Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

C aroline

"You've been a very bad girl, Caroline."

"I wasn't trying to be," I whispered.

"But you are." He approached, the same look on his face that had always given me shivers. I felt so tiny around him, fragile when that wasn't the truth. Yet he was so big and strong, his massive physique something most women would die to get close to. And here I was lucky enough to have him as a controlling force.

I was breathless as he cupped both sides of my face, rubbing his thumbs back and forth across my cheeks roughly. There was something so powerful about the way he stared into my eyes. As if I was his long-lost possession.

"You make me a very bad girl," I murmured.

He chuckled, the dark tone almost ominous but I adored the sound, the deep vibrato always thrilling me. "Then I guess I will need more time to break you of that little bad habit." He slipped his arms under my bottom, lifting me off the floor.

I wrapped my legs around his thighs, intertwining my feet together. I adored everything about the man and was unable to keep from brushing my fingertips down his rugged cheek. He perpetually had a three-day shadow, which added to his allure. Not that he wasn't sexy as hell already.

"And just how do you think you're going to do that?" I knew I was teasing him relentlessly, but I was also aware how aroused he became when I did.

His eyes twinkled as he lifted me even higher, using one hand to brush the tip of his cock against my pussy lips. "By fucking you relentlessly, my little cherished one."

The moment he pulled me all the way down, I threw my head back and screamed. There was nothing like his huge cock filling me so completely, stretching my muscles.

"Oh. Yes," I heard myself moan. The sensations were always extreme, electrifying every inch of me. The man's shaft was huge, pushing me into rapturous pleasure like no one else had given me before.

He pulled out, driving into me again, this time able to get a scream from my throat.

"You are such a mischievous woman but so damn tasty. I'm going to feast on that pretty pussy of yours for hours."

And I knew he would, just as he did almost every night. His tongue should be registered as a weapon but right now, his cock felt like a slice of heaven right here on earth. I was instantly pushed into a moment of sheer ecstasy, uncertain if I cared I was having difficulty breathing. This was everything I'd ever wanted.

A protective older man.

Hot sex.

A place I could call home.

The way he was able to pound into me while still standing was an amazing testament to the man's incredible strength. He never blinked, certainly didn't take his eyes off me.

"Come for me, krasivaya devushka. Just like you're required to do."

I adored it when he called me his beautiful girl or his cherished one and his commands always had the same effect on me. There was no way of holding back with him in control. I'd lost every inhibition a long time before. With my heart thudding, my mind spiraling out of control, I threw my head back as the rush of adrenaline mixed with the roar of my female lion as she succumbed to the pleasure.

"Mmm…" I twisted and turned, basking in the incredible vision. I pitched and rolled, taking single short breaths as an intense pleasure rolled through me. Wet and hot, even in my sleepiness, I could sense beads of perspiration were trickling down the back of my neck. Sticky and sweet. I couldn't get the phrase out of my mind.

Maybe that's because my fingers were completely slickened. Blinking, I realized light was pouring into the room. I wasn't ready to allow the morning to interfere with my wicked and oh-so delicious fantasy. I lifted and bent my legs, spreading them wide open as I rolled my index finger around my clit several times before thrusting several fingers inside.

"Oh." I slapped my hand over my face, panting as another wave of excitement tore through me. I was still tossing and turning, the sensations rolling through me white-hot. Shit. My trusty vibrator would feel even better.

With my eyes still closed, I rolled over and brushed my hand across the nightstand. Wait a minute. It wasn't the same. It was…

My eyes flew open the moment I realized what was going on, memories of the night before flooding into me. "Oh, shit." I jerked up, taking gasping breaths. It took a few seconds to realize I certainly wasn't inside my house. I was in perhaps the nicest bedroom I'd ever seen.

And it belonged to…

I gulped the bile that had formed in my throat. Not only had I been masturbating in the man's guest bed, but I'd also had a sweet, devious, and sinful fantasy about him.

Oh, God.

I was going straight to hell.

I pulled Vadim's tee shirt to my nose, drinking in the slight aroma of the powerful man. The material smelled just like him, spicy and tangy at the same time. The night before had seemed surreal. I barely remembered most of it, at least at first. When all the details had come flooding in, including the horrible attack, I was left with a sick feeling inside.

My world had been turned upside down. I wondered if there was anything left of the belongings I'd painstakingly bought all on my own. It had been the first time in my life I'd been allowed to choose what I liked, not what my parents required in their house. I hadn't been able to afford much, especially since I'd spent a pretty penny on my computer systems, but I'd loved the rather bohemian look. It had suited me and my quirky personality.

