Chapter 14: Irina

Katya spreads the map across the table. "This is the warehouse," she says, pointing to a spot near the edge of the city. "I've been chatting with Sergei for a week now under the alias Yuri , posing as a merchant. He seems eager for this deal, so it's the perfect setup."

I lean forward and look at where she is pointing.

"The main entrance is here." She taps the north side of the building. "It's wide and open, which is good for Sergei. He'll feel confident using it. He thinks this is a simple deal, so he won't suspect anything right away."

Katya moves her finger to the eastern side of the warehouse. "This is where you'll come in. There's an old employee entrance here. It's completely out of sight. I've checked it, and it still works."

"The warehouse used to be a storage facility," Katya continues. "So there are wide-open spaces inside, but there's enough cover in case we need it. Some containers and old machinery are all still there, which means you have a few places to hide, but it also means you'll have to move fast if Sergei's men get suspicious."

Her finger glides over the map, stopping near the bottom. "There's an underground tunnel system here," she says, pointing to a line that runs beneath the building. "It used to connect to a loading yard about half a mile away. The system's abandoned now, but you can use it as a fallback if things go south."

"And Sergei won't know about this tunnel?" Alexei asks

Katya shakes her head. "Not unless he's been doing extensive research, which I doubt. This place has been off the radar for years. No records, no activity. It's the perfect spot for us."

She pauses and looks up at both of us. "We'll be inside before Sergei even arrives. All we need is him inside. He probably won't come with a lot of guards, but even if he does, it won't be an issue."

"What if Sergei's onto you? What if he knows, and he's just playing along? Sergei is not a fool."

Katya shakes her head. "I don't think he is, at least not yet. If he were, he'd have already made a move to expose me. I've been careful, and Yuri's backstory is solid. He trusts the deal."

Alexei nods slowly, but I can see the doubt flickering behind his eyes. "Dmitri's sending a few men," he says after a moment. "One of his allies is coming too, so they can help block some of the exits and handle any extra guards Sergei might bring along. If Sergei's playing it smart, he won't come with just a few guards."

"That's good. You'll need the extra muscle to block off the tunnels. But we can't rely on brute force alone." She taps the map again. "You must use the tunnels as soon as you find out something is wrong. I can cut the signal when Sergei arrives. He won't be able to call for backup. But the problem is, we'll only have a fifteen-minute window before the signal restores itself."

"Fifteen minutes?" I echo. "That's too short. Sergei's not an idiot. He won't go down that quickly."

"I know," Katya says, "but that's all I can give you. The system is old, and I can't hack it for longer than that without tripping alarms. We'll have to move fast."

I glance at Alexei, who is staring at the map, his jaw clenched. He's thinking, calculating, and I can tell he's already considering how to make those fifteen minutes count. But it's not enough time. Not for someone like Sergei.

"That's pushing it," I say. "If anything goes wrong, we're trapped in there with Sergei and his men. He's not just going to roll over."

"It's the best I can do, Irina," she repeats. "We either take the chance, or we risk Sergei escaping and the whole operation blowing up in our faces. We don't have a choice."

"We'll make it work, but we need to be crystal clear about what he thinks he's walking into," Alexei says. "We can't rule out the fact that he'll still be suspicious from the moment he steps foot near the place. We can't afford any holes in this."

Katya flips open a folder. "He believes it's a high-value shipment of heroin," she explains. "He's already sent scouts to verify the shipment's route, so everything looks legit from his side."

"Where's the heroin supposed to come from?" I ask, glancing at the papers she's laid out.

"Bulgaria," Katya responds. "I've set up a dummy route from the Black Sea through a couple of shell companies. It'll look like it's coming in with a legitimate shipment of electronics. The drugs are supposed to be hidden in shipping containers."

Alexei taps the table. "And Sergei's buying this? A shipment this big . . .. Why would he risk showing up personally?"

Katya's lips press into a thin line. "That's where I had to get creative. It's not just about the drugs. It's about the buyer. I've made it look like there's a new player in town, someone with a lot of money and no loyalty to the usual mafia families. A foreign investor looking to move weight fast."

"And Sergei wants to secure that relationship," I say, catching on. "He'll want to meet this mysterious buyer himself, lock in the deal."

"Exactly." Katya nods. "He'll think this is a chance to expand his influence, cut out some of his rivals, and get on the good side of the Broker. It's a big win for him. It's too good an opportunity for him to pass up."

Alexei taps the table. "I guess we've handled everything, then. It's all laid out."

Katya nods, rolling up the map and securing it in a tube. "Time and date are set. Three days from now, at 9 PM sharp. We'll need to be in position an hour before that. I'll be out of reach until then. I can't risk raising any suspicion right now." She glances at me, then at Alexei, before heading toward the door. "This is our one shot."

