Page 6 of Slipping into the Dark Side

The rush of her excitement was visible, and Yakov watched it from a distance as if it were a lunar eclipse. The heat went from her cheeks, down her long neck, to the top of her fat breasts. Her nipples hardened, and with the right angle, he could see the rigid peaks through the thin material of her bra and blouse.

“Would you rather I try to fuck you instead?”

The way her eyes narrowed on him caused a humorous smirk to push on his lips. “I’m not a whore.”

“No, you are not. But I can certainly treat you like one if you’d like.”

“Why would I like that?”

Yakov suppressed a smile as he journeyed to the drink station and poured himself a glass of vodka. “I’ve spoken with Fedor. I’m sure he is as boring in bed as he is in conversation.”

“Fedor is smart.”

“He is. Book smart. Not street smart. Is there a book on lovemaking? Because I’m sure he’s read it.” Yakov came over with a second glass for her and held it out, “But there is no book on fucking.”

Tatianna had never been spoken to like this. She should be flustered and uncomfortable. She should be slapping him and stomping her way toward Fedor to tell him all about the rudeness in which Yakov spoke. But this wasn’t just any man.

And his words didn’t bother her.

Tatianna found her fingers around the glass, barely touching the tips of his. He was only inches in front of her, close enough to touch her if she permitted it. He leaned against the wall when he released the glass, and their attention simultaneously dropped to Fedor.

Her conscience returned to her: “My apologies, but I’m not the kind of woman you are looking for.” Tatianna hurried away, placing her drink on the table as she went. This was so very wrong. Even being in a room alone with him was against the rules and everything she’d ever been taught.

Tatianna stared at the floor. She didn’t know why she was hesitating or hadn’t slapped him for his indecency, or hadn’t instantly said no and walked away. Why was she lingering? Her gaze lifted and followed the entire length of the room. If she said yes, this would all be hers. This entire house. The entire property. Everything she had ever strove for would be possible.

Tatianna met his gaze again. There was a darkness, a desire burning inside them and she would be lying if she didn’t admit that she felt it pull her, like a rough piece of rope sliding up her skin, wrapping around her wrists.

She turned to him with a straightened back, “What are your plans when Yefim becomes head of the family?”

The question stalled him and irked him because the topic was sensitive. He didn’t answer her. His secrets were his and his alone.

Tatianna didn’t stop, “He’ll kick you out or kill you because he knows that you want it. If I can see, so can he. Making plans with the sons to undermine their fathers isn’t a bad strategy, but you need more cards in your hand.”

The anger was replaced with humor. Yakov sat on his desk to study her. How could a woman think so much? It was really extravagant, and he was curious just how far she could go. “What do you suggest?”

“Steal his wife.”

A scoffing chuckle slipped out of his mouth before he took a sip to stifle it. Could he do such a thing? What would be the benefit?

“He loves her,” she continued. “Which is surprising because I doubt your brother loves anything.”

Yakov bowed his head. The truth to such a statement was nerve-racking. He wanted to defend his brother for his lack of emotion. Their father wasn’t exactly a ball of sunshine, and their mother was a fat blob who ate herself to death. Yakov wasn’t sure there was anything he loved, either.

“Take her, and bargain for her.”

“Shall I cut a finger off and send it as a gift?” he mocked.

“If you want.”

His blue eyes flickered over her. Tatianna stood firm. She was not so faint at heart that such talk would make her nauseous. She had seen men tortured before. Their screams were comical most times.

Yakov chuckled, shaking his head. “My instincts are correct. Fedor doesn’t know what he has, and you are wasted with such a man.” Yakov straightened, stopping halfway toward her. He didn’t want to frighten her, only to entice her. “You know, you never answered my question,” Yakov watched her, finally noticing a bit of darkness in the back of her eyes. “Do you love him?”

The question was an insult, and she wasn’t going to stand there and take it. Tatianna left, pounding her way down the hall, surely to get more lost than she already was.

Chapter four

Scream

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