Page 6 of My Russian Protector

“I don’t know. That’s what I’m here to find out. Why are we even having this conversation? I paid you. Isn’t that all that matters to you?”

Her words wound me. I know that I haven’t exactly confessed my feelings to her, but I would hope she could at least feel the connection that’s growing between us.

“No, Anna. Money isn’t the only thing that matters to me. You matter to me. I don’t want you to get hurt,” I answer and watch her face soften.

She places her tiny hand in mine and squeezes it. “Thank you. I like that you’re concerned about me, but I don’t think I’m going to get hurt.”

I squeeze her hand and say, “If anyone hurts you, I’ll kill them.”

Her eyes grow wide and her breath quickens. I know this is my chance so I pull her toward me and kiss her. She puts her arms around my neck and melts into my embrace.

What started as a gentle kiss on the lips explodes with passion, and I slip my tongue between her lips as I pin her down on the bed, pressing my hardened cock against the sweet spot between her legs.

I reach beneath her shirt and squeeze her round breasts. Her nipples harden from my touch and she arches her back, inviting me to explore her further. My fingers find their way to the waistband of her shorts and I’m about to reach inside them when I hear a thud outside the door and leap to my feet.

“What is it?” she cries.

“Get in the bathroom and close the door,” I whisper as I reach into my bag and retrieve my pistol.

She tiptoes to the bathroom and slowly closes the door. When I hear the lock turn, I move to the other side of the room and peer through the peephole. There’s no one in sight so I unlock the door and check down the empty hall. I step outside and close the door behind me then walk briskly to the stairs.

Whoever it was, they couldn’t have gone far. Taking the steps two at a time, I reach the lobby just in time to see the front door close. With my weapon cocked at my side, I rush out the door onto the sidewalk and see a hooded figure get into the passenger side of a black sedan. I move toward it, but it quickly speeds away.

“Somebody knows we’re here,” I whisper to myself. I check the sidewalks on both sides of the street, but this place looks like a ghost town. I don’t go into any job expecting it to be a walk in the park, but since this contract is so cold, I thought I might get lucky. That’s the only reason I let Anna join me in the first place. Now I know I have to be more vigilant. I can’t take any chances with her safety.

I return to the room and say, “Anna, you can come out now.”

She opens the bathroom door a crack and pokes her head out. Good for her. She’s being cautious.

“Did you see anyone?” she asks as she takes a seat on the bed.

“Yes, but they were already driving away when I got to them. Here are the rules. You don’t leave this room without me. If I have to leave you, lock the door and don’t open it for anyone. You do exactly what I say when I say it. I will not accept any arguments, excuses, or apologies. Are we clear?”

“Yes,” she nods, notably shaken by the concept of possible danger.

“One more thing. Where did you get the money?”

She looks down at her shaking hands and says, “Why does that matter?”

“What did I just tell you?” I ask, stepping closer. “No arguments. Tell me where you got the money.”

“I found it,” she replies.

“Don’t play with me, little girl. Where did you find it?”

She rises from her seat and walks to her backpack. Reaching inside, she pulls out an old notebook. “I found this hidden under a floorboard in my parent’s bedroom. My father wrote down all of the places where he hid his money. I checked all of them, but he must have cleaned them out before he went on the run. I had given up hope of ever finding anything until I checked the last place on the list. It was an abandoned house outside the meat district. That’s where I found the money. I gave you most of it.”

“Most of it?”

“Yes. I kept a little in case you robbed me. That way I could hire someone else.”

“You realize what this means, right? Your father had the money to pay off his gambling debts, but he used it to skip town instead. Knowing that, you still want to find him?” I ask her.

“Yes, because I need to know why.” With tears streaming down her face, she adds, “I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry with me.”

I hold my arms out and she rushes into my embrace.

“It’s alright, princess, but no more secrets. I’ll find him for you, I promise.”

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