Page 9 of Bratva Daddies for the Single Mom

“They all sign the contract. It is the only way to play in the auction.” Viktor had won and he knew it.

“She could have asked for a clause, a backdoor to allow the contract to become incomplete.” I pushed because I was the one with common sense. I was meant to temper Viktor’s impulsiveness and Ilya’s temper.

Ilya punched my shoulder, almost knocking me from the windowsill where I balanced with my legs stretched out and my ankles crossed. “You saw the frightened little bird. She did not know her power.”

True. It wasn’t until we’d truly conceded to our lust that Annie had followed and begun to ask for her wants and needs.

“Plenty of women who come to the auction are interested in prolonged relationships.” He raked a hand over his head and clasped the back of his neck. “We should have asked her before she left. She gave us the perfect opportunity.”

“We had no idea she would work her way here.” Viktor rubbed his chest. “Once has always been enough for us. It is what started the idea of auctions in the first place. That and money.”

Silence met his words. I considered every possible angle of what happened next. Annie’s innocence would be corrupted by our presence. She might not wish to see us at all. Viktor understood all the implications of what happened should anyone discover he’d broken his own contract–something he would kill another man over. “It is a risk.”

“She is worth it.” Ilya’s jaw jutted out, the stubborn ox making his point known loud and clear.

It was no surprise that he sided with Viktor on this. He’d never been one to consider the morality of a situation when his wants were involved. It made him dangerous. It made him the enforcer Viktor needed. I sighed. I’d been defeated before the conversation ever began, but I’d been forced to try. My heart skipped an extra beat, and I could not deny the excitement that coursed through my veins at the prospect of seeing Annie again.

“Find her, Ilya.” Viktor pushed up from the table and crossed to his desk. “Find Annie. Leave Kent for now. If he does not make up his payments by the end of the month, pay him a visit. He may need a reminder of his precarious position.”

“What happens once we find her?” I asked.

Viktor smiled, and unlike most times when it sent shivers down even the stoutest spine, this smile was warm, inviting. “We give her a choice. I will not force any woman, but she will agree.” He patted the space over his heart. “I feel it here.”

Affection from the Pakhan who single-handedly ruled the Chicago portion of the Bratva with an iron fist? I’d never seen a miracle, but this might be a turning point of epic proportions.

Ilya left the room without a word, his task set before him and a determination in his stride. He whistled as he marched down the hallway, his deep baritone almost vibrating the walls.

I turned to face the Chicago skyline, then looked down at the city streets so far below us that people resembled ants. One good stomp andpoof,no more people. We excelled at destruction.

That was what worried me. We were men of violence. What happened to Annie once she discovered who we were and what we were capable of? Would Viktor release her if she joined us, discovered our secrets, then changed her mind?

I watched him from the corner of my eye.

A sly look crossed his face. He picked up a pencil from the holder and threw it at me. I snatched it from midair before the chiseled tip slammed into my shoulder.

“Ah, you still have your reflexes. Good. Now stop watching me like I am going to change my mind. You know better.”

Yes, I did. Turning, I flung the pencil back at him. “Ilya is a good choice.”

Viktor grunted, smacked the pencil from the air, and leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk he’d paid several thousand dollars for simply because it had come from our homeland and had once belonged to a famous Russian spy. “Ilya will get the job done. And so will you.” He set his hands on the armrests and rocked the chair. “You have work as well. I have not forgotten about the upcoming art gallery opening. Tell me where we are.”

Just like that, Viktor switched from pleasure to business. Having put Ilya to the task of finding Annie gave him comfort. He’d remain calm for a few days before the impatience would set in and drive him to all means of distraction.

6

ANNIE

Itagged along slightly behind Tina on our way across the street. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and I swiped it away with a hasty brush of my hand while hefting my purse higher on my shoulder. The condo stood tall and impressive in front of us, the burgundy door catching the warm sunshine and turning it crimson. Sconces stood on either side of the door, along with fake potted trees and a concrete planter filled to overflowing with some kind of vine.

“Well, that’ll be dead in a month.” Tina pointed at the vine and chuckled.

A man in a tweed suit met us at the front door. He looked us over, gave a light sniff that might’ve been disbelief, and unlocked the door for us to precede him into the foyer. Bright lights cascaded across oak furniture. The open floor plan allowed us to see most of the living room and kitchen from the door. I walked straight to the hallway that led to a series of bedrooms. My knees weakened when I caught sight of dark red sheets on one of the beds. In an instant, I was back in the room with my three men, having the best sex of my life. They’d ruined me for regular sex. I had no plans to get laid anytime soon, but the explicitly spicydreams I’d been having proved I wasn’t over them yet. I’d almost worn out my vibrator this morning trying to get them out of my system. Even the multiple orgasms with my favorite toy hadn’t quelled the need, not if a single pair of red sheets brought it all rushing back.

“You okay?” Tina walked past me, her eyebrows up and mouth puckered in a frown. “You’re flushed.”

“Hot.” I fanned my face. “Still getting used to the summer heat.” I’d grown up in Chicago, and the summers still suffocated me.

The man who’d shown us in stood in the archway between the living room and kitchen. “As you can see, this is a newly remodeled condominium. It’s done in the latest fashions, and you’ll find the price nearly unmatched.”

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