Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

V adim

"You can run, little girl, but the big, bad wolf will find you. And when I do, you will be punished." I let off an intense howl toward the bright orb in the sky, giving my delicious treat another five seconds before taking off running. There was nothing like allowing my beast to roam free, hunting like the true savage I was.

Especially when a young maiden was fair game, the girl belonging to me in every way. She'd simply forgotten the rules, pushing me away.

As if that was possible.

The chase was almost as delicious as the catch. I could hear her ragged breathing as she did her best to escape my clutches. But she should have already learned that once captured into my world, there was no escape. None.

I stopped short, crouching down as I listened carefully, determined to pinpoint her location. It didn't take me long, the raging scent of her desire giving her away. I allowed my actions to be more predatory, slowly making my way through the dense foliage. A single crack of a twig and I snapped my head to the right.

She was within my reach. My cock was fully engorged, my needs progressing into something even more animalistic. The moment I was ready to lunge toward my prize, she turned her head ever so slowly, the slender moonlight spiraling through the trees providing a warm golden glow around her perfect face.

There was no fear in her eyes, just the same kind of brazen longing that had kept me awake at night. As I stalked toward her, taking cautious steps, she did as well, her plump lower lip quivering. The darkness was unable to mask my vision. I could see things much more clearly.

She was mine, all mine.

As soon as we were within inches of each other, I whisked her naked body off her feet, delighting in the squeals emitted into the night sky. And as I impaled her with the full length of my cock, she threw her head back, clawing my chest.

Yes, my cherished one was utter perfection.

"What the hell are you thinking about?" Aleksander asked.

Blinking, I shoved aside the primal vision, but it was tough, even though I was sitting in the middle of a crowded restaurant having lunch with my counselor. It had been a rough two days, my time spent trying to immerse myself in business while ignoring the hunger that had yet to be satisfied.

I also felt like an absolute shit, but what I'd done had been necessary. Who was I kidding?

"Nothing." He knew me too well, and as I pushed my salad plate back, grabbing my drink instead, he lifted a single eyebrow.

"You're entirely different since a guest arrived like some imp at your door." Aleksander was chuckling but he had no understanding of how accurate he was.

"Yeah, well, I'm also in some fucking maze that I can't seem to get out of."

"Don't you mean a sexual haze?"

I glared at him and sipped my whiskey. The location he'd chosen was near to his glorious skyscraper of an office in Manhattan, a five-star joint that was almost impossible to get into. All either one of us needed to do was to pick up the phone and our favorite table, smack in the center of the floor-to-ceiling window with one of the most spectacular views in all of New York, was made available.

Even if there were other diners enjoying a feast.

I was considered a king among kings and with Aleksander's accomplishments and high-brow parents, he was my prince. Right now I felt more like a lecherous old man than anything else.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Really?" he asked as he put his fork down, grabbing his linen napkin and wiping his mouth. "How long have we known each other?"

"Maybe too long."

"Uh-huh. Long enough I know when someone or something has gotten to you. And your guest has definitely gotten to you."

I threw him a more hateful look than I'd intended before scanning the perimeter. It would seem almost everyone of importance had decided to frequent the restaurant today. We were getting looks from both men and women alike, the beautiful girls the kind who would likely slip their phone numbers on the table, winking as they passed by.

The men were fearful and uncertain.

Once upon a time, I'd found that behavior exciting, taboo in a sense.

No longer since I'd dared take a huge bite of forbidden fruit. Not once but twice.

Then I'd shut her down like a real asshole.

"It's none of your concern."

Aleksander leaned in. "I am your friend last time I checked."

"Let's just say one of my computer guys called early this morning. It would seem someone has been attempting to hack into my systems."

"You're thinking Stefano is responsible?"

"Maybe." I couldn't jump to any conclusions about anything at this point.

"By the way. You look haggard, which won't bode well for you attending the soirée tonight."

I remained quiet. It was the last thing I wanted to do at this point. Not after what had occurred between us.

