23. Chapter 23

Dmitri

With the silver moon's reflection flickering through choppy waves, the night unveils itself, and my mask sheds. Rushing water and the soft purr of the boat's engine buzzes around, filling the air with little more than faint noise. It creates a buffer, allowing me to move without the importance of pure silence.

Sneaking on and off of shipping vessels isn't new to me. I've done it time and time again, crafting the particular set of skills necessary to succeed in the task. Tonight is different. This is an unscheduled mission, one that hasn't been meticulously planned and carefully thought out.

My target for this outing isn't goods to trade.

It's a life to end.

Using the small amount of intel I was able to gather before putting myself in this position, I already knew just where to find him. Below deck, and unguarded.

A truly stupid lack of precaution on his part, but in this case, guards wouldn't help, nor would they save him from me. Nothing could save a man who opens his mouth to spew vile things about my Jade.

His name is Billy Bosen, and he's a new member of The Lost Reapers. The motorcycle club is simply going to have to go on without him because he's not making it home. Not on this boat, and not in this lifetime.

I stalk around the darker bits of the vessel, aligning myself with the shadows to remain hidden. Billy doesn't get to have a moment to prepare for me. I want to see the light of hope slip from his eyes when I reveal myself. I don't have time to torture him for hours on end, or I'll be too far to swim back to the island. I'll take his horror and fear as penance before ending his life, instead.

If he'd actually laid a hand on her, he wouldn't have made it to the dock. I'd have killed him where he stood, rules be damned.

Slipping into place, I find him with his eyes down, focused on pressing an ice pack to his ribs. Ivan did a number on him, I can see that much from here. Cracked dry blood on the corner of his mouth and bruises already blooming on his swollen face.

I get close enough, amused by his horrible spatial awareness. He should be able to feel me watching him. There should be hair standing up on the back of his neck and fear licking at the base of his spine. And yet, his ears don't even twitch at the slight sound of my steps.

I'm doing The Lost Reapers a favor by removing him from this earth. He's a fucking liability.

"Did he crack them? Or haven't you been able to check yet?"

He looks up, flinching at the sound of my voice.

"I was hoping he punctured a lung, but then he'd get the pleasure of saying he finished you off himself. I'm pleased there's still a piece left for me."

"Oh fuck," he curses, face draining of color.

"Smart enough to be scared of me and yet dumb enough to put yourself in this position," I remark, curling my lip. "What a waste."

He makes a move to run, but he's not nearly quick enough. I have him slammed to the ground, groaning in pain, in a flat second. I stand above him, hovering my boot over his forearm until I find just the right place.

Crunch.

His blood-curdling scream is music to my ears.

"Fuck!" he grunts as I let up, keeping plenty of weight there as a threat.

"It's not broken yet," I tell him, even though it's definitely fractured. "Don't cry about it, you've earned this for yourself, Billy."

"The Morettis gave me a head start," he spits like that's supposed to mean something to me. "We made a deal?—"

"Do I look like a Moretti to you?" I question, pressing harder against his pinned arm. A few more pounds of pressure, and I'll start seriously cracking bones.

"Fucking Christ!" he cries, groaning and trying to squirm away. "Why do you give a shit?! She's just some fucking girl!"

"That fucking girl is my girl."

"No," he protests, face as white as a ghost.

He's desperate to believe it isn't true.

"My. Girl," I repeat. "My woman, the future mother of my children, my soon-to-be wife," I trail on, growing angrier with every word. "She's mine. Should have kept your mouth shut, Bosen. Now look at what you made me do."

"I didn't know!" he bursts out pleadingly.

"Do you think that matters?" I snap, losing patience. Time is running out the further and further the boat drifts from shore. "Anyone who thinks about my woman deserves death. And you didn't just think it, you spoke it into existence.

"I'm s-sorry," he stutters.

"I don't care," I deadpan. "There's no room for people like you to exist here, and I have no mercy to spare."

"What are you going to do to me?" he whimpers. There are tears pooling in his eyes, and I see it then, the look of dreaded defeat.

