Chapter Nine

Four days later, at a private airstrip near Kramá?”s Villa, Prague, Czech Republic...

“What the blyad’ is he doing here, Antonio?” Zafira stopped in her tracks as she identified the huge man standing by the black convoy of SUVs waiting for their arrival.

“Fuck if I know, Comare.” Antonio’s voice was stern, but a quick glance his way confirmed the undertone of amusement she detected in his tone.

“Fucked is what you’ll be if I find out you told him of this trip,” she sneered through thin lips as she continued walking. “You, more than anyone, know how delicate this situation is.”

“I didn’t say a word to anyone, Comare, but since he’s been a part of this situation from inception, you know as well as I do that if there’s anyone who would know exactly how delicate this scenario is, it’s him. Perhaps he overheard you discussing using the Guzun’s private plane for this flight with Arian?” Antonio said in a hushed tone as Bogdan Rusu politely opened the door for Zafira, who blatantly ignored him and got into the vehicle with her usual feminine grace.

“I wouldn’t put it past him to listen in on another’s private conversation,” she snapped as Bogdan closed the door and walked around the SUV. His usual stoic expression didn’t convey him having heard what she said. What did surprise her was that Antonio got into the driver’s seat, and the uninvited asshole settled into the seat next to her. “I prefer to have the seat to myself.”

“Tough shit, I’m not moving.” He ignored her indignant gasp at his rude comeback. His gaze remained fixed ahead. “You need added protection since you stubbornly refuse to consider your own safety by coming here after what happened at that restaurant in Bílovec a week ago.”

“If I need anything, Rusu, you can rest assured you’d be the last person on earth I’d ask.”

“Good thing you didn’t have to ask then, isn’t it?”

The words were growled in a low tone... one that reminded her of his Dom voice at the club. Her pussy was still sensitive, reminding her every time she sat down that he had shown her no mercy when he had whipped her. Brutally and systematically breaking down every emotional defense she had raised against him over time.

Her cheeks exploded with color as she recalled how wild she had been. A veritable nymphomaniac who, once having a taste of the dangerous nectar he offered, couldn’t get enough. Even now, angry and indignant that he boldly invaded the secure little world she had created for herself, a seam of unbridled lust opened inside her, setting her loins aflame. She shifted uncomfortably.

“I thought you were going to Russia with Vanya and Andrei. Aren’t you supposedly the DIY king my daughter believes is going to convert the nursery into a little paradise for my grandson?”

“Our grandson.”

“There seems to be many contentions on that matter. How sure are you that Andrei is your son?”

Zafira did her best not to flinch at the deadeye he cast her way.

“I have always trusted Andrei, and he has no reason to lie to me. He sure as hell has nothing to gain.”

“Not even a coveted title of Grand Duke Romanov?”

“I can’t decide whether you’ve become delusional in your old age or only played the role of a fearless Comare all these years or if this heartless, mistrusting, cynical woman is who you have always been, and I was just too smitten to realize it.” He didn’t bother looking at her. “Andrei is the most honest man I have ever met. You know it as well as I do. Besides, with what he inherited from Janos, he doesn’t need anything from me... least of all a stupid, useless title.”

“If you have such a low opinion of me, why are you here?” Zafira had to muster all her inner strength to keep her voice from trembling. In the position she was in, many insults had been flung her way over the years. From this man, they were like an arrow piercing her heart. “Surely, you don’t give a shit whether I live or die?”

His head swung her way in slow motion. The look in his eyes was one she hadn’t seen before, maybe because in the past, as her protector, he had kept it all hidden from her—reproach, disappointment, and most of all, regret.

“If you said those words to me a year ago, I would’ve said, you’re right, I don’t. Now, after finding you at Senza?ii de Club, I believe I’d like to keep you alive a little longer. I’ve got some seriously kink fucking I still want to do with you.”

“Du-te dracu, Bogdan Rusu. Do you hear me? Go to hell! If you think I’ll become your sex slave just because... just because...”

“Just because you begged me to fuck you over and over,” he offered helpfully.

“Fuck off, Rusu. The only reason why that night happened was because I was already vulnerable by the time you arrived. I sure as hell have no interest in becoming your fuck buddy.”

“Oh, I don’t need a fuck buddy, Ms. Guzun. There are many queuing already for that position. What I want is to free the true woman you’ve kept buried under all those layers of coldness and indifference for years. Now that I have tapped into her, I am going to unleash the full force of her need.” His eyes darkened. She quivered as his Dom voice rose from the depths of his being. “No one is going to feed off her desires but me, Zafira. Make no mistake about that. You are mine now, and I don’t share. Best you remember that. As I warned you that night, any man who touches you...” His eyes glowed ominously. “Will die.”

“We have arrived, Comare.” Antonio’s gruff announcement cut short any response Zafira was about to offer—not that she had one ready since his words and the dark warning in his eyes caught her off guard. This was a different Bogdan Rusu. The protector he had been the majority of her adult life was no more. In his place was a devilish beast, stamping his ownership... protecting his prey... his mate.

Zafira didn’t know whether she should be elated or shit scared. Truthfully, she was a little of both.

The home of the Czech Republic’s Prime Minister, Kramá?”s Villa, Prague...

Marek Cermak welcomed Zafira with obvious happiness and exhilaration.

“Bogdan? I’m surprised to see you here,” Marek said as he shook his hand. He glanced at Zafira. “Or did I misunderstand the last time we spoke? I was under the impression he’s not with the Guzuns anymore?”

“Seems your impression was incorrect, Prime Minister Cermak,” Bogdan growled over the explanation Zafira started to voice. “I am here to ensure Ms. Guzun’s safety, especially after the horrendous way your armed forces broke up a birthday party she was attending in your city not so long ago.”

