststhegangmembernamesneartheend,”Vitalysaid.“Iknewmanyof

them.Don’twasteyourtearsonthem,Giancarla.Theywerenotgoodmen.”

She wanted to ask if he was a good man, but wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his

answer. It might have made her face some very uncomfortable truths she preferred to
ignore.Instead,shechangedthesubjectasshepushedthepaperaway.Shenolongerhad
interestinreadingit.

“I have to get back to class tomorrow or my professors will drop me from the

program.”

Vitalypouredhimselfafreshcupofcoffeeandjoinedheratthetable.“Allright.”

“Youdon’tobject?”

“I’d prefer to keep you home naked and in my bed all week, but we must

accommodateourobligations.”Hechuckledatherblush.Sheblushedsoeasilyanditwas
suchfuntoturnhercheeksthatrosycolor.“Irealizeyoudidnotplanforallthis—”he
made a vague, sweeping gesture with the hand holding his coffee mug “—and I also
remembertellingyouthatIapproveofyourfinishingyourdegree.”

“Oh,crap,”shemutteredasanotherthoughtcametoher.

“What?”

“Thosebooks.Icheckedoutsixbooksfromthelibraryandthey’regone.I’llhaveto

reimbursethelibraryand—oh,damnit!—I’vegotapaperduetomorrow!”

“I’lltakecareofthereimbursingthelibrary.We’llgetyoubacktothelibrarytodayso

youcanfindotherbooks.”

“It’sSunday.They’reclosed.”

“Thepubliclibrary’smainbranchisopenonSunday.Willthatdo?”

“Well,” she began and thought hard. “If I can get on OhioLink through them, I can

findmostoftheliteratureresourcesIneed.”

Vitalydidn’tknowwhatOhioLinkwas,buthewascommittedtohelpingher.

“Doyouhaveyourprofessor’scontactinformation?”

“You’renotgoingtothreatenhim?”

“No,Giancarla.ButIwillaskhimtoconsideryourunusualcircumstancesandextend

yourdeadlineafewextradays.”

“Ireallythinkit’sbestifIspeakwithhim.”

“We’llvisithiminperson.Together.”

Giabowedherheadandbrieflyconsideredthumpingherforeheadagainstthetable.

Vitaly was determined to be involved in this and there was nothing she could do to
dissuadehim.

“Nothreats,”shewarnedsternly.

Affectingalookofutterinnocence,hemeeklyagreed,“Ofcoursenot.”

Gia worked the rest of the morning reconstructing her bibliography so she’d have a

goodstartingpointatthelibrary.Shesighedwithreliefwhenshewasabletolog-intothe
interlibrary resource system and find much of the information she needed. Then she sat
stifflybesideVitalyashedrovethroughthesuburbstoherprofessor’shome.Herknees
practicallyknockedevenassherappedonthefrontdoor.

“Gia,whatasurprise,”herprofessorexclaimedwithatingeofdisapproval.“Isthere

somethingyouneedthatcouldnotwaituntilclasstomorrow?”

“Er, hello, Dr. Cormier. I’ve come to request an extension on the deadline for the

paperthat’sduetomorrow.”

Theprofessorfrowned.“YouknowIcannotdothat,Gia.Comingtomeinpersonto

demandsuchathingishighlyunethical.Icouldandoughttofailyouformakingsuchan
inappropriaterequest.”

Amassivehand,coloredwithtattoos,grippedtheedgeofthedoorandpusheditmore

widelyopen.

“Invite us in, professor,” Vitaly ordered. “Listen to Giancarla before making your

decision.”

“Andwhoisthis?Areyoutryingtothreatenme?”theprofessordemandedstiffly.

“No, Dr. Cormier, this is Vitaly Synvolka. He’s my husband. We were married

yesterday.”

“Really,Gia,yourinconvenientlovelifeisnoneofmyaffair.”

Vitalyjumpedbackintotheconversation.“Haveyoureadtoday’spaper,professor?”

“What?Ofcourse,Ireadthepaper.It’sonlyintelligenttokeepuponcurrentevents.”

“Thenyourememberthefront-pagearticleaboutthegangkillings?”

“Yes.So?”

“TheyhappenedbecauseofwhathappenedtoGiaafewdaysago.”

The professor’s eyes widened, his jaw dropped, and he wheezed with sudden panic.

Afteramoment,hecollectedhimselfandtookastepback.“Ithinkyou’dbettercomein
andexplainthis.”

They entered the professor’s house, noting the wall-to-wall carpeting that muffled

their footsteps, the Danish modern furniture that he apparently favored, the fragrance of
somethingmadewithcinnamon.

“Who’sthere,Howard?”awoman’svoicepiercedtheair.

“One of my students, Louisa. There’s no need to get up,” he called back as he led

them to a formal living room. To Vitaly and Gia, he gestured toward an uncomfortable
lookingsofaandsaid“Haveaseat.”

Theysat.

“Nowstartexplaining,please.”

“I was assaulted on Wednesday by members of that gang you read about in the

paper,” she said after taking a deep breath. Vitaly felt her anxiety and took her hand
reassuringlyinhis.“Anyway,tomakealongstoryshort,Vitalyrescuedme.”

“I’mawarethatyou’veleftoutmuchofthedetail,”theprofessorsaidinadrytone.

“ButwhywouldasimplemuggingcauseyoutomissclassonThursdayandFriday?Why
wouldyourill-timedandhastymarriageaffectmydecision?”

Vitalyinterjected:“Dr.Cormier,GiancarlawastargetedbytheCulebras.Shewasput

intoasituationinwhichshecouldhaveeasilydied.Naturally,shewasabittraumatized.”

The professor nodded, but his expression showed he remained unmoved. Vitaly

leanedback,unfastenedthecuffsofhisshirt,androlledthemup,exposingthetattoos.Dr.
Cormier’s gaze lingered on the ink, recognizing the designs as a silent history of the
violenceofVitaly’spast.

“WhenIremoved Giancarlafromthe situation,sheremained undermyprotection,”

hesaid.“Shestillremainsundermyprotection.”

“Gia, I still see no reason why I should offer you an advantage over the other

students.”

She exhaled heavily and pressed her lips together to keep from pleading with him.

SherosetoherfeetandtuggedonVitaly’shand.

“Thankyouforlistening,Dr.Cormier,”shesaidwithquietdisappointment.

Theprofessorrosefromhischairandsteppedtowardthefoyer.“Imustbefairtothe

other students, Gia,” he said. “I understand that you were put into a bad situation, but
that’sneithermyfaultnortheirs.”

“Butyouthinkthatbeingabductedbygangmemberswasherfault?”Vitalyaskedin

alow,menacingtone.

“No,ofcoursenot,”theprofessorbackpedaled.

“Doyouthinkthat—”

“Vitaly,no,please,”Giapleadedsoftly,settingherotherhandonhisarm.

Heglanceddownather,seeingthereminderinhereyes:Youpromised.Nothreats.

Heclampedhismouthshutandsubsided,givingherhandalightsqueeze.Henodded

towardtheotherman,eyesnarrowedandaiminganicyglarethatmadetheprofessorturn
paleevenashegamelyheldhisground.Giatuggedonhishandandtheyexitedthehouse.
Walkingbacktothecar,Vitalyleaneddownandsaidinalowtone,“Iftheprofessorfails
you,thenyouwillsimplyretakethecourse.”

Gianoddedwithalittlebitarelief.Shedidn’twanttotakethecourseasecondtime,

butneitherdidshewanttheprofessorintimidatedintogivingherwhatshehadnotearned.

“Thanks,Vitaly.”

“Let’sgohome.Youhaveapapertowrite.”

Shenodded.

VitalyoccupiedhimselfwithdomestictaskswhileGiaworkedonherpaper.Shejust

knewDr.Cormierwouldgiveitafailinggrade,especiallysinceshe’dapproachedhimto
beg leniency. She sighed and rubbed her forehead in a futile effort to forestall the
headachethatthrobbeddullybeneathherskull.

“Comeeat,Giancarla,”hecalledsoftly.

Shelookedupfromthecomputer,themonitorcastinganunflatteringblueglowover

herdrawnexpression.

“Ineedtofinishthis,”shesaidwithawearylittlesmileonherlipsandgratitudein

hereyes.

“Youneedtoeat,”heinsistedandenteredhishomeoffice.Hetookhercoldhandin

hisanddrewhertowardhim.“Come.Eat.Thenyoucangetbacktoyourpaper.”

She sighed already knowing that resisting Vitaly was nigh impossible. Between her

grandfatherandhusband,shewassurroundedbywell-meaning,ruthlessmen.Howinthe
worldhadherownfatherturnedoutsodifferently?

Sitting beside her husband at the table, she complimented him on his cooking. A

pleased look flickered across his face. To be complimented for something creative like
cookingwarmedhisheart.Usuallythepraisehereceivedwasspokenwhenhehandswere
stillwetwithsomeone’sblood.

Theyateincompanionablequiet,neitherfeelingtheneedtofillitwithinanechatter.

Whenshefinished,Vitalyshooedherbacktotheofficewhileheclearedthetable.

Thephonerang.Vitalylookedatthedisplayandrecognizedthenumber.

“Da.”

“WefoundCarmen.”

HesighedandsaidinRussian,“Maksim,yougavemethisweekoffduty.”

“Areyouwhiningatme,Vitaly?”

“No,ofcoursenot.”Hepausedandquelledasigh,knowinghisdutyevenifhedid

notparticularlywanttodoit.“Doyouhaveher?”

“Nyet.IhaveBogdanandZakhartailingher.Theyoverheardpartofaconversation

she had with one of her contacts. She knows about the Culebras’ error and that you
claimedthegirlasyours.”

Vitaly nodded, his stomach sinking to his feet with the implication of what Carmen

Montoyamightdowiththatinformation.Twinbrothers,BogdanandZakharwerethebest
huntersthatMaksimhad.CarmencouldhaveauditionedforthepartofMarvelComics’
Black Widow; she was that uncanny in her capabilities. It would require Maksim’s best
men to keep her in their sights, although it might take a few more of their brethren to
actuallylayhandsonthewomantocaptureandholdher.“Allright.Letmeknowwhen
she’sactuallyinhandandIwillinterrogateher.”

“Ofcourse.YouwillgettheinformationIwant.”

“I will get the information she has,” Vitaly corrected grimly. He really detested

interrogatingwomen.Somesickfucksintheorganizationenjoyedbrutalizingwomen,but
he wasn’t one of them. The very idea of anyone doing any such thing to his Giancarla
filledhimwithdeepanger.

“Khorosho. Ya ponimayu,” Maksim said, indicating his approval and understanding.

“Enjoyyourhoneymoon.Oliviasendsherregards.”

Vitalyshovedthecellphonebackintohispocket,barelyresistingtheimpulsetoslam

itontothecountertopandshatterthedevice.Heglancedtowardtheofficeandthoughtto
himselfthathewasgoingtohavetohireabodyguardforhiswife.IfCarmenMontoyagot
hersharpfingernailsintohisGiancarla,theyoungerwomanwouldn’tsurvive.

Thekitchenclean,headjournedtothelivingroomtowatchtelevisionwhilehisbride

workedonherpaper.Heheardthelighttap-tap-tappingofherfingertipsonthecomputer
keyboard,theoccasionalmutteredoath,thenearlysilentturnofapageassheconsulted
herreferencebooksandthosefewnotesthathadbeenkeptatheroldapartment.Aftera
whileofwatchingthenews,herosetofixthembothapotofhot,strong,Russiantea.He
broughtamugofthedark,liberallysweetenedbrewtohiswifeandsetitonthedesk.

“Howisitcoming?”heasked,takingcaretokeephistoneneutral.

“Slowly,”shegroaned.“Ilosttoodamnedmuch.Therewerenotesfromstudiesand

experimentsinmybookbagthatwerecrucialtothispaper.”

He wished he’d been able to save her research. But it was no use wanting what as

irrevocablylost,sohesimplygavehershoulderalightsqueezeofreassurance.Heloathed
seeingthedefeatedexpressiononherface.Ifsheneededtorepeatthoseexperiments,then
hewouldmakeitso.

“Dothebestyoucan,dorogoy,”hesaidsoftly.

Sheliftedherfaceandaskedhimwithgentlecuriosity,“Whatdidyoujustcallme?”

Hebentdowntobrushhismouthlightlyagainsthersandtranslated,“Mydear.”

Hercheeksflushedaprettypinkattheaffectionateterm.“I’mgoingtohavetolearn

tospeakRussian.ThenI’llunderstandallthethingsyousaytome.”

Heat blossomed in Vitaly’s gaze at the thought of his lovely bride understanding all

thedirtythingshesaidtoherwhentheywereinbed.

“Howmuchlonger?”heasked,hisvoicehavinggonejustabitthick.

She sighed. “Probably another two or three hours. The paper won’t be as long as it

ought,becauseIdon’thavetheinformationIneed.I’lljusthavetogowithwhatIhave
andhopethatDr.Cormierwillgiveitapassinggrade.”

“If not, then you will take the class again,” he reminded her. “I regret that the

professor’sstubbornnessmightdelayyourgraduation,butyouwillgraduateandIwillbe
byyoursidethroughoutallofit.”

Giawasn’tsurewhatshehadeverdonetodeservesuchunwaveringsupport,butshe

wasgratefulforit.Sheraisedherhandtohisface,thesensitivepadsofherfingerstrailing
lightlyoverthestubbleonhischeek.“You’retoogoodtome.Idon’tdeserveit.”

“Da.Youdodeserveit,”hesaid,thencapturedherhandinhisandkissedthepalm

andadded,“Yanapolovinuvlyubvisvamiuzhe.”

Sheinhaledsharply,thensighed.“Whatdidyousay,Vitaly?”

“That I care for you, dorogoy,” he lied. He’d said that he was half in love with her

already,butdidn’twanttoexposehisheartsosoon.

Shegavehimasmall,softsmile.“Icareforyou,too.”

Hebentdownagaintogiveheralight,barely-therekiss.“Cometomewhenyou’ve

finishedandwe’llgotobed.”