"Well, first, I'm going to kill you," I answer, relishing the cry he bellows in response. "And then I'm going to let the sharks have you."

He simply cries harder, fueling my need for his pain. It's so satisfying to watch him die before I even kill him.

"And tomorrow night, while the fish are devouring the rest of your worthless fucking body, I'll be devouring my future wife. The woman you wanted so badly, you got yourself killed for it."

"P-please," he begs.

It's no use. As if I'd ever let him keep breathing after the things he said about my girl. My Jade. My precious, too-good-for-this-awful-world girl.

"Only pathetic, weak men die begging for mercy," I tell him, disgusted to even look at him. The knife I have stored in my belt is heavy in my hand as I pull it out, the silver metal flashing under the boat's light. "So I guess that's only fitting, isn't it?"

Slashing into his femoral artery, I drag my blade up his thigh all the way to his balls, removing them with one deep cut. He squeals like a pig and bleeds even faster than one. His skin shifts into a pale, cold color. But just to be sure, I puncture his jugular before I send his bloodied body crashing into the dark waters below.

The sickening plop of his lifeless corpse is going to draw the attention of the crew, but before they have time to investigate, I'll already be in the water.

As I get to the edge of the stern, I get a good look at the island in the distance. It should be about a mile back, maybe a bit more.

I've swam for over a mile before, but it's never been done for a better reason.

Exactly twenty hours later, I scale Jade's building, slipping into her room through her cracked window. The stupid thing is ridiculously small, but I don't mind having to squeeze through. I need to see her, and this is the safest way to do that without being spotted. This time though, I don't have any intention of staying. I'm taking her with me.

She's already asleep when my feet hit the floor, and she doesn't rouse at all when I walk to the side of her bed frame. It's a good thing Jade has so many brothers for protection because it appears she's a very heavy sleeper.

She has me now, too,I remind myself, pleased by the fact.

Leaning down, I get a good look at her fresh face, her skin still glistening from her post-shower skin care. She hasn't been asleep long then, not if she hasn't rubbed off her moisturizer from rolling around.

"Jade," I whisper, touching her bare arm with a gentle caution. "Wake up for me?—"

She cuts off my words with a frustrated and groggy groan.

"Matteo, I already told you I don't want to watch a zombie movie," she mumbles, burying her face deeper into her pillow. "I'm sleepy."

I have to smile at that. "Too sleepy for me, Krasotka?"

She freezes, muscles tightening up all over before she slowly picks her head up. Her tired eyes widen as she sees me. She looks so fucking adorable, all shocked and confused until she shakes out of her sleepy state.

"Dmitri," she whispers sweetly, the apples of her cheeks turning pink. "Hi."

"Hi, baby," I greet, leaning down to brush her forehead with a kiss. "How do you feel about going on a date? Are you still too sleepy?"

"Sleepy? Who's sleepy? I'm wide awake," she answers, rubbing her eyes to shake off any residual tiredness. Jade fumbles around, tossing off her blanket and swaying to her feet. "Oops, got up too fast. One second, please."

I chuckle, holding her arm to help balance her. "You can slow down, Krasotka, we have time."

"No time needed," she sings, smiling wide and putting her hands on her hips. "I'm all ready to go."

"Baby, you're in your pajamas," I remind her, looking down at her skimpy little nightie. And although I'd like to lift up the ends of it and show her just how much I like it on her, it's not practical for what I have planned.

She looks down at herself, noting her exposed thighs and the low neckline showing off her cleavage. "Oh, right."

I chuckle, lifting her chin back up. "Do you have something warm to wear?"

Jade swallows, and for a second, I think she might jump into my arms and attack me with kisses, asking me to have her right here. I'm really fucking glad she doesn't since I don't trust my ability to turn her down tonight.

"Warm?" she asks, turning to find her closet.

I bite my knuckle as she walks away, dress swaying around her thighs and emphasizing her backside. So much naked skin that I could just reach out and touch it.