"Oh, for the love of fuck. You are going to the governor's ball. Yes?" he demanded.

As the waiter brought our steaks, I wasn't entirely certain I had an appetite. "Yeah, I'm going. Against my better judgment."

He twirled his plate around and grabbed his knife and fork. "You're already completely embroiled in a risky chess game. Purchasing Armenian stocks?"

I cut a bite of filet, enjoying the rich flavor for a few seconds. At least the chef knew how to grill a decent steak. "You know better than I do that the art of playing any game is catching your opponents off guard. They threatened one of my employees and the new construction site. I can't allow that to happen."

He took a bite of his steak, chewing thoughtfully. "So you're determined to corrode their livelihood."

"Something like that." The Armenians had always tried to hide behind a veil of legitimacy, owning smaller companies, bakeries, and restaurants throughout New York. To anyone smart enough to know the game, they would realize coming in under the radar was nothing more than a technique they'd adopted when immigrating to New York from their home country.

It made laundering money easier. I'd found it fascinating that the FBI had yet to find any concrete evidence on them, even though they were as brutal as syndicates came.

"First the Italians. Now the Armenians. You're taking what I said to heart. I'm glad to see that except I don't want you to get yourself killed."

I scooped up a forkful of garlic mashed potatoes, trying to concentrate on my lunch. It was interesting that my thoughts drifted back to Caroline every other minute or so. It didn't make any rational sense.

"Has she recovered from the attack?" he asked.

"As much as a girl can whose never been through a near kidnapping."

"You think that's what they were trying to do?"

"I do."

"And you're certain your daughter wasn't the target?"

I laughed softly, cutting another bite of steak. "She flew into town early. I told no one. The likelihood my enemies were checking the airport is slim to nil."

"Understood. They will try again."

"Stay in your lane, my friend. I'm very well aware of that. Given two of the fuckers got away, Stefano now knows she's become my property."

"Property. See. You like this girl. You never talk about anyone like that."

"So what if I do? It doesn't change the facts. She's off limits."

Aleksander sat back in his seat, eyeing me carefully as he swirled his drink glass back and forth on the table. "Says who?"

"Well, my daughter for one. Plus, the girl is two decades younger than I am."

"Shit like that was never an obstacle before. Plus, isn't she around your daughter's age?"

"Yeah."

"That means only around eighteen years difference." He grinned and I could tell how much fun he was having.

I took a few more bites, tired of the same tastes. The same haunts. The same routines. There was very little I considered exciting any longer. Maybe that's why the feisty woman had sparked a fire where none had been lit for a very long time. "You're talking semantics right now. I'm not good for her and you know that."

"By your admission only, my friend. Granted, I'll give you a piece of unsolicited advice."

"Isn't that the same as always?"

"Very funny. Be careful jumping into the fire with both feet. Eventually, there will be no way to dig yourself out without getting burned."

"Said by the man who has a date every other night of the week with a different gal."

"I like to taste what's out there. Sue me. So. Are you bringing your illustrious houseguest with you tonight?"

I admit I'd almost backed out. I needed to make it very clear to Caroline that what had occurred could never happen again. Only I'd yet to find the right words. "I did tell her to dress appropriately and we were going out tonight."

"With pink hair."

"I also asked her to change her appearance."

"Uh-huh," Aleksander muttered. "I guess it will be interesting what she comes up with. At least the damn event requires a mask."

"When were you going to tell me that?" I abhorred them almost as much as festive, fake parties for pompous assholes.

"It just occurred to me. Sorry. However, maybe that will work to your benefit."

Fuck me.

In truth, her hair color was just another reminder of how young she was. "This isn't a date, Aleks. She's working for me now. That's the terms of her prison sentence as she calls her sudden incarceration."

He choked on the sip he'd taken, glaring at me as he grabbed his napkin. "Prison sentence?"

"I forbid her to leave the house until further notice. She is being kept under guard at all times. Yeah, I guess it is a prison."

"How long do you intend on doing this?"

