The Queen's Gambit

“Please stay put sestrichka. You know it’s for your own good.” My brother, Roman, gentled his voice deliberately, just to indicate concern. I roll my eyes.“My apartment is a fortress. This place doesn’t even have a comfortable pair of sweats!”“You want I should ask Alexei to go pack your things?”“No! I don’t want your enforcer’s grubby hands on my shit. I wanna go home, Roman.”“No can do. Not until we deal with these shooters.”I snarl with frustration but Roman just laughs. “Maybe you can use the time to cultivate patience.”“So that what can happen?” I ask grumpily.His low growly laugh is the only thing that comes down the line. “I’ll send Katarina with some clothes. Fenty onesie and all.” He said before hanging up on me.I mutter grumpily to myself. My brother means well but he can be a pain in my ass. He’s also my hero, don’t get me wrong. A six foot, dark haired, athletic, bisexual man who wears eye shadow and earrings isn’t exactly the poster boy for Pakhan of the Bratva.

I’m working so hard not to swoon. Damn, nobody told me how gorgeous that man is. He looks almost otherworldly with the auburn hair which seemed to have its own personal wind machine blowing it artfully hither and thither, his glittering green eyes seeming to burn with an inner light, his tanned flawless skin…fae ass looking motherfucker.He would tower over Roman with his six three sturdy frame, his broad shoulders and those veiny guns on display with the t-shirt he was wearing. I’ve never seen such a casually dressed boss – a grey t-shirt and blue jeans, brown men’s work boots on his feet.My husband-to-be is an interesting specimen. I have to say that the prospect of marrying him doesn’t feel like such a huge sacrifice.Now, to break the news to my brother. He is going to throw such a fit.I sigh long and hard just thinking about it.***“What’s this I hear about you leaving the safe house?” Roman marched into my apartment, a frown furrowing his brow. I could see the clouds of negat

I wasn’t expecting a honeymoon or anything like that, but I also hadn’t expected to spend my first night in Sean’s house all alone. The man dropped me off after the wedding reception held at one of my brother’s hotels, and said he had some work to do. Then he took off. Left me holding my wedding dress and surrounded by my luggage.My maid, Natasha, put away my things before going off to find her own quarters. Sean had told me that there was a cook on call should I want something to eat but otherwise, Natasha and I were on our own.I changed out of my wedding dress, taking great pleasure in clearing my face of make up before having a long hot shower and then lounging around in my pajamas and robe. I found a steamy romance to read on the shelf in the library, made myself some tea and a cheese sandwich and settled down to spend a peaceful evening.Natasha came in to join me, sitting across from me in the library with a sigh. “Well I have looked around. Not much. I don’t think he spends m

“I think he’s scared of me.” I picked up my coffee cup and took a large sip, looking around the busy café.Roman snorted. “So maybe he isn’t as foolish as I thought he was.” He leaned back on his chair, studying me closely. He’d called early in the morning, asking to meet me. I knew he was worried about how Sean might choose to treat me. My big brother Roman, always the worry wort.I cocked an eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything else. He was kind of right.“So now what?” he asked, his big hand dwarfing the expresso cup he was holding.I shrugged. “Well, the peace is holding so…”“You ready to live like this for a whole year?” he gave me an incredulous look.“Eh,” I shrugged again, “It’s not so bad. It’s not as if he’s beating me.”Clouds gathered on Roman’s face. “If he tried that I’d kill him myself.”I gave him a smug half smile. “I expect he knows that.”He reached out and took my hand in his. “Distrustful husband aside, you good?”I laughed. “It’s only been one day. Gimme some

Why did I make that deal?I’m not particularly bothered that Sean isn’t sleeping with me – it’s just that, I don’t know why he’s not and I like to keep my men predictable. If he married me, and doesn’t want to have sex with me…then what does he want?It’s a little terrifying to think about if I’m being honest. The leaders of Organized Crime – be it Italian or Irish, Russian or Black, are fucking psychos. You just never know what they might be thinking.Clearly Sean’s reticence doesn’t stem from lack of interest – he actually sounded worried when he was complaining about me going off without telling anyone. Almost as worried as Roman would sound if he knew. I’m not quite sure what to make of that.Now that Natasha doesn’t have to pretend to be a maid, she’s discarded the demure clothing and is back in combat gear, fully armed and assuming the military posture that was her wont before we came here.She definitely seems more relaxed in a weird kind of way, and so am I. I stand up, decidin