Chapter EightAlexei

Chapter Eight

Alexei

I've been married for less than a day, yet all I can think of Irina. I wonder what she's doing, if she's impressed with the mansion or wants to change anything besides our bedroom.

Our bedroom.

I've always hated sharing my space. The silence, darkness and loneliness that came with being alone always gave me a safe space to relieve my dark thoughts. I've never brought a woman home, always fucked them and left them, but it's different with Irina.

What we shared last night was special. Nothing like what I've experienced with other women. I'd even held her, allowed her listen to my heartbeat before we both feel asleep. I don't know if this is some kind of unhealthy obsession growing, but I don't even mind.

I want her, and that is all that matters.

I glance at my watch, it's almost two p.m. I have a meeting with my brothers and a few of my men, then I'm going home to spend the rest of the day with my wife. She won't like it, but she'll get used to me.

There's a knock on the door. I sit back, waiting for the door to fly open. It does and Nikolai saunters in. He walks to the chair across from mine and sits on it, raising his feet to the edge of my desk.

"Hey, bro." He smiles when I frown at his feet on my desk. "Relax, man. They're just feet on a table."

I lean forward and push his shoes off the desk. "I can make them dismember body parts if you wish."

His smile drops. "Thank you, but I'll pass."

"Better." I run my fingers through my hair. "Where the hell have you been? You smell like cigarettes and alcohol."

"I haven't had fun in a while," he answers. "Since you're married now and Mikhail is busy trying to find your blackmailer, I thought I should steal the opportunity to get laid and pass out from drinking."

My forehead wrinkles with worry. Nikolai has always been carefree about how dangerous our world is. I don't blame him because he's always been sheltered by me and Mikhail. But we have enemies lurking and I'm afraid he's going to get himself in some deep shit one of these days if he isn't careful.

"Before you start giving me lectures on why it's dangerous to do that, I had my men with me," he explains, waving his hand for a dramatic effect. "I'm not stupid enough to go out and drink alone."

I cock a brow. "Trust me, I think you're that stupid." I ignore his frown. "Just watch out. We don't know who our enemies are, so they can hit us when we're not prepared."

"Says the one who brought a ticking bomb home." He leans back, yawning as if he's bored.

"Irina is not a fucking bomb." A lie I've told myself over and over since yesterday. She's exactly that, and I don't have a freaking idea when she'll use whatever information she finds against me. As much as I'm fucking losing my mind over her, I still need to be careful.

Nikolai rolls his eyes. "You've not been married for a full day and already you've changed. Interesting. What happened to the guy who wouldn't let a fly pass without suspecting it's up to something? You're letting your guard down."

"My guard has never been stronger." Despite the fact I don't trust Irina, she's under my protection now, which means I need to watch my back even more. If I'm hurt, she'll most likely be hurt too.

"That is a lie, brother." He tsks and shakes his head, clearly disappointed. "That girl is going to have you wrapped around her pretty, manicured fingers in no time."

My lips quirks with a smile. "Maybe she already does."

"I'm never getting married, man." He plops his feet back on the desk, but I don't complain. "How is she? I imagine she's not finding it exciting being married to you."

I smirk. He doesn't know how wet she was for me last night, and the way her nails dug into my back as she begged me to fuck her harder. He doesn't need to know, that's a secret between me and my little wife.

"Where the hell's Mikhail?"

As if on cue, the door opens and Mikhail walks in. He probably chose to run up the stairs rather than take the elevator, given the way he's sweating. Dimitri enters after him, and Igor follows.

Igor was one of my father's loyal soldiers and I used to fuck his daughter until my engagement to Irina. After my father's unfortunate demise, Igor's loyalty quickly changed and he got his only daughter to seduce me, probably thinking it would raise his standing, making him more than just my father's loyal dog.

I know better than to completely trust a man like him, but he's a useful asset for now.

His daughter was also a good fuck and she gave the best head. The problem is, I can never remember her name, no matter how hard I try.

My brothers, along with Dimitri and Igor, are all the men I need here today. On a normal day, Igor wouldn't be here, but I need a good hunting dog. And he's a good choice because of his desperation to get on my good side. He'll do anything to convince me his loyalty lies with me.

"Has anyone gotten a lead on who is responsible for that video?" I ask when they're all settled in.

I don't get an immediate response as they all exchange glances. I know in an instant it means they have nothing for me yet.

"We should get Dominic's help," Mikhail suggests. "He owes you a favor."

Dominic does owe me a favor, and we never forget. I'll only play that card when I'm in dire need of his assistance.

