Erica“Jeremiah Sokolov.” He introduced himself in his deep voice with a hint of accent that wasn’t there before.But it was not needed as his last name already registered in my mind and I stared at him for a moment, before stating. “You are a Russian.”He smiled, like he was proud of being recognised as one. “Please to meet you.”“Do these people know you are here? Because if you are Russian and you are in this party you can’t be an ordinary Russian. You must be someone important.”“I am starting to see why he brought you with him tonight.” He murmured, his grey eyes taking me in as if seeing me for the first time. “But to answer your questions. Yes, the hosts know I’m here. They invited me. And,” he leaned closer and whispered, “I am the head of the Sokolov family. The bratva.” If it was even possible his voice dropped even further to a caress as he said, “That makes me his enemy and you know what they say about the enemy of my enemy.”“A friend.” I finished on a whisper as a slithe
Erica“Excuse me, this room is occupied.” I said, wanting him to leave, hoping that he had mistakenly entered but I knew it wasn’t a mistake. I should've listened to what my instincts were telling me. I shouldn't have come here. And when I made the mistake of following Jeremiah, I should've returned back immediately.The man entered further into the room. I couldn't see his face but I knew he was smiling. I shifted to the side, putting the sofa between him and myself. “The party is down the hall.”He shook his head as he kept coming toward me. With a nervous flutter, I rounded the sofa. He chuckled and I could hear the chill behind it. He said, “I am not here to attend the party, sweetheart. I am here for you.”I didn't stop to think as I ran.But he was fast. His hand wrapped around my hair as he pulled me back and in the next instant he snatched the mask off my face. “Ahh... Look at all that flawless face and body, not a mark in sight. You haven't been suffering like he said you wil
Antonio(Fifteen minutes ago)Nicole was taking advantage of the party going around us as she clung to me. Her hand rested on my arm where Erica’s was not long ago. The last time I saw her she was walking toward the bar with Yuri. Her head held high and her shoulders back as if she was the guest of honor and people were here to look at her. Because that’s what was happening. I had noticed how men had turned to look at her. I didn’t want to admit it but now I hated having made her wear that dress. She was too tempting in it with her curves and legs that seemed to go on forever in those high heels.Now as I stood among a group of men with Nicole by my side all I wanted to do was go to the bar myself and slip my fingers around Erica’s neck. To remind her that she was mine and yes to get her where she belonged, in the cage of my arms. But the man standing in front of me was the president himself and with him was his son whose birthday was being celebrated tonight. So as much as I wanted t
AntonioAs soon as I was out of the room, I slipped my hand under my suit jacket to pull out the gûn. My fingers clenched around the metal and as much as I’d have liked the feel of my knife, there was no guarantee that I’d have my target at close range.I heard Ephraim’s slow measured footsteps behind me but I didn’t care about being silent. Let that Russian bastàrd know I’m coming for him. Because I’m going to kîll him. And I won’t even savor the kîll with the rage I was feeling.I heard the voices at the hand of the hallway and felt ready to shoot at a moment’s notice before I pushed the door open, entering the small sitting room with one single minded focus, to kill the fucker. And in that moment a small figure came running right at me, catching me off guard. Not for long though as my arm closed around her when I felt her small body against mine and the scent of daffodils registered.I looked down, for a moment not looking at the men in the room. She lifted her head and looked at m
EricaThe silence in the car was thick, crushing and loud. UnbearableIt pressed from all the sides around me as I looked at him. Antonio was sitting across from me, his fingers tapping on his thigh in the familiar, maddening rhythm. His jaw was set, dark hair in disarray and top two buttons of his shirt undone with his tie loose around his neck. He looked unruly and wild. A predator trying to control his own instinct of going for the kill. I had felt this way since he entered that sitting room and more so when he didn’t get to kill Jeremiah.My mind went back to the masked man, how he had crowded me, cornered me and overpowered me. If Jeremiah hadn’t interrupted. If Antonio hadn’t come... I shook the thoughts away. And looked at him because oddly it felt important to look at him. I was many things right now, but mostly I was the one where I wanted him to look back at me with his golden eyes. To let me see those unusual eyes. I didn’t know why I wanted that... I just...I could still
EricaAntonio took me straight to the bedroom and put me down to stand on my own feet. I wavered a little and his palm spread across my back to hold me. I looked up at him. Once again marveling at the fact how big and tall he was. He stepped back when it became clear that I wasn’t going to fall flat on my face and ordered, “Strip. By the time I come back I want you naked and bend over on that ottoman.”I followed his finger and saw a silk upholstered ottoman near the fireplace. When I turned to him, he said, “Don’t make me repeat myself and don’t test me, Erica, you’re already in too much trouble.”I licked my lips, opened my mouth but I didn’t know what to say. And he didn’t wait as he turned around and left me there to follow his orders.I looked back at the sofa and recalled his demands. Nakéd and bent over that piece of furniture. I guessed he wanted to spank me. And awareness slithered down my spine, along with a warm frisson of arousal in my blood. I was a lost cause, damaged be
(Not for sensitive readers) Erica “Your punishment starts now.” I stared at him. My eyes went between him and the belt he had wrapped around his fist. The mix of fear and anticipation made a weird cocktail in my veins and my skin felt stretched taut. I wasn’t so sure about this, and yet I didn’t want to stop him. He stepped closer. His hand came at the back of my neck as his fingers curled around my nape and he pushed my face down on the cushion. “Wait...” I gasped. I lifted my head to meet his eyes, resisting his hand on my nape. I had thought he would just spánk me and then this time he’d fûck me. But obviously he was improvising as he didn’t have his dark dungeon here to punish me. “Wait... Antonio...” I licked my lips and he gave me a look that clearly said he wasn’t too keen to hear what I had to say. “You can’t use the belt. It will hurt.” I sounded unlike myself. This was something new I had become with him. “That’s the fûcking point, isn’t it?” He growled, his eyes flash
Erica“Go to hell and stay there.”“Gladly. But don’t forget what I said last time.” I didn’t. And his words came back to me now with a rush as he repeated them for me. “And I will take you with me.” He drank the rest of the scotch and the empty glass clinked with the remaining ice in them. He met my gaze when he felt me watching and he said, “Do you want to use your safeword, because I am not done yet.”“Do your worst.”He crouched a little, but didn't get on his knees as he said, “Tell you what... If you use your safeword now, I’ll put you to bed and leave you alone.” I shook my head even before he was finished. The problem was I didn't want him to leave me alone. I didn't want to take the chance, what if the darkness returned with his absence. I would prefer him and his punishments over the past demons any day of my life. “Or another option, you can scream for me. Scream and apologize, and I will stop.” His voice dropped to a deep murmur that felt like silk and warm like a summer s