With that, she walks out the door.

I sit back and cross my arms as I stare at the spot where Katya was. Her precision and cold efficiency always leave me feeling unsettled. But she's good—damn good—and I trust her.

Alexei leans back in his chair. "So," he says, "how do you feel about all this?"

I take a deep breath. "The plan? It's solid, in my opinion. Katya's done her part really well. I trust her."

He raises an eyebrow. "She's a tough one to figure out."

"She doesn't talk much about her past," I admit. "She's closed off. All I know is that Sergei killed her family. She was shot, but somehow, she survived. That's all I've ever gotten from her."

His jaw tightens. "Sergei has destroyed so many lives. Death's too easy for him, too quick."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I'm saying, maybe we don't kill him outright. Maybe we bring him back and let him suffer for a while."

"No." I shake my head. The thought of keeping Sergei alive leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. "That's too risky. What if he escapes? Or the Broker gets wind of it? We can't afford that kind of mistake."

Alexei smirks, a dangerous gleam in his eye. "You worry too much. Dmitri can send us a plane to fly us out immediately after."

I glare at him, frustrated by his overconfidence. "And what if something goes wrong? We're dealing with Sergei here, Alexei. You know better than anyone that he's not the kind of man to take lightly."

His lips spread into a lopsided grin. "I like a challenge."

I roll my eyes, trying to shake off the shiver creeping up my spine at his smile. "You're crazy."

His grin widens, that cocky, teasing one I've seen a thousand times. "You like that about me, don't you?"

I raise an eyebrow, determined not to give him the satisfaction. "You really think you've got me all figured out, huh?"

He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body. "I know you, Irina," he says, "better than you think."

I scoff, trying to keep my cool. "Is that right?"

"Mm-hmm," he hums. He's close enough now that I can feel his breath on my skin. "You pretend you're all business. Cold. Focused. But I see the way you look at me when you think I'm not paying attention."

My heart skips a beat, but I force myself to roll my eyes, trying to maintain control of the situation. "You're imagining things, Alexei."

"Oh, I don't think so." He brushes his hand lightly against my arm. "I see the way your eyes linger, the way you bite your lip when I get too close."

"You try so hard to keep it together," he continues like it's a secret only for me. "But I get under your skin, don't I?"

I clench my jaw, refusing to meet his gaze, but he's relentless. He steps in even closer until there's barely an inch of space between us. His scent, that intoxicating mix of danger and something undeniably masculine, is making me not think clearly.

"Come on, Irina," he whispers, his lips just a breath away from my ear. "Admit it."

His voice sends a jolt of electricity through me, and I can't stop the blush that blooms across my face. My heart pounds, and I know he can see it. That he can feel the way I'm reacting to him, even if I won't say it out loud.

"You like me," he sing-songs in a low, taunting voice, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear just enough to make my breath catch.

I shouldn't want this, but I do. I shouldn't be afraid of losing him, but I am. And when he presses his lips to the curve of my neck, I don't pull away.

Alexei's fingers brush the curve of my waist, his lips still pressed to my neck. I can feel his breath, warm against my skin, and I shiver despite myself.

"You like it when I touch you here," he murmurs, his fingers skimming upward, threatening to dip beneath the hem of my shirt. "When I touch your breasts, your nipples get so hard, Irina."

I swallow hard, my breath coming in short gasps. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, my body betraying me with its response to his words.

"You like it when I take your clit into my mouth…. When I suck and tease you until you're begging for more."

My breath hitches as I imagine his mouth on me, his tongue swirling, and I bite my lip to stifle a moan.

"And when I fuck you with my fingers," he whispers, his fingers ghosting over my hip, teasing me with the promise of a touch that never comes. "You get so wet, Irina. Your body betrays you, doesn't it?"

I'm aching for him, my body coiled tight with longing. I want him to touch me, to finish what he's started, but he pulls back, leaving me wanting more.

"Tell me you want me, Irina," he says, his eyes boring into mine. "Say it."

I swallow, my throat dry as I meet his gaze. "I want you, Alexei."

He leans in, his lips hovering just above mine. "Tell me what you want me to do."

"Kiss me."

And he does, his mouth claiming mine with an urgency that sets my skin on fire. His lips are hot and insistent, demanding a response. I rise on my toes, pressing myself against him, and he groans, deep and low, his hands tightening on my hips.

His tongue tangles with mine, teeth nipping gently, and it's like a dam breaking inside me. Every nerve ending ignites, and I'm aware of nothing but the feel of his mouth on mine and the hard planes of his body pressed against me.