"I do no not need his help, not right now." I drum my fingers on the edge of my desk as I think. "I won't ask Dominic to step in unless it's something we can't handle."

"I have Matteo being watched," Dimitri says. "He's been well behaved lately. I think he knows we're onto him. He's being more careful than usual these days."

"Let him be, he can never be too careful." I run my hand over my beard. "His daughter is in my care now, I'm sure he won't do anything reckless, at least for now."

Nikolai clears his throat. "We need to stay alert for now. We shouldn't give the Phoenix something they can use as leverage over us."

I incline my head with a nod. "I agree." Glancing at Mikhail, I say, "How many men do we have on Matteo?"

"Ten," Mikhail answers.

"Reduce it to three." Ten is a crowd, three men can easily go unnoticed. "I don't care whether he's fucking or throwing out the trash. I want a report on every fucking thing he does."

Dimitri flashes a cocky grin. "You want to be updated on whether your father-in-law is fucking?"

I frown at my friend. It's in his nature to make the most inappropriate jokes. "Shut up."

His grin widens. "How's married life treating you?" Before I can reply, he continues, "Seeing as you're here early, I'll have to assume you snuck out of bed."

That is exactly what I did. I snuck out of bed while my wife was still sleeping, exhausted from how hard I'd fucked her. She'd been so damn beautiful that I just wanted to lie beside her and watch her until she woke up. Being a Pakhan comes with responsibilities and consequences, and not watching my wife wake up is one of them.

"Do you want to join us tonight? You'll get updates on my married life if you do." I lift a brow.

My brothers laugh. Dimitri stretches out in his chair. "I'll have to pass on that offer."

"I've yet to be properly introduced to your new wife," Nikolai says, scratching the back of his neck. He has a smug smile on his face, one I would be afraid of if he weren't my brother. "How about a family dinner?"

"No." I know he's only asking because he wants to come over and tease Irina. It's a thing he does, teasing people he thinks are afraid of him. "Irina is not like that."

If anyone should be afraid, it should be him.

"You can't hide her away from me forever," he muses.

"Try me." My gaze darts to Igor who has been quiet this whole time. Given how he dreamt of becoming my father-in-law, I would guess the mention of Irina's name makes him uneasy. Too bad because I wouldn't have married his daughter even if Irina wasn't in the picture.

Nikolai only smiles.

I push up to my feet. While I'm disappointed this meeting didn't have the desired outcome, I'm more than happy to return home to my new bride. "Get your asses out of my office, I have somewhere I need to be."

"By somewhere, I suppose you mean home?" Mikhail asks after Igor leaves.

I grab my briefcase and phone. "Is there a problem with that?"

"I didn't expect you to be this excited about becoming a husband."

"I'm not excited. I'm only doing what's necessary to keep my wife alive." I find Irina very interesting. The way she talks back and tries to hide the dark longing in her eyes, and how she doesn't hold back on calling me out. Honestly, I could spend a hundred years alone with her and never get bored.

My brother shakes his head. "You'll fall in love with her at this rate."

I pause and look at him. Love doesn't exist in my world. Men like me are able to differentiate between fun and useless emotions like love. They don't only make a person weak, they make them vulnerable.

My brothers already know better than to let themselves fall in love with anyone. I know better than that, too. We don't have the luxury of any weaknesses. Men in our world are ruthless. They won't hesitate to use wives and children against their rivals. I'll never let them use my wife against me.

I tap my brother on his shoulder, a bit more harshly than I intended. "Do not ever use that word in front of me again."

Because whatever I feel for Irina, it can only be nothing more than intrigue and lust. That I know for sure.

***

"Ms. Vadim was here today."

My nostrils flare, my fists instinctively clenching at the mere mention of Sasha's name. Mikhail and Nikolai's mother. She was my father's wife before his death and is our nemesis.

Sasha is nothing like a mother should be, at least nothing like I know my mother would've been if she were alive. Sasha had allowed our father to send me away, she'd allowed him to abuse my brothers when it meant she could save herself from his wrath.

I don't hate her for it. She was a victim herself. Young and inexperienced yet was thrown in a dungeon with a monster. She couldn't fight him. He had too much power, and he was physically stronger, but she should have tried. She should have protected her son the same way my mother protected me until she was murdered by my father.

After he'd died, her conniving began. She's tried to have me killed at least three times since I became Pakhan , and she's always shown her disdain for me. She thinks one of my brothers should be Pakhan , not me. Not because she loves her sons so much that she wants them on the throne. No. They're just a means to an end to her. Tools she can use to gain power in the mafia world.