The hefty man’s cheeks turned a shade darker under Bogdan’s direct stare. “Yes, that was a rather unfortunate incident. Too much force was used, but I assure you, I’ve already put corrective measures in place.”

“Too much force? What about the innocent women and children who were killed in the shooting, Prime Minister? A shooting that was in no way justified since no guest present at the restaurant carried any weapons.”

“As I said, the matter is being dealt with.”

“Strange that there was even a raid at a private restaurant housing an intimate function that posed no danger to anyone, isn’t it?”

“Enough, Bogdan. You are souring my visit with my friends,” Zafira interjected when she noticed Marek shifting uncomfortably. “Besides, Marek’s doing all that needs to be done to correct the matter.”

“Ah, so I imagine everyone who was arrested has been released,” Bogdan said with a wide smile. “Imagine what it would do to you running for the presidency if it came to light that people were incarcerated on the back of an illegal raid.” Bogdan demonstrated a downhill slide. “Just like that, your dreams go down the drain.”

Bogdan shrugged off Zafira’s frown that threatened castration with a blunt knife.

“No need to give me that look, Ms. Guzun. I only speak the truth.”

“Is that true?” Zafira looked at Marek. “Has everyone been released? I remember reading that Artem Melnyk was also arrested that night on suspicion of being involved with the Solntvesoka Bratva. I’ve known the man for years and never once suspected him of being capable of the cruel acts he’s being accused of.”

“I wish it was that easy. Unfortunately, since the law has found just cause to interrogate him, Artem Melnyk won’t be released until a full investigation has been completed.” Marek lit a cigar and dragged the smoke deep into his lungs. “Ultimately, we need to look out for the safety of our people. If Artem Melnyk is who Interpol believes him to be, it’s for the best he remains under lock and key.”

“Oh, I couldn’t agree more,” Zafira looked around. “Where’s Triska? I hope we didn’t arrive at an inconvenient time. I have a business meeting tomorrow, so I thought to pop in and say hi first.”

“You know you’re always welcome, Zafira. Besides, our friends’ anniversary is coming up.” Marek smiled broadly. “Remember? Vanya and Azja’s birthdays are next month. Thirty-four years. Good Lord, suddenly I feel so old!”

“I can’t believe it’s been that long. It’s rare to find friendships that last. At first, I had thought we’d be like ships sailing past at sea, but over time, we’ve just grown closer.” Zafira laughed as Triska walked into Marek’s study. “There you are. I would’ve been devastated if you weren’t here.”

“I would’ve been, too. It’s been so long since we last had a good visit. Tell me you’re staying over. Yes! You’ll be sleeping in the guest wing and have dinner with us tonight.”

Bogdan didn’t miss the sharp warning glance from Marek, nor did it slip his attention that Triska ignored him and continued to woo Zafira into staying.

“C’mon, Zaffie! Please stay.”

“Actually, I am only here for the day,” Zafira began tentatively.

“I don’t see why not, Ms. Guzun,” Bogdan said, keeping his gaze locked on Marek. “Your meeting is tomorrow, and you have nothing pressing for today, so we can stay one night.”

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t make decisions on my behalf, Bogdan,” Zafira sneered under her breath. “You have no insight into my calendar, and I—”

“Don’t I?” He kept his response clipped but soft so their interlude couldn’t be overheard.

Zafira bore back as she glowered at him. One eyebrow crawled higher as, once again, the beast inside him purred with satisfaction at her reaction. The Matriarch was clearly not happy that he knew so much about her movements.

She was about to be even less happy with him.

“Ms. Guzun will stay for the night but only if I am invited to overnight here as well.” He shrugged. “Can’t let her out of my sight, I’m afraid.”

“Bogdan Rusu!” Zafira stamped her foot in annoyance.

A grin flashed over his face as he glanced down at her. She looked like a little girl playing grown up with her foot tapping on the floor, hands on her hips, and her brows pulled into a straight line. The flash in her eyes caught his mirth, and she licked her lips, a sure sign that she had forgotten what she was about to say. Then her chin tilted back, and she blasted him with a look all the way from Iceland.

“If anyone stays to look over me, it’ll be Antonio. He works for me. You don’t.”

“That is true, but since I gave Antonio the rest of the day off, you’re stuck with me.”

“You gave him the day off? Since when...” Zafira exhaled slowly as she realized how animatedly the two Cermaks were watching their interlude. “We will deal with this later, make no mistake about that, Rusu.” She spun away and smiled at their hosts. “Of course, I’ll stay. Bogdan doesn’t mind sleeping in the car.”

“He sure as hell minds,” Bogdan growled.

“I will never allow a guest to sleep in his car,” Triska protested at the same time.

“Well, thank you, Mrs. Cermak. Your hospitality is appreciated.” Bogdan offered her a toothy grin.

Zafira made no secret of her annoyance as she glared at him. He shrugged it off. Something was up with the two Cermaks. Zafira came here to find out what kind of danger Artem Melnyk held in store for her and whether he had let anything slip about the Novaya Volna Group and the Shadow Don while under interrogation. The gentle probing over dinner didn’t achieve any success. Marek was as closed-lipped as a zipped plastic bag.

Bogdan’s inner beast scratching at his insides every time he looked at Marek Cermak warned him that he wasn’t who he portrayed to be. For some reason, Bogdan had never trusted this man as much as Viktor and Zafira had. He never ignored that warning sign. It was the sixth sense that had guided him his entire life, kept him alive and alert.

This time, the intensity of danger he felt thrilling inside him was like the mortality rate of a black mamba’s snake bite—the kind of odds he wasn’t prepared to take with Zafira’s life.