Chapter 35

Victor

I’VE NEVERliked Dimitry Volkov.

Sure, he’s my brother-in-law.

But that doesn’t mean I have to deal with him. He’s got connections that could make or break a lot of big shots in New York, connections that keep our operations running smoothly enough, but something about him just gives me the creeps. We’ve barely spoken, and I plan to keep it that way. There’s a slickness to him that doesn’t sit right with me, like he’s always got an angle or a hidden play. Just being in the same room with him makes my skin crawl.

But since our father practically threatened Ksenia to marry him, I’ve never seen their relationship grow. It’s been fucking miserable for her, and I can’t do a damn thing about it.

Well, that was a long time ago.

Now, I love my niece and nephew more than anything in this world. And if that bastard Dimitry has something to do with Vasiliev, it’s going to complicate things in ways I don’t even want to think about.

I pull out my phone and type a quick message before closing it and turning off the car engine.

I glance inside the bookstore and see Laura arranging the furniture. The way she bends over, her hips swaying, her tits straining against her shirt… Blyad, she’s a fucking vision.

My cock hardens instantly at the sight of her. I shift in my seat, trying to adjust myself without being too obvious.

Na khui! What the hell is wrong with me?

I’ve never been this reactive to a woman before. It’s like she’s gotten under my skin, and I can’t shake her loose.

And now, with this shit with Dimitry and Vasiliev, she’s smack in the middle of a situation that has nothing to do with her.

Pizdets.

I debate whether I should tell her about us having Dave in custody. Maybe it’s better not to. It would only kill her mood today, and after everything she’s been through, she deserves a break.

With a sigh, I pull the key from the ignition and step out of the car. The cool air feels good against my overheated skin as I make my way to the bookstore entrance.

I unlock the door with my own key and step inside, the bell above the door jingling cheerfully. Laura looks up, her eyes widening when she sees me.

“Victor? What are you doing here?”

I shrug, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “Just making sure you didn’t mess up the alphabetical order.”

She raises an eyebrow, a small smile quirking her lips up at the corners. “Right. Because you’re just that thoughtful.”

I scowl at her, but there’s no real heat behind it. “Watch it, kiska. I can always take that key back.”

She rolls her eyes, turning back to the stack of books she was organizing. “Please. You wouldn’t dare.”

I watch her for a moment, admiring the way her hands move over the spines of the books, the way her brow furrows in concentration. She’s in her element here, surrounded by the things she loves. It’s a side of her I haven’t really seen before.

I step closer to her, watching as she ticks off items on a list, a pen clutched in her hand. She’s so focused, so in her element, that she doesn’t even notice me approaching.

“What’s that?” I ask, peering over her shoulder.

She jumps a little, startled by my proximity. “Oh, it’s just a list of books that have arrived. I’m checking them off as I shelve them.”

I nod, my eyes drifting over the titles. Most of them are children’s books, bright and colorful. “You really love this stuff, don’t you?”

She glances up at me, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “I do. I’ve always wanted to write my own children’s books, you know? The kind that inspire and empower kids.”

I think back to what Serena told me the other day, about Laura’s writing. How her asshole of a father never supported her, never believed in her dreams.

Anger flares in my gut, but I push it down. Now’s not the time.

I watch her for a moment, my eyes tracing the curve of her neck, the way her hair falls over her shoulders. She smells so good, like lavender and something intrinsically her.

“Why don’t you start writing them?” I demand, my voice low and commanding as I close the space between us. My shadow falls over Laura, who looks up at me with panic in her eyes. Her body trembles under my intense gaze.

“I-I can’t,” she stammers, “No one will read it…”

“I will,” I interrupt, surprised by how sincere my desire is to read her childish story. “Eli will, too.” With a predatory glint in my eyes, I slowly trace my fingers along her trembling lips before grabbing her body and pulling it toward mine.

“Victor, what are you doing?” she whispers frantically, but her breath hitches, and her pupils dilate with desire. My hold on her tightens as an instinctual urge takes over me.

“I am claiming what is mine,” I declare possessively. I reach out, my hand settling on her hip.

She stills, her breath catching. “Victor… I’m worki—”

I don’t let her finish, pressing her back against the shelves. Books topple to the floor, but I don’t care.

All I care about is her. The way she feels against me, the way her eyes darken with desire.

“I want you,” I growl, my hands bunching in her skirt. “Right here, right now.”

She gasps as I hike up her skirt, baring her smooth thighs.

I smirk, my fingers sliding beneath the lace of her panties, eagerly searching for evidence of her arousal.

“You’re dripping, kiska,” I growl in her ear. It’s a fucking miracle I don’t come on the spot.

“We can’t… Someone might see us,” she gasps out, her eyes darting to the window frantically as she tries to push me away.

Blyad, she’s right.

I pull her toward a darkened corner as a few busybodies pass by outside the window. She struggles against me, but I am too powerful in this confined space.

“Victor,” she hisses, trying to break free, but my grip only tightens.

Her emerald eyes lock onto mine with fierce desire, fueling the fire burning within me. Without hesitation, her hands slide down my chest to my pants, eagerly stroking my growing erection.

I groan, “Do you like that?” I pull away from our heated kiss, panting heavily.

“Yes,” she responds, her voice husky with need.

My own arousal is almost unbearable as she unzips my pants and my hardened cock springs free like a weapon. In one swift motion, I yank down her panties and shove them into my pocket. She makes a noise of protest, but it turns into a moan as I lift her, wrapping her legs around my waist.

She bites her lip, her hips arching into my touch. I can feel how wet she is, how ready.

“Hold on to me,” I command, my voice rough with need.

She does, her arms twining around my neck as I position myself at her entrance. With one hard thrust, I’m inside her, buried to the hilt.

“Fuck,” I grunt, my forehead falling to her shoulder. She’s so tight, so perfect.

I start to move, my hips snapping against hers in a brutal rhythm. She meets me thrust for thrust, her nails digging into my shoulders.

“Yes,” she hisses, her head falling back against the shelves. “Just like that.”

I pound into her, my blood roaring in my ears. I can feel her pussy walls tightening around me, her body tensing as she nears her peak.

“Come for me, kiska,” I growl, my thumb finding her clit. “Come on my cock.”

She does, her body shattering in my arms. She buries her face in my neck to muffle her scream, her teeth sinking into my skin.

The pain mingles with the pleasure, sending me over the edge. I come with a harsh groan, spilling myself inside her.

I am jolted awake by the door chimes, my hand immediately reaching for the gun under my belt line. My heart races as I sit up, ready to defend myself against any intruders. But as my eyes adjust and my mind clears, I realize I am not under attack. Instead, I am on the floor of the children’s corner, sleeping on a beanbag.

A wave of embarrassment washes over me as I see Laura, who stands frozen in front of me with wide eyes and trembling lips.

“It’s… it’s me,” she whispers, eyeing the gun that’s pointing at her.

“You startled me,” I mutter, lowering the gun and placing it back in my holster.

“No, you startled yourself,” she retorts, closing the door and locking it before walking away.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. She’s right. I’m the one who fell asleep in her bookstore, and I’m the one who pulled a gun on her. “I’m sorry I scared you with the gun,” I say, my tone sincere.

I notice the bag in her hand, and my eyebrow raises. “Where did you go?” I ask, realizing she had left without me.

She darts out her tongue, wetting her lips nervously before giving me a shy smile. “The drugstore. I needed some… vitamins… and more Plan B.”