14. Marko

CHAPTER 14

MARKO

SATURDAY EVENING – ANOTHER ATTACK ON MELISSA'S LIFE

W hile Melissa got ready to go out, I called Miki and gave him a quick update on everything I had found out.

He agreed that the MP sounded like a crazy guy and was definitely the most likely person behind the attack on our poker game. He was also happy that we may have the means of putting an end to him.

"Bring her in," he said.

"No, not yet. She's staying here with me. I'll bring her over to see you tomorrow," I replied, my voice firm.

Miki was quiet for a minute. I wasn't sure what he was thinking. As pakhan, he was rarely disobeyed, and I had never disobeyed him before, but I wasn't prepared to share Melissa yet. I wanted her to myself. That might have been selfish, but I didn't care. Whatever was between us was strong, and I wanted a chance to spend more time with her on my own.

I could hear Miki take a deep breath, and I braced myself for his annoyance. But to my surprise, he laughed instead.

"Marko, it sounds like you have staked a claim on this woman. You are as bad as the rest of us. Does she know yet?" he asked, sniggering.

"Erm, eh, no," I stuttered out, my equilibrium knocked for six when he continued to chuckle.

That wasn't at all the reaction I was expecting. Not in the least. I shook my head, regaining my composure.

"She's receptive to me, but no, she doesn't know yet that I have serious feelings about her," I told him in all honesty.

"Well, I'm sure you will enlighten her soon enough," he said, his amusement still obvious in his voice as he continued.

"Since she is likely going to be yours, I guess she needed to know who we are and what that means. Besides, from what you've told me, we need her help as much as she needs ours. We'll talk about everything when you get here tomorrow," he said, then hung up.

Well, that was easier than I had anticipated.

Next I called Trigger, gave him a quick update of the situation, and let him know we were heading out and to come over.

Trigger was one of our soldiers, a good friend, and completely loyal. I trusted him totally. He would drive us around today and provide additional security while we were out. This apartment was considered a safe house for us; few people knew of its existence, and it had an excellent security system. We rarely required additional security here, but as we were heading out, I didn't want to take any chances.

Somehow, the MP knew about Melissa. He knew she would go to the bank, and where she lived, and had obviously sent people after her. Although the initial attack against her was simply a robbery, the second attack was much more sinister. I doubted he'd be able to find her again now that she was with me, but I couldn't be sure of that. It was best to have backup just in case.

A short while later, I took Melissa's hand as we weaved through the bustling Covent Garden shopping centre.

"What do you think about this place?" I asked, glancing around at the array of shops. There were plenty of great places to shop in London, including the world famous Harrods, but I'd always liked this place. It had been a favourite of my mum and so I had fond memories of coming here with her as a child.

"Oh, I love it here," she said, her eyes lighting up as she spotted a familiar brand.

Dragging me towards the shop, she pulled me inside and I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.

We spent a couple of hours browsing through racks of clothes in one shop after another. Melissa trying on various outfits, while I offered my opinion.

"That colour suits you," I commented as she emerged from the changing room in a vibrant dress.

She smiled appreciatively. "You think so?" Melissa twirled, the dress swishing around her legs.

"Yeah, definitely," I nodded, impressed by how well it complemented her.

When she was finished, we headed to the counter, and I started to hand my card to the cashier.

"Wait. I'm paying for this," Melissa insisted, pulling out her card and handing it over instead.

I was about to protest, as a deep-rooted need to protect and care for my woman warred with the need to respect her independence, but her determined look made me clamp my mouth shut. Melissa was mine, but she wasn't ready to admit that yet, so I wouldn't push her and risk our budding relationship just to assuage my need to provide. Besides, she was rich in her own right, so there was really no justification for me paying. Yet. One day, things might be different, but not today.

"Alright," I conceded with a smile. "But let me treat you to dinner at least."

"Deal," she said with a grin.

A little later, we settled into a cosy corner of a nearby restaurant, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambiance.

"Cheers," I said, raising my glass of wine in a toast.

Melissa clinked her glass against mine.

"Cheers to surviving another day," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

We enjoyed a leisurely meal, sharing stories and laughter as we delved deeper into each other's lives.

"So, tell me more about your family," Melissa prompted, leaning forward with genuine interest.

I recounted tales of growing up with my siblings, anecdotes about my father's strict yet caring nature, and a little about Miki's role as our Pakhan. Melissa listened intently, nodding along and occasionally interjecting with her own experiences.