She nodded and turned away to return her focus to her work, but her concentration

had been well and truly shattered. She wondered if, now that she’d been introduced to
maritalpleasure,she’drespondsoreadilytoanymanwhoflirtedwithherorifitwasjust
Vitalywhostirredherbloodso.Shepickedupthemugandsippedatthescaldingteauntil
shecoulddisciplineherthoughtsonceagainandignorethedampnessbetweenherlegs.

Nearly three hours later, she leaned back and stretched in celebration of having

clickedonthatSENDbutton,wingingherfinishedpapertoherprofessorsixhoursshyof

the 8:00 a.m. deadline. She rose from the task chair and yawned so hugely her jaw
cracked.Sheturnedoffthecomputerandblinkedagainsttheroom’sdarkness.Shetookof
herglassesandrubbedhereyes.Settingherglassesbackonherface,shewalkedtothe
livingroomwhereVitalyquietlyreadabook.Helookedupatherarrival.

“Allfinished?”

“Yeah,finally.”

He marked his page, closed the book, and set it aside. Rising from the chair, he

extendedhishandtoher.

“Come.Youneedtorest.”

Shenoddedasanotheryawntriedtodragherbottomjawtothefloor.

“Sorry,”sheapologizedsheepishly.

“You’retired,”heacknowledgedandswungherupintohisarms.

“Vitaly!”sheshriekedasherfeetleftthegroundandtheworldtilted.

“I will take care of you,” he vowed as he carried her up the staircase. When they

reached the bedroom, he reluctantly set her back on her feet. “Wash up. I’ll find you a
nightgown.”

Shenoddedandyawnedagainandpaddedintothebathroom.Whenshereturned,he

helpedherundresswithgentlecareasthoughshewereasmallchild.Hesettledoneofher
oldcottonnightgownsoverheranddrewbackthecovers.

“Getin,Giancarla.”

Sheobeyed,wantingnothingmorethantosleep.Hereyes,however,refusedtodrift

shutasVitalybusiedhimselfundressing.Sheadmiredhisnakedassashewalkedintothe
bathroomandhereyeswidenedwitnessinghishalf-arousedpenisswingwitheverystride
onhisreturntriptothebed.Sheswallowedandblinked.Thatthingwashuge.Fullyerect,
itwasmassive.Andshe’dhaditinsideher.Goodgrief,howhadherbodyaccommodated
thatthing?

“Ifyouwanttosleep,you’llhavetoquitlookingatmelikethat.”

Shegulped,blushed,andsqueezedhereyesshut,althoughthesightofhimremained

burned on her brain. She felt the bed dip as he crawled in beside her and did not resist
when he snuggled her into his embrace. He was big and solid and very warm. And he
made her feel safe. She relaxed and quickly drifted off to sleep only to wake when the
alarmbuzzed.

Vitalysenthertothebathroomwhilehemadehiswaytothekitchentobrewcoffee.

Bythetimeshejoinedhim,hehadbreakfastready.

“Thankyou,Vitaly.Youdidn’thavetodothis.”

“Itismyhonoranddutytotakecareofyou.”

“Idon’twanttobeaburdenmorethanIalreadyhavebeen.”

“You are not a burden,” he said, his tone emphatic. “Now eat or you will be late to

class.”

“Ihavelaboratoryworktoday.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”

“ItmeansthatIhavetocollectmoresamplesfromthelakeandgobacktothelabto

analyzethem.”

“Howlongwillthattake?”

Sheshrugged.“Atleasttwohours,maybelonger.Itdependsuponwhattheanalysis

shows.”

Vitalydislikedthelackofspecificity.

“Iwillgotoschoolwithyoutoday,andtothelake,”hedecided.

“What?No,youcan’tdothat.”

“Whynot?”

“Becauseyou’renotastudent.”

“So?I’mnotgoingtheretostudy,buttokeepyousafe.”

Giancarlagnawedatherlowerlipandreinedinhertemper.Tryingforareasonable

tone,shesaid,“Nooneisgoingtokidnapfromaclassroom.I’llbefine.”

“Andwhataboutthewalktoandfromthebuildingwhereyourclassisheld?What

aboutgoingtothelake?Willyounotbevulnerablethen?”

“I’llaskoneofmyclassmatestoaccompanyme?”

“Noschoolgirlcanprotectyou.”

“Iwasthinkingmorealongthelinesofamaleclassmatetoescortme.”

“No!”Jealousyignitedinaflash.“Noothermanputshishandonyou.”

“Jesus,Vitaly,Iwon’tbeaskinghimtotakemebed.”

“You’dbetternot.No,Itrustnoneofyourpunycollegeboystokeepyousafe.”

“Andjusthowdoyouknowthey’repuny?”sheretortedhotly,temperflaring.“Any

oneofthemcouldhaveablackbeltinkarateforallyouknow.”

Hemerelycockedaneyebrowather.

“Comeon,Vitaly.You’vegotbetterthingstodothanshadowmealldaylong.”

“No,actually,Idon’t.”

Gia’sshoulderssaggedindefeat.“Fine.Accompanyme.You’llbeboredoutofyour

mindandyou’llseeI’mperfectlysafeonschoolgrounds.”

Henoddedandclearedheremptyplate.Sherosetogoupstairsandbrushherteeth.

“Bytheway,don’tmesswithmylabpartner,”shewarned.

“Labpartner?”

“Yes. Jeremy’s a nice guy, really smart, and a great lab partner. Do not mess with

him.”Sheemphasizedthatlastcommandbycarefullyenunciatingeachword.

Heraisedhishandsasthoughinnocentofallwrongdoing.“Aslongashespeaksand

actsrespectfullytoyou,thenhehasnothingtofearfromme.”

She shook her head and chuckled a bit ruefully. “Vitaly, your being there will

intimidatehim.Jeremy’sbright,notbrave.”

“Thenyoudon’twantthisboy?”

She gaped. “You think…me and Jeremy…oh, God, no!” She laughed. “He’s

definitelynotmytypeandI’mnothis.”

“Hedoesnotthinkyou’regoodenoughforhim?”

“Get a grip, Vitaly. He’s gay. He bats for the home team. He likes boys. Not

everyone’sanoversexedstudlikeyou.”

Vitalysmirkedather.“YouthinkI’mastud?”

Gia huffed, acknowledging that she’d stepped right into that one. “You’re a pain in

theass.”

And, suddenly, there he was, right behind her with his big hands rubbing and

squeezingherposterior.“Thepainwillbebrief.WhenItakeyourass,you’llscreamwith
pleasure.”

Gia’scheekswentbrightredandsheboundedupstairs.

Vitalysmiled,adangerous,feralexpression,andsternlyorderedhisdicktogoback

down.

Chapter6

Giaavertedhergazefromherclassmates’eyeswhenshewalkedintotheclassroom

withVitalyshadowingher.Hisdarkred,long-sleevedshirtconcealedmostofthecolorful
inkdecoratinghisskin,butthedesignspeekedabovehiscollarandbelowthecuffs.He’d
pulled his shoulder length hair back into a stubby ponytail. His jeans were no different
thanthosewornbyotherclassmates,buthewalkedlightlyintheheavybrownboots.In
short, the clothes he wore failed to conceal that the large, heavily muscled man who
remainedclosetoherwasdangerous.

The professor frowned at this new arrival in her classroom. In an acid voice, she

greetedherformerlyattentiveandconscientiousstudent.

“Welcome back, Gia. How nice of you to join us once again. What brings you and

yourfriend?Youdorealizethatguestsarenotpermittedtoauditgraduatelevelcourses?”

Giaopenedhermouth,butVitalypinnedtheolderwomanwithanicylookandspoke

first.“IamGiancarla’shusbandandheretoensurehersafety.”

“Safety?” the professor spluttered. “How dare you insinuate that any student is not

safewithinmyclassroom?”Sheturnedherglaretowardherstudent.“Gia,pleaseremove
yourhusband.”

“Anyonehereiswelcometoattempttoremoveme,”Vitalysaidandleanedbackin

the desk chair. He nonchalantly unbuttoned his cuffs and began to roll up his sleeves,
baringthecrowdeddesignsonhismuscularforearms.Widestaresandafewgaspsmetthe
revealedtattoos.

“Mr.…Mr.?”

“Synvolka,”herepliedhelpfully,oneeyebrowraised.

“Mr.Synvolka,onlyregisteredstudentsmayattendthiscourse.”

Vitalyshrugged.“Icarenothingforyourstudies.Giancarlaismyfocus.”

“Andwhatmakesyouthinksheisnotsafeinmyclassroom,Mr.Synvolka?”

“Experience.”

“Please,Dr.Jamison,pretendheisn’there,”Giabegged,finallyfindinghervoice.“I

—Iwasavictimofcrimelastweekendandhereallyishereasabodyguard.”

“Hey, Gia, I’ll guard your body,” one of the students quipped and waggled his

eyebrows.

Vitaly’sheadswiveledtodirectanicyglareattheyoungman,whopromptlygrinned

impudentlybackathim,secureintheknowledgethatnoonewoulddaretakehimtotask
for his rudeness and enjoying the chuckles and giggles from the rest of his classmates.
Sayingnothing,Vitalymarkedtheboyforaquickandpointedconversationafterclass.He
amusedhimselfwithdecidingwhetherthatconversationshouldinvolvebothofhisfists.

“Mr.Calliwold,”theprofessorchidedwithasternlook.“We’llhavenoneofthatin

myclassroom.”

She sighed and said, “Turn to page three hundred and sixty-two in your textbooks,

please.”

And class instruction commenced. The professor steadfastly ignored the brooding

presence of the unwanted occupant in the seat beside Gia. He, in turn, ignored the
professor’srepeatedglaresofannoyanceasheleanedbackintheuncomfortableseatand
silentlykeptwatchovertheclassroomwithfrequentglancesoutthelargewindows.

When class ended and the students received their homework assignments, Gia

gathered her books and notepads and pens and walked to her next class only to repeat
muchthesameprocessasbeforewithanotherirritatedprofessor.BenCalliwoldattended
thatclass,too,andsnaggedaseatbesideher.

“So,gorgeous,didyoureallymarrythatthug?”hewhisperedloudly,reachingoverto

layahandhighonherdenimcladthigh.

Vitaly’s hand shot out and captured his before he touched her leg. He squeezed the

man’shandpainfullyuntiltheyoungmansquealed,“Stop!Letgo!”

“You’ll address Giancarla with respect, boy,” the Russian mobster growled into his

ear,implyingan“orelse.”

“Okay!Okay!Justletmego!”heshrieked.

Gia put a hand on Vitaly’s arm and pulled back. Her gentle tug did no more than

causehisnostrilstoflare.Itcertainlydidn’tmovehisarm.

“Ben’sharmless,Vitaly.Please,releasehim.”

Vitaly’s upper lip curled and he released the student’s hand, reasonably certain that

he’dlikelysnappedaboneortwo.Theyoungmancurledhisinjuredhandtohischestand
sniffedbacktears.

“Icouldsueyouforassault,”hesneered.

“AndIcouldkillyou,”Vitalyretortedcalmly,notatallthreatenedbytheyoungman.

“Boys,please,”Giabegged.“Stop,juststop.”Sheglaredatbothofthem,morethan

aware that they’d acquired an audience. She hissed, “There will be no litigation and no

bodilyharm.Justquititandbehaveyourselves.”

“Are you finished with your theatrics, Miss Bonetti?” the professor’s nasal voice

filledtheclassroom.“Becausethisreallyisn’ttheplaceforit.”

“Oh,God,”shemutteredasembarrassmentfloodedher.Lookingupandknowingthat

her face had flushed deep red with mortification, she replied, “Yes, Dr. Fabelo. We’ve
settledourlittlediscussion.”

“Good.I’lltoleratenofurtherdisruptioninmyclassroom,MissBonetti.”

“That’sMrs.Synvolka,”Vitaly’svoicecorrectedinaquiettone.

“Excuseme,sir?”

“Giancarlamarriedlastweek.HerfamilynameisnowSynvolka.”

“Andyouare?”

“VitalySynvolka.”

“Andyouareherewhy?”

“Toprotectmywifefrompunkslikethisboy.”

“Mr. Synvolka, there is no need for such drama in the classroom. Miss…er…Mrs.

Synvolkaisperfectlysafehere.Thecampusisquitesecure.”

Vitaly merely raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his seat. He gestured with one

hand.“Pleasecontinue,professor.”

“By your leave,” the professor replied with curled lip and a sneer of contempt and

commencedtheday’sinstruction.

As with the earlier class, Gia took copious notes in an attempt to catch up on the

previousweek’smissedmaterial.Whentheclassended,theprofessorcalledout,“Please
seemebeforeheadingofftocollectyoursamples,Mrs.Synvolka.”

Feelingasthoughshewerebeingsummonedforpunishment,Giahadtoforceherself

nottodragherfeetassheapproachedtheprofessor.Hepeeredoverhisglassesatherand
said sternly, “Gia, we cannot tolerate continued disruption of class. You missed several
dayslastweekand,frankly,Idoubtyou’llbeabletocatchup.”Hesighedanddirecteda
disapprovinglookatVitaly,whoignoreditaswellasthelingeringglancesthatseveralof
Gia’sfemaleclassmatesdirectedathim.“Iunderstandyoucannotbeheldresponsiblefor
the actions of others, but I must demand that your husband refrain from accompanying
youanyfurther.He’sadistraction.”

“I’llspeakwithhim,Dr.Fabelo.”

“Seethatyoudo.”Heglancedathiswatch.“Nowgetoutofhere.You’reduebackin

thelaboratoryinlessthanonehour.”

“Yes,Dr.Fabelo.”

Vitalygatheredherbelongingsinonehandandputhisotherhandatthebaseofher

spineasheguidedheroutoftheclassroomwhereanotheryoungmanwaited.Thatstudent
directedanervousglanceathislabpartner’scompanionandofferedanervoussmile.

“Er,he’snotgoingtopummelme,ishe?”

“Thanks for waiting, Jeremy.” She sent a hard glance at Vitaly, whose shoulders

movedinaninfinitesimalshrug.“No,hewon’tbepummelingyouoranybodyelse.”

“Good,” Jeremy blurted his relief, although he didn’t relax much. “My car’s parked

nearby.Areyouready?”

“We’lltakemycar,”Vitalystated.

“But—”

“YourcaristherustylittleBeetle,da?”

