Chapter 4 - Raisa

I walk fast, needing to create distance between myself and the gorgeous stranger who I only just met and then kissed. Well, technically, he kissed me, and holy wow—that was incredible. So incredible that for the first time in my life, ever, I was having visions of letting him do whatever the hell he wanted to my body.

I was literally picturing losing my virginity to this guy— who I only just met. What in the world is wrong with me?

I shake my head as I hurry away from him. A quick glance over my shoulder and I see him leaning against the balcony railings. Dammit. He’s so hot.

I almost completely lost control there. I didn’t even remember that I was standing in a very public place. My body and my mind were both totally enthralled by him.

How does he have that effect on me?

I lean against the swing door of the ladies' bathrooms and I step into the room as the door swings shut behind me. There are three girls standing by the mirror touching up their makeup and giggling about something, tipsy and having fun.

Is that what’s wrong with me? Maybe I just had too much to drink and that’s why I sort of lost control for a moment. The odd thing is that the kiss feels like it completely sobered me up. I haven’t even had a drink in a while and I don’t feel drunk at all.

The kiss was more intoxicating than the drinks I had earlier.

I lean against the vanity and stare at my reflection in the tall mirror.

My cheeks are flushed.

“Girl, I saw that!—You kissing Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome. Jeepers. That looked intense.” Jenna walks towards me with a massive smile on her face.

“Gosh. I don’t know what to say.” I feel my cheeks flush even darker pink.

“What do you mean? I told you to have fun tonight. Don’t be embarrassed about it,” Jenna laughs. The bathroom door swings open and Blake walks in.

“Why wasn’t I invited to this secret meeting?” she says, walking towards us.

“We were just discussing Raisa’s new love affair,” Jenna laughs.

“Oh—with the most notorious single man in the city?” Blake smirks and glances at me before leaning towards the mirror to check her make up.

“What do you mean?” I ask curiously.

“You don’t know who that is?” Blake asks, sounding a little smug.

“No, I don’t.”

“Don’t forget she only just moved to Boston, dumbass.” Jenna rolls her eyes at Blake.

“It’s one of the Dubrov brothers. The last single one and all the girls want him,” Blake says with a wide smirk.

“Dubrov,” I mutter as shock bolts through my body. It can’t be.

“Yup. Dubrov. They basically run this city. Really rich businessmen. He and his brothers own a number of businesses around the area and my word—when I say rich—like you couldn’t even imagine. Anyways. You were just snogging the most sought-after bachelor in the city.”

Blake is talking, and I’m sort of listening. She doesn’t have all of the information right. She seems to think that him and his brothers are legitimate businessmen. I mean—they are—but not really.

I know that name.

Dubrov.

In fact, it’s the only name I knew since moving here. The one my brothers keep talking about over and over again.

Somehow, out of the thousands of people I could have met tonight, a Dubrov is the last one I wanted to meet.

My heart is sitting in the pit of my stomach.

I just kissed him.

Even worse—it felt incredible.

But he is basically an enemy to my family.

I bite my lower lip.

“Don’t look so worried, girl. He’s clearly into you too,” Blake says, pulling a face, wondering why I wouldn’t want to be kissing the most eligible bachelor in the city. She doesn’t know what they really do—that they are all part of the mafia. The massive underworld that really runs this city.

The world that I want nothing to do with.

Of course, that would be my luck. Just when I meet a guy that seems capable of sweeping me off my feet—he is totally, one hundred percent, without any doubt whatsoever— off limits.

Dammit.

“Are you guys ready to go?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

I don’t really want to have to explain myself to my new friends. Partly because I will sound crazy and partly because I don’t want to reveal the truth about my own family too. I’d rather not have any of them knowing that my family is also mafia. I really want to escape that life completely.

That’s my dream for coming here to America and I can’t mess it up on my first proper night out.

Dubrov.

Dammit.

“We can go to a different club?” Jenna says. “Are you going to invite your new man to join us? Mr. Dubrov ,” she giggles.

“Actually, I’m exhausted. I’m not used to all of this drinking and dancing,” I laugh, trying to ease the tension in my body. But the laughter comes out sounding forced. So, I sigh instead, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m going to head home.” I need to get out of here and away from Oleg. It kind of stings to find out who he really is. I feel a sort of betrayal that doesn’t make sense because it’s not like he knows who I am, either. It was just a very weird, very unfortunate coincidence.

“Ok, well we can walk you out and then decide where we want to go next. Did you park close?”

“I did. Thanks. Sorry to bail on you guys so early.”

“No, don’t be silly, it was a really fun night. And it’s going to be an amazing year ahead.” Jenna grins, pulling me into a hug. “Let’s get going.”

We all walk out of the club, pushing through the crowds on the lower floor, I glance up towards the VIP balcony area—my heart thundering in my chest—but I don’t see him.

