Page 25 of My Russian Protector

“This is a job offer, Mr. Alborov. Based on your performance this last week, I’m certain that you’re the right type of man to facilitate my business for me. Think of it. You’ll hold a position of power in a small village where you can raise a family. Your kids will get the finest education, and you’ll be a pillar of society. No one will ever know that you’re making millions in another venture. You won’t live exhaustively above your means like Dimitri did. You’re too smart to make those kinds of mistakes so no one will suspect you. It’s perfect.”

I cross my arms and shake my head, “No.”

“Maybe you should take some time to consider this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer.”

“No,” I repeat.

“May I ask why?” he scoffs.

“You see that girl over there? She’s all that matters to me now. What she went through last week was more than anyone should have to deal with in a lifetime, and I will never put her in a position like that again.”

“So, you’re in love. Isn’t that a great motivation to fill your pockets with more money than she could ever spend? Take me up on my offer and she’ll never want for anything,” he tells me.

“She’ll want stability and a life of certainty. Her father worked for you and he failed to give her those very things. So, no. I’ll continue this charade and provide you security while you’re here in Moscow, but when you leave, our dealings are over. I don’t want to see or hear from you again. Is that clear?”

“You’re not threatening me, are you?” he asks.

“Please don’t make the mistake of forgetting who I am, Mr. Chekov. You don’t want to be on my bad side,” I affirm.

“No reason for that, Mr. Alborov. I’ll be in the city for three days. If you have a change of heart, please let me know,” he nods his head and turns his attention to the party.

Anna searches my face when I return to the table. Concerned, she asks, “Is everything okay?”

I smile and say, “Everything is fine. In fact, it’s perfect because you’re here.”

I take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Holding her in my arms, I spin her in circles and she laughs. I couldn’t imagine how she would react if I told her that I was going to replace her father in the drug trade, but there was a time when that offer would have been a dream for me. I was good at what I did and I did it for money. Chekov’s offer would have been my golden ticket to a life of excess and opulence.

Funny how your priorities can change when you find the love of your life.

We eat, drink, and dance the rest of the night away. As expected, there are no threats to Chekov’s safety and the detail goes off without a hitch. Anna lets loose after a few drinks and seems to have had a wonderful time. One thing is for certain, she made quite an impression on the upper crust of Moscow society. I spent most of the night somewhere between pride and jealousy as every man in the room drooled over my precious angel.

We go to my suite at the hotel for a nightcap and a little surprise that I’ve been keeping to myself all night. Anna immediately strips out of her gown and sits down on the sofa, wearing nothing but her bra, panties, stockings, and heels.

She’s luscious and I can’t take my eyes off her body as I lose the tux and sit beside her on the sofa. She lies down across my lap and says, “This was amazing. Thank you for everything. It was like a fairytale.”

“You deserve it and more, little girl,” I tell her.

“Should we go to bed now?” she asks, blushing a bit.

“Are you tired, baby?”

“No, don’t tease me. You know what I meant,” she lifts her head and I take her face in my hands.

I kiss her deeply and then say, “I have one more thing to do first. I need to ask you something important.”

“Is this about the conversation you had with that man?” she stares into my eyes.

“You don’t have to worry about him. He’ll be leaving the city in a few days, and we’ll never see him again. It’s about you and me.”

“We’re okay, right?” She searches my face for any sign of a problem.

“We’re better than okay, baby. In fact, I decided that it’s time to take this relationship to the next level.”

“What do you mean?”

I stand up and walk to where my tuxedo jacket hangs on the chair. I reach into the pocket and pull out the little black box that’s been hiding there. I return to the sofa and drop to my knees in front of Anna. I take both of her trembling hands in mine and look into her eyes.

“I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. I don’t want to spend another second of my life without you. Will you marry me?”

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