“Um,yeah.”

“Itisnotsuitable.Youmayridewithus.”

Jeremyopenedhismouthtoprotest,butGiagavehimatinyshakeofherhead.So,he

gulpedbackthewordsandreplacedthemwithmildacquiescence.

“Doyouhaveyoursamplingsupplies?”heaskedhislaboratorypartner.

“They’reinthecar,”shereplied.

“Okay.Ifyou’llgivemeaminutetofetchmine?”

“Sure.We’llwaitforyou.”

Inshortorder,JeremyeasedinthebackseatofVitaly’scar,whichwasfarsuperiorto

his.Hestutteredtwiceinanattempttoinitiatepoliteconversation,butbothattemptsfailed
miserably. He subsided in uncomfortable silence and hoped that this rough looking man
whosaidhewashislabpartner’shusbandwouldn’tmurderhimanddisposeofhisbodyin
thedepthsofthelake.TheblackMercedesrolledtoastop.

“Let’sdothis,”Giaannounced,thencastahardlookatVitaly.“Andyoustayput.”

Jeremygapedatheraudacityinorderingthetattooedthugtostayinthecar.Heheld

back a second, cringing against the barely restrained violence in the bigger man’s hard
musclesandbehindthedangerouslookingtattooswithexpectationthatanastyblowwas
coming.Butthebigmanmerelychuckledandsaid“Nyet,Giancarla.Iwillbebesideyou.”

Giancarla huffed, but did not protest further. She gathered her sampling equipment

andtumbledoutofthecar.Jeremyrushedafterher,fumblingwithhisownstuff.Thetwo
studentswalkedoutonthepierand,notebooksoutwithpensready,theydippedbeakers
on extended handles into the water. Vitaly stood several feet away, giving them a little
privacytodiscussmattersinwhichhehadnointerest.

His eagle eyes saw nothing untoward and half an hour later the two students were

ready to return to the laboratory. Jeremy uneasily glanced back at the big, tattooed thug
whoinsistedonaccompanyingthemintothebuilding,buttooksmallcomfortintheman’s
presencedeterringthemoreobnoxiousclassmateswholikedtoharasshim.Vitalyperched

on a stool in the corner of the large room, positioning himself so that he could easily
detain anyone who entered the room through the door nearest his wife and have a clear
view of the other door as well as the entire room. He glanced periodically through the
large, plate glass windows, noting the passage of students and faculty on the sidewalk
runningalongsidethebuilding.Hesawpeoplegather,talk,anddriftoffintheeasy,casual
wayofcollegecoedsmeetingfriendsandacquaintancesbeforeheadingofftotheirnext
classesorotheractivities.

He’d had dreams, once, of being part of their number. But he was not one to waste

energyonregrets.Whatwaspastwaspastandcouldnotbechanged.Hecouldonlylook
toimproveuponhisfutureandhisfuturecontainedacertaindark-haired,myopicwoman
whomadehiscold,hardheartmeltlikechocolateunderthesummersun.

As he watched over his wife and her laboratory partner, Vitaly idly wondered why

thisparticularyoungwomanaffectedhimtosuchanextent.He’dfeltsympathyforother
young women, those who’d been trapped in the degrading grind of human trafficking,
thosewho’dmerelysufferedfrombeingdowntroddenandstrickenbypoverty.He’dtaken
morebeautifulwomentohisbed.Someofthemhadbeenveryintelligent.

After a moment, he decided it was because, beneath the intelligence and

determinationtosucceed,Giancarlalackedthathardness,thatsharpedge.Herummaged
throughhismultilingualvocabularyandfoundtheword:kind.HisGiancarlawaskind.He
musedthatOlivia,too,waskindandthatwaswhyMaksimvaluedhersohighly.

“Eureka!”Giaexclaimed,drawingVitaly’ssharpattention.

“Hot damn!” Jeremy crowed with glee. He set his hands on Gia’s shoulders and,

practicallybouncingonhistoes,said,“Wedidit!Weprovedourhypothesis!”

Vitaly’snarrowgazefocusedontheyoungman’shands.Jeremycaughtthatgazeand

abruptly released his partner. “Um, sorry about that,” he apologized, cleared his throat,
andclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.“Wejustgotalittlecarriedaway.Noharmdone,
youknow.”

“Vitaly’s not going to beat you up, Jeremy.” She looked back at the test tubes and

theircombinednotes.“Thisisincredible.Newsworthyeven.”

“Newsworthy?”

“You bet! There have been rumors about skewed oncology of the lake affecting

dominantspeciesoffish,butnoone’sbeenabletoproveit.Wejustdid.It’snotjustafew
frogsthathavemutated.”Shegrinnedwithexcitement.“Thiscouldaffectthelake’sentire
commercialfishingindustry.Thisisbig,Jeremy.Big!”

Vitaly wracked his brain to remember whether Maksim had any interest in the

regional fishing industry. He didn’t think his boss did, but then Maksim didn’t tell him
everything.GiuseppeMaglionemighthaveinterest,though,whichcouldposeproblems.

“Shouldwegotothepresswiththis?”Jeremyasked.

“No,” Vitaly said firmly. “You write your paper and turn it in. Then you repeat the

experiment.Ifyoucanrepeattheresults,thenyougototheEPA.”

“Ican’tsayI’vealotoffaithintheEPAcorrectingthisproblem,”Giagriped.

“Nonetheless,yourfindingswillthreatenmanylargeandpowerfulfinancialinterests.

You’realreadyinenoughdanger.”

“Thisisbiggerthanme,Vitaly.Thisaffectstensofthousandsofpeople.”

“Allthemorereasonforsubtlety.Icannotprotectyoufromanentirepopulace.”

“Wow,” Jeremy breathed. “You know, the big guy’s right. If we broke this to the

press,you’dhavetomove.”

“Ihavetodotherightthing,Jeremy.Youshould,too.”

Theyoungmanwavered,thenslowlynodded.“Yeah,you’reright.Doyouthinkyour

boyfriendcankeepmesafe,too?”

“Husband,”Vitalyspat.

“Huh?”

“Husband.Giancarlaismine.”

Giajustsighedandshookherhead.Shenolongerfearedhim,butshedidfearshe’d

neverchangehisNeanderthalattitudeofpossessionwhenitcametotheirrelationship.

“Let’sgetthiswrappedup,Jeremy.Youwanttotakefirstcrackatdraftingthepaper

orshallI?”

“You’rebetteratallthegrammarandstuff,”Jeremyansweredashecollectedbeakers

andtesttubestowash.“I’llwritearoughdrafttonightandsendyouthelink.Youcanthen
edit,correctanythingImisstate,andaddanythingIomitted.”

“Soundslikeaplan.”

The team efficiently cleaned up their work, restoring the equipment to immaculate

conditionreadyforthenextroundofacademicexperimentation.

“Vitaly,wouldyouminddroppingJeremyoffathisapartment?”Giaaskedassheand

herlabpartnergatheredtheirnotes.

Heshookhisheadandaskedwheretheyoungmanlived.Jeremyflashedagrateful

smileandgavehisaddress.“It’llbenicenottohavetocatchthebus,”hecommented,not
mindingthathe’dbeleavinghispieceofshitcartovernightintheparkinglot.Ifhewere
lucky,someonewouldstealtheoldrustbucket.

The drive to Jeremy’s apartment didn’t take all that long. On the way back, Vitaly

veeredintoaparkinglot.

“Whyarewehere?”

“Weneedgroceries.”

Ah.Simpleanswer.Sometimestheobviousanswerwasthecorrectone.

Anhourlaterhavingloadedseveraldays’worthoffoodintothecar,theydroveback.

Giahelpedputtheirgroceriesaway,learningthelayoutofVitaly’skitchen.

“Icancooksuppertonightifyoulike,”sheoffered.“I’mnotquiteasgoodaCecily,

butshe’shadapositiveinfluenceonmykitchenskills.”

“Sounds good,” he grunted in reply as he watched her bend over to put a couple

cartonsoficecreaminthebottomfreezercabinetoftherefrigerator.Thedenimcovering
herassstrainedacrossthefirm,plumpflesh.Thesightmadehismouthwater.

Damnit,she’dteasedhimalldaywithouteveningknowingit.Thosejeansshowcased

her butt, the neckline of her shirt gaped and offered an intriguing glance of satiny skin
whensheleaned,herlipspursedinunconsciousinvitationasshechewedontheendofher
pen.

Itwasawonderthathe’dmanagedtocontainhimselfthusfarthatday.

“Whattimedoyouwanttoeat?”sheaskedassheshovedacontainerofbasmatirice

intoacabinet.

“Now,”hegrowled.

“Huh?What?”

Shelookedupathimandsawhislustfulexpression.Rightbeforehereyes,heseemed

to expand, broad shoulders growing wider, big muscles growing larger. The front of his
pantsstrainedagainstthepressureofhiserection.

“Oh!”

Heapproached.No,thatwastootameaword.Hestalkedherlikeapredatorreadyto

pounceonhisprey.Hisnostrilsflared,thesightofwhichstirredawarmflutteringlowin
her belly. She shifted her weight, felt the urge to squeeze her thighs together. Or maybe
openthemwideinstead.

“Vitaly?”

Andhewasthere.Hisarmswoopedoutandcaughther,pulledheragainsthisbody.

Hisotherhandfistedherhairandangledherheadback.Hismouthdelicatelytastedhers
whenshe’dexpectedhimtocrushher.Thesoft,lighttouchutterlymeltedanyresistance,
nottomentionthebonesinherlegs.Shesaggedagainsthim.

“Ineedyou,”hesaid,hisvoiceguttural.

“Yes,”sheagreedasheswoopedherupandcarriedhertothebedroom.

Hegentlylayherdownandfollowedher,fingersdeftlyunbuttoninghershirtevenas

hekissedhermouth,herneck,her—oh,myGod—nipple!Hismouthsoakedthefabricof
her plain, utilitarian bra. She arched beneath him, unwittingly offering him all of her. A
momentlater,hedraggeddownthecupstosuckleonthebarefleshwhileshewhimpered
withpleasure.Hewedgedhishandbeneathherandunfastenedherbra,quicklyremoving
thegarmentfromherbodyandtossingitaside.Hedidn’tparticularlycarewhereitlanded.
With the expanse of satiny skin and pliant flesh revealed to him, he stroked and tasted

untilshewrithedbeneathhim.

Itwasn’tenough.Hetoreoffhisshirtandherhandsimmediatelylandedonhischest,

palmsflat,fingerssplayed.Theyroamedoverhim,flickinghissmallnipples,tracingthe
scars,smoothingacrossthebulgeanddipofhardmuscle.

Theconstraintofhispantshurt.Withsavageyanks,Vitalywrenchedopentheflyand

shovedthemdowntogivehisaching,tumescentdickthefreedomitneededtostretchand
expandtofulllengthandwidth.Itjerkedandbobbedinitseagernesstofindanewhome
withinthewetvelvetdepthsofhiswife’sbody.

Hegroanedwhenhersofthandswrappedaroundhim.Shestrokedhimfromrootto

tip,swipingherthumbsoverthebulbouspurplehead,smoothingthepre-cumthatseeped
fromthesmalldivotatthetip.Shebroughtherthumbtohermouthtotastehimandhe
groanedagain,usingthatmomentarydistractiontounfastenherjeansandyankthemoff.
Hemadesuretopullherplaincottonpantiesdownherlegs,too.Afewsecondslater,he’d
pulledoffhershoesandsocksandtossedthemaside.Thenherjeansandunderwearwent
flying.

Vitaly crawled between her legs and ran his tongue over her ankle and calf. He

grabbedholdofonethigh,thethumbofthathandstrokingthemoistdelicatefleshather
core. She whimpered again, but he continued to lick and kiss a path up the other leg.
Whenhereachedthetopofthatleg,hepressedanopenmouthedkissatthecreaseofher
hip, at the edge of the triangle of curls guarding her sex. Then he switched hands and
began the process with the other leg while she clutched the bed linens because she
couldn’tgrabholdofhim.

Whenhereachedtheapexofthesecondleg,heswipedhisflattenedtonguealongthe

length of her slit, gathering her moisture for a full taste. She cried out, her back arched.
She screamed when he sealed his mouth over her sex and did wicked things with his
tongue that no romance book could adequately describe—at least none that she’d ever
read.

Shebuckedbeneathhim.Heheldherdown.Herthighsclampedandquivered,buthis

broadbodyheldthemopen.Shescreamedhisnameandhedrankthegushoffluidsthat
herbodygiftedhim.

“Letmetouchyou,please,”shebegged.

Hemovedoverher,hismouthneverabandoningher,untilhecouldrollhishipsand

diphiscockbetweenherlips.Sheopenedwide,foldingherlipsoverherteeth.Grasping
thethickstalk,shestrokedandtuggedandguidedhispenetrationwhilesheusedlipsand
tonguetoreturnthepleasurehegaveher.

Herelentlesslydrovehertoanotherclimax,notlettingupuntilherbodylayboneless

and relaxed beneath him. He pulled himself from her lax grasp and turned around. With
hisarms,hefoldedherlegs,openingherwidetohispossession.Leaningagainstherbent
legs,heflexedhishipsandpositionedhimselfatheropening.Vitalybenthisheaddown
tokissherashesankhiscockintoherbodywiththelong,drawnoutsquelchingsoundof

wetflesh.Whenhisballswerepressedbetweenhisbodyandhers,hefinallystoppedand
heldhimselfthere.Heenjoyedthewet,warmclutchofherpassageripplingaroundhim.
Shedelightedinthedeliciouslyfullsensationofhisintimateoccupation.

He kissed her again, spearing his tongue into her mouth, twining it with hers as he

moved his hips in ancient, instinctual rhythm. Soon, all too soon, she cried out as he
wrunganotherclimaxfromher.Giaprotestedwithaninarticulatehowlwhenhewithdrew
from her and then howled again when he turned her to her side and spooned her from
behind. Raising her leg, he thrust into her again. In that position, he was still able to
deeplypenetrateherandcouldincreasethepace.