Surprising the hell out of me, Jade sheds her sleeping gown, dropping it at her feet in the small closet. My cock jumps in my pants, swelling tightly against the seam of the zipper, and I turn half away, shielding most of her from my eyes. Her breasts are bare, heavy handfuls with peachy-pink nipples I can still taste. Thankfully, she's wearing panties, or my girl might have just broken me.

From the corner of my eye, I watch as she slowly drags a pair of black leggings up her legs, tightening my fist as I get a look at her pink lace thong. I'm going to take that off of her with my teeth.

Now I just have to be able to do that without putting my cock in her.

When I take my next glance, her tits are covered with a pink bra, and she's pulling an oversized crewneck sweater on. If I'm honest, her being covered isn't helping the rise in my pants, nor the fire burning inside of me, begging for a taste of her.

"Something wrong?" she asks, feigning innocence as she slips into a pair of socks.

"You are a temptation beyond belief, Krasotka," I reply honestly, openly checking her out. "I'm the luckiest bastard on this whole damn island just for the simple fact that you want me as much as I want you."

Her eyes darken as she pulls on her boots, lips parting with a silent gasp.

"Ready to go?" I ask, playing coy just like she did.

She nods eagerly, taking a step toward her door, only halting when I shake my head. "We're not going that way, love."

Jade gulps, wide eyes shooting toward the window. "You don't mean…"

I grin, taking her hand and leading her over to it. "It's only three floors, and besides…" Nodding at the ground below, I prompt her to do the same. "Look who's there to catch you."

My brother emerges from the shadow of the building, looking up so that Jade can see his face under the moonlight.

"Ivan," she says, a smile blooming from her lips, teeth flashing and all.

"Trust us?" I ask, lowering my mouth to the shell of her ear.

Her head dips in a nod. "Always."

Seeing Ivan flash the signal that he's ready, I help Jade move through her window. I have her hold tightly onto my arms and anchor myself against the wall before leaning down, lowering her to a more comfortable drop point. A whistle pierces through the air, and I know Ivan is angled to catch her.

"Let go for me, baby," I instruct quietly.

Without a glint of fear in her eyes, Jade's hands release me, and she falls. She strikes me with the mesmerizing action, dropping right into Ivan's waiting arms with a woosh.

"Fuck yeah!" I can hear Ivan cheer. "Good job, brave girl."

Jade laughs with him, and my heart warms.

I get myself down easily, closing her window on my way down. Using the exposed brick and window siding, I descend quickly before dropping to the ground.

"I'm sorry you had to beat someone up for me," Jade says softly as I find her. She's on her feet now, hugging Ivan around his middle.

My brother chuckles but hugs her in return. "Don't be sorry, I enjoyed it."

"You're not just saying that?" she asks, pulling back to watch him answer.

He shakes his head. "No, I very much liked seeing him bleed."

Releasing him entirely, she giggles and nods to say that she believes him. "I'm sure Armani enjoyed it too. I could tell he wanted to hit him so bad. Hopefully, beating him up after the semester is over will be incentive enough to tide him over."

Oh, she's still so innocent.

Armani wouldn't have settled for a few broken bones and some light internal bleeding. He'd have hunted him down like a dog, tortured him, and put him into a permanent sleep. There isn't anything to tide him over with, though, that dirtbag was mine to dispose of, and I don't have any restraint when it comes to my woman.

At least in regards to her protection and honoring her name.

Ivan walks with us back to our building, but he doesn't stray once we get to my room. He'll go to his own and keep an eye on things while we're occupied.

"This is where I leave you," he tells Jade, lips lifting into a lopsided grin. "Enjoy your date, and I'll see you soon, brave girl."

"Bye," she says, offering a small wave as he disappears.

Unlocking my door, I open it for her and wordlessly follow her inside. She's seen my space before, but not quite like this. This time I've prepared for her presence.

Candlelight flickers, filling the room with a warm orange hue. My bed is made, and every available surface is littered with tall white candles that perfume the room with the light scent of vanilla. I don't have sweets to offer this time, mostly because I doubt she'll be feeling snacky when she was just trying to sleep a few minutes ago.