As the evening progressed, my phone vibrated with a message from Miki. Melissa excused herself to freshen up, leaving me to read the text in peace.

Aw, shit! Another of our businesses had been hit. This time, it was one of our legitimate ones. Fuck!

"Bring Melissa in now!" Miki said at the end of the message.

Frowning at the phone, I shook my head. Nope, not happening.

"Tomorrow!" I texted back and turned down the volume, ignoring the vibration alerting me to his answer.

Miki wouldn't like me ignoring him, but tough. He would not spoil the evening I had planned. I would take the tongue lashing tomorrow if necessary. Tonight, I was going to be doing one of my own, which would be much more pleasurable. My cock jumped at the idea. And on that note, it was time to leave.

"Everything okay?" Melissa asked as she returned to the table.

"Another of our businesses was hit, so we need to speak with my family and start making plans, but it will wait until tomorrow," I told her.

"Was anyone hurt?" she asked.

"No, but my brother is livid. However, we'll deal with everything tomorrow. For now, I have more enjoyable things in mind," I told her, grabbing her hand and kissing it.

I wanted Melissa to myself to get to know her better, just the two of us. Tomorrow was soon enough to explore ideas for the MP's downfall. This evening, I planned on exploring Melissa and her delightful body again, and nobody was going to spoil that, not even my brother, the Pakhan.

"Sounds good," she responded with a sultry smile that made me want to take her right there and then.

As we waited outside for Trigger to pick us up, I pushed her into the shelter of a nearby doorway and pulled her close, kissing her deeply the way I had wanted to all night. I groaned as she moaned into my mouth, losing myself in her. Our mouths battled for dominance, our tongues duelling as if they couldn't get enough of each other's taste. My hardness pressed against her stomach, and reluctantly, I pulled apart, willing my erection to behave long enough for us to get back to the apartment.

"If I don't put some distance between us, I'm afraid I might lose control and take you right here against the wall," I said, my voice low and thick, with a slight trace of a Russian accent noticeable from my lust.

Melissa's eyes widened, and a mischievous smile played on her lips.

"Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing," she teased, her hands tracing lightly over my chest.

My heart pounded at her touch, the heat of her fingers penetrating my shirt and sending shivers of excitement coursing through me. God, the woman drove me wild with need. I chuckled softly, and with effort, I forced myself to hold her at arm's length.

"As much as I'd love that, my brother would kill me if we were caught committing a sexual act in public. And I'm not sure you would enjoy that either," I said with a laugh.

She pouted playfully, making me grin wickedly. Pulling her to me again, I nipped at her earlobe and she squirmed against me once more.

"Are you an exhibitionist, my little cat burglar? Should I throw caution to the wind and take you right here where anyone could see? Is that what you want, sweetheart?" I whispered teasingly, grinding myself against her.

"No!" Her eyes widened, and she pushed at my chest, looking a little panicked.

"You are right, because while I have occasionally fantasised about having sex outside, a London street where others could see isn't quite what I'd had in mind. And I doubt I could get over the embarrassment of being caught," she said, her face flaming at the idea as she tried to step out of my embrace again. I loosened my hold on her but didn't let her go.

"Relax honey, we can keep the public displays of affection to kissing." I reassured her, chuckling and nuzzling at her neck.

"However, I am going to want to know more about those outdoor sex fantasies of yours later, and if you are into being taken against a wall, I'm sure I can arrange for a better venue for that, too," I said with a wink.

The wicked glint in her eyes told me she liked that idea, and I made a mental note to ensure that I fulfilled those particular fantasies later, as I took her hand once more and turned to head towards where Trigger was now parked waiting for us.

"I'll hold you to that," she replied, grinning up at me sexily.

Before I could respond, she pulled me to a stop again and tugged my head down to hers for another kiss. We were so lost in each other that neither of us heard the car approaching fast from behind.

"Marko!" Trigger shouted, alerting me to the danger.

"Down!" I screamed at Melissa as I threw us out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. It mounted the pavement and charged past us at full speed. We had been just a step away from the large doorway, and throwing ourselves inside saved us from being crushed under the wheels.

Pulling Melissa tight to me, I looked her over. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, her eyes wide with fear. That was close, too fucking close.

Grabbing her hand, I tugged her across the road.

"Fucking bastards!" Trigger shouted, shooting at the vehicle. The back window shattered, but the car continued to barrel away from us.

"Let's get out of here," I told him. He jumped into the driver's side, and we got in the back. He spun the car around, and we revved off away from the scene and any unwanted police attention.