Vitalywrappedhisotherarmaroundherupperbody,onehandenvelopingherbreast

as he simultaneously restrained her, fondled her, and fucked her. He broke the fast,
relentlessrhythmwithlong,slowstrokesthatbottomedoutwithanextrapush.Thenhe
wouldspeedup.Neverquiteknowingwhathewoulddotriggeredyetanotherreleasethat
bathedhiscockinslickmoisture.

Withoutdisengagingfromher,herepositionedhersothatherchestrestedonthebed

while he held her ass up. The familiar tingle at the base of his spine accompanied the
tightness of his balls as they drew up and clenched upon themselves. Pounding into her
body,theloudslapofhisskinagainsthersnearlydrownedouthisgruntsandhermoans.
With the unleashing of his own orgasm, his thrusts turned erratic and he strained to
penetrateherasdeeplyashepossiblycould.

The hot spurts of his semen inside her catapulted Gia into a long, rolling wave of

pleasure that rolled over her like the incoming tide. She felt the sticky wetness of their
lovemakingcoatingherinnerthighs,addingtotheslicksheenofsweatthatenabledtheir
bodiestoslideeasilyagainsteachother.

After a long moment, Vitaly seemed to come to his senses and realize that he lay

draped over her. Pressing kisses against the back of her neck and shoulders, he raised
himselfoffherandreluctantlypulledfromthewetclutchofherpussy.

“Thatwas…”Hervoicefaded.Wordsfailedher.

“Notenough,”hefinishedthesentenceasherolledontothemattressbesideher.“But

Ineedafewminutestorecover.”

She glanced down. His half-aroused cock glistened with their combined fluids and

twitchedweakly.Shelookedbackathisfaceandsawtheglintofpassionstillburningin
hisgaze.

“I’mnotfinishedwithyou,”hepromised,rollingherovertostrokeherbetweenthe

legswithhishand.“Youhavemoreorgasmslefttogivetoday.”

“Idon’tthinkIdo.”Thewordsendedonasighwhichturnedintoyetanothermoan.

“Youdo,”heassertedandleanedoveranddowntosuckleonabreast.

Afewminuteslaterheprovedhimselfright.Afewminutesafterthat,hereducedher

toahotscreamingmessashemadelovetoherasthoroughlyasheknewhow.Fourhours

later,hereleasedhertotakeashower,butthenjoinedherbeneaththehotspraytoshow
her what delights could be found with the aid of water. Finally, muscles quivering and
mindblown,Giawobbleddownstairstothekitchenandtriedtothinkofsomethingfairly
quickandsimpletomakeforsupper.

She made scrambled eggs and toast. If Vitaly was going to keep this up, they’d be

going through a ton of eggs and bread, because her ability to think after a marathon
sessionofvigoroussexabsolutelyincapacitatedherbrainandturnedherarmsandlegsto
softrubber.Itdidn’thelpthatshecouldn’ttakeastepwithoutatelltalesorenessreminding
herofwhathe’ddonetoherandhowmuchshe’denjoyedit…andhowmuchshewanted
todoitagain.

God,she’dturnedintosuchahornyslutinsoshortatime.

After their makeshift supper, Gia excused herself to check her email to see whether

Jeremyhadsentoveradraftreport.Nosuchluck.ShereturnedtoVitaly,snugglingnext
to him on the sofa while he watched sports. Having utterly no interest whatsoever in
sports, she sat for several minutes with her legs curled beneath her. His arm wrapped
aroundherandshebaskedinthewarmthhisbodyradiatedandinthecleanmalescentof
hisskin.

Practically unbidden, her hand rose and splayed over his heart, feeling the steady

thump-thumpingbeatbeneaththeheavypectoralmuscle.Thenshestartedpettinghim,her
hand sneaking through the placket of his shirt to touch the bare skin beneath the crisp,
curly hair. He glanced down at her, but her eyes were closed and her mouth curled in a
knowing little smile. It pleased him that she would initiate intimacy with him, although
he’d never allow her to control their play in the bedroom. He leaned his head back to
continuetowatchthegame,althoughhewasn’treallypayingattentiontoitanymore.

Gia’s other hand strayed across her body to rest lightly over his fly. She felt him

quickenbeneaththequiescentwarmthofherhandandabsentlybegantostroketherapidly
swelling flesh. With a quick twist of his fingers, Vitaly unbuttoned the waistband and
unzippedtheflytofreetheturgidlengthofhim.

“Suckme,”hesaidasherhandlightlystrokedthedelicateskin.

“Hm?”

“Suckme.”

Hegaspedasshebentdownandobliged.Absolutelynolongerpayingattentiontothe

game,heenjoyedheroralministrationsforacoupleofminutes,thenpulledheroffhim.
Withdexterouspractice,hestrippedherandsettledheronhislap.

“You’rewearingtoomanyclothes,”shepurredasshegroundherpussyagainsthim.

Cloth ripped and buttons popped as he tore off his shirt and flung it away. A quick

shovehadhispantspoolingaroundhisankles.Withonehandhecuppedthebackofher
head to hold her for his kiss and with the other he positioned his swollen cock at her
entrance.Sheroseandsliddownoverhim,moaningintohismouthasheimpaledher.Her
hipsrockedoverhim;hishipsrockedbelowher.Hishandsclampedoverherhipstoguide

hermovement,toholdherwherehewantedherashedroveupintoherbody.Onceagain
theairfilledwiththethick,wetsoundsofvigoroussexpunctuatedbybreathymoansand
guttural grunts until she keened her climax and he let loose a shout as raw as he jetted
thick,hotcreamintoherbody.

Gia found herself draped across Vitaly’s chest, lungs heaving as she gasped for

breath.Suddenlysherealizedthattheywereseatedonthesofainviewofalargepicture
windowandanyonepassingbycouldpeerinsideandseethemnaked,entwined,obviously
engaged in conjugal relations. She turned her face to his chest, pressed her sweaty
foreheadagainsttheperspiringskin,andgroaned.

“Whatiswrong,moysladkiy?”Vitalyasked,feelingherbodytense.

“We’reinviewoftheentireneighborhood,”shemuttered.“Whoknowswho’sseen

us?”

Hegrinnedathershynessandmodesty,whichheconsideredpositiveattributesina

goodwife.Reachingbehindhim,hepulledanafghanthatlayfoldedacrossthetopofthe
sofaandspreaditovertheirbodies.

“Nowwearecovered,”hesaidastheblanketsettledinplace.

Shelookedatit,fingeredtheintricatestitches.“Thisisbeautiful.Whomadeit?”

“Oliviacrochets.ShegavethistomeseveralyearsagowhenIwasindisposed.”

“Indisposed?Likesick?”

“No,indisposedlikerecoveringfromabulletwound.”

“Abulletwound!”

“Giancarla,you’veseenme,you’veseenmyscars.”Hevoicewasatonceindulgent

andreproachfulashestrokedahandupanddownherbackbeneaththeblanket.”

“Iknow,Vitaly.Iknow.Ijustdon’tliketothinkaboutit.”

Hetiltedherheadbackwithafingerunderherchinandpressedagentlekissonher

lips.“YouknowwhatIam.Youcannotforget.”

“It’snotthatIforget,it’sthatIdon’twanttoacknowledgeit.”Sheturnedherhead

awayandshiftedonhislap.Hiswiltedpenisslidfromherbodyandshesighedattheloss
ofitswarmthandfullnesswithinher.“Mydadleftthemobbecausehedidn’twantany
partofit.Ineverintendedtobethechildofhiswhowentbacktoit.”

“Sometimeswhatweintendmatterslittleinthecourseofourlives.”

“HowdidyougetinvolvedintheRussianmafia,Vitaly?”

Hesighedandsupposedthatheowedherhishistory.Awifehadarighttoknowher

husband.

“Iwasanorphan,oneofhundreds,thousandseven.Lifeintheorphanagewas…hard.

Wefoughtforeverything:food,water,baths,clothes,blankets,shoes.Weformedgangs,
smallbrotherhoodswholookedoutforoneanother,supportedeachother.”

“ItsoundsalotlikeaLordoftheFliessituation.Barbaric.”

“Idonotknowthis‘LordofFlies,’”hesaidwithasmallshrug,hisaccentthickened

byoldmemories.“AssoonasIcould,Ileft.Ijoinedthemilitary,acceptedtheirtraining,
became a medic. I entertained grand hopes of becoming a doctor, skilled and respected.
The army took advantage of my skill with blades and drugs and turned me into a killer.
Eventually, my term of service expired and I had nowhere to go and a reputation for
brutality.”

Giaturnedherfacebacktohischestandkissedhimabovetheplacewherehisheart

beat.Thetendergestureremindedhimhestillhadaheartandthatitnowbeatforher.

“I found new employment with the Bratva. Like the military, they, too, soon

recognizedmycapabilitiesand,unlikethemilitary,theyvalueditwithbiggerandbigger
bonuses.IacquiredmoreresponsibilityandeventuallywasgiventoMaksim.”

“Whatdoyoumean‘giventoMaksim?’”

“The Bratva is much like the military with its rules and camaraderie. Unless one is

highranking,oneismovedfromplacetoplacelikeapawnonachessboard.Thechoiceis
tofollowordersorbekilled.IhavefoundtheBratvatobebothmoredisciplinedandless
rigidthanthearmy.”HekissedthetopofGia’shead,inhalingtheherbalfragranceofher
hair. He made a mental note to keep her stocked in that brand of shampoo; he liked it.
“ButthereisusuallyonlyonewaytoleavetheBratvaandIhavenoplanstodieyet.”

“Die?”

“Itisnotsounlikeyourgrandfather’sItalianmafia.”

“Sowe’restuck.”

“We will make the best of our fate.” He shifted beneath her, spread his legs which

spreadherlegsevenmorewidelyasshestillsprawledacrosshislap.Herolledhiships,
his recovering cock seeking her pussy like a well-aimed missile. “Lately fate has been
verykind,”headdedandslowlypushedupintoher.

She moaned as he filled her. The hand stroking her back dipped low, teased the

puckeredopeningofheranus.Shegasped.Hedelvedlower,gatheredtheslickcreamof
their copulation and drew it up to lubricate her back entrance. She gasped again has his
fingertippenetratedher,easingitspassagewiththeirlubrication,andsettingupashallow
rhythm that kept time with the slow pump of his cock. That time he made love to her
slowly,tenderly,untiltheybothsighedfromorgasmsthatrolledthroughthemwithallthe
steady,inexorablepowerofanincomingtide.

Atthisrate,hethoughtwithmasculinesatisfaction,hiswifewouldbeamotherbefore

ayearhadgoneby.Maksimwould,nodoubt,usethatforendlessfodderforribaldhumor.
Oliviawouldlikelytreatthebabyasagrandchild.

Exhausted,theyfellasleeponthesofa.Asusual,Vitaly’sdisciplinedbodywokefirst.

He gently disengaged himself from Gia’s limp body, but not without first licking a pert
nipple just to see it tighten in response. He drew the afghan over her and padded naked

upstairs to the master suite for a shower and fresh clothing. He had begun cooking
breakfastwhenGiafinallywoke.

Momentarily disoriented, she quickly got her bearings and retrieve her glasses from

the end table where Vitaly had placed them during their first bout of living room sex.
Glancing beneath the blanket, she hissed at the marks his mouth and fingers and left on
her body, showing his possession of her. She blushed to remember how they got there,
howmuchshehadlikedit.

Really, if not for the last week, she would have thought herself frigid for all the

disinterest she’d shown in the opposite sex and in romance in general. Her fingertips
lightly ran down her chest and belly, tangled in the curls shielding her mound, dipped
lower.Shesighed,closedhereyes,andletherfingersplay.

Vitalylookedupfromthewaffleshewasmakingandimmediatelyrealizedwhathis

little wife was doing. His dick immediately sprang to attention. He removed the latest
batchofwafflesandturnedoffthewaffleiron.Onsilent,barefeethecrossedthekitchen
andjoinedherinthelivingroom.Withintensestealth,hekneeledbeforeherandraised
the blanket. He slipped underneath it and, placing both hands on her thighs to hold her
open, aimed his mouth at her already wet pussy. She squealed and her sticky hands
clutched at his hair as he feasted on her and quickly reduced her to quivering, helpless
pleasure. She cried out, rewarding him with a fresh gush of hot honey that he eagerly
lappedup.

Finally,whileherlungsheavedandsheshudderedwithaftershocks,heraisedhisface

shinywithherjuicesandsaid,“Donottouchyourselfwithoutpermission,Giancarla.”He
stroked her slit, up and down, then inserted two thick fingers inside her. “This is mine.
Yourpleasureisminetogive.”

She grunted as he pumped his fingers, then crooked them to tickle the g-spot and

catapult her into another screaming orgasm. He pulled his fingers from her body and
suckedherhoneyoffthem.

“Takeashowerandgetdressed.You’llbelateforschool.”

She blinked her passion glazed eyes and rose on wobbly legs. Clutching the afghan

aroundhernakedbody,shestaggeredupstairstobatheanddress.Itwouldbeafreaking
miracleifshecouldconcentrateatallonthatday’slectures.

ShehadtimetowolfdownonewafflebeforeVitalyshooedhertothecaranddrove

herclass.Twiceherprofessorscalledhernametogetherattention.Twiceherclassmates
sniggered with naughty amusement. But her professors did not ask Vitaly to leave the
classroom; they’d learned that he would obdurately refuse and none of them had the
gumptiontoattemptforce.

“Hey, Gia,” Jeremy greeted her with a bright smile and a nod, carefully avoiding

touchingherasherthuggishhusbandlookedlikelytowallophimforsomuchaslayinga
fingeronherbackpack.Healmostcommentedthatshelookedextraprettythatday,sortof
glowing,butimmediatelydecidedagainstdoingso.VitalySynvolkaintimidatedhimfor

obvious reason. The thug might not be as smart as he was, but a high I.Q. had never
preventedhimfrombeingpummeled.“Igotthatroughdraftdonelastnightandemailedit
toyou.Haveyouhadachancetolookitoveryet?”

“Thanks,Jeremy.No,Ihaven’t,butI’lldosotoday.We’vegotalittletime;it’snot

dueuntilThursday.”

“Yeah.Ineverunderstoodwhysomanypeoplewaituntilthelastminutetowritetheir

papers.It’salotlessstressfultogetitdonewithabitofextratime.”

“Goodthingwethinkalikeonthat.”