I don't hurt women, and I can't hurt the woman who birthed my brothers. That is the only reason I've let her get away with her sins so far.

But the fact that she was here, probably to torment Irina, has me trembling with rage. "What did she want?"

Nina recoils at the sharpness of my question. "She was upset you didn't invite her to your wedding. She had a word with your wife, Irina handled her well."

Of course she would. Irina is not the type of woman to be afraid of anyone. She's strong and bold and fierce. Those are some of the things I like the most about her.

I scan the foyer and stairs for Irina. "Where is my wife?"

"In her room. She said she wanted to be left alone," Nina answers.

I tug on my tie and loosen it. "Prepare lunch. Let us know when it is ready."

Nina nods. "I will."

I jog up the stairs to my bedroom. When I open the door, Irina is standing by the glass wall. At first glance, she looks to be watching the city, but I don't think that is the case. Considering she hasn't even noticed my presence, I think she's lost in thought.

Leaning on the doorframe, I watch her. She looks goddamn sexy with my shirt on. Her long, slim legs are exposed for me to enjoy. Through the mirror, I can see her nipples hiding beneath the fabric.

So fucking beautiful.

I walk towards her and lightly touch her shoulder. She flinches, her eyes widening with fear before they meet mine, then she lets out a relived sigh. "Jesus, you scared me."

I shrug off my suit jacket without taking my eyes off her. "I didn't mean to, you were completely lost in thinking about whatever you were thinking." I narrow my eyes on her. "You're not thinking of how to escape, are you?"

She rolls her eyes. "I'm not a prisoner here, am I?"

I shake my head.

"Good, so I have no reason to want to escape unless you choose to keep me as one." She bites her lip as our eyes meet. Pink blooms on her cheeks. "Do you usually come home this early?"

"No, I come home whenever I want to." I don't tell her I'm home because I missed her. I try to unbutton my shirt, but for some reason, my fingers don't seem to be working properly.

I'm surprised when she steps forward, pressing herself up on her toes and reaches for the first button. She smells like vanilla and strawberry, soft and delicious enough to make me salivate. Her hand brushes against my chest as she tugs on the button and heat flares to life in my veins.

I grab her hand and lower my head to look into her eyes. She stiffens, her breath louder and faster than usual. She looks so delicate and innocent.

"Don't do that," I force myself to say. I'm struggling not to think of last night and all the ways I still want to fuck her.

Her throat moves as she swallows. "What did I do wrong?"

Everything. She shouldn't be this beautiful and tempting. Her movements shouldn't be as seductive as they are either. I'm going to lose my mind if I don't get my thirst for her under control.

I cup her cheeks, tilting her face and licking my lips at the sight of her bare throat. "Everything you do is wrong, malyshka . Every. Fucking. Thing."

She flattens her palms on my chest and the tips of her fingers rub against my nipples. I grunt, my cock pulsating at the feeling of her hands. One of those hands slides down to my cock and she grabs it. "You're hard. Do you want to fuck me?"

I smirk. I recognize the glint in her eyes as mischief. She's playing games with me, teasing me. I'll make sure she regrets it when I pin her to the bed and spank her later, for now, I'll just play along. "There isn't a time when I'm around you that I don't want to fuck you, Irina."

She flushes, but she doesn't back down. "I know you want to do a lot of crazy things to me."

I inch closer, and our bodies are only a whisper apart. "You have no idea, malyshka ."

"Show me." She tightens her grip on my erection. "I want you to do all of those things to me now."

A smirk plays on my lips. I curl my arm around her waist and haul her closer. Her soft body collides against the hardness of mine, my cock presses against her abdomen and a moan escapes her lips.

"Are you sure you won't regret this?" I whisper, my voice hoarse.

Her tongue darts out of her mouth and swipes over her lips. It's fucking seductive. Now I want to kiss her too. "After last night, I don't think there's anything you'd do that I'll regret."

Her words sound like music to my ears. I spin her to the glass wall, pinning her hands above her head and parting her legs with mine. My fingers trail down her shirt and into her sweatpants. She squirms, panting with anticipation.

I bring my hand to a stop when I reach the wetness between her thighs. "You've made a mess of yourself, malyshka ."

Her hips jerk, her body begging for more than a slight touch. "That happens when I'm desperate for something."

I kiss her neck, nibble at the delicate skin. She cries out, her voice filled with pleasure.

"What are you desperate for, malyshka ?"

"You."

"I like that answer." I circle my finger around her clit, teasing it and relish in the way her body writhes in response. Her moans fill my brain, her scent fills my nose. I'm intoxicated by this woman, every fiber of my being wants to feel and explore her.