Surprise lights up my girl's face, her blue eyes sparkling as she looks around, a hand covering her mouth.

"Dmitri," she whimpers, stunned as she takes a full turn, scanning every bit of the room in one go. "This is… wow."

"You like it?"

"This is so romantic," she breathes, spinning around to take it all in another time.

It's really not much. There will be much more lavish and romantic dates in our future, but I've done the best that I can with what we have on the island. There isn't much you can do for a secret date when it's past midnight on a secluded island with prying eyes.

"It'll do," I say, reaching for her. "You're not hungry, are you?"

"Not even a little bit," she answers, rising up on her toes.

Her arms surround the back of my neck, and mine surround her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I was worried about you yesterday," I admit. "How are you feeling?"

"Guilty," she answers with a wince. "I didn't think about you before taking the gummy, and I should have. And then Ivan…"

"Don't feel guilty," I encourage, playing with the ends of her hair while we hug. "You don't need to ask for permission, don't think that I expect that of you. But?—"

"A warning would be nice," she interrupts with a guess.

"Yes," I agree. "A warning would help."

Jade nods, her face brushing against my chest. "I'm sorry."

I press my lips against her soft hair. "You don't need to apologize, and even if you did, you'd already be forgiven, Krasotka."

"So what are we doing on this date?" she asks, teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

My hands surround her face, actively ending our embrace. "I thought I could teach you a different form of pain management."

Her nose scrunches in the middle. "You're going to give me Tylenol?"

"I was thinking about eating you out, but if you'd rather have a Tylen?—"

"Let's go with your thing," she cuts in, face split into a nervous smile.

"Yeah?" I ask, brushing her cheeks with my thumbs. "You want my mouth on you, baby?" One hand caressing down her face, I drag my fingers over Jade's lips, causing her to shiver.

Her pupils widen, and she nods, mouth cracking open to let out a shaky breath. I feel it warm my fingertips and smirk.

"Is that why you stripped in front of me tonight, Krasotka?" I ask, humming. "Did you want to provoke me into keeping you naked?"

"Well, a bit," she confesses, voice breathy and gentle.

"Naughty girl," I tsk, lowering my mouth to her cheek. "Do it again for me."

Her throat quivers with a gulp. "N-now?"

"Mmm," I rumble, agreeing. "Now, baby."

Her sweatshirt is discarded to the side with one hurried tug. She steps out of her shoes next, toeing off her socks and kicking them to the side. Jade isn't overly confident when stripping for me, but she does so fucking good, watching me while clothes continue to fall off of her. Once she's down to her underwear, I hold a hand up for her to stop.

I take a step forward, my fingers lifting the strap of her bra, gliding down the soft material. "This stays on."

"You don't want to see them?" she asks, lips quirking down.

"I can't see them," I amend, stopping her frown where it begins. "You have no idea how much power over me you have, do you?"

"I-I do?" she squeaks.

Absolutely precious.

"I can't have you entirely naked in my bed, or I'll never let you leave it, Krasotka. That's how much power you have over me."

I also slaughtered a man for speaking about you yesterday.I'd tell her as much if I didn't think it would ruin the mood.

Jade's lips tip up. "So if I took off my bra…"

"Don't," I warn, voice firm but quiet. "Not yet."

"Okay," she relents. "But soon?"

As soon as you're my wife.

"Soon," I agree, slowly walking her back to my bed. "Now be a good girl for me and lay down, baby. I want those panties off and these gorgeous legs spread."

I help her roll the lace down her legs and withhold a growl as she lays back, knees parting. Her pussy is exactly like I imagined, fucking stunning, just like the rest of her.

Peachy-pink and already dripping for me.

"Fuck," I mutter, taking her all in.

She's silky fucking smooth and total perfection.

Biting her lip, she asks, "Do you like it?"

"I love it," I correct, leaving no room for hesitation. "How could I not?"