“Yeah.So,nolabtoday?”

“Nope,we’refinishedwithlabworkuntilthenextassignment.”

“Cool.Iwashopingwe’dmaybegettoworkwithactual,youknow,marinelife.”

“Youcan’tgoswimmingwiththedolphinsinOhio,Jeremy.”

“Nah,that’stootrite.I’mmoreinterestedinriversandstreams.Haveyoueverseena

hellbendersalamander?”

“No,Ican’tsayIhave.”

Jeremy’s eyes brightened and he smiled broadly. “I found one last summer. I’m a

counselor at a nature camp for middle school kids and we went salamander hunting. I
foundthisabsolutelyterrificspecimen.Itwashuge!They’reendangered,youknow.”

“No, I didn’t know. But that’s a good area of study, Jeremy. Ohio’s chock full of

creeksandrivers.”

“Yeah.Mostofthemareusedlikeopensewersorditches.”

“You’lldoalotofgoodwithbringingourwaterwaysbacktohealth.Iknowyouwill,

Jeremy.”

Heglowedatherpraiseandconfidenceinhisabilitytomakeapositivedifferencein

their small world. Vitaly’s chest swelled with pride at his Giancarla’s kind words and
generous spirit. Perhaps the nerdy little pipsqueak would make a difference merely
becauseGiancarlahadgivenhimtheconfidencetopursuehisidealisticdreams.

Itmadehimwanttospreadherbodybeneathhimagainandfuckheruntilshemelted

withdeliriouspleasure.

The two students parted and Vitaly escorted her to lunch at the grill in the student

union.

“I’vegottopickupmygradefromDr.Cormierafterlunch,”shesaidandpursedher

lips.“Idon’thaveagoodfeelingaboutthat.”

“Don’tworry,”Vitalyreassuredher.“Wehavealreadydecidedwhattodoifhegives

youafailinggrade,sinceyouwon’tallowmetojustkillhim.”

Giasplutteredandchoked.Aftercoughingtoclearherthroat,sheglaredatVitalyand

hissed,“Don’tevenjokeaboutthat.”

Vitalymetherscowlwithacalmgaze.“Iwasn’tjoking.”

Shefrownedandshookherhead.“Idon’tknowwhattodowithyou,Vitaly.”

“Yes,youdo,butyoucan’tdoitinpublic.”

Her gaze flew back to his face and that time he grinned at her. That time he was

joking.Maybe.Sortof.

Shesquirmedinherseat,awareofathrobbingbetweenherlegs.

“Youaresobad.”

Hisgrinwidened.Hisinattentioncosthim.Hersquirmingsavedher.

Glassshattered.Giagaspedandgurgledasaredwoundblossomedonherchest.She

toppledover.Peoplescreamedandscattered.

“Gia!”Vitalyshoutedandthrewhimselftothefloorbesideher,kneescrashinginto

shards of tempered glass. He ripped off his shirt, wadded it up, and pressed it over the
bulletwoundthatspurtedblood.“Call911!”heyelledevenasonebloodyhandduginto
hispockettoretrievehisphone.

He kept pressure on the wound, murmuring encouragement to his wife to stay with

himasherbloodpooledonthefloor.Sirensandflashinglightssoonheraldedthearrival
ofemergencycrewswhoquicklytookoverandhustledGiancarlaBonettiSynvolkatothe
hospital.Vitalyrodeintheambulance,refusingtobepartedfromher.

Theyarrived,withemergencyroomdoctorsandnursestakingovertheseemingchaos

andwheelingthegurneyintoanoperatingroom.

“Youcan’tgointhere,sir,”oneofthenursessaid,pushingagainsthischest.

Heglaredather,butsheheldherground.

“I’msorry,sir,youcannotgointhere.”

“She’smywife.”

“I’mtrulysorry,sir.We’llletyouknowwhathappenswithher.Butrightnowshe’sin

good hands and you’ll just have to trust medical staff to do everything they can to save
her.”Shegesturedtowardthewaitingroom.“Haveaseat.We’llletyouknowsomething
assoonasthere’ssomethingtotellyou.”

Dejected, Vitaly accepted defeat. He wasn’t a doctor; he had no authority in the

hospital. He trudged to the waiting room and settled heavily into a chair and absently
realizedthathestillheldhisphoneinhisbloodyhand.Hedialed.

“Da,Andrupovichhere.”

“ThebitchshotmyGiancarla.”

“Montoya?”

“Da.”

“Oh,Vitaly,that’smostunfortunate.Whereareyou?”

“Inthehospital’semergencywaitingroom.”

“We’llbethere.”

Several minutes later, Maksim and Olivia arrived, flanked by Pyotr and Gennady.

Otherwaitingroomoccupantstookonelookattheformidablemenandprudentlymoved
outoftheirway.

“What happened?” Maksim asked, keeping his usually booming voice low and

private.

Inclippedsyllables,Vitalyreportedtheshooting.

“Didyouseeher?”

“No, but I did see the flash of a scope. You’ll find it on the rooftop of a dormitory

buildingacrossfromthestudentunion.”

“Toughangle.Goodshooting,”Gennadycommented.

“AreyousureitwasMontoya?”

“NooneelsewouldwanttoharmGiancarla.”

“Wehavetotakecareofthisquicklyorhergrandfatherwillgetinvolved.”

Pyotr’s naturally pale complexion turned ashen. He’d witnessed what Giuseppe

Maglione’s people would do upon the capo’s order. It made the Ukrainian thugs look
positivelycivilized.AndhehadagreaterrangeofinfluencethandidMaksim.

“WillshecomeafterCecilyandLatasha?”heasked,determinedtoprotecthisplump,

sexy cook and her skinny, sharp-tongued friend whom Bogdan and Iosif seemed to
admire.

“Doubtful.”

“GetZakharontheline,”Maksimordered.“Findoutwhathappened.”

Astonecoldvoiceanswered:“Bogdanhere.”

“WhereisZakhar?”

“Thebitchkilledhim.I’mtrackinghernow.”

Maksimcursed.Vitalyburiedhisfaceinhisbloodyhands.Thenheloweredhishands

and stared at them for several seconds. He raised his face and Maksim felt his testicles
shrivel.Vitalyhadalways—always—beenareliablesoldier,adutifulsecondincommand.
Hehadtheabilitytolead.Butthesheer,viciousrageintheman’seyesicedhisguts.This
wasamanwhocarednothingforhierarchy;onlyforvengeance.

“Find her. Then bring her to me,” Vitaly snapped out the order, his eyes and voice

colderthaniceandsharperthanbrokenglass.

PyotrlookedatMaksim,whonoddedhisapproval.PyotrrelayedtheordertoBogdan

andadded,“Bringinwhomeveryouneedtodothis.”

“Da.”

“Vitaly.”

He turned is face toward Maksim, his eyes still icy, the skin over his cheekbones

stretched tight, his big, bloodstained hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. He said
nothing,justlookedatMaksim,whodaredrestaheavyhandonhisshoulderinagesture
meanttocalm,tocomfort,tosteady.

“Beforeyoukillher,”hesaidinaquiettoneinRussiantoavoidthewrongpersons

overhearingtheirconversation,“findoutwheresheputmymoney.”

Vitalyblinkedonceandturnedhisfaceaway.HissilencediscomfitedMaksim.

They continued to wait in silence. They listened without hearing and observed

without seeing the chaos of pain and misery that filled the emergency room in fits and
spurts.Somewhereasmallchildcried.Twolowlevelthugsshoutedepithetsateachother
while being physically restrained by police as a third was wheeled through a pair of
swingingdoors.Amiddleagedwomanwithabruisedandswollenfaceweptasshewas
escortedintoanexaminationroom.

Theoutdatesmagazinesheldnointerestforthem.

“Mr.Synvolka,”ashort,plumpmaninbluescrubscalled.

Vitalystoodandfacehim.“Da.”

Theman’seyebrowsroseashetookinthebigRussian’simposingstature.“Yourwife

isoutofsurgery.Pleasecomewithme.”

Maksimstoodalso.

“Areyouarelative,sir?”themaninscrubsasked.

“IamVitaly’suncle,”Maksimlied.

“Onlyimmediatefamilyarepermittedtovisitatthistime,”bluescrubssaid.

The emergency room doors opened to admit an elegantly dressed older man whose

polished dress shoes slapped authoritatively as he strode across the tile floor toward
Vitaly. The male nurse tensed; there were few in town who did not recognize Giuseppe
Maglione.

“Mygranddaughter.Howisshe?”theoldmandemanded,eachsyllablesnappingoff

histonguelikeawhiplash.

“Mr. Maglione, only immediate family are permitted to visit her at this time,” he

repeated,hisexpressionandtonecautious.

Giuseppe slapped his hand against his chest and said, “Do you know how much

moneyIhavedonatedtothishospital?Iwillseemygranddaughter.”

TheoldmobsterglancedupatVitalyandsubsidedalittle.“Butherhusbandmaysee

herfirst.”

Vitalysaidnothing,butgesturedtowardthenursetoleadthemtoGiancarla.Byrote,

he memorized the path, took note of exits, visualized ambush points. He exhaled
explosively when he saw his wife lying on a bed, her skin ashen, wires and tubes
sproutingfromherandconnectinghertovariouspiecesofequipment.

“Giancarla,”hegroanedhoarselyandcollapsedtohiskneesbesidethebed.Hetook

nonoticeofthebitsofglassstillembeddedinhiskneesashetookherlimphandinhis,
carefullyavoidingtheintravenousdriptapedthere.

“Sir!Sir!”anursecriedout.“You’rebleeding!”

“Getawayfromme,”hegrowledassherushedtourgehimtositinachairratherthan

kneelonthefloorbesidethebed.

“Vitaly, let the nurse help you,” Giuseppe’s voice ordered coldly from outside the

door.“YouwilldoGiancarlanogoodinjured.”

The mobster’s reason penetrated Vitaly’s mind and he rose with a grunt. The nurse

calledadoctor,whoarrivedwithinafewminutes.

“You’llhavetocomewithme,”thedoctorsaid.

“Nyet,”Vitalyreplied.“Iwillnotleaveher.”

Thedoctorglancedatthebigman’sfaceandgavein.Unlesshewantedtowrestlehis

patient’shusband—andhereally,reallydidnot—thenitwasbestthathesimplygaveinto
theinevitableandtreatedhimrightthere.Heturnedtothenurseandsnappedoutorders.
Shenoddedandreturnedafewminuteslaterwiththenecessarysupplies.

“Iwillhavetocutyourpants,Mr.Synvolka,”hesaid.

Vitalygruntedandshrugged,hisgazeneverleavinghiswife.

Thedoctorshrugged,snappedonapairofexamgloves,andremovedthelowerhalf

of Vitaly’s jeans. He pursed his lips seeing the shredded skin, the shards of glass
embeddedintheman’slegs.Healsonotedtheotheroldscarsdecoratingtheman’sskin.
He’dseensimilarscarsbeforeonsoldierswhohadreturnedfromheavycombat.

“Iraq?Afghanistan?”heasked.

Vitaly ignored him. The metal bowl plinked with each bloody bit of glass extracted

fromhisflesh.Hesquirtedsterilesalinesolutionoverthewoundedkneeswithoutcarefor
theresultingpuddleonthefloor.Thenurse,however,didcareandwaddedtowelsaround
Vitaly’s feet. At the doctor’s command, the nurse handed over a threaded needle and a
syringe.

“Nodrugs,”Vitalygrunted.

“Ihavetostitchthesedeepercuts,”thedoctorsaid.“It’sgoingtohurt.Alot.”

“Nodrugs.”

“Thenyou’dbetterholdstill.”

Vitalyshrugged.Thedoctorshruggedandsetasidethepainkiller.Thebigman’slips

tightenedwiththefirstpunctureoftheneedle,butheheldstill.Sweatbeadedonhisskin,
butheheldstillasthedoctorstitchedfirstonewound,thenanother,thenanother.Noneof
the wounds was very large, but together they required enough thread to make his knees
looklikeachild’sineptembroideryproject.Cuttingoffthethreadafterthelaststitch,the
doctorrinsedthewoundedkneesagain,slatheredthemwithantibioticointment,andthen
wrappedtheminsterilegauzeandmedicaltape.Anorderlyarrivedtocleanupthemess.

“Mr. Synvolka,” try not to get your stitches wet. The dressings will need to be

changedintwodays,theneverydayafterthat,assumingnoinfectionsetsin.”Heheldup
anothersyringe.Vitalyshothimacoldglare.“It’snotapainkiller,Mr.Synvolka,it’san
antibiotictohelpwardoffinfection.”

Vitalynoddedandthedoctorquicklyjabbedhim.

“Mr.Synvolka,youshouldgohomeandgetsomethingtoeat.Rest.”

Vitalygrunted.

“Shewon’twakeupuntiltomorrowmorningattheearliest.Shedoesn’tevenknow

you’rehere.”

Vitalyfeltaslighttwitchofherfingers.“Sheknows.Iwillstay.”

The doctor looked at the dapper man hovering outside the door and nodded. “Mrs.

Synvolkaisyourgranddaughter,Mr.Maglione?”

“Sí.Shewillrecover?”Giuseppeaskedashesteppedinsidetheroomandapproached

Gia’sbed.Hereachedouttostrokehisfingertipsacrossherforehead.

“Sheshould,”thedoctorrepliedwithcautiousoptimism.“Thebulletnickedboththe

pulmonaryarteryandaorta,butmissedtheheartitself.Itspassageshatteredtworibs,one
ontheentryandanotherontheexit,whichwe’vepiecedbacktogether.Theexitwoundis
extensive.Thebackmusclesarebadlydamaged,butshouldhealsufficientlyforhertolive
andworknormally.She’llbescarredforlife.”

The old man closed his eyes to control his grief and anger. When they opened, the

doctor and the nurse both took backward steps. Every rumor about the old man’s ties to
crimeracedthroughtheirmindsandtheyknewtheystoodinthepresenceofakiller.The
nurseglancedatVitaly’sexpressionofglacialwrathandamendedthat:sheandthedoctor
stoodinthepresenceoftwokillers.

“Doyouknowwhodidthis?”Giuseppehissed.

“Da.”

“Tellme,boy.”