I drop to my knees, drag down her pants, and splay her legs.

"What are you doing?" she asks, a tinge of panic in her voice.

"Eating you." My tongue swipes over her folds. She jerks, gripping my hair for support. She tastes so fucking delicious and I'm fucking starving.

My tongue presses firmly on her clitoris and she moans, the sound so soft and heart melting that I'd eat her all afternoon if it meant I'd get to hear more of it.

I don't break eye contact with her for a second. I want to see every expression on her face and take in the small noises she makes when I fuck her with my tongue.

She bites her lip, unsure of what to do. Her body trembles, and she nearly screams at the sensation. I can see the desire in her eyes, and I can't help but smile.

I lick her again, this time more tenderly. She melts into me, her body completely surrendering to me. I groan, my voice muffled between her thighs. I can feel her heat seeping into me, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume us both.

Her wetness coats my finger as I thrust it inside her, curving it all the way up as I begin to push it in and out.

"Alexei," she whimpers, her voice shaking. Her breath hitches, and she tightens her grip on my hair, pulling me closer.

I flick my tongue against her clit, and she moans loudly. I slide my finger in and out of her, adding another to increase the sensation.

She gasps, her body tensing. I continue to work my fingers in and out of her, feeling her become slicker by the second. Her moans grow louder, her body quivers in anticipation.

I slide my other hand down to her ass, and with one swift motion, I thrust two of my fingers inside and hook them upwards to hit her G-spot.

"Oh god," she moans, her voice echoing off the glass wall. "You're going to make me come."

I push my fingers further in. "God is not here, malyshka . But I am, and I am taking what is mine. My name is the only name you're allowed to call when I fuck you, do you understand?"

She nods her head, desperate to do anything I ask in return for pleasure she's feeling right now. "Yes, Alexei."

I smirk, empowered by her submission. I circle my fingers, rubbing her G-spot with just the right amount of pressure. Her body shakes harder, her moans growing louder.

I add a third finger, stretching her tight entrance and driving her wild with pleasure. Her legs tremble, her walls clench around my fingers. She's so fucking tight they barely even fit.

"Please," she whimpers, "please, don't stop."

I chuckle, feeling utterly in control. "Not until you're finished, malyshka ."

Her body convulses, and she moans loudly. I can feel the wetness between her thighs, and the smell of her arousal is intoxicating.

"Fuck, you feel so good," I mutter, my voice strained with desire.

She moans again, her breath ragged. "Fuck me, please. I need you inside me."

Her words send a rush of blood to my cock, making it throb painfully. I want her just as much as she wants me. I want to bury myself deep inside her, fucking her both slow and fast, while spanking her ass and whispering dirty words in her ears.

"Soon," I promise, my fingers continuing their relentless rhythm. "You're so close, malyshka . I want you to come on my fingers."

I know she's close now, and I want to feel her orgasm ripple through her body. I increase the speed of my fingers, moving them in and out of her, hitting her G-spot with more force.

"Fuck…Alexei…"she screams, her voice reverberating off the glass. "I think I'm…I'm coming."

Her muscles tighten around my fingers, and I can feel her flood my hand with her juices. I continue to finger her until her orgasm subsides, her body finally relaxing against mine.

I take a deep breath, reveling the scent of her arousal. I slowly pull my fingers out of her, lick them clean, and savor the taste of her.

I stand, pulling her close to me, our bodies pressed against each other. "That was amazing," she pants, her eyes filled with desire. "It's my turn to pleasure you."

I push a strand of hair falling over her face and hook it behind her ear, then I lean towards her and whisper, "Clean up the mess you made and go downstairs for lunch."

A cocky smile quirks my lips when I move away and see the scowl on her face. She's pissed, and she's even more beautiful when she's upset.

"You're joking," she says, searching my eyes. Hers are still dark with every lustful thing she wants me to do to her. "I…"

"Say it, malyshka . What do you want?"

She opens her mouth to say something, but she shuts it right up, as if she suddenly realized she shouldn't want me as much as she does. Her cheeks are red with embarrassment.

"Are you shy now?" I tease her. It feels good to see her too embarrassed to meet my gaze, despite the fact I'm dying from how much I want to take her right now. "That's odd, considering you came on my fingers not long ago."

"Fuck you, Alexei. You're an asshole."

I smirk, my gaze dipping her lips. "I think I would rather fuck you, Irina."

She holds up her middle finger. "Fuck that. I hate you." She turns around and storms off.