"I just…" She blushes, pausing to consider her words. "I read online that some guys don't like no hair there. It's not immature, is it?"

"Of course not," I respond truthfully. "Do you like being bare?"

She nods shyly.

"Yeah? Then that's all that matters, baby."

She could never shave or shave all the time, and I'd want her all the same. Who gives a fuck about body hair? I'm covered in it, and she's never complained.

"I never got to shave before," she admits softly. "I never wanted to do anything that Kim could perceive as being slutty. So when I moved in with my dad, I shaved everything off, and I really liked it. Not just because it makes me all soft, but because I get to choose it, you know?"

If her father doesn't find that bitch, I will. I'll gut her like a fucking pig and make sure she knows that she didn't break Jade, and now she never will. Scum like her deserves to rot, alone and cold, never to be loved or thought of ever again.

"Let me show you how much I like it," I offer, pulling off my shirt with a single hand. Her eyes widen, scanning the valleys and bumps of exposed muscle. "Like what you see, love?"

"Uh-huh," she answers, lips parted.

Fuck, I love this girl.

I'd suspected as much already, but I'm not just falling for her, I'm already gone. My heart feels like it's triple the size when I'm near her, like it could burst through my chest from prolonged exposure to Jade. She makes every protective instinct inside of me light up with megawatt power, and I would never ask for it to change.

It was overwhelming at first, almost worrisome. A Pakhan is meant to remain in total control to keep the people who depend on him safe, but Jade started to remove all my ability to think clearly far faster than I was prepared for. She knocked the wind out of me, and now? Now she's all of the air that fills my lungs, and I'm so fucking glad I can breathe her in every day for the rest of my life—if she'll have me.

My knees hit the floor with a soft thud, dropping down before her. My nose drags from the inside of her knee, teasing all the way up her thigh. I breathe her in, sucking in a mouthful of her addictive scent.

Jade covers her face, her fingertips leaving little white impressions on her pink cheeks while she seals her eyes shut. I haven't even put my mouth on her yet, and she's panting.

"Don't hide, you look so perfect from down here, baby." I caress her legs, planting kisses on the soft insides of her thighs. "Let me see those pretty blues before I lick you, love."

She mewls, snapping her eyes open and parting her lips to suck in more air, likely to calm herself down. My girl is wound up. That's okay, I can help her with that.

Looking her in the eyes, I drag my tongue up the length of her cunt. The sound of her broken high-pitched whimper is enough to make my balls tighten up. Coming twice before going to get her was definitely not enough. She tastes fucking phenomenal, and the sounds she's making are even better.

Not needing to be encouraged further, I continue to lick, switching from pointing and flattening my tongue to playing with the pressure. My girl lets out an appreciative moan, gasping as her hips move of their own accord, chasing every touch I offer, wordlessly begging for more.

Her chest rises and falls, eyes going hazy and heavy with desire as they flutter.

She grows more and more wet as I go, and I can't get enough of it.

"Oooo," she whimpers, breathing hard.

I groan, feeling her arousal flooding my tongue.

Shyly, she asks, "D-does it taste okay?"

I should have told her already, but that would mean taking my mouth off of her for even a moment.

"It tastes fucking immaculate, Krasotka," I vow, nipping at her clit with my folded-over lips. It's too soon to introduce teeth, I think. "This pretty cunt is my new favorite flavor, like sweet fucking honey on my tongue."

"That's what it tastes like?" Jade asks, seemingly in disbelief.

"She tastes like you, baby. I'll crave her until I'm dead, don't ever forget that."

To prove it, I seal my lips around her clit and devour her like a four-course meal. My tongue twirls, circling the juicy skin and lapping up her arousal.

Carnal desire swirls around in my gut, and I push the feeling down, tucking it away to focus on Jade. Her pussy is my number one priority, and making her feel good will be immensely more satisfying than my own pleasure.

"Oh wow," she moans loudly, tipping her head back.

"Whose pussy is this, Krasotka?"