“Thisismyvengeancetotake.”

“You have three days, Vitaly Synvolka. If my granddaughter is not avenged, then I

willensureitisdone.”

“Uh, sir, you really can’t plan a murder. I’m duty-bound to report that to the

authorities,”thedoctorventured,hisvoiceshakingwithfear.

Theshortmandrewhimselftohisfullstatureandsneereddownhishookednoseat

the doctor. “I am Giuseppe Maglioneand no one tells me what I may or may not
do. Capisci?”

Thedoctorandnursebothnodded.Theyunderstood.

“Tregiorni,”Giusepperemindedhisgranddaughter’shusband,notcaringwhetherthe

manspokeItalian.Hewalkedout,pattingtheblanketsdrapedoverGia’slegsonhisway.

Vitaly didn’t speak Italian, but he needed no translation guide to understand what

Giuseppe meant. Unfortunately, leaving Giancarla’s bedside wasn’t something that he
could force himself to do. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Startled, he looked up,
concerned with not having heard anyone approach him from behind. Maksim met his
gaze.Theolderman’seyeswerehard,hisexpressionstony.

“We’llfindher,”hevowed.“Youstaywithyourwife.Wewillfindher.”

“Spasibo,” Vitaly replied with true gratitude. “Let me know when you have her. I

wanttointerrogatehermyself.”

Maksim’sexpressiontightenedwithbloodthirstysatisfaction.

“Da.”

Withasqueezetohissubordinate’sshoulderthatwasmeanttoreassurehim,Maksim

left.Pyotrfollowed.

OliviakindlyarrivedafewhourslatertogiveVitalyabreakatGia’sbedsidewitha

satchelcontainingacleanchangeofclothes.“Ifyouwon’tgohometorest,thenatleast
getsomethingtoeatandputonsomecleanclothes,”sheinsisted.Sheduginherpurseand
held up her cell phone. “I have your number. If anything changes, I’ll let you know
immediately.”

Vitaly’sbellygrowledloudly,eagertotakeOliviauponhersuggestion.Hebowedto

biologicalneedandpromisedtoreturnshortly.Hisboss’wifethensettledinachairwitha
paperbacknovel.Beforecrackingopenthebook,shetookGia’sfingersinhersandsaidin
a quiet voice, “Come back to him, Gia. Vitaly loves you. He needs you more than he
knows.Youaretheonewhowillkeephimhuman.”Shesighed,laidthebookonherlap,
andcontinued.“MyMaksimwasmuchlikeVitaly:cold,driven,calculating.Heliberated
mefromahumantraffickingringquitebyaccident.Hehadintendedtousemeandthen
sellme,butwefellinloveandhelosthistasteforthebusiness.Hehasworkedtheselast
fifteenyearstomoveintolegitimatebusinessandithassavedhishumanity.But,alas,the
shift is not complete and Vitaly has been his right hand man for enforcement and
interrogationandithasblackenedhissoul.IfearedforhimbeforehefoundyouandIfear
forhimifhelosesyou.Soyoumustfighttocomebacktous,Gia.Youmustfight.”

Shewatchedtheyoungwomanlyingstillandpaleandhopedforareaction,butshe

sawnothing.ShelightlysqueezedGia’sfingersandthenpickedupherbook.Nursescame
intotheroomandcheckedonGia’svitalstatisticswithquietefficiency.

When Vitaly returned, she met his hopeful gaze with a small shake of her head and

relinquishedherseat.Hereturnedhersilentcommunicationwithacurtnod,loosedasigh,
andsatdown.

“Talktoher.Holdherhand,”Oliviaadvisedgently.“Giveherspiritsomethingtograb

onto.”

Henoddedandbegantotalk,beginningwiththeharshstoryofhislife.Softlyspoken,

Russianwordsflowedinanendlessstreambrokenonlybytheoccasionalpauseforasip
ofwater.Thenhetalkedofherclasswork.

“Your professors,” he said, “will surely forgive incomplete homework assignments

this time. Even they cannot expect you to meet their deadlines now. I will ask Pyotr to
make sure your friends get to and from their classes without fail and to speak to your
professoraboutassigningJeremyanewlaboratorypartner.”

Aknockonthedoorinterruptedhissomewhathoarsemonologue.

“Hi,Vitaly,canwecomein?”Cecilyasked,peeringintotheroom.

“Youmay,”heagreedandgesturedforhertoenter.

Theplumpblondesteppedinside,eyeswideandmouthagapeatthetubesandcords

and beeping machinery. Latasha followed immediately behind her and picked up Gia’s
medicalchart.Pyotrlingeredjustoutsidethedoor.HenoddedatVitaly,eyestiredwithin
his usual inscrutable expression. Vitaly nodded back in silent gratitude. Perhaps having
herclosestfriendsnearwouldhelpGiancarla.

“GoodLord,”Latashawhisperedasshereadthechart.ShelookedatVitalyandsaid,

“Schoolofficialsaren’tsayinganythingabouttheshooting,exceptthatitwasn’tastudent
whowentcrazy.”Shepinnedhimwithapiercinglook.“Wasshetargeted?”

“Da.”

“Why?Gia’sneverhurtanothersoul.”

“Becauseofme,”Vitalyadmitted.

Cecilysobbedonceandthenchokedbackherdistress.Latashaglaredathim.

“Ioughttokillyoumyself,”shesnarledinalow,intensetone.

With an icy look at her, Vitaly simply replied, “Better to kill the shooter who did

this.”

Latashanarrowedhereyesandasked,hervoicefilledwithsuspicion,“Doyouknow

whodidthis?”

“Ido.”

“And?”Shetappedherfootimpatientlywhenhedidnotanswer.“Vitaly,I’vegotfour

brothersandain’tnoneofthemupstandingcitizens.Buttheylovemeandthey’llgoafter

whoevershotGia.”

“Iappreciatethat,buttheBratvawillfindthispersonandthenIwillmakeherpay.”

“Her?”Cecilygasped,latchingontothepronoun.“AwomanshotGia?”

“Youdon’tthinkawomancanshootagun?”

“But…but…”Hershoulderssagged.“Itdoesn’tfitthatprofile,that’sforsure.”

VitalyagreedandignoredPyotr’swarningglare.

“Whydon’tyoutakeabreak?”Cecilysuggestedkindly,seeingthewearinessofbody

andspiritinhishaggardface.“We’llstaywithherforawhile.Surely,youneedtoeat.”

“Andashowerwouldn’thurteither,”Latashaaddedwithapointedsniff.

“Go,Iwillstayaswell,”PyotrsaidinEnglish,thenswitchedtoRussian.“Ifitwere

mywifelyingthere,thenyouwoulddothesameforme.”

“Spasibo,” he thanked them and rose from the chair with all the slow, creaky

carefulnessofanoldman.Pyotrpattedhimonthebackandgavehimanencouragingnod.
VitalynoddedhisheadtowardCecilywhohadtakenoverthechairandwastalkingsoftly
toGiancarla.StickingtoRussian,heaskedhiscolleague,“So,areyougoingtomarrythis
one?”

Pyotr’sexpressionsoftenedinfinitesimallyandthecornersofhismouthcurledinthe

faintestofsmiles.“ShecooksthebestfoodI’veeverhadandisawildcatinbed.Yes,I’m
goingtokeepthisoneandputbabiesinthatbelly.”

Vitaly glanced back at the demure looking blonde and said nothing. The image of

Giancarlawithherbellyswollenandripewithhischildtauntedhim.Hewantedthat.He
wantedtobuildafamilywithher.

“She looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but that woman is hot under the

sheets,”Pyotrbragged.

“Congratulations. Tell me when you set the wedding date. I’m sure Giancarla will

wanttoplanapartytocelebrate.”

“I’m waiting for her to graduate. Just a few more weeks and she’ll be wearing my

ring.”

“Congratulations,”herepeatedwithsincereregard.“Andwhatoftheothergirl?”

“Ah,thatone.”Pyotr’sexpressionturnedsour.“I’mhalf-temptedtosicGennadyon

her.”

“Hebreakswomen.”

“Iknow.”Pyotr’sbriefsmilewasn’tpleasant.

“Don’t.”

Pyotrsighed.“Ifshedidnotmeansomuchtoyourwifeand,therefore,toyou,thenI

would.She’sashrew,thatone.AssoonasIosifgetsbackfromhistrip,I’llthrowherat

himandseeifshesticks.Bogdan’sinterestedinher,too.”

“Helikesachallenge.”

Pyotr shrugged, dismissing the matter. Whether Iosif or Bogdan decided to keep

Latasha wasn’t something he’d waste time worrying about. He patted Vitaly again in a
wordlessgestureofcomfortandstoodalertwhilehiswomanandherfriendchatteredat
thepatientlyingpaleandstill.

Chapter7

AnotherdaypassedandVitalysawnoimprovement.Thingsgotworse.Bloodfrothed

brightandbubblyfromhermouth.Vitalyshoutedforassistancewhichquicklyarrivedand
shovedhimoutoftheway.Medicalpersonnelwheeledhertoanoperatingroomwithall
duehasteandemergedafewhourslater.

“She’s stabilized. The nick to the pulmonary artery broke open again and we’ve

patchedit,”thedoctorsaid.“Barringinfection,sheshouldrecover.”

Vitalynoddedandwantedtoshoutandpoundsomething,butthedoctorhaddoneall

he could and was not to blame for the setback. He seated himself once more beside her
bed, bowed his head, and prayed like he’d never prayed before. He railed at God,
implored, and bargained. Silence answered him and he doubted that a deity in whom he
hadnevergiventheslightestcredencewouldwastetimeansweringhisprayers.

Heslumped,restinghisheadonthemattressalongsideherthigh.Closinghiseyesfor

a moment, he mustered his courage and determination as though he could will his own
greatstrengthintoherslenderbody.

Hiscellphonevibratedinhispocket.Hepulleditoutandansweredthecall.

“Bogdanfoundher,”Pyotr’svoiceannounced.

“Doeshehaveher?”VitalyaskedinRussian.

“Notyet.Iosifreturnedyesterdayevening.He’swithBogdanandGennady.They’ve

gothertrappedinahotelroom.Gennadywantstogoinandgether.”

ColdfurysuffusedVitaly.Hislipspeeledbackinahorrifyingsneer.“No.CallOlivia

and ask her to sit with Giancarla. That woman’s fate is in my hands. Give me your
direction;IwilljoinyouassoonasOliviaarrives.”

HeendedthecallandhalfanhourlaterMaksim’swifearrived.Herprettybrowneyes

heldaworriedexpression.

“What’sgoingon,Vitaly?”sheaskedassheenteredtheroom.

“BogdanandPyotrfoundMontoya,”Vitalygaveaterseanswerasheshruggedona

jacket.“I’mgoingtomeetwiththebitch.”

Oliviafrownedandlaidagentlehandonhissleeve.Shelookedupathim.“Don’tdo

anythingtoshameyourwife,Vitaly.Please.”

Hiseyebrowsrose.“Youwantmetoshowmercy?”

“Giawouldwantyoutoshowmercy,”sheclarified.“Iwantyoumakehersuffer.”

Hissurprisedexpressionmadeherchuckleandcomment,“PerhapsIhavebeenliving

withMaksimtoolong.”

Heshookhishead.“No,you’vebeengoodforMaksim.Heisabettermanbecauseof

you.”HeglancedathiswifethenbacktoOlivia.Inanalmostinaudiblewhisper,hesaid,
“If she wakes, do not tell her where I’ve gone or what I’m doing. Reassure her I will
returnsoon.”

Shenodded.Vitalyleft.

He drove carefully, aware of his weariness. Stopping at his house, he picked up his

bagoftoolsandachangeofclothes.Whatheintendedtodowasgoingtogetmessy,very
messy.

Gennady met him in the hotel lobby and debriefed him on the target’s location and

activity.“Wehaveallexitsfromherroomcovered,”hesaid.

“Thewindow?”

“She’s on the eighth floor. She won’t be jumping. Besides, the windows in this

buildingdon’topen.”

“Don’tunderestimateher.Callsomeoneinandputhimtowatchingherwindow.”

Gennadynoddedandplacedthecallashewalkedalongsidehiscolleague.

VitalycalledPyotr:“Dowehavepeoplestationedattheelevatorandfireexits?”

“Da. I am watching the elevator. Iosif has one of the fire exits and Bogdan has the

other.Shecannotleaveherroomwithoutoneofuswatchingher.”

Vitalywouldhavepreferredthatshenotbeabletoleaveherroomatall.

He would have preferred to surprise her in her room, but was prepared for her to

knowallaboutthependingconfrontation.

“Donotallowherpastyou.”

“She’sawoman,”Pyotrsneered.

“That woman stole from Maksim, evaded us for weeks, and shot my wife.

Underestimateheratyourperil.”

“Didyoueverwonderwhysheremainedinthisarea?”Gennadyquietlyaskedasthey

rodetheslowelevatortotheeighthfloor.“WithwhatshestolefromMaksim,shecould
havetraveledanywhere.Whydidn’tshe?”

Vitalyshothimanappraisingglance.Gennadyhadhiddendepthsbeneaththebrutish

exterior.Heanswered,“That’soneofthequestionsI’llbeaskingher.”

Theelevatorstoppedandtwogiggling,teenagegirlsgoton.Theysentcovertglances

towardthetwohulkingmenandwhisperedandgiggledtoeachother.Themenappeared
toignorethem,thoughGennadylickedhislips.Theelevatorstoppedagainandthegirls
gotoff.

“No,”Vitalysaid.

Gennadylookedathim.

“No.”

Gennadyshrugged.Easycome,easygo,hisdemeanorsuggested.Hemissedthedays

then this local arm of the Bratva trafficked in young, pretty girls. However, he’d found
thattheflashofagoldwatchoradiamondstuddedringinabardrewyoung—andnotso
young—prettygirlsjustaseasily.Theyignoredhisuglyfaceinfavorofhishardbodyand
promise of hard cash for a night’s pleasure. What few of them realized was that the
pleasurewashis,notnecessarilytheirs.

He made sure never to visit the same bar within a six-month period. People needed

timetoforgethimbeforehetrolledforjailbaitagain.