"Until I decide not to." I noticed a flurry of activity coming from the other side of the restaurant. I couldn't help but laugh. "Was there a reason you chose this restaurant today?"

"It's one of our favorites?" He was grinning, which meant he was up to something.

"Try again. New arrival across the room."

He returned to his food, taking his time cutting the tender steak. "Yes, I heard through another client Stefano was coming here for his birthday lunch. I thought you'd want to get the game started early but I think you're heavily embroiled in it at this point."

"And the arrival of the governor and his entourage? Are you trying to be a copycat?"

"Well, if you remember correctly, Stefano has slithered into the real estate market and since Governor Chipino's brother is in charge of the labor union, I wanted to see how far the Italian would go. I thought you might as well. Sometimes, being nothing more than an observer isn't a bad idea. You don't always need to be a bull in a china shop."

Aleksander never minced words, which I ordinarily liked about him, but he was trying to push my buttons, which was something he knew better than to do. I was like a snake, striking when least expected.

"And I suspect Chipino is on the take. You are aware of that?" I threw that out, curious if my friend did know. Again, it wasn't something I'd been able to prove. Yet.

He laughed again. "I've been around the bush more than once, you know. I've heard the ugly rumors, which is what makes attending the ball even juicier. Imagine having all the good and bad guys in one place at one time."

"If anyone wanted to take control of the city, that would be the best time to do it."

"Except the security will be solid. Speak of the devil. Look who's headed in this direction. I was right in bringing you here."

I pushed my plate away, tossing my napkin and sitting back in my chair. Both the governor and his brother had quarreled with me, but Chipino wanted my lucrative contributions, which was really why he'd invited such a cast of characters to his festive event.

Even though he'd tried to disguise it as a charity event. Men like him, the ones who slithered behind a cloak were the worst crop of humanity there was. At least I was out in the open about my status as a human being.

Evil.

The governor sauntered closer and I could tell Stefano was watching. The entire scene was like watching a movie. The man had two men trailing behind him, both so young I wondered if they were both his lovers. I'd heard he swung both ways, even if he had a trophy wife to show off when obligated. Plus, the conservatives in the state had yet to fully embrace the concept of having anyone in the LGBTQ community in a position of power.

Ridiculous but not something I could change.

"Governor. How lovely to see you."

"Mr. Chernoff. Mr. Semenov. My favorite Russians. Mr. Pakhan himself, world's most notorious leader of a Russian gang."

It was his standing joke, a poor attempt at putting down my ancestry and riling me. I ate men like him for breakfast. I merely smiled. "Well, I do appreciate such notoriety."

"You both are coming to my event tonight. Yes?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Aleksander answered.

"I must admit, Vadim, it's good to see you. I was certain your injuries could still be life threatening given your absence in society. That would have been such a shame."

There was something almost threatening about the way the governor issued the words. "You should know by now that I'm not the kind of man anyone can destroy. I do own this city."

"Ah, yes, the arrogance I've grown to adore is still intact. Good to see. I am very much looking forward to seeing who you bring as your date tonight. I'm assuming you've found some lovely eye candy for all of us to admire."

I laughed and swirled my drink, acting bored for a few seconds. "I guess you'll need to wait and see. Won't you?"

"Yes, I guess so. Keep in mind, I'm not a patient man." The governor didn't give the courtesy of waiting for a response before walking away, the two young men looking at me as if I was fresh meat. Another game being played involving politics.

Aleksander whistled when they were out of earshot. "Is it just me or did the room just become frigid?"

"On the contrary, my friend. I think things are starting to heat up. Only I'll be the single person with a fire extinguisher. If I choose to use it."

He laughed. "Back in full form. It's good to see. I guess it's settled."

"What in particular?"

"You're bringing the pink-haired girl with you. It should be an explosively good time."

"Yes, I guess so."

My thoughts once again drifted to my guest. It would be difficult to keep from feeling completely possessive of Caroline. The taste of her lingered in my mouth. Perhaps I was in the mood to attend a party after all.