Page 104 of The Pakhan

The kiss was rough and brief but exactly what I needed. When he pulled back, I was lightheaded all over again.

“I’m glad,” I managed, my heart racing.

“Where do you want to eat our feast?” he asked, although the sound was more of growl.

“In front of the fire and the television on the floor?” I bit my lower lip, never thinking he’d go for my suggestion.

He laughed, shaking his head. “You will never change and I’m so glad you won’t. You’re exactly the way you should be. The floor in front of the television watching goofy movies it is. And if you’re a very good girl, I might allow you to fall asleep there just like you used to.”

The past was a strange thing, with its memories. Some good. Some bad. But without the memories, the future would never be so sweet.

And this man was definitely my future.

CHAPTER 27

Vadim

Two days.

Two fucking days had gone by since Caroline had been attacked all over again. Nothing. No information. No admittance from anyone they were responsible for hiring either Joshua or Francois. I’d put word on the street that I’d handsomely reward anyone with clean evidence.

I’d threatened informants and various associates to help me find out what the fuck was going on.

As my mother would say, crickets.

No one was talking.

I could walk down the streets of New York, and everyone would turn away. I’d always done that, realizing people were scared. Of what? They should be terrified of me but that wasn’t the case.

The great leaders of the various organizations had experienced nothing troubling either. We were all sitting ducks at a dead end spinning our wheels.

Right where the bastard responsible wanted us to be. With all of us chasing our tail, that meant the asshole was laughing and had free rein to do whatever he was planning.

“Fuck,” I hissed, slamming my fist on my desk. I’d never been so frustrated as this in my life. Plus, I’d been forced to leash my daughters for fear they were in danger. When I’d asked them to come and stay at the house, I’d been certain cat fights were going to begin but all had been quiet since they’d arrived the night before.

At least that was something. Maybe.

“Stop worrying,” Nikolay said.

“How is that possible?”

“Just keep handling business.”

“Are you trying to handle me now, Nik?”

He chuckled under his breath. “I will if you don’t get your head out of your ass. I know you want to burn down the city but that’s not going to do you any good. Let this play itself out. Have patience.”

I laughed until I heard laughter coming from outside my exterior office door. As I moved toward the French doors, I also heard music.

Heavy metal music to be exact.

“I’ll be damned.”

Nikolay joined my side, peering out and seeing the same thing I was. “I told you they were lifelong friends. So you’re fucking Caroline. So what?”

“How crass of you.”

“I’m not known for my sophistication. You knew that when you hired me.”

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