Page 11 of The Pakhan

“Whoa. I’ve got you.” He wrapped one huge arm around my waist, pulling me against his massive body and dear God, I was now certain I was going to pass out. The close proximity was entirely different than when I’d been a kid and he’d handed Sofiya and me a Popsicle like a doting father.

This was… sensual.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, hating my voice was no longer mine. Both the man and the experience had done that to me.

“If you’re sure.”

“Uh-huh.”

He kept ahold of one arm but backed away from me. I was still mortified I was partially naked, scrambling to jerk my jeans and thong back into place. When I finally did and felt strong enough to turn around, he was standing on the other side of the room. The man was looking through my duffle bag.

“What are you doing?”

“Seeing what you brought with you. Nothing to sleep in,” he said quietly.

“I didn’t have time. The bag was already packed.”

He raised both eyebrows as he looked at me. “You were anticipating needing to get away quickly.”

This time I shrugged instead of answering right away.

“Is that what this is?”

The lump had returned in my throat, this time threatening to cut off my air supply. “My handler suggested it.”

“Your handler. I do not want to know how many times you’ve hacked into a secure system. Now, I’m taking you to a guest bedroom where you are going to get a good night’s sleep so we can discuss this… incident in further detail in the morning. Come with me.”

There was no denying his commanding presence or his voice.

And so, like a good little girl, I obeyed him once again.

CHAPTER 4

Vadim

To say this night had turned out unexpectedly was an understatement.

I was still reeling from what she’d said regarding the assassination attempt made on my life. I’d long suspected Stefano was behind the shooting but finding proof would allow me to wrap my hand around the man’s balls.

And boy, would I enjoy squeezing.

I’d try to take a look at the drive myself but right now, I wanted to get Caroline settled. Spanking her had been unfortunate but necessary. She deserved the harsh punishment and even more for her behavior. What in fuck’s sake had she hoped to accomplish? Had she not realized mafia organizations were no longer organizations living in the dark ages?

I led her to the stairs, refusing to allow her to carry the bag herself. A go bag. I wasn’t certain if I should feel slightly proud of her. Her father would be horrified, not that I had any love lost with the man. I had no intention of talking to him at this point.

However, she would need to tell her parents eventually.

All that could wait.

The girl had balls. I had to admit that. I flexed my fingers, still feeling the effects of the spanking on my fingertips. I’d enjoyed myself, especially when I’d gathered a whiff of her desire.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

Yeah, I was the kind of man to take what I wanted but she was my daughter’s best friend. I had to shove my lurid thoughts aside. They weren’t acceptable.

I opened a door, thankful the woman who cleaned my house once a week always insisted on sprucing up the guest room. Maybe the sweet, older lady had been hopeful I’d find someone to bring home.

Like a lost puppy dog.

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