Page 45 of Claimed By Shadows

“Done,” Dima adds, telling me he’s also planted the detonator.

I pause in my walk through the club, taking a deep inhale and tasting the electricity that seems to run through the air here. It really is a shame to be blowing it up. It’s a good club and holds some sweet memories of Iris on her knees, Roman on his too.

Checking my watch, I see that it’s 11:45am.

Forty-five minutes to clear this place out, then another thirty before the bomb goes off. Reaching into my pocket, I take out the burner phone, opening a new message thread and smiling as I remember the last time I messaged Hunter Anderson. My dick twitches in my pants at the unexpected turn that it took.

Unknown: Everything’s set. Time to evacuate, Daddy.

I smirk as I look up to the VIP area, to Hunter, who’s leaning on the glass balcony and looking out over his club. Roman is by his side, both of them looking down when Hunter’s phone goes off.

It takes great effort not to bark a laugh at the way Hunter’s jaw clenches as he stares at the screen, though Roman doesn’t hide his mirth. My phone vibrates in my hand.

Hunter: I am not your Daddy, sweetheart.

A small huff of laughter slips past my lips even as the music cuts off, the lights almost blinding as they come on, and a voice over the speakers tells everyone that they need to make their way to the exits.

Unknown: It’s nice to see that you’re admitting that I would be the one on top, Daddy.

A thrill runs through my veins, making my now semi-hard dick twitch in my trousers. I think messing with Hunter like this is my new favourite hobby, not to mention how much the idea of fighting with him to see which one of us would end up on top turns me on more than I’d like to admit.

I’ve never fully indulged that side of myself, the side that likes a man’s touch as much as a woman’s. It was too risky. My father is a homophobic bastard and would have seen it as a weakness to push me for. Something to beat out of me, perhaps even a reason to finally eliminate me.

But having Roman’s hands on me in this very club, then my last interaction with Hunter, has me adding the exploration into my future dreams. Plus, it turned on my littleMalyshka, and as I’ve discovered, I will do anything for her happiness. My phone vibrates again as I stand there, watching clubbers being ushered out of the club, confused but not panicked.

Hunter: If by on top you mean on your knees choking on my dick, then sure, sweetheart.

I can’t stop the bark of laughter that slips from my mouth at that, and I glance up to find Hunter’s fierce gaze on mine, a dark promise in his green eyes. A shiver travels through me, and for perhaps the first time in my life, I think maybe I wouldn’t mind getting on my knees for another man.

My lips tilt up in a half smirk, then I tear my gaze away and follow the rest of the patrons out of the club into the balmy night air. There’s a chill, but you can definitely tell we are headinginto the warmer months. My men come up on either side of me, Andrei talking in Russian as we head back to the car.

“Everything in place, Nikolai?” he asks as we push our way through the crowd, earning glares and outraged cries. It’s all part of the plan. Our faces are hidden in hoods, but we want people to remember the Russians who were acting shifty.

“Da,” I confirm, my phone vibrating in my hand.

Hunter: Everyone’s out. I hope to fuck you know what you’re doing, sweetheart.

A warmth heats my chest at the nickname. The only other person to have given me one is Iris, and it speaks of an intimacy that I’ve craved my entire life. Another message comes through before I’ve replied.

Hunter: And stay safe. She’ll kill me if anything happens to you.

My stomach tightens, knowing he speaks the truth. I know how much me being hurt also pains her, but I can’t do this without some risk, and I will risk it all to keep her safe.

We make it to the car, once again hiding our faces as we get in. We’re far enough away for the blast not to affect us but still able to monitor it. Looking at my phone screen, I see that we have less than half an hour before the bomb goes off, so I settle into the passenger seat and wait, typing out my message.

Unknown: And how about you? Would you miss me, Daddy?

I hold my breath after I’ve hit send, watching the dots appear, then stop, then appear again.

Hunter: No one hurts what belongs to me, sweetheart. And if your actions lead to something happening to you, however small, I will punish you accordingly, so best make sure you stay safe for everyone’s sake.

My throat tightens at his words, a lump forming that is hard to swallow past. That I belong to him should raise my hackles. I’m heir to the London Bratva, for fuck’s sake. We are not owned like dogs. We are the owners, the masters.

But his claim soothes a wound inside me that has been festering since I watched the light fade from my mother’s eyes. They ease a tightness from my soul that I wasn’t even aware was there.

I think that belonging to someone like Hunter Anderson, belonging with him, Iris, and the twins might just be more than I could have ever dreamed of.

A loud rumble sounds as the night lights up ahead of us, our bomb going off and making my ears ring. Dima starts up the car and we drive away, the sounds of sirens filling the air along with the ringing that fades from my hearing.