Page 25 of Dangerous Refuge

"And then you'll tell me who you really are..." I moan, knowing this is pushing his buttons as much as it is mine, but I don't get what I expect. Sven falls silent, his fingers finding my clit and pinching and twisting it as he slams into me.

He hits my body so hard, I begin to convulse around him, strong, powerful contractions that grip his cock so hard he has a hard time pushing into me. He begins to fuck me harder, like he’s fighting for his breath. He’s pounding me now, and I’m moaning and gasping and clenching around him. He’s fighting to hold back, and I’m fighting to hold back, and we’re both losing.

"Please,” I moan.

"Please what?” he growls.

"Please, cum in me,” I beg.

"You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he growls. "You need to be punished, Allie. Because you need to learn to mind your own business."

He’s fucking me hard and fast, his cock pounding into me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m gasping and moaning and trying to keep from screaming. I can’t help but come again, because he’s holding back. The only thing I can do is hold onto him, and I do. I hold on to him and I moan and I breathe.

When he finally floods me, and the heat of his explosion dribbles down my inner thigh, I'm spent. I can't even begin to think about pressing him for more information. I collapse to my knees on the wood floor, panting, and I hear him zip his pants back up.

"Yeah, that was relaxing," he says, and I hear his footsteps move away from me and the slosh of whiskey in the bottle. Then he's gone.

I remain there on my knees a while; I’m not sure how long. His cum puddles on the floor beneath my legs. I let it. I’m not the maid, and I’m not cleaning his mess up. Especially when he disarms me like that. Who does he think he is using sex a means to bring me to my knees—literally? I know nothing about him, not where he works or what he does, not even his last name. These are things a fiancé should know about the man she’ll marry.

Pushing myself off the floor, I collect my clothing and dress. The mess between my legs is sticky and makes me feel gross. I’ll shower tonight, but not until I talk to Sven. He needs to understand that if I am going to stick to this agreement, I need to know what he really does for a living. The arrangement is crazy enough to begin with, but throw in a bit of violence and bloodshed and I’m a lunatic for agreeing to it. I’d be better off with Paul. At least he hid nothing. He was himself through and through.

With my clothing in place, I make my way toward the bedroom. I can hear the faint hint of gunshots reverberating down the stairs and know Rico is playing one of his first-person-shooter games. While violent, at least I know he’s safe; they’re not real guns and I can turn them off any time I choose with a push of a button. Sven, however, I have no control over, and he plays with fire.

The bedroom door is cracked, so I push it open and walk in. Sven is stretched across the bed, leaning on the headboard staring at the television mounted on the wall above the dresser. He glances at me but says nothing, and I shut the door quietly behind myself. I move toward the bed and he looks up at me again. I can see the glaze of alcohol over his eyes, but the blood flow on his arm has stopped.

“Is Rico liking the game room?” he asks me. Surprisingly, his words are not slurred at all. He lounges like a king. He hasn’t even changed out of his blood-soiled clothing. At least he removed his shoes.

I perch on the edge of the mattress, feeling the moisture between my legs. It’s gross, but I keep a straight face, knowing I’ll wash it off soon. “He really enjoys it. I spent a little time with him earlier. He also really likes Odin; he’s always wanted a dog.” My hand falls to my knee where I pick at a loose thread on the side of my jeans.

“Good,” he grunts, turning his attention back to the television.

“Sven…” I take a deep breath and bolster my confidence. “I’m not going to pry any more about what you do for a living. Just promise me you aren’t in some gang or something.”

“I’m not in a gang,” he says curtly. “I’m watching TV. Can’t this wait?”

“I want to go back to work.” I know he’s already told me it wasn’t going to happen, but I never expected to have to change who I am just because I’m getting married. “I miss my friends. I need to get out of the house and do things.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“But—”

“The answer is no.” He doesn’t even look at me, doesn’t care that I have desires.

I stand and move toward the bathroom, half-expecting him to call me back but he doesn’t. I’m angry, but after that display I know better than to question him. So I step into the bathroom and start to undress. The door is open a crack, though it was unintentional, so when his phone rings curiosity gets the better of me. I lean against the wall, standing there naked, and listen to what he says.

“Red… What do you mean he was shot…? Dead…? Fuck’s sake, Dom.” That last comment was anger, plain and simple. “Motherfuckers are going to pay…”

And at that word, I realize I’m in over my head. Who is Red? And why was he shot? Sven must be involved with very dangerous people and I want nothing to do with it. Rico and I can’t stay here. Even if it means risking things with Paul. I want out.

14

SVEN

The room is tense, emotions raw. All four of my brothers stand near my father, who is seated with his can in his hand. He can barely walk now, and Dominic has for all intents and purposes become the leader. Still, Dad showed his face today to honor Red, slaughtered in the hunt for the mole who is now also dead, only a few hours too late.

“You did well, Dominic,” Dad says, his voice still heavy with his Russian accent. Dad immigrated here with his parents, who only spoke Russian, but all of us boys were born here. First generation Americans and one of the most powerful families in the city. We all look to Dominic as our leader, and he nods at Dad with respect.

“It came at a cost. We lost so many good men today.” Dominic’s shoulders are squared, but I can tell by the tone of his voice that his heart is heavy. Red was dear to all of us, me especially. We were pretty close in age, and he was my go-to guy for so many things, including heart to heart talks. I’m going to miss that bastard more than I even know.

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