The elevator arrived at their designated floor and they walked toward Carmen

Montoya’shotelroom.Amiddleagedcouplepassedtheminthecorridor.Theypausedby
amaid’scartandenteredtheroomshewascleaning.

“Ma’am?”Vitalycalledsoftlytogetherattention.

Startled,themaidletlooseashortshriek,thenfrowned.“No,no,youmustnotbein

here.Go!”

Vitalysetdownhisbagandpulledouthiswalletandbegancountingoffbills.

“We need your assistance,” Gennady said, making sure to keep his tone friendly.

Well,neutral.Well,notthreatening.“Wewillpayyouwellanditwillonlytakeamoment
ofyourtime.”

Vitalyheldupseveralcrisponehundreddollarbills,morethanwhatshe’dearnina

week,probablymorethanwhatshe’dearnintwoweeks.

“WhatmustIdo?”sheaskedsuspiciously.

“Myfriendhere,”GennadygesturedwithhishandtowardVitaly,“wantstomakeup

withhisgirlfriend.”

Themaidfrownedagain,notbelievingasingleword.

“ShethoughtIwascheatingonher,”Vitalyliedwiththeeaseoflongpractice.“ButI

was merely escorting his little sister as a favor. I just want to surprise her, let her know
howmuchIcare.”

Themaid’sexpressiondidnotchange.Vitalypulledoutafewmorebills.

“WhatmustIdo?”sheasked.

“Simply pull your cart to her door and knock on it. When she sees that it is the

housekeepingservice,shewillopenthedoor.Thenyoucangobacktoworkdoingwhat
younormallydo.”

“Whichroom?”

“Eighttwenty-seven”

“Ihavealreadycleanedthatroom.”

“Tellheryouthinkyouforgottoreplacetheshampooandsoap.”

The maid glanced longingly at the fistful of cash while her conscience warred with

greed.Sheneededthewindfall,butshealsoneededherjob.

“Icouldlosemyjob.”

Gennadyrolledhisshouldersandsaid,“Wewillnottellanyoneyouhavedoneusthis

favor.”Thenhebeganrollinguphissleeves.Thecrudetattoosonhisarmsofferedtheir
ownpersuasion.Themaidknewwhattattooslikethatmeantanddecidedthatgreedwas
saferthanvalor.

“Paymentnow,”shesaid,theglintinhereyesreflectingherdeterminationnottogive

intofear.“Andyouleavemealoneafterthis.”

“Done,”Vitalyagreed,satisfiedthathewouldn’thavetounleashGennadyonher.He

handedoverthecash,whichthemaidtuckedintothedeeppocketofherapron.

HeandGennadymovedasidesoshecouldwalkpastthemwithoutinterference.They

followedhertoroomeighteentwenty-seven,whereshegatheredafewbottlesofshampoo
inherhandandknockedonthedoor.Shestooddirectlyinfrontofthepeepholetoassuage
theoccupant’scaution.

“Iamsorryma’am,IthinkIforgottoreplacethetoiletries,”themaidsaid.

“I’mbusy,canyoucomebacklater?”

“I’malmostfinishedcleaningtheroomsonthisfloorandwillnothavetimetocome

backlater,ma’am.Ifyou’lljustopenthedooralittle,I’llpasstheshampoostoyou.”

“Verywell.”

The door opened the measly three inches allowed by the safety latch. Gennady and

Vitalyshovedthemaidoutofthewayandthrewtheirshouldersintothedoor.Thelatch
failed beneath their combined weight and the door swung open fully. With a shout,
CarmenMontoyashotbackwardanddartedforhergun.

Vitalylaunchedhimselfafterherandtackledher.Theyrolledtothefloor,thewoman

screeching and spitting, scratching and punching, kicking and biting. In short, she
employedeverymaneuver,everydirtytrick,sheknewtofreeherself.ButGennadywas
there,too,and—nomatterhowskilled—awoman’sstrengthwasnomatchfortwostrong,
determinedmenwhowereex-military.

“Holdher,”Vitalyorderedashedabbedatissuetoableedingscratchonhisneck.

Bogdan and Iosif, hearing the scuffle, had arrived. They looked at the door which

hungaskewonitsbenthinges.

“Doyouhaveavehicleready?”Vitalyaskedthem,horrifiedatthecloseresemblance

betweenhiswifeandthethiefwhohadnearlymurderedher.

“Yes.It’sparkednearthestairwell.”

“Good,Ican’tinterrogateherinhere.”

Witheacharmfirmlyheldbyamanandathirdmanwhowalkedcloselybehindher

with the sharp point of a small knife digging into her spine, Carmen Montoya allowed
herselftobeescortedtothewaitingvehicle.

Gennadydrovetoanoldwarehouseinthedowntroddenindustrialdistrictatthelake’s

edge.Thesoundsofindustrycouldstillbeheard,withcontainershipsbeingloadedand
unloadedwithiron,grains,coal,lumber,andotherlarge,bulkygoods.Beforelettingher
outofthevehicle,Vitalytookarollofducttapefromhisbagoftricksandwoundalength
aroundherwrists.CarmenMontoyaglancedattheshinyimplementsinthebagandturned
pale.

Iosif and Bogdan again forcibly escorted her into the Bratva warehouse where they

ledherintoasmallroomappointedwithanoverheadlight,twowoodenchairs,thicksolid
walls,andaheavysteeldoor.Shestruggledagainstthem,buttheyforcedhertositonone
of the chairs where they bound her. Vitaly wrapped duct tape around her waist and the
backofthechair,aroundheranklestothechairlegs,aroundhershouldersandthebackof
thechair.Hepulledacleanhandkerchieffromthebag,waddeditup,andstuffeditinher
mouth.

Sweat beaded on her skin and trickled down. Vitaly leaned down and pulled out a

thin,smallmatontowhichhecarefullydisplayedanassortmentoftools.Voicemuffledby
the cloth in her mouth, Montoya moaned. Vitaly picked up one of his smaller knives in
one hand and pinched a lock of her hair in the other. He sliced through the lock in one
easyswipe,showingherhowsharpthebladewas.

“Here’showthisisgoingtowork,Carmen,”hesaidinasoft,menacingvoice.“I’m

goingtoaskyouquestionsandyou’regoingtogivemetruthfulanswertoeachofthem.
Foreverylieorhesitation,Iwillcutsomething.ItmaybeasimplecutorImightactually
seversomethingimportant.”Heshrugged.“It’salluptoyou.”

Herjawworkedandmuffledsoundscamethroughthewadoffabric.Hepulledout

thehandkerchiefandasked,“Youhavesomethingtosay?”

ShespatandstartedcursingathiminvitriolicSpanish.Vitalydughisfingersintoher

jawtolockitopenwhilehestuffedthemoistwadofclothbackintohermouth.

“That wasn’t ladylike,” he commented and deftly sliced open her shirt. Then he cut

herbraandtheelasticmaterialsnappedbacktoexposeherheaving,sweatybreasts.With
a delicacy that no one mistook as care, he lifted her left breast and smiled a little at the
small,distinctivetattooplacedunderthesoftflesh.Then,withoutwarning,heslicedoff
thetattoo,leavingagaping,bloodyholeandthewhitegleamofbone.

The woman’s incoherent shriek of agony filled the room, but thick concrete floor,

ceiling, and walls and a thick steel door held in the sound. Her bladder released, the
pungenturinepuddlingunderandaroundtheirchair.

NeitherVitalynorCarmennoticedtheheavy,carefulthunkofthelatchasGennady,

Iosif, and Bogdan left the room so their boss’ lieutenant could work his bloody magic.
TheycalledMaksim.

TwohourslaterVitalywalkedthroughthedoorcarryinghisbag,nowclosed.Maksim

rosefromhischairandaskedquietly,“Doyouhavetheinformation?”

Vitalywearilysetdownhisbag,openedit,andretrievedanotebook.Hepulledouta

handful of bloodstained pages onto which he’d neatly jotted down his notes from the
interrogation.“Shedidnotremembertheaccountnumberswhereshesentthemoney,but
shedidgivemethenameandcontactinformationofthepersonwhohiredher.You’renot
goingtolikeit.”

Maksim read the notes and frowned. “Is there anything left of her?” he asked as he

foldedthepaperstwiceandstuffedtheminhispocket.

“Notmuch.ButGiuseppemightliketoplaywithwhatremains.”

“Ah.She’llbeagiftfromustohim.He’lllikethat.”

Maksim’sapprovaldidn’tignitethatglowofprideandaccomplishmentlikeitusually

did.Vitalynoddedandranthebackofhisforearmoverhiseyes.Hefeltnosatisfactionin
having done his job with his usual level of excellence. His belly rolled. Saliva filled his
mouth.Helurchedtothetoiletroomandvomited.Noonefollowedhim,noonewatched
hisweakness,buteachmanthereknewwhenheemergedthatVitalySynvolkahadlosthis
tastefortorture.

“I’mnotdoingthatagain,”hesaidquietly.

Maksimnodded.Hehopedsuchgruesomeskillswouldn’tbeneededanylonger,but

couldn’tcountonit.HeglancedatGennadywhoseusuallyimpassiveexpressioncouldn’t
mask the interest and excitement in his gaze. He doubted Gennady would ever have
Vitaly’s finesse; he would be more likely to use his fists and some blunt weapons.
Gennadylikedviolence.

“Cleanupandgobacktoyourwife,Vitaly.I’llcallGiuseppe.”

Vitalynodded,hisgratitudesilentbutnolesssincere.

“WhydidshestayingreaterCleveland?”Gennadyaskedashewalkedby.

“Herdaughterliveshere.”

“Daughter? I didn’t know she had a child,” Bogdan’s quietly voice surprise echoed

theircollectiveastonishment.

“She’sonlysevenandplacedwithafosterfamily.”

“Thefostersystemisnotagoodplaceforachild,”Maksimcommentedthoughtfully,

thinking of how much Olivia missed having children underfoot since their youngest had
departedforcollegeandtheiroldesthadnotyetproducedgrandchildrenforhertospoil.
“Livywillbehappytotakeinthegirl.”

VitalydidnotremarkupontheironyoftheBratvaleadertakingintheonlydaughter

of the woman whose torture and death he had ordered. With luck, the girl would never
know.

He walked to the executive office where Maksim kept a comfortably appointed

bedroom, kitchenette, and full bathroom for those times when business took all day and
muchofthenight.Thebedroomhadseenillicituseintheearlierdaysofhisbusiness,but
Oliviahadputastoptothat.Vitalyhimselfhadspentmorethanonenightinthatsmall
apartmentbehindtheoffice.HewasgratefulthatMaksimkeptitstocked.

Whenthewaterranclearoffhisskinandhecoulddetectnoresidueofblood,Vitaly

put on clean clothes. He wadded up his bloodied clothing in a towel and dropped them
downthechutetotheincineratorwherenotraceofthemwouldbefoundeveragain.He
wasn’t sure what to do about his tools, so he took the time necessary to clean them
thoroughlyandsharpentheblades.Hecouldnotleavetheminthewarehouseanddidnot
wanttobringthemhome.

Withamutteredoath,hecalledforataxi.

His footsteps sounded hollow in the big building as he walked across the concrete

floor to meet the taxi which took him to the hospital. A text message from Gennady
informedhimthathiscarhadbeenpickedupandreturnedtothehospitalparkinglot.He
quicklytypedathank-youtoGennady.

“You’ve been a long time,” Olivia commented in a quiet voice when he returned to

Giancarla’sroom.

Henoddedandreplied,“It’sdone.”

She nodded in understanding and turned to look at Giancarla. “She’s the same.

There’sbeennochange.”

“Thankyouforstayingwithher,”hewhispered.

Shelookedupathim,expressionsofteningtoseehiseyesshiningwithtears.Sherose

andwrappedherarmsaroundhim.Vitalybenthisheadtoherfluffyhairandwept.Silent
tears ran down Olivia’s cheeks as shudders and muffled sobs wracked the big man’s
frame.Inafewminutes,heregainedcontrol.Oliviahandedhimapackoftissuesafterhe
satinthechairbesideGiancarla’sbed.

“Spasibo.”Thenheapologized,“Prosti.”

“Thereisnoneed,”shesaidgently,layingahandonhismeatyshoulder.Sheleaned

downandpressedakisstohischeek.“Visitthechapel.IwillsendPyotrandhisgirlsto
giveyoubreaklater.”

Henoddedandthoughtthat,perhaps,shewasright.Avisittothechapelwasinorder.

Chapter8

Vitalyspokesoftly,continuously,theRussianwordsbarelyheardabovethehumand

beepingofmachines.Hereachedovereverysooftentostrokefingertipsdownhercheek,
brush back her lank hair. He held her hand constantly, yearning to feel the flutter of her
fingersunderhis.Whenwordsfailedhim,hebegantosing,startingwithhalf-remembered
lullabiescaretakerssangtotheyoungestchildrenintheorphanages.

Hisbreathcaughtwhenherfingersfluttered.

“Giancarla?”

Abreathymoanescapedherlips.Hereyelidsfluttered,butdidnotopen.

“Giancarla?”

“Vitaly,”shemumbled.

“Ah,dearGod,thankyou!”Hishoarsevoicecracked.Heliftedherhandandkissed

herfingers.Tearswelledinhiseyesashestrokedherface.“I’vebeensoworriedabout
you.”

Hereyesflutteredopen,thechocolategazebleary.

“Vitaly?”

“Iamhere,moysladkiy.”

Sheblinkedseveraltimes,slowly.“Wereyousinging?”

“Didyouhearme?Icalledforyou.Italkedtoyouand,yes,Isangtoyou.”

“Iheardyou.”Sheblinkedagainandseemedtofade.“Sotired.”

“Sleep,then,myGiancarla,andreturntome.”

Herbreathsighedfromdeepwithinherchestandhereyelidsdriftedshut.Vitalygave

herhandalightsqueezeandhisheartsangwhenherfingersbrieflytighteneduponhisin
response.

Afterawhile—Vitalydidn’tnoticethetime—anurseenteredtheroomtocheckGia’s

vitalstatistics.

“How’sshedoing?”sheasked.

“Shewoke,”Vitalywhisperedback.“Sherecognizedme.”

“That’swonderful.Ishouldfetchthedoctor.He’llwanttocheckonherrightaway.”

