Page 86 of Stricken

"Vartan demanded a face-to-face. So, hopefully," Vlad confirms. "We need to be prepared for any outcome, though. We actually don't know if Tony will come. Everyone's saying he is on his last breath. He could send his consigliere. Or your cousin can hijack the meeting."

"I think information about his poor health is exaggerated," I supply. "Last time we spoke, Tony was more or less fine. As fine as someone his age can be. Salvatore must have planted the info for the media to create panic. It serves his purpose. In any case, we'll need eyes and ears on the ground tomorrow," I muse aloud. "Someone we can trust to do this without drawing attention."

Vlad's lips curve into a rare sly smile. "Leave it to me, Romeo. My guys will handle security and the situation containment. Whatever the situation may be."

I lean back in my chair, studying him. Vlad's confidence is unwavering. That's who he is. But his loyalty to me and my goal leaves me speechless. Why is he doing this? Why hasn't he stabbed me in the back?

I have no explanation and, oddly, I don't want one.

I like the way things are between us. I like the danger of it, the thrill, the great sex, the developing trust, the simple intimacy without overthinking everything too much. But most of all I like the belonging. That strange feeling I lost long ago, possibly when I was just a baby, when my mother died, and then again, when my father was killed. All this time, it has felt as if I was suspended in the air, just bouncing in between places and people with no safety net.

With Vlad, the safety net is somehow there. I'm still not sure if it's strong enough to hold my weight when I fall. But it's there. After, all these years, it's returned.

That's why I can't shake this nagging feeling that we're standing on the edge of something monumentally life-changing.

I rise to my feet, the tension in my body yearning for release. And I know only one way to fix the problem. As I slowly approach Vlad, his eyes darken with desire. The air between us sparkles. It's that anticipation of having our bodies pressed up together in a relentless dance of dominance.

Although tonight, I don't want to fight for control. I just want to let it go and see where it takes me.

"You're always so put together," I murmur, reaching over to ruffle Vlad's perfectly styled hair. "Sometimes I want to mess you up a little."

Vlad looks up at me and chuckles. It's a low, seductive sound that sends heat cascading through my bloodstream. "Is that so? And here I thought you appreciated my impeccable taste."

My fingers trail down to his jawline, savoring the roughness of his light stubble. I tilt his chin up and he doesn't resist back. "Oh, I do. But right now, I want something different."

"Tell me."

"I want to taste you."

He licks his lips and turns his head into my touch, biting my index finger.

Before I get a chance to blink, his arms come around me, pulling me into his lap. I straddle his thighs, grinding myself against him.

His lips capture mine in a searing kiss. I melt into the demanding sensation, into his strong, sure embrace, and the stress of the day dissolves like smoke on the wind.

"You drive me crazy, Romeo," Vlad growls against my mouth. "Walking around in those sweatpants and a hoodie, looking like a damn Greek God taking a day off."

I grin, nipping at his lower lip. "You're the one to talk. I've been imagining peeling you out of this suit all day."

"I just got here."

"Been imagining all day anyway."

Vlad makes a throaty sound, something a lot like a strangled gasp. His strong hands slide under my sweatshirt, pushing it up and over my head. "Then what are you waiting for?"

"Are we done talking business?"

"Absolutely,moi dorogoi."

We undress each other with frenzied urgency, scrambling to our feet. Buttons scatter across the floor as Vlad's shirt falls away. For a moment, I'm drawn to the splash of ink on his chest. I trace the dark lines with my fingertips. He allows me this curiosity, allows me to wonder what kind of man he is behind all the walls and masks.

Then our lips meet again, tongues tangling, teeth biting a little. Vlad's hands roam my back while I bury my hands in his hair, disheveling it entirely. When we pull back to get some air and restore our rugged breathing, I cup his cheeks with both palms.

"Now you're ready," I whisper.

Vlad leans into my touch, eyes fluttering shut for a fleeting moment. "You know I like to look my best for you, Romeo." His voice is a low purr, the kind that has shivers rolling down your spine and straight into your dick. "But anytime you want to undress me and suck my cock, I have no objections."

I laugh softly. "Look at that filthy mouth."

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