22. Veronica

Chapter 22

Veronica

“ I need to talk to you. Your sex voodoo almost made me forget.” Eli looked at me lazily from hooded lids as he reclined against the pillows, his eight-pack on display along with his already hard dick that he stroked lazily. He was sin on a stick. I’d forgotten to speak with him about the whole fighting thing and never even called Maxim like I promised Natasha.

“Okay.”

“Luther Booth. Do you know him? He was on the lease with Victor at the office.” I started with the easy questions—ones that were yes or no.

“Yes. Victor, Luther, and I grew up together.” He tucked his hands behind his head .

“Did you guys run an underground fight ring thingy?”

“Thingy?” His lip crooked up. “Yes. Mainly Luther and I, but yes. I was a fighter at the beginning, but that wasn’t something I could keep doing.”

“And you have a fight coming up here in Arizona.” We were getting down to it now, but he seemed like he was willing to answer the questions I had.

“Yes. Luther will help, and I have the Cobras and the Iron Brotherhood doing security.” My eyes opened wide. I wondered why Natasha didn’t know this or if she knew it now.

“What about Matteo Spato?”

“Are you going to tell me what this is about?” he asked. His expression had darkened. I bit my lip, conflicted still. I’d been going in circles all day long about this issue, but I’d already taken this step, and it was too late to go backward.

“I’m making a choice here coming to you,” I began. “My cousin Maxim asked me to look into Spato before I knew about your connection. That was separate.” His face clouded with confusion.

“What would Maxim Volkov care about Spato? Spato came to me about running the fight in Phoenix.” Eli shrugged casually but started to look cautious, sitting up against the headboard. “He had a few fighters he wanted to line up, and I added some of my own.”

“You know who my cousin is.” I was sure he did, but I just wanted to verify. He nodded.

“What do you know about Spato?”

“He’s been around online, but I don’t know him per se. This was the first time we’d met in person, and I was surprised when he called for an in-person meet. He said he was working for someone else. He’s a broker. Spato is low-level for the most part.” I frowned, but I wasn’t sure what circles Eli moved in.

“He is a broker on the dark web and has his fingers everywhere. Drugs, weapons, fighting, and hits,” I emphasized. Eli gave a nonchalant shrug.

“Spato’s business is not my concern. Our focus is the fight. If he fucks it up, that impacts me. But, Veronica — digging into this isn’t wise. These people like to hide under rocks and don’t like them to be turned over.”

I felt tense under his stare. This wasn’t a game. I was more than decent at my job, which was why Maxim had faith in my ability to investigate .

“Well, normally, I wouldn’t disagree, Havoc ,” I said, injecting all the sarcasm I could into the statement. “But, unfortunately for you. The pakhan of the Volkov Bratva seems to have a beef with Spato.” I shrugged. “Seems like it’s your business now and mine.”

“Hmm …” he mumbled. “Well, what do you want to do then?”

“I wanted to talk to you before I told my cousin that Spato would be here in Phoenix or that he was part of your fight.” The butterflies started again. “I wasn’t sure what would happen if he knew it was connected. So far, he knows everything but that piece.”

“That’s a big piece, my little liar.” He leaned over and pulled me back onto his lap. “You’re hiding information to protect me now?”

“I’m not lying. I just didn’t mention it,” I said defensively, but he wasn’t wrong. It had been a lie.

“The fight is next Saturday. I’m sure Spato will be there. If Maxim has some kind of beef with him and wants him gone, I’ll make it so. Let’s call him and find out. Yeah?”

I eyed him as he peered back at me as if he hadn’t just casually said that he’d kill someone. He looked utterly unconcerned .

“Well, you need to put on some clothes,” I mumbled. “We both do.”

“Alright, but just to be clear. I’m not ashamed of what’s happening here,” he said pointedly. I nodded. I wasn’t either, but that didn’t mean that facing my cousin at one in the morning with sex hair was a great idea.

Doing a quick clean-up and dressing in one of my regular outfits, a sweatshirt and leggings, I brushed out my hair and put it in a sloppy ponytail. It was a standard look for me, so it wouldn’t raise any suspicions. I pulled the covers over the bed since I knew it showed up in the camera. There was no way I was stupid. Maxim would be mad, but I wasn’t giving him any reason to go off half-cocked or to send Luca or Enzo down here.

Eli took five minutes to pull on clothes from a duffle bag he brought. It had rocked me that he’d packed to stay with me. I’d never slept in the same bed with anyone. Did he intend to stay all night? The thought made me feel warm inside. I also thought for too many minutes about what he’d talked about. The deliciously dirty idea of him sliding into me while I was asleep.

“Ready?” he asked, startling me. “Best wipe that look off your face, little liar. You look guilty.” He smirked .