I stared at myself in the mirror, at least thankful Joshua had suggested the go bag. A hot shower, a fresh change of clothes, and I felt close to being normal.

Whatever that was.

I made the bed, something I'd always done; no matter how many servants (as my father had insisted on calling them) my family had hired, I preferred doing my own. As I stood back, I glanced at my phone. Rules. I knew my new guardian and protector had rules he would impose but so far, my phone wasn't considered off limits.

I had a scrambler on it too, something Joshua had also hooked me onto. However, given how easily I'd been found, I wasn't so certain it was foolproof. Whatever the case, I had to let Joshua know the plan had been destroyed.

He'd be pissed but it certainly hadn't been by choice.

As I dialed his number, I continued to have a foreboding feeling that the world was about ready to crash in on me. The guy wasn't into chatting much on the phone, but he always picked up on the second or maybe third ring.

This time, it continued to ring. And ring.

And ring.

No voicemail clicked in. No answer.

Another wave of terror skittered through me. Maybe I should have warned him to flee his apartment. Shit. After trying one more time, it finally clicked. There was nothing but dead air. But I could swear someone was there.

Very quickly, I hung up the phone, tossing it away as if that would prevent my call from being traced. I groaned, feeling antsy, anxiety tearing through me. I'd had panic attacks as a kid, likely because my father had required drills for being taken hostage.

He'd even gone so far as to hire some asshole to pretend to kidnap me.

I hadn't been able to recover from that for almost two years.

While I did what I could to control my breathing, I finally made it to the closed bedroom door, opening it as if bad dudes would be on the other side. At least I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

For now.

I was no fool. While I knew Vadim still believed me to be a child, I had lived a full, somewhat dangerous life over the last couple of years. I'd known I was playing with fire, trying to keep track of my surroundings and keeping a low profile, including on social media. Maybe I'd believed I was invincible, which had allowed me to become careless.

Whatever the case, here I was asking for help from perhaps the most dangerous man in existence. But if he couldn't keep me safe, no one could. At least that was what the terror skittering through me said.

Although I had to remind myself that he still hadn't officially agreed to help me other than for one night. For all I knew, he could toss me out. Would he do that given my relationship with his daughters? I had to admit, my tummy was nervous, more so than I thought I'd be. I was at the man's mercy.

As soon as I started to pad down the stairs, I heard voices coming from the man's office. I had no intention of disturbing them but suddenly, six big, gruff men appeared, filing out like the soldiers they were.

What I found interesting was that these men weren't wearing the signature suits the Kryshas usually wore. Sofiya had taught me some Russian, including various terms used in the Bratva. The term meant the Pakhan's enforcers. In my mind, that meant they were going hunting.

For the assholes who attacked me or was there another enemy on the horizon?

While every one of them checked me out, including shifting heated gazes all the way to my naked, painted toenails, they knew better than to say a word or make a gesture. I'd heard, although never confirmed, Vadim wasn't immune to cutting off a man's hand for touching a woman inappropriately.

He might make me as terrified as the situation did, but I did respect him for the way he adored his daughters, fawning over them whenever they needed something. Plus, the family had been relatively normal behind closed, secured doors. Every holiday had been celebrated. Every birthday. Hell, I'd even been to a barbecue where sons and daughters of his most trusted men had been invited, the kids swimming while the adults had relaxed over cocktails and conversation.

Well, I was no longer a child and couldn't beg to be allowed into the pool with an ice cream cone. For about a million reasons, the idea hit me hard. I waited until the men had left before heading to his office.

I was more than surprised to see him in jeans and a polo, something I couldn't remember from before. Including at the barbecues. Sofiya had told me the shooting had changed him significantly. On the one hand, it had made him harder, edgier. On the other, he'd started appreciating life even more. I found that a little hard to believe given his savage reputation.

As soon as I walked in, he turned around and I felt even more guilty than I had before fantasizing about the man. It was taboo, completely forbidden, but I seemed to be a real rulebreaker lately.

He took a deep breath as he looked at me and the fantasy returned in full force in my mind. Damn it. I had to stop acting like some lovesick child.

"We need to talk now that you're rested," Vadim said, pointing to the chair opposite his at the desk.

I didn't say anything as I moved toward it, feeling even more uncomfortable than the night before.

He didn't sit down at first, which made me think this was nothing but another stern lecture or punishment. As he planted his hands on the surface, leaning over, I had the creepy crawlies. He had a way of doing that to a person. I could only imagine what he was like when he got angry.