He lifts me easily, and I wrap my legs around his waist, my hands buried in his hair, holding him close. He walks us to the table, never breaking the kiss, and settles me onto the edge, bracing his arms on either side of me.

His lips move to my neck, and I tilt my head back, granting him better access. His mouth is magic, sucking and nibbling. One hand moves to the hem of my shirt, tugging it upward, and I lift my arms to let him pull it over my head.

He breaks the kiss long enough to drag his gaze down my body, taking in the lace of my bra and the swell of my breasts, and I shiver under his heated look. His eyes flash with a hunger that matches my own, and his fingers move to the front catch of my bra, unclasping it.

The lace slides off my shoulders, baring me to his gaze, and his eyes darken.

"So beautiful," he murmurs, and his mouth is on me again, this time tasting the sensitive skin of my collarbone, then lower, as he pays homage to my breasts.

His tongue swirls around one nipple, and I moan, arching my back to offer myself to him. His hands cup my breasts, weighing them. Then his thumbs brush my pebbled nipples, and the sensation shoots straight between my legs.

"Alexei," I gasp, my fingers tightening in his hair. "Please."

"Please what, Irina?" he teases, his mouth moving to my other breast, giving it the same attention, lavishing and sucking until I'm squirming. "Tell me what you need."

"I want you to touch me," I whisper, and the plea falls from my lips without any hesitation. I'm beyond pride or shame; I just want his hands on me.

His fingers trail downward, skimming my ribs, my waist, and lower still. I lift my hips, silently begging him to hurry, and he chuckles, the sound vibrating against my sensitive flesh. He's torturing me, tormenting me with feather-light touches when I need so much more.

I whimper as he avoids the place I need him most, his fingers ghosting over my belly, his mouth never ceasing its attention to my breasts. My heart is pounding, my skin feels too tight, and my breaths are coming in short, sharp gasps. "Alexei, please."

"Shh," he soothes, lifting his head to capture my mouth in another soul-stealing kiss.

He finally relents, hooking his fingers into the waistband of my trousers, tugging them down along with my panties, breaking the kiss only long enough to rid me of the fabric. I lift my hips to help him, needing to feel his touch on my bare skin.

"Turn around," he whispers against my skin, his breath hot on my neck. "Hold onto the table."

I do as he says, gripping the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white as I brace myself. I can't see what he's doing, but I feel his tongue on my clit, swirling, flicking, driving me wild. I moan, pushing my ass back toward his face, silently begging for more.

"Fuck, Irina," he groans, and then his mouth is on me, sucking, licking, driving me out of my mind. I can't keep still, my hips bucking as pleasure shoots through me. His finger slides inside me, scissoring, fucking me with it as his tongue works its magic.

"Oh, fuck!" I cry out, my head falling forward as I struggle to keep my balance. My arms shake as I cling to the table, my body on fire. "Alexei, don't stop!"

He doesn't stop, his tongue relentless as it dances over my most sensitive spot. His finger curls inside me, finding that sweet spot, and I swear I see stars.

"You taste so fucking good," he muffles between my legs.

"More," I beg, not caring how desperate I sound. "Please, Alexei, more."

He adds another finger, stretching me, filling me, and I cry out, my legs shaking. "You feel so tight, Irina. So wet."

He curls his fingers again, hitting that spot, and I swear I'm going to come undone. "Alexei, I'm gonna—"

He sucks my clit into his mouth then, and that sends me over the edge. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I cry out, my body convulsing as pleasure explodes through me. I can feel my juices flowing, my body pulsing around his fingers as he rides out my orgasm.

Slowly, I come back to Earth, my legs like jelly as I try to stand. Alexei steps up behind me, his chest pressed to my back, and I can feel his erection against my rear.

I feel him step back, and then his hands are on my hips, turning me to face him.

My eyes immediately drop to the bulge in his pants, and my breath catches. He's unbuttoning his slacks, and I realize with a shock that he's not wearing any underwear. My pulse quickens as I watch him slowly lower the zipper, revealing a hint of dark, curly hair.

His eyes never leave mine as he steps out of his pants, kicking his shoes and pants away. And then he's standing before me, gloriously naked, his erection proud and demanding. I can't help but stare, my mouth going dry at the sight of him.

He reaches out, his fingers trailing lightly up my bare arms. "You like what you see?" he murmurs.

I swallow hard, my eyes flicking up to meet his. "Of course," I manage to say.

A slow smile spreads across his face, and he steps closer, his body brushing against mine. I can feel the tip of his cock against my lower abdomen, and I suppress a shiver.

His hands move to my hips, pulling me closer until the hard length of him is pressed against my core. I gasp at the contact, my eyes fluttering closed as I savor the sensation.

"Alexei," I breathe, my hands moving to his shoulders, feeling the hard muscles beneath his skin. "Please."