Vitalynodded.Thenursedeparted.

Chapter9

Withgreatcare,Vitalycarriedhisbrideoverthethreshold.Pyotrheldopenthedoor.

Cecily and Olivia came bustling from the kitchen. Latasha walked immediately behind
Vitaly,aconstantstreamofwarningsandinstructionspouringfromhermouthuntilIosif
swungheraroundandshuthermouthwithhisown.Maksimcarriedinbulgingshopping
bagsfilledwitheverythingtheinvalidcouldpossiblyneedforthenexttwoyears.

“Ineedabath,”GiancarlawhisperedintoVitaly’sshoulder.

“You’ll get a bath and then you will eat. Livy and Cecily have prepared a feast for

yourhomecoming.”

Cardoorsslammedatthecurb.VitalyturnedhisheadtolookandsawGiuseppeand

GiovanniMaglionestridingupthewalk.Giuseppecarriedwhatlookedtobeapastrybox.
Giovanni carried a different sort of box in one hand and a large shopping in the other.
Vitalysteppedasidetoletthemintothehouse.

“Grandpa,”Giancarlaexclaimedwithasmile.“Ididn’tthinktoseeyousosoon.”

“And why not?” he demanded, his tone indulgent as he leaned to kiss her on the

cheek.“Thisisajoyousoccasion.Youarehome.”

“Welcomebackfrombeyond,cousin,”Giovannigreetedherwithakisstohercheek

asPyotrclosedthedoorbehindthem.

“Youbroughtgifts.”

Giuseppeheldupthebox.“Italiancreamcake.Yourfavorite.Biancamadeitjustthe

wayyouremember.”

“Oh,thankyou!”

Ayowlcamefromthebox.

“Giovanni,what’sinthebox?”

“YouneedcompanywhenVitalyisbusy,”Giovannisaidandgentlysettheboxand

shoppingbagonthefloor.Heopenedtheboxandliftedoutatinyblackandwhitekitten.
“Andheneedsalovinghome.It’sagoodmatch.”

Giancarlainhaledandtearswelledupinhereyes.Shestretchedoutahandtowardthe

black and white ball of fluff, but Giovanni simply set it on her chest. Her hand
immediatelycoveredthekittenandstrokeditssoft,softfur.

“Oh,he’sdarling.”

“Givehimaname,Gia.I’llputhissuppliesinthekitchen.Later,youandVitalycan

decidewhereyouwanttostashhislitterboxandeverythingelse.

Vitalyexchangedglanceswiththeyoungerman,whoreturnedhislookwithalookof

cool amusement. This young man, he thought, would be a worthy successor to his
grandfather.

“Come,” he said, although it wasn’t like Giancarla had wandered off. “You wish to

bathe.”

“I can help her,” Latasha volunteered. “I’ve almost got my nursing license, you

know.”

“Thankyou,butIwilldoit,”Vitalyfirmlyandgentlydeclinedtheoffer.Hecarried

wife and kitten upstairs to the master bedroom and settled them on the bed. “Stay put
whileIrunyourbathandfetchyousomeclothing.”

Still exhausted and aching, Gia nodded and obediently waited. She watched as he

movedabout,admiredtherippleofhardmusclebeneathhisshirt,thepressofheavythigh
musclesagainsthisslacks.

“You’resobeautiful,”shemurmuredasheundressedher,takingcarenottoabradeor

bump her bandaged wounds. He gently checked the edges of the water resistant wound
dressingstoensurethattheywereproperlysealedagainstherskin.

“Ready?”

Shenodded.

He lifted her, carried her into the bathroom, and settled her carefully into the tub

whilethewaterstillran.Hefilledpitcher.

“Canyouleanforward?”

She leaned forward as best she was able. He poured the water over her head, then

squeezedsomeshampoointohispalm.Shesighedwithpleasureashemassagedherscalp.
Hefilledthepitcheragainandpoured,repeatinguntilthewaterrinsingherhairranclear.
Thenhetookawashcloth,wetit,squeezedsomeofherfavoriteraspberryshowergelon
it, and washed her face and neck. After rinsing, he turned his attention to washing her
arms,torso,andlegs,andbetweenherlegs.Shefeltdesirespark,butknewthathe’dnot
takeadvantageofit.

Thenheliftedherfromthetubandwrappedherinalargetowel.Afterpattingherdry

withtendercare,hedressedherascarefullyashewouldafragileinfantandplacedlight,
butterflykissesalongherskinashedidso.Nexthecombedherhair.Finally,heslidfurry
slippersoverherfeet.Thekittenhadsincecurleduponthebedandfallenasleep.Vitaly
scoopedupthekittenandplaceditinGiancarla’shands.

“Ready?”

She nodded. He lifted her into his arms and carried her back downstairs where her

welcomingcommitteesateating,drinking,andtalking.

“Do you feel better now?” Olivia inquired as she gently removed the still sleeping

kittenfromGia’shold.

“Much,”shereplied.“It’ssogoodtohavecleanhairagain,especially.”

Olivia chuckled and carried the kitten into the kitchen, saying, “The poor thing will

needtousehislitterboxandwillprobablybehungry.YoucanhaveVitalymovehisbox
andbowlstomorrow.Heneedsthepractice.”

“Practice?”theybothechoed.

“Practice,”Oliviasaidfirmly.“Nowfindaplaceforhertositandeat.”

“Yes,madam,”Vitalyrepliedandobeyed.

“You’reagoodboy,”Oliviacommentedwithanindulgentsmile.

“You’renotthatmucholderthanIam,Livy.”

“I’moldenoughandneveryoumindtheexactage.”Shehandedhimaloadedplate

and a fork. “Now feed your wife. After being in the hospital for two weeks, she needs
good,heartyfood,nottheswilltheyservethere.”

“Yes,ma’am.”

Gia grinned to see her big, badass husband so cowed by this petite woman. She

pushedherglassesbackupthebridgeofhernoseandeagerlytookaforkfuloffoodinto
hermouth.Shemoanedwithdelightasthedivinelypreparedfoodlandedonhertongue
andfilledherheart.

Sheateuntilshecouldeatnomore.Regardlessofthenumberofpeopleinherhome

—and it was her home, too, she realized—the quantity of leftovers would prevent her
fromneedingtocookforseveraldays.CecilyandOliviabustledinthekitchentostorethe
leftoversandtidythespace.

“You’veallbeensowonderful,Ican’tthankyouenough,”shesaid.

Everyone nodded and smiled and merely expressed their gladness that she had

survivedandwaswellonherwaytorecovery.Hergrandfatherandcousintooktheirleave
first,thenIosif,Pyotr,Cecily,andLatasha.

Finally,onlyVitaly,Maksim,Olivia,andGiaremainedinthelivingroom,sippingtea

orscotch,andlisteningtoclassicalmusicplaysoftlyonthesoundsystem.

“You’retired,Giancarla,”Vitalysaidandshiftedtorise.“I’lltakeyoutobed.”

“Notjustyet,please,”shesaidandstayedhimwithahandsetlightlyonhisleg.“Tell

me,whathappened?”

“Youwereshot,”Maksimanswered,thinkingthatcandidandtersewouldbethebest

approach.

“Yes,Iknow,”sherepliedinadrytone.“Butwhy?”

“Do you remember how we met?” Vitaly asked her, his voice quiet, his body tense,

hiseyesfearful.

“Yes.Icouldneverforgetthat.”

“ThewomantheCulebrasmistookyouforshotyou.”

“Butwhy?Ididn’tknowherandshedidn’tknowme.”

“Shethoughtthatkillingyouwoulddissuademefromfindingher.”

“Idon’tunderstand.”

Hetookherhandinhis.Hisjawopened,closed.Hegulpedalumpofanxiety.“She

wantedtoshowmethatsheheldtheupperhand.IfshecouldeliminatethewomanIlove,
thenshecoulddefeatme.”

“Oh.”Gia’svoicewassmallasshethoughtonthat.Thenhereyesbrightened.“You

loveme?”

“Oh, Giancarla, how can you doubt that?” he asked and drew her onto his lap,

wrapped her in his arms. He nuzzled her neck and kissed the tender, raspberry scented
skin there. “I knew you were meant to be mine the moment I looked into your pretty
browneyes.”

She sighed and relaxed against him. Eyes closed, she breathed deeply, then asked,

“Didthepolicecatchher?”

“No, we did,” Maksim answered again to spare Vitaly the pain of admitting the

violence.Oliviareachedtotakehishandinhers,offeringhersilentsupport.“We’dbeen
lookingforher.Shestolefrommeandthatisnotacceptable.”

Gianodded,eyesstillclosed.Althoughthequestionsbubbledinherthroat,sheknew

better than to voice them. The Bratva had caught a thief and would-be murderer: the
woman’sfatewasdetermined.Sheknewthattheattemptedkillingwassufficienttohave
broughthergrandfatherintoplay.

“Didgrandpa—?”

“He left retribution to me,” Maksim said, taking the responsibility for a woman’s

tortureandmurderontohisbroadshoulders.“Heissatisfiedwiththeoutcome.”

GianoddedandturnedherfaceintoVitaly’sneck.Sheinhaledtheclean,masculine

scentofhisskin.Itwaswarmanditstirredherblood.Butshewasnotyetstrongenough
toendurevigorousintimacy.Sheyawnedandrubbedhercheekagainsthim.

“I’mtired,Vitaly.”

“Da.”Herose,liftingher.Hebadeaquietgood-nighttohisbossandhisboss’wife,

whojustasquietlyrepliedtheywouldshowthemselvesout.

Once in the bedroom, he stripped her. He checked her bandages then found a soft,

worn tee shirt to pull over her. The stretched out neck drooped over one shoulder and
pulleddownlowacrossherleftbreast.Vitalypulleddownthecoversandsheslidover.He
tookoffhisclothesandslidinbehindher.Snugglingnexttoher,heheldherclose.Gia
sighedwithcontent.

“Do you remember the first time we slept together?” he murmured against her hair,

pressingakisstoherhead.Heshiftedalittle,spooningsnuglyagainsther.

“Mmhm.Iwasterrified.”

“Youneverneedfearme.”

“Iknow.”

He pressed his cheek against her head. “I told Maksim I was finished with

interrogation.”

“I’mglad.”Shefelthischestexpandashetookabreathtoexplain,butsheforestalled

him. “No, Vitaly, don’t tell me. It’s enough for me to know that you’ll no longer be
torturingpeople,evenifthosepeoplearehorrible,violentcriminals.”

Hepressedanotherkissintoherhair.“Idon’tdeserveyou,butIwon’tgiveyouup.

Ever.Youmakemewanttobeabetterman,someonewhowillbeworthyofyou.”

She said nothing and they lay there in silence, the only noise the soft rush of air as

theybreathed.Giayawnedagain.

“Vitaly?”

“Da?”

“WillyouteachmeRussian?”

“I would be honored. Go to sleep, Giancarla. You’re exhausted.” His hand and arm

liftedmoved.Hestrokedherhair.

“Singtome?”

Hisvelvetybaritonerumbledfromhischest,vibratedthroughherbodyashesanghis

favoritelullabytoher.

“Yousangtomeinthehospital.”Hervoicesoundedsoveryfarawayanddreamy.

“Idid,”herepliedandresumedsinging.

“Iheardyou.Thatwaswhatbroughtmeback.Idreamedyousangsongslikethatto

ourchildren.”

“Doyouwantchildren?”

“Yes,butIwanttograduatefirst.”

“You will,” he assured her. “You will graduate. Our children will have a brilliant

scientistforamother.”

“Mm.”Shewriggledalittle,nestlingcloseragainsthim,feelingthelarge,rigidlength

ofhimpulseagainstherlowerback.“Vitaly?”

“Yes?”

“Iwantyouinsideme.”

Hisbodywenthardasstoneattheinvitation.“Youareinjured,moysladkiy.Idonot

wishtohurtyou.”

“Ifeelempty.Just…begentle,slowandgentle.”

“Youarecertain?”Thehopeinhisvoicenearlyshatteredherheart.

Shefelthishairylegslidebetweenhers.Hishandslidoverherrightbreast,downher

belly. It paused to cup her mound then delicately stroke lower. She exhaled on a faint
moan.Moisturegathered,coatedhisfingers.Hisbigbodytrembledagainsther.

“Iwouldnothurtyou,”hesaid.

“Ineedyou,Vitaly.”

Withalonggroan,hetookhimselfinhandtopositionhiserectionattheentranceof

herbodyandpushedslowly.Herownmoanmergedwithhisasherslickfleshyieldedto
him.Whenhehadgoneasfarashecouldgo,buriedtothehiltinsideher,hepauseduntil
sherolledherhips.Withgentlehands,heheldherashesetupaslow,easyglidemoving
in and out of her flesh, each stroke reaching deeply into her and rubbing against the
pleasure spot deep within. An orgasm swelled like an ocean tide, inexorable and
overwhelming, until it crashed over her, drowned her in undulating waves of deep
satisfaction. With the last ripples of her climax, Vitaly released his. The long strokes
became shallow thrusts that lasted only a few seconds before he emptied himself inside
her.

“Iloveyou,Vitaly,”shemurmured,hisnamefadingawayonasleepingsigh.

“Iloveyou,too,”hemurmuredbackandlayawakeforalongwhilelater,contentto

hold her in his arms for she held his heart in her hands. The future, her graduation, her
amazingdiscoveryatthelake,theEPA,theirlunchdatewithhergrandfathernextweek,
their children: all those worries would keep. For now, he could cherish the peace and
contentment.

Atinymewlwasfollowedbythescrabbleofclawsasthekittenenteredthebedroom

andclimbedupthemattress.Vitalysmiledasthelittleanimalcrawledacrossthepillows
andcurledupagainsthisneck.

Lifewasgood.Hewouldkeepitthatway.Hiseyesdriftedshut.

Forthefirsttimeindecades,Vitalysleptpeacefully.

Thankyou!

ThankyouforreadingRussianLullaby.AuthorsdependuponpositivereviewsandI

encourage you to leave one for this book. All reviews will be read and suggestions
consideredinthedevelopmentoffuturestories.

IfyoulikedRussianLullaby,Ihopeyou’lltryoutmyotherbooks(seebelow)Allcan

bepurchasedfromAmazon.com.

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