Page 30 of Marked (Russian Sinners 1)

The girl came back with another cup of coffee and creamer. “Will this work?”

“Perfect. Thank you very much.” She nodded and went back out.

I turned my eyes to Nikolai and answered the question. “No, I don’t think so. Being married to anyone in politics is a full-time job. I already have a full-time job.” As soon as those words left my lips, I winced. “Well, I had one, but I’ll get another one.”

“What’s your job?” Sergei asked curiously.

“I’m a doctor, pediatric surgery is my specialty,” I answered proudly.

“Aren’t you a little bit too young to be a surgeon?” Sergei’s question was fair but I hated the doubt.

“No,” I spat out. “I’m just old enough. I’m a damn good surgeon and I worked my ass off to achieve it.”

“Whoa, whoa,” he raised his hands defensively. “Don’t get your feathers all up.”

“I-” I started but was interrupted by Dimitry’s next words that stopped all my defenses.

“Anastasia’s the youngest achieved surgeon in U.S. medical history,” his voice was matter-of-fact, and my eyes guarded him carefully. Was he making fun of me? “She finished high school three years ahead of others her age, and doubled her courses during college years.”

I eyed him suspiciously but his expression wouldn’t give out anything.

“Doing detailed background checks?” I asked, raising my eyebrow.

“Always,” he answered.

“I’ll have to do the same on the three of you,” I muttered under my breath. “You know, to level the playing field.”

Chapter Thirteen

Dimitry

The blissful look on Anastasia’s face as she took the sip of coffee made my cock so painfully stiff, I thought I’d have to excuse myself and jerk off to the image of her ecstatic expression. I couldn’t wait to see her expression when I finally fucked her. Would it be as blissful as when she took that sip of coffee? Her eyes sparkled like emeralds under the light. It made me jealous of that coffee mug she eyed so adoringly.

And when she smiled with those beautiful lips, I wondered how they’d look wrapped around my cock. I truly was a bastard! She went through a traumatic experience, had nightmares plaguing her, and here I was fantasizing about her sucking my cock.

It was ludicrous to even be attracted to her. She wasn’t the type of woman I usually went for. I liked submissive women, the kind who wouldn’t dare question me or ask anything of me. Because I had nothing to give them, except the money to pay them off. I didn’t want to share my past, my sins, or my dreams with any woman.

Anastasia, on the other hand, knew her worth and didn’t shy away from a challenge; there wasn’t a single submissive bone in her body and her mind was sharp. She was smart and beautiful, determined and successful.

Anastasia might have had a privileged upbringing but nobody could take away from her that she was smart. Brilliant, in fact, if you read some of her professor’s recommendations. She sounded proud when she told Sergei her qualifications, and she should be. Although it was ironic while she studied how to save lives, I studied how to destroy them with power, money, and blackmail.

No amount of money would ever put us on the same scale. My hands were dirty with blood and the crimes I’ve committed. Her hands were pure with the blood of the victims she saved. We could be labeled as a sinner and a saint… and I was definitely not the saint. She didn’t deserve a despicable sinner like me; she deserved better.

She wouldn’t like the real me. Growing up in the orphanage hardened me. Moving in the circles of organized crime sealed the shell. There was no room for softness in my world. I didn’t deserve it.

“Can I ask you guys for a favor?” The hesitancy in her voice piqued my interest. I got the sense she rarely asked for favors. She had money to ensure she never had to ask for favors.

“Yes?” I urged her on.

“Since I’ll be stuck here for a while,” she chewed on her lip as she thought how to phrase her words. “Do you think maybe I could take some self-defense classes?” She paused, eyeing all three of us, and I wondered if she expected us to laugh. It was a smart request on her part. She should have learned self-defense a long time ago. “I don’t like guns, so no shooting for me. But basic self-defense could come in useful… in a few days, when my bruises feel a bit better.”

Nikolai and Sergei waited for me to acknowledge it. I knew without asking them, they thought it was a good idea. There was nobody better at self-defense and body combat than Nikolai. Although I wasn’t too thrilled to have him that close to Anastasia.

“Yes, you should learn self-defense. We can arrange it.”

Her smile made my cock twitch. Our eyes met, and for a fraction of a second, it was as if everyone else in the room was gone. Blush colored her cheeks and made her look even younger. How could a woman look so strong, confident, and fragile at the same time? She was pulling me under her spell, and if I was not careful, I’d never get out.

I was ruthless at getting what I wanted. I had to be in order to survive. When we were kids, my ruthless ways protected us and fed us. As I grew older, that ruthlessness expanded to all areas of my life, from my business through personal life, to ensure I got what I wanted. And right now, I wanted Anastasia Manciatti at all costs. I knew she deserved better, but until I had her, I wasn’t willing to let her go. I just wanted a taste.

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