He chuckles, low and dark, his thumbs stroking my hips in a tantalizing rhythm. "Please, what, Irina?"

"You know what I want," I whisper, my breath coming in short gasps as he rubs himself against me, teasing me with what I need.

"Say it," he commands. "Beg for it."

I open my eyes, meeting his dark, intense gaze. "I won't beg."

A flash of challenge enters his eyes, but he merely chuckles and steps back, breaking contact. "Fine," he says, his eyes glittering with a dangerous light. "Have it your way."

Before I can respond, he reaches out, grabs my wrists, and turns me around. He guides me back toward the table, positioning me with my palms flat against the smooth wood.

I feel his hands on my hips, guiding me back until I can feel the tip of his cock rubbing against my pussy. He teases me, rubbing the head up and down my slick folds, torturing me with what I need.

"Alexei," I breathe, my body arching back, silently pleading for him to stop teasing and give me what we both want.

"What is it, Irina?" he asks. Why is he so maddeningly calm? He continues to rub the head of his cock against my clit, sending sparks of pleasure through me. "You want something?"

"I want you inside me," I whisper, my voice thick with need. "Please."

He leans forward, his mouth close to my ear as he speaks. "That's not how you ask," he purrs. "Beg for it."

I bite my lip, my body trembling with the effort of staying still. "I won't beg," I say again.

"Suit yourself," he says, and then he's back to teasing me, using the head of his cock to stroke my clit, bringing me to the edge but never taking me over.

The pleasure is building, coiling tight in my core, and I can't take much more. "Fuck! Please, Alexei, please," I gasp, my voice breaking as I struggle to maintain control. "I need you."

He stills, and for a moment, I think he's going to deny me. "What was that?" he asks against my ear. "I couldn't quite hear you."

I swallow hard, my pride warring with my desire. "Please," I whisper. "Please fuck me."

"With pleasure," he growls, and then he's lining himself up, the head of his cock pressing against my entrance.

He thrusts forward, burying himself deep inside me in one smooth stroke. We both groan, the sound filling the room as he stretches me, filling me in a way that sends sparks of pleasure through my veins.

His hands grip my hips, guiding my movements as he sets a brutal pace, driving into me with a force that sends shockwaves of pleasure through my body. I push back against him, meeting each of his thrusts with one of my own, my body moving in perfect synchrony with his.

He pulls out almost entirely before slamming back into me. The force of his thrusts drives the air from my lungs, and I cry out, my head falling back to rest on the table.

"That's it, baby," he growls, his teeth nipping at my neck. "Can you feel how deep I'm inside you?"

He pulls out again, and I whimper, not wanting to lose the connection and the feel of him buried so deliciously within me. But then he's filling me again, his hips slapping against my ass as he sets a relentless pace.

"You feel so fucking good, Irina," he pants, his fingers digging into my hips. "So tight and wet."

"Yes," I moan, my head falling forward as he hits that spot inside me. "Right there, Alexei. Don't stop."

He groans in response, his breath hot on my shoulder as he continues to thrust into me, his hips slamming against me with each stroke. I can feel the buildup, the coil of pleasure tightening within me, and I know I'm close.

"Come for me, baby," he whispers, his lips brushing my ear. "Let go."

And I do. My body convulses around him, my walls clenching and releasing as pleasure washes over me in wave after wave. I cry out, my voice echoing in the room as I ride out the intense orgasm.

Alexei continues to thrust through my climax, his movements never faltering, and I feel his cock twitch inside me, still hard and demanding. He slows his pace slightly, his breath coming in sharp pants as he teeters on the edge.

"Not yet," he grits out, his hands tightening on my hips. "Not until you've come again."

I whimper, my body still shimmering with the aftermath of my orgasm. "I can't," I breathe. "Not yet."

"Oh, but you will," he says. "I'm going to make you come again, and then I'm going to fill you with my cum."

His fingers find my clit, rubbing it in slow, lazy circles as he continues to thrust into me. "Come on, baby," he murmurs, his breath hot on my neck. "Let go for me again."

And I do. My body shudders, and I cry out, my voice hoarse with release. Alexei groans, his thrusts becoming more erratic as he chases his own release.

"That's it, baby," he pants, his fingers never ceasing their motion. "Milk my cock with your tight pussy."

His words send me over the edge again, my walls clenching around him as I experience a third orgasm, my body is shaking with the force of it. Alexei swears, his control finally breaking, and he thrusts into me a few more times before he stills, his cock twitching as he fills me with his release.

I feel his heart pounding against my back, his chest heaving with the force of his release.

Slowly, he pulls out of me, and I turn in his arms and hug him.

How am I supposed to let this man go after we're done?