Page 2 of Dmitri

I opened the large zipper and found a clutch wallet with two credit cards and an ID belonging to Cora Hardwick.Cora.Checking her birthday, I’m grateful she’s at least twenty-one. Although it wouldn’t matter if she was just eighteen because she’s mine. Life sent her my way and was a done deal the moment her eyes landed on me.

“Dmitri, what about the mess in the alley?” he questions me, peeking through the rearview.

I pause a moment to think about that mess which could cause some problems. Still, I own too many dirty hands to let the matter worry me. “There were no cameras back there. It’s the reason they snatched her ass. Besides, I could call in Federico and have him clean it all up.”

“Yes, I suppose you have a point, but you were supposed to meet with the clients to sign the contracts on the construction.” I’d forgotten all about them the moment I spotted my future. I had two meetings, but they’ll have to wait.

“I don’t give a shit about any clients. All that matters is my Cora. She needs my protection, and she will have it.” Immediately, I pulled out her phone, which required her fingerprint to open. Quickly, I slide her thumb over it and then dig through the device, changing the security so I can have easy access to it. The main number she called was a man namedEdmond. A fiery rage shoots through my veins at the name, so I read the last text messages between them.

Be careful. I shouldn’t have let you go on your own.

I’m an adult, Dad.Immediately, I feel a sense of relief that he’s not some boyfriend waiting for her at her hotel or something because I’d have to revert to my old ways and dispatch him with a snap of his neck. Well, my not so old ways.

Please… you’re still a beautiful woman surrounded by perverts.Still, her father is absolutely correct. Traffickers nearly snatched her up in broad daylight, but they aren’t the only men craving her perfection. Unlike those devils, I’d move heaven and earth to protect and worship her, destroying anyone who gets in the way.

I promise to call you every day.I don’t know if I can let her keep that promise just yet, which might cause some problems.

You better. I love you, brat.

Love you, too. Stop stressing.

I closed her messaging app and then tucked it into my inside jacket pocket.

If I had a daughter like her, I’d be in trouble, and there would be a bunch of dead motherfuckers for just looking at her. Perhaps it’s best that I had no family. Even Mikhail isn’t my actual brother, but we grew up close to each other in the streets of Moscow that we consider each other family.

I called my personal physician. “Meet me at my villa in Salerno right now.”

“I can be there in about forty minutes.”

“Fine. Get here by then.” I ended the call without waking her. As we drive through the vineyard roads, I hold her close andrun my hands over her bare arms, checking to see if she’s either too hot or cold.

As soon as we arrived at my villa, I carefully got her out of the SUV, snagging her bag from the seat and putting it over my shoulder. Mikhail unlocks the door and then I take her to my bedroom and lay her on my crisp sheets, wanting her to feel the luxury she’ll have forever.

My eyes rake up and down over her young, sinful body. I pluck off her shoes and socks before tugging off her shorts, so she is more comfortable. This isn’t meant to be sexual; although my dick beats against my slacks as if it hasn’t gotten the message. My sweet little one needs me to care for her. She moans softly on my sheets, and I want to drag my face between those sweet thighs to hear her moan even louder, but I hold back. I lift the sheet, and then cover her body to keep her warm and myself in check. Never in my life have I felt such a damn pull to a woman before.

I walk from the room before I stay and do something stupid like lie down with her. A longing so uncontrollable it fills me up, but there are more important matters at hand like who the fuck wanted my woman in the first place.

Mikhail is waiting for me downstairs. “Office now,” I state, moving with a purpose.

“So, what’s going on?”

“I need everything you can get me on Cora Hardwick.” I handed him her ID from her bag. “I want the information on a man called Edmond Hardwick. He’s her father, according to her messages.”

“Okay. I will. Are we going to talk about this thing you got going on?”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I saw her, and I decided that she was mine. End of discussion.”

“Understood.”

“I’m going to dig as well, but first I need to call my clients back and discuss a reschedule,” I add, opening the day planner on my desk.

He leaves and I shoot off an email to a client that I have a meeting with tomorrow, canceling it until further notice. Then I called my two other clients that I ditched today. They easily agreed to the meeting tomorrow in the same place.

As I’m about to check on Cora, the doorbell rings. The doctor arrives and we shake hands. He follows me upstairs. “In here. She was drugged, but I’m not sure with what.” I open the door and lead him inside to my woman.

“Wow,” he says unprofessionally. If this wasn’t important, I’d punch him in the face.

“Do your job and shut your mouth. She’s mine,” I snarled.

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