“I’m ready,” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Born ready.” I set up the video call, sat in the computer chair, and let the call go through. It connected immediately, and the screen filled with Maxim’s office.

“Ronnie, what’s up?” My cousin came into view as he walked around the desk, his dress shirt unbuttoned and the office door closing. I had an inkling that perhaps I’d interrupted something. Maxim was handsome and sought after, but mainly by those clingy women who sought power in the Bratva families. Graspy, money-hungry bitches. Natasha and I hated them.

“Hey, Max. Sorry to bother you.”

“Who the fuck is that.” His voice lowered to a growl as he sat forward in his chair and pointed at the camera. He’d obviously spotted Eli. “In your bedroom.”

“This is Pike’s brother Eli.” I could see Maxim’s jaw clench from here. “I’m calling with him here for a reason, so knock it off.”

“Let’s hear it. He’s still dead,” he said quietly, but the mike was sensitive. Eli didn’t flinch, though.

“I organize fight matches,” Eli said. “My friend Luther and I have been doing it for a while. “Exclusive high stakes betting only. Spato approached me several weeks ago to host one in Phoenix, and I agreed. He had some fighters, and I added some to the ticket. That’s the story.” Eli’s eyes shifted to mine. “I’m hearing that you have some kind of interest in Spato, so I’m giving you this information as a courtesy.”

“When is it?” Maxim ground out.

“Look. I don’t need a swarm of Bratva on this gig. This isn’t some tiny event. This is a multi-million dollar business. However, if you want him gone, I’ll arrange it.” I could see Maxim’s eyebrows raise.

“You’re offering to take him out for me if I wish?”

“Yes.”

“No questions asked?”

“None,” Eli said easily.

His face was stony, and I could see that Maxim was shocked. I wondered if it should bother me how quickly Eli slipped out that word but then decided it didn’t. There were things that I was okay with, and taking out someone who killed women and children was on that list.

“That’s generous of you, but I prefer to be there myself and handle it. You understand. I’ll come alone.” Maxim’s grin bordered what I would call sharkish with its angles and predatory anticipation. “You’re sure he’ll be there. ”

“He wouldn’t miss it. The guy thinks he’s a big shot. The fight will be next Saturday. We don’t announce the actual location until the day of the fight, but it’ll be in Phoenix, and I can take you there in advance if you want to scope it out.”

“Alright. Sounds good.”

“Your brother is helping to run security, too. If that helps,” Eli added, and Maxim grinned.

“It does. You’ve been very helpful, Eli. I haven’t forgotten that you’re in my cousin’s bedroom,” he began, and I immediately hung up.

“Well, that’s done,” I said with a grin. “Went well,” Eli growled and yanked me forward.

“As well as can be expected. Now, let’s get back to what we were doing. I think that pussy needs something.” God, his mouth. I’d been fine throughout the entire call, keeping on task, but immediately, I went from zero to sixty, the nerve endings throughout my body lighting up like a Christmas tree. He could make me melt with just a few words.

Fitting myself against him, I straddled his lap and pressed my mouth to his. Eli kissed like he did everything — thoroughly. He’d bite my lip, suck and nibble a little and slide his tongue against mine before retreating as he let me catch my breath, and then he would continue the pattern along my ear or my throat. Before I knew it, I was grinding against him, trying to get off. I was hot and needy — desperate again as if I’d not had sex an hour earlier.

Pulling off our clothes, Eli had me naked on the bed in record time and snuggled me against him in bed. For a moment, I was disappointed and confused. I was turned on and ready for a little more action. Then I felt him against my backside, hard and slightly wet, as he pulled me back against him and placed his hand between my folds.

“This was where we were when you suddenly thought of what you wanted to say. Right?”

“Yes,” I whined and wiggled a little against his hand, canting my hips against his fingers so they slid back and forth.

“Does my greedy girl want something?” he teased, nibbling the curve of my shoulder as he flexed his hips against my backside. “I know I want something.”

“Take it,” I urged. I wanted him to take everything from me. To leave me sore for days. His cock stroked into me, suddenly feeling even larger than before, his fingers caressing the joining, making it feel even more erotic.

“Put your hand on your pussy Veronica. Feel us together.” I did as he asked, linking fingers with him in the slippery wetness as he fucked me. “Greedy thing,” he said as my walls pulsed. I knew he could feel it. “That’s it.” He gave my clit a pinch, and I came. “Yes, my gorgeous girl.” Just like before, he pumped savagely up and came hard. I loved feeling him inside me, the jets of cum warm and liquid. It felt like life to me.

I turned my head against his shoulder and kissed him, biting back the words I wanted to say. It was too soon for words like that. Right? The bracelet he gave me winked in the light, and I wondered what sort of relationship this was. Booty call? Exclusive? Should I ask? The thoughts drifted through my head, and then I sleep took me.