A wave of relief washes over me. I didn’t want him to see me leaving. I feel like a total fool—running away from him without even saying goodbye—but I really don’t want to see him again. I just need to get out of this club and forget any of this happened. I also need to hope like hell that not even one of my brothers finds out what happened tonight. Holy shit. If they somehow hear from one of their city spies, that I was making out with a Dubrov—I think they’ll lock me in a room and throw away the key and never ever let me out again.

I chew at the inside of my cheek as we make our way down the passage that leads out of the club and into the fresh night air.

It hits my skin with a cold blast that helps to push my thoughts out of my head for a moment. I take in a long, slow breath, enjoying the crisp coolness of it. The club was so smokey from the dance floor I didn’t actually realize how much I just needed a breath of fresh air.

“Oh, it’s cold,” Jenna complains, rubbing her hands over her arms.

“I rather like it,” I reply.

“Oh, you’re one of those weirdos who likes the winter more than the summer.”

I laugh. “No, I like them both. But the fresh cool air does wake you up nicely and clear your head.”

“Ok, well, I don’t want my head cleared. I want to dance more.” She laughs, “Where did you park?”

“It’s around that corner. You guys don’t have to walk me. I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t be silly. Our Uber is still going to be a while so we will definitely walk you.”

We all chat as we make our way towards my car. I really like all of them. They are great people and it makes me excited again for the year ahead. We’re going to have so many stories after we graduate.

I pull my car door open. “This is me guys. Thanks so much.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow. We can go for a coffee and chat about our schedules,” Jenna says, then pulls me close to hug me goodbye.

I say goodbye to Blake and Matthew as well, then climb into my car and pull the door closed behind me.

I watch as they all walk away, chatting at laughing together.

I’m really looking forward to a hot shower, and then climbing into bed.

I had so much fun tonight, but I’m more of a home girl than a party girl.

I’m happy to be less interested in partying so that I can focus fully on my doctorate.

I pull out into the road, yawning loudly.

Tomorrow, I will need to look at my budget and how I can pay for the next part of my studies without my brothers finding out. I’ve been using the money my parents left me when they died. Most of my inheritance is in the family trust though—and tied to the family business.

I’ll have to come up with a good reason for Rodion to not question the money I request.

The streetlights flash past my window as I get closer to home. My apartment is in the city, nice and close to the university.

I pull off the main road and onto a side road. I’m almost home.

Behind me someone flicks their brights on, blinding me. It’s so annoying when people are that inconsiderate.

I push my breaks, slowing down to let them pass, thinking that it must be what they want. But instead of overtaking me—the driver comes up alongside me and starts swerving towards me. The dark tinted windows make it impossible to see who it is.

I let out a sharp scream of surprise when their car connects with mine and I am pushed right off the road, my car sitting on a lamp post—sending me jolting forward against the steering wheel. The airbag explodes in my face as I fly forward.

It stings and I scream again, but this time it’s cut short because the force of the airbag slams all of the oxygen from my lungs.

I try to blink away the horrible dizzy feeling as nausea pushes into my stomach. Panic surges through me and I choke back a cry.

But then I force myself to take a sharp breath. My brothers taught me so many things. One of those things is how to fight back.

Unclipping my seat belt, I do my best to ignore the fear. Get out of the car. Run. That’s what I need to do right now.

I kick at the door, which isn’t moving. I think when they hit me, it must have bent it closed permanently.

Beginning to feel desperate, I shuffle my body over the gear stick, trying to get to the passenger door. But before I can reach it—someone yanks it open and reaches inside my car to grab my arm.

I scream so loud, my throat begins to hurt.

A hand locks over my mouth as I am dragged from the car and held up against a solid chest.

That familiar smell. The same cologne Oleg was wearing in the club tonight. What are the chances?

Zero.

I kick and fight as he shoves me in the boot of his car, pushing my face down against the rough carpet. I feel him lock handcuffs over my wrists then he rolls me onto my back. His dark eyes locking with mine for a second before he slams the boot closed.

My heart is hammering wildly as I scream. “Oleg what are you doing? Let me out of here.” But I know it’s useless.

It was no accident that we met in the club tonight. He knew I was going to be there—and he was watching me for a reason. He was planning this the entire time.

When I kissed him—he already knew he was going to kidnap me.

The nausea gets worse as I start to understand the truth of the situation I am in.

“Breathe, Raisa, breathe.” I whisper to myself, barely hearing my own words over the sound of the engine growling as he races to wherever he is taking me.

“Your brothers showed you how to get out of handcuffs,” I mutter as I begin to work at the latch using the charm on my silver bracelet.

I laughed at them when they gave me this thing. I never thought in a million years that I would need to use it.