24. Chapter 24

twenty-four

Leonid

S uka ! If there’s a god, he’s outdone himself crafting this woman. It’s her—the same mysterious Red from five years ago. The one who vanished, leaving nothing but a mask and memories.

So many women, yet none erased the itch she left.

Why am I sure?

Because my cock’s going wild, straining against my pants just from her damn presence. Blyat , she still gets to me.

She walks into the room like she owns it, confidence rolling off her in waves.

The years haven’t touched her one bit.

Zaebis’, if anything, they’ve only made her more irresistible. That gold dress hugs her hourglass figure like it was painted on, every curve more pronounced, more womanly. I let my gaze roam over her shamelessly, taking in the swell of her breasts, the outline of her nipples that pierces through her bra and dress, the dip of her waist, the flare of her hips. A fucking masterpiece.

She catches me staring, a smirk playing on those crimson lips. “See something you like, Pakhan ?”

Her eyes meet mine, a spark of recognition flaring up. Does she feel this, too? This electric, maddening pull that tightens my chest and sends my mind racing? I keep my face neutral, my training holding back the storm inside me.

I lean back, spreading my arms along the back of the couch. “Just admiring the view, Red. Wondering if the rest of you has aged under that mask.”

“Whiskey?” She places one of the glasses on the table, the amber liquid catching the dim light of the room.

I tilt my head, curiosity piqued. “Why don’t you start with your name? Since it’s unfair that you know mine and I don’t know yours.”

She laughs, the sound low and throaty. “Now, where’s the fun in that, Pakhan ? A little mystery never hurt anyone.”

I lean forward, elbows on my knees, my eyes never leaving hers. “Mystery is one thing, Red. But I don’t like playing games unless I know the rules.”

“Cheers.” She takes a sip of her whiskey, her tongue darting out to catch a stray drop on her lower lip.

Blyat , the things I want to do to that mouth.

“Who says we’re playing a game, Leonid? Maybe I just wanted to share a drink with an old… friend.”

The way she says “friend” is like a fucking caress and a slap all at once. I feel my control slipping, the need to taste her, to claim her, rising like a tidal wave in my blood.

But I didn’t survive this long in my world by giving in to every impulse. So I force myself to lean back, to pick up the glass she’s offered. I swirl the liquid, watching the light play off the cuts in the crystal.

“Friend, huh?” Fingers tracing the rim, I put the whiskey down. “Is that what you call a man you fuck and run from?”

Her smile falters, just for a second. “I had my reasons, Leonid. Reasons that had nothing to do with you.”

I laugh, “And now? What’s your reason for being here now, Red ?”

I stand, closing the distance between us in two long strides. I tower over her, but she doesn’t flinch, doesn’t back down.

Blyat , she’s got balls. I’ll give her that.

She looks up at me, her eyes dark and glittering behind her mask. “I’m here because… I’ve missed you.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Missed me, huh?” No fucking way I’m letting her off the hook that easy. Not after five years of silence. “You got a funny way of showing it, Red.”

She places her hand on my chest, right over my heart. I feel it jump under her touch, the traitorous bastard. Chyort voz’mi , I’m acting like some green kid who’s never been touched by a woman before.

“I think you’re intrigued,” she purrs, reaching out and pulling me close by the back of my neck. Her lips crash into mine, hot and demanding. I growl into the kiss, my hands gripping her hips, pressing her body against mine.

Her tongue tangles with mine, teasing, tasting. It’s a dance we’ve done before, but fuck if it doesn’t feel brand new. I nip at her lower lip, relishing her gasp, the way her fingers tighten in my hair.

But something’s not right. I feel her eyes on me, even as we kiss. I catch her gaze darting to the whiskey glass, just for a second.

Blyat , I’m an idiot.

I pull away, ignoring the throbbing in my cock, the need pulsing through my veins. I grab her by the hair, yanking her head back, forcing her to look at me.

“What’s in the glass, Red?”

I watch her eyes widen just a fraction.

“It’s just whiskey.” She stares right into my eyes. Then her eyebrows squeeze together as she cocks her head slightly.

Like my question is just background noise, huh?

Plenty more important things to consider, I suppose . Suka! Must be nice living in that head.

I tighten my grip, watching her wince. “Don’t fucking lie to me. You’ve been eyeing that glass like it’s hiding some dirty fucking secrets. So I’ll ask again—what’s in it?”

She struggles against my hold, her nails digging into my wrist. “Let go of me, Leonid. You’re being paranoid.”

I lean in close, my nose almost touching hers. “Paranoid? No, myshka . I’m being smart. You show up out of nowhere after five years with a drink in your hand…”

Then it hits me. Suka.

I’m not listening anymore. Because I’ve just caught a whiff of something, something sweet and cloying, drifting up from the whiskey.

It can’t be.

Poison?

Novichok-5 . My poison. The one I spent years perfecting.

She’s trying to fucking kill me. With my own creation.

Rage boils through my veins. I grab her neck, tightening my grip just enough to make her gasp for air. The sound sends a jolt straight to my cock, even as the rage boils in my veins.

“Enough of the fucking games, Red. Let me see who’s behind this mask.”

I reach for her mask, but she’s quick. She twists out of my grip, her elbow connecting with my ribs. I grunt, more surprised than hurt, and she uses the distraction to dart away.

But I’m faster. I catch her around the waist, slamming her against the wall. She struggles, her teeth bared in a snarl.

“Fuck this,” she hisses, hiking up her dress.

I expect a kick, a knee to the groin. What I don’t expect is for her to wrap her legs around my waist, using the leverage to flip us around. Suddenly, I’m the one with my back to the floor, and she’s grinding down on me, her heat pressing against my straining cock.

I groan, my hands gripping her hips. “You’re playing a dangerous game, myshka. ”

She leans in close, her lips brushing my ear. “But you love the danger, don’t you, Pakhan ?”

She’s right. I fucking do. And right now, all I want is to see her face or to fuck her; I am not sure anymore. But one thing’s for sure: I know I’m not going to let this woman sneak out on me again.

I let one hand slide up her back, tangling in her hair. She tenses but doesn’t stop me as I grip the edge of her mask. At the same moment, I feel her fingers at my own mask, ready to reveal me, too.

In a single, swift motion, we both tear off each other’s masks. For a moment, we just stare at each other, drinking in the sight we’ve both been denied for so long.

Fuck.

She’s stunning.

No , she’s fucking gorgeous.

My brain just snaps. She’s brutally, painfully gorgeous.

She’s out of this damn world.

High cheekbones, full lips, a tiny scar above her eyebrow.

But it’s her dead stare that stops my heart.

Those icy blue eyes are like a frozen sea, and I can tell she’s imagining stabbing me over and over in her head.

Even in this mess, my cock is so hard; it remembers Red .

It wants her tight, juicy cunt. More than ever.

Before I can respond, the door bursts open. Maksim rushes in, his gun drawn. “ Pakhan , there’s been an incident in the Ladies—”

He stops short, taking in our position, the discarded masks. I can only imagine what we look like, her dress hiked up around her waist, my hands on her ass.

“Wait…” she whispers. “This can’t be…you have brown eyes.” Her voice is shaking as she stares at my face like she’s seeing a ghost.