Page 67 of Addiction

He chuckled. “Our businesses are all legitimate, baby. We don’t deal in drugs, trafficking, or weapons. But yes, I have hurt people—bad people who meant harm to my family.”

“Have you killed anyone?” This was the second time she had asked him that. This time, he chose to reply.

“I haven’t. But…”

“…you have people who would kill for you if needed.” She exhaled a breath as if relieved to know that he wasn’t a killer.

“That is the way of the world I live in,” he replied.

“And your brothers? Have they killed someone?”

“I won’t speak for them. Whether they have or haven’t is not something I am at liberty to share with anyone ever.”

She nodded.

“Anyway, we began working under Alexander in our various businesses. He started us down from the grassroots and encouraged us to work our way up. Even then, we never expected to inherit his wealth. It was only when he died, and his will was read that we realized he’d left it all to us. God. It was fucking unbelievable. Three poor boys from a small city in India became the richest men on the planet. The news of Alexander Oshnov willing everything to his adopted sons shook Russia like a fucking storm.”

“Wow. I don’t even know what to say,” she said. “Your story is incredible and a pure example of the saying that fate has a special plan for everyone.”

“But wait,” her brow furrowed as she continued, “Why did you move your base to Dubai from Russia?”

“After we inherited everything, a circle of vultures swooped upon us—media, businessmen, politicians, government officials, mafia, women. Everyone thought we were naïve and they could gain something from us either by winning favors or by intimidation. None of it worked. You see, Alexander had prepared us for this. He’d taught us to navigate through it all. We befriended the mafia, won over the important politicians and government officials, and ran roughshod over those who stood in our way. But it was taxing and taking away our focus from work. So, Mihir suggested we move to Dubai. It was close enough to Moscow to keep visiting, is a tax haven, and it also suited our luxurious lifestyle. We moved here, and immediately, the pressure on us reduced. We could concentrate more on work and ourselves. And I got to meet you. Hence, best decision ever.”

Navya smiled.

He took her hand in his. “The reason I told you this story, something which no one other than my brothers know, is that while the world paints me to be this ruthless, frivolous billionaire, I am, at my heart, a simple boy from a small town who is right now sitting in front of a girl who he feels so much for and is asking her to give him a chance to bring heaven to her.”

She stared at him for a long moment. Finally, she squeezed his fingers.

“I think you’ve already brought heaven to me today, twice,” she whispered, her eyes glimmering.

He grinned. “I suppose I proved it—good boys go to heaven, but bad boys bring heaven to you.”

“God, you’re too much.” She threw herself into his arms. “I am willing to give us a try. But I am scared.”

He kissed the top of her head. “So am I,moya tigritsa,so am I. But we can make this work together,da?”

“Yes, and Armaan…” she said softly. “I do like you.”

Happiness lit up his heart. “I know that, baby. I was only waiting to hear you admit it.”

Standing, he tossed her over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” she squeaked.

“Making love to the girl who fucking finally accepted that she likes me.”

She giggled, tracing her hand along the tattoo that ran down his spine.

“Behave,” he warned her, caressing her bare thigh, deliberately moving his hand up her skin, making her squirm.

A maid appeared in front of him and was shocked at the sight of them.

“Don’t disturb us. And tell the captain to take the boat out to sea,” he said in Russian.

She nodded, hurrying away.

The engines started the second he’d dropped Navya on the bed and crawled on top of her. Navya flipped him, turning him on his stomach and climbed on him, staring at his back.

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