"Now, as I mentioned there are going to be rules."

"Does that mean you'll protect me? I can work for you. I'll do anything you want and promise I won't be a burden. I can clean house. I'll cook for you since we know you can't do that yourself. Heck, I'll pick up your dry cleaning. Or I could be your secretary taking notes for you." Jesus. Now, I was babbling. It wasn't my finest hour.

He lifted his eyebrows in amusement.

"Well, I am planning on requiring you work with me, Caroline, but I assure you that your talents lie elsewhere. However, I'm still frustrated and upset with you that you almost ruined your life."

"I know but as I said, I had my reasons."

"Understood. Here's how we're going to play this. You'll work with my computer experts doing almost exactly what you did before. You are to stay here, inside this house unless escorted by one or more of my men. In addition, you're going to alter your appearance. They're looking for someone called Pink Flamingo, which is exactly what you look like."

"You found more about my reputation online."

"I wouldn't be in this position if I didn't have elite contacts along with capabilities that even military operations and the CIA will never acquire. Yes, you left a trail. You were sloppy, Caroline, which is how they found you. It would appear you have elite skills, but you need to be more controlled. I will help you get there. Now, tomorrow you'll go shopping for clothes that are better suited to your age and to my business. Do you understand?"

Swallowing, I nodded. This was more like the man I remembered, not the one who'd indulged in me making a PB&J past midnight. "Yes, sir."

"Good girl. Plus, I'm no fashion expert, but I strongly suggest you alter your hair color. I don't care if it's green but something different."

"There's one little, tiny issue. Remember? My funds were locked down. I have one credit card of my own, but the limit is itsy bitsy."

"I assure you that your credit card and any other identification have been hacked. They know who you are, Caroline. As of right now, you don't exist. You're going to be a ghost until I can figure this out. You will be using my credit card, which will allow you to purchase anything you want. Within reason."

I was still sick inside. "They're really after me?" I was being as repetitive as I was silly. Of course they were after me, as evidenced by the bloodstain on my trusty bat.

He gave me another stern look before pulling up his phone. "I had one of my men go to your apartment as I mentioned. This is what he found. I'm only showing you this so you can begin to embrace the severity of the situation."

As soon as I glanced at the picture, the place unrecognizable because of the damage done, I almost burst into tears. "Oh, God."

"Exactly. Don't fuck with me on this, Caroline. I've gone easy on you up to this point, but you will not endanger yourself or anyone else while under my protection. If you do in any way, you will be severely punished. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal. Sir. How am I going to go shopping?"

He exhaled, leaning back and planting his hands on his hips. "Sofiya and Daniella are coming home later today. I'm going to ask Sofiya to take you shopping. However, neither one of you will be without two guards at all times. In this case, there will be four. Do not try and evade them."

"Oh, God. Sofiya. What do I tell her?"

"That you are under my protective measures. I suggest you not go into detail about what you did."

"Okay."

"While I haven't taken your phone, I'm going to replace it with an untraceable one. You'll need to go get it for me."

"Um," I said, forced to look away. "I might have already used it this morning to make a little call."

His nostrils immediately flared and I was certain he was going to toss me over the desk all over again, spanking me while calling me a very bad girl.

"Who did you call, Caroline?"

"Joshua. I needed to let him know the gig was toast." I'd never felt so sheepish in my life. I could tell he was doing his best not to get angry with me. Hell, I was angry with myself. I was smarter than this, for God's sake.

"And what happened?"

"At first his phone didn't pick up. Then it clicked like someone was there, but I hung up and didn't say anything."

"Fuck," he hissed. "What is your goddamn handler's full name? Don't lie to me because I will know it. Your life might depend on your full disclosure of every detail."

Hearing the fury in his voice made me sick to my stomach. "Joshua Smith but that's not his real name. We never use our real names."

"Does he have a handle like you do?" He wasn't blinking as he eyed me as if I was the enemy.

"Blackbird. He's known on the dark web as Blackbird."

Vadim's entire face looked like chiseled stone. "Bring me the goddamn phone now."

"I had it scrambled so no one would track me."

He cocked his head and another flash of embarrassment rolled through me. I was a grade-A certified idiot. I'd underestimated the Cosa Nostra's power and their reach.

However, I knew I'd been right in asking for help from Vadim.

His ability to protect me didn't concern me in the least.

What did?

The fact that he was my ultimate fantasy.