She shudders, gasping as I tease her entrance with the tip of my tongue.

"Yours," she cries sharply.

"Mine?" I ask, moving my tongue slightly deeper. "Who am I, baby?"

"Fuck," she whimpers. "My pussy is yours, Dmitri."

My balls ache at her answer.

"That's right, baby. Look at you being such a smart girl."

Her cunt clenches, tightening at the sound of my praise.

She's so fucking perfect.

I seal my lips around her soaked little clit, sucking hard before it slips out again. Repeating the action causes a sudden broken scream to burst from her lips. Like a crack of lightning, she's right on the edge, so close to coming for me that I can literally taste it.

I tug her closer, and her legs squeeze around my head before they begin to wobble. Sparks light up behind her eyes, and the look on her flushed face is irresistible.

Fucking hell, do not put your cock in her.

My tongue stills, slowing while she shakes. As she breathes out, moaning loudly, I start gliding it along her clit again. I temper the pressure, making it lighter to continue to build her up hard and fast without overwhelming the sensitive little bud.

Even though her thighs are trembling, her stomach stiffens, the muscles there flexing as her whole body becomes tense. Toes curling and hands bunching into fists, she has to let go, or it'll take over all by itself.

"Almost there, baby," I coax, pulling back to teasingly blow air on her center. "Let it happen, gorgeous. You're so close."

She whines, thrashing and driving her fingers into my hair for control.

I take the hint, pressing my lips back against her flesh.

Jade cries out, back arching and hips lifting.

"Yesss," she wails, voice cracking on a moan.

She doesn't know how to breathe through it, but she does well either way. She holds me close and tight while her body shudders through the hot wave of pleasure.

I caress her as the orgasm rises and subsides, lavishing her pussy with slow strokes of my tongue and massaging her thighs with relaxing rubs. Once it's over, I sit up, licking the remainder of her taste from my mouth and drinking it down.

"Doing okay, love?" I ask softly.

"Soooo good," she replies, sighing happily. "Do I actually get to return the favor this time?"

My cock throbs, screaming yes, but I shake my head. "Not yet, Krasotka."

If she put those pretty lips around my dick in any capacity, her virginity would be a thing of the past in mere seconds. I'm hanging by a thread as it is, seeing her this way. But I want Jade to experience sex for the first time as my wife. I don't equate her virginity to her honor, but plenty of people do, and I would lose it if I saw anyone looking down at her for something I could have prevented.

Besides, a little self-control is good for the soul. For now.

"Damn," she pouts, and I chuckle.

"Do you see how you feel right now, baby? Floaty and happy?"

"Yep. Feels so awesome," she gushes.

"So, the next time you need to get your mind off of a little soreness," I murmur, kissing the inside of her thigh. "Come to me, and I'll make you feel all better just like this. No gummy needed, baby. I'll eat you out for so long, everything apart from this pretty pink pussy will be numb."

I don't have a problem with recreational use on principle, but here? I never want to see Jade in an inebriated state in a place where I can't step in ever again. Finding true trust in her brothers is going to be one of the most difficult things about keeping us a secret. Logically, I understand they're skilled and willing to do whatever it takes for her.

I also know that it's an impossibility for anyone to protect her at the level that I'm willing to. That sort of devotion isn't built out of blood. It's made from the deepest part of my soul, crafted exclusively for her.

"God," she whimpers. "Having a boyfriend is so cool."

Freezing between her legs, I flick my eyes up to hers. "Fix that sentence, Krasotka."

She flushes even more pink. "Having you as my boyfriend is so cool."

"Much better," I praise, hovering my mouth above her clit. "Lay back for me, love. I need another taste."

"Oh. My. God."

Did she think I could just have her once?

Silly girl.

By the third time that she comes on my tongue, her arms and legs are so limp that I refuse to take her back to her room. She'll sleep in my bed, and I'll get her back before anyone can notice. I'll get less sleep if it means having her in my arms for as long as I can. Now I'm tempted to see how often I can have her here.

Just. Like. This.