Page 2 of Andrei's Solnyshko

Carlos smirks at the dealer. “Don’t be surprised when Andrei orders one of his goons to break your nose for disrespecting me.”

I stay put but the huge bodyguard nods to me, “Your company is also requested, Miss.”

I point to my chest, “Me?”

Carlos grabs my arm and pushes me forward and my feet stutter, but somehow I remain upright. He squeezes my arm and I wince. “Do as you’re fucking told.” He digs his nails into my skin and promises, “You’ll pay later.”

The bodyguard immediately invades his space and orders him, “Take your hands off of her.”

Carlos laughs haughtily, “She’s mine to do with what I want.” To prove his point he grabs the back of my neck and squeezes. I try to escape his grip, but he only squeezes harder. His evil laugh makes my stomach turn.

In mere seconds two more men surround him and one grabs a hold of his shirt. Carlos loosens his grip and I gasp for air. Tears sting the corner of my eyes as one of the men gently takes my elbow and propels me forward. I hear the first one growl at Carlos, “Touch her again and you will regret it. Now move.”

Carlos must hear the seriousness in his voice because he doesn’t argue. Out of the corner of my eye I see another security guard grab the jerk with the gold jewelry and escort him elsewhere.

We enter an elevator with only one button designated for the top floor and soar quickly to our destination.

The elevator opens to a foyer of what must be the penthouse suite. The luxuriousness is everywhere. Gold crystal chandeliers, gold gilded mirrors and gold leafed picture frames holdingexpensive artwork. Everything is accented with gold. Real fucking gold. You’d expect all that gold to be tacky, but I feel like I’ve walked into a palace.

There are two more humongous men standing guard and they merely nod towards the others. We follow them past a large sculpture of a naked couple, the man is fucking a woman from behind, and my mouth waters. Where the hell are we?

We are led to a set of gothic-like double doors with more opulence of gold accents. One of the brutes opens them to a large office. There are another set of guards at the door and the most beautiful man sitting behind the desk. I can see hints of his tattoos poking out from his expensive collar and cuffs. His whiskey hair is thick and the perfect length to grab hold of, but it’s his eyes that turn my knees to Jell-O. They are ice blue, cold and striking, and they glare at me like he can see into my soul. He looks familiar, and I remember bumping into him one night on the casino floor. Heat radiated from his eyes just like they are now.

The first two men leave Carlos and me standing in the middle of the room. The god of a man nods to the two simple rail back chairs and I cautiously sit, but Carlos doesn’t. He puffs out his chest and says, “Andrei, I’m so glad you invited me here. That dealer’s actions were reprehensible."

The man stands and I gasp at the size of him. He’s yet to say a word but everything about him screams power. He is the king of this palace and just the sight of him makes my thighs tighten. He’s huge. I bet everything about him is huge. Everything.

He barely glances at his men and they both approach Carlos, grab his shoulders, and roughly shove him down and onto the chair. He yelps but quickly regains his composure. I realize hischair is on top of some sort of plastic wrap that doesn’t belong in this elegant room.

He opens his mouth to speak again, but the gorgeous beast narrows his eyes, and Carlos quickly clamps his mouth shut.

I’d probably enjoy this if I weren’t so damn scared.

His mesmerizing eyes turn to me and I feel him undressing me. It should feel sick and creepy, but my sex clenches. I’m terrified and aroused all at the same time.

It’s like he knows because his lips quirk and he slightly raises an eyebrow. I stare at my feet and my face heats with embarrassment. Embarrassment and desire. Raw desire.

He leans back against the desk, his imposing figure right in front of Carlos. Carlos wiggles with nerves but the king of this palace remains calm, clasping his hands and staring back. He’s in no hurry, and the tension hangs in the air between them, but when he looks at me our tension turns purely sexual.

He runs his tongue along his bottom lip, and when he finally speaks his beautiful aqua eyes don’t leave mine. His baritone voice matches his perfect physique.

“Carlos Caldera.” The heat of his eyes finally pull away from me and I’m instantly chilled.

“I thought our families had an understanding, but you think you can steal from me and live?”

Carlos doesn’t sound worried, “I haven’t stolen anything. My luck will turn around. If you’ll just extend my credit, I’m good for it.”

“You’re no good for it.”

Carlos scoffs, “I am, I assure you, Andrei.”

“Mr. Sokolov. You’ll address me as Mr. Sokolov. You have not earned the right to call me by my Christian name.”

Carlos’s face reddens, but he complies. “Apologies, Mr. Sokolov.”

His Russian accent is thick and sexy, just like him, “You think me an idiot? You think I don’t know how much is sitting in your bank accounts?”

Carlos shrugs, “Call my cousin. He'll vouch for me. I promise I’m good for it.”

---