Page 13 of Deadly Devotion

“I am,” I reply.

Surprise paints her face as she spins around to face me. “Youare? I didn’t realize you’re an artist. Was that your painting in the living room?”

“Yes.”

“It’s beautiful. You are very talented. No wonder you own an art gallery.” She looks me over as if I’m a puzzle she’s trying to figure out.

“Thank you. Get some rest. I will see you in the morning.” She grabs my forearm before I can exit the room. Unspoken words hang on her lips. Shaking her head, she releases my arm. “Good night,” she says, smiling softly.

I nod once, closing the door behind me. Pulling a brass key from my pocket, I turn it over and examine it before locking the door and walking away.

Chapter 9

Aleksandr

Settling into the oversized leather chair in my office, I reflect on everything that’s happened tonight. My thoughts bounce back and forth from Mikhail to Talia. Dialing Dimitri’s number, I wait two rings before he answers.

“Is everything okay with the girl, Sandy?” I inquire.

“Yes. She’s tough…strong…although she’s worried about Talia. I get the feeling there’s something she’s not telling me.”

“She’s just worried about her sister’s safety. Talia told me Sandy is a mother figure to her. This will all be over soon enough.” I pause, pouring whiskey into a crystal glass on my desk. “Tell me about Mikhail.”

“It’s taken care of, and no one in the club will speak with the authorities. Denis will let me know if he hears anything around the police department.”

“Make arrangements for a private funeral. That’s what Mama would have wanted.” I gulp down the whiskey and pour another.

“When will you tell Sasha and Maxim?”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Tomorrow.” Draining my glass again, I open the file on my desk. Staring at the list of names, I run my finger down the black and white print. They all belong to members of organized crime families in the New York City area. “Get me the names and photos of all the men that were in the club tonight, including everyone in the Lupani family. I’m hoping Talia will recognize someone as the man who killed Mikhail. I’ll meet you in two hours.”

Ending the call, I have another shot of whiskey. There doesn’t seem to be enough whiskey to clear my head. Thoughts of Talia play in my mind on a loop.I should check on her and make sure she is alright.And by ‘alright,’ I mean fuck her until I spill every drop of cum into her tight pussy. I haven’t stopped thinking about her or the night we spent together since I left San Francisco. And now she’s here, under my roof. Her supple body spread out on the bed like a feast set just for me. My cock is rock hard as I replay our night together in my mind.

Her honeysuckle scent envelopes me as I swirl my tongue over her clit. She’s gripping the bedsheets, moaning as I dig my fingers deeper into her creamy thighs. Her pussy is dripping wet, her moans pushing me over the edge. Grabbing her ass, I pull her closer to the end of the bed. My mouth covers her clit, licking and sucking. I push a finger into her pussy, and her backarches in response. Nibbling my way down her luscious thigh, I push a second finger in. She gasps, a moan caught in her throat.

Her fingers tangle in my hair, gripping tightly as I fuck her hard with my fingers. My mouth ravishes her clit as my fingers work an orgasm out of her. Her face is radiant when she falls apart for me. I don’t give her a chance to catch her breath. Wrapping my arms around her knees, I lift her ass off the bed, thrusting my cock into her. She cries out, digging her nails into my forearms. I don’t have the willpower to take it slow. My cock is the hardest it’s ever been, my balls ready to explode. The desire is overwhelming, creating cracks in my control. She’s so tight, so hot, so perfect. Fuck. I push harder, faster, sinking my cock balls deep.

I fuck her even faster, cupping her ass in my hands. Her insides are on fire. Throwing her head back, she cries out, sobbing from pleasure. Her pussy ripples around my cock as she rides out her orgasm. She falls back on the bed, her limbs limp and lip trembling.

I’ve never experienced that type of chemistry before. And I never thought about a woman as much as I’ve thought about her. Fuck them and leave them, that’s how it’s always been. No desire or time for a relationship. Beingpakhanof the family and caring for Sasha and Maxim has been enough for me. Mama tried convincing me to take a wife, but her words fell on deaf ears. It’s been over a year since died, and I miss her nagging me. I miss everything about her. She loved her children fiercely.

I wonder if Talia could use a drink?Maybe she’d like some whiskey with a side of cock.Blyat!This woman has me under a spell! She is in my home for one reason, and it’s not to bounce up and down on my cock. I will keep her under lock and key until I find Mikhail’s killer and avenge him.

Pushing thoughts of Talia out of my mind, I open my laptop. Typing in my passcode, I check my business accounts and review today’s transactions. I noticed that Boris transferred one hundred thousand dollars into an offshore account. Angelo Carvallo will receive that money to make up for the loss of his man, David.

Fucking Adachi.It’s bad enough I have Mikhail’s death to deal with, not to mention Talia, Sasha, and Maxim. I don’t need this situation with the Yakuza to explode. Grabbing my phone off the desk, I quickly message Anton. Ten minutes later, he’s sitting in my office chair across from me.

“Any word on finding Adachi’s men?”

“Not yet,” Anton replies. “But we have it on good authority that they are still in the city. It’s just a matter of time before we find them.”

“I need them found sooner than later. I can’t have Adachi screwing up our arrangement with Angelo.” I tug at the ends of my hair as thoughts of Talia creep into my thoughts again. “Keep me informed.”

Anton nods his head in acknowledgment, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I haven’t eaten since breakfast, so I go to the kitchen. Walking down the long hallway, I turn right instead of left. Creeping as quietly as I can, I stop in front of a door with a mermaid door hanger. I crack the door open and see an empty bed where Sasha should be sleeping. Quietly opening the door across the hall, I find Sasha snuggled in bed with Maxim. They look so peaceful; it pulls at my heartstrings, knowing that they lost both parents at only five and nine years old. Closing the door silently, I make a silent vow to avenge their father and always take care of them.

Before I reach the stairs, I stop in front of Talia’s room. My fingers find the brass key in my pocket, feeling its weight before I decide to walk away. I need to get as far away from her as I can.

Descending the stairs quickly, I find Abram in the kitchen sipping on a cup of tea. “You’re still up?” I ask.

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