Russian Mobster's Princess (7 page)

“Really?” She clasped her hands in front of her in a bid to contain her excitement. “That would be so wonderful! Thank you!”

“It was Nicholas’s idea,” Viktor said stiffly.

She cocked her head, confused by the strange dynamic between them. “Thank you, Nicholas. I really appreciate being able to return to my apartment.”

“No thanks necessary,” Nicholas said in his smooth liar’s voice. “I’m sure you’ll be quite comfortable there alone.”

“Alone?” She frowned. “So is the danger over?”

“Not alone,” Viktor corrected. “He means that the two of us will be alone in your apartment, finally living like any other married couple.”

“Oh.” Kira wasn’t sure how she felt about that, either. Having Viktor in her personal space was going to be taxing.

“Now. Are you ready?” Viktor held out his arm, and she took it.

He turned his back on Nicholas without another word and led her up toward the stage. Something about his manner felt off, but she wasn’t brave enough to mention it. That thought reminded her that she had information about her father’s men to tell him as well. Except she wasn’t sure how accurate it was.

“Viktor?” she began hesitantly. “If I thought I had an idea about who the murderer was, would it be best to wait until I was sure?”

He seemed distracted. “As tempting as it is to point the finger at all the assholes in the organization, it would probably be best to wait until you were certain you had the right asshole.”

His words made her laugh. “You’re probably right. My father’s men
are
assholes.”

“Is that why you came into the council meeting?” He frowned. “Were they intimidating you?”

“Always,” she said with a dejected sigh. “At some point I’m going to have to remember that I technically outrank them. Except I can’t beat the stuffing out of them, and that’s what I really need.”

Viktor grunted. “Forget the stuffing. If you want them beaten, I’ll happily knock the shit out of them any time you wish.”

VIKTOR SHIFTED IN his seat, watching the action inside the theater with interest. He had never had much interest in such things, but now he was surprised at all of the obvious work it took to put together such a production. There were lighting technicians hanging above the stage as they replaced bulbs and tested connections. The catwalks crisscrossing the ceiling overhead were a regular highway for set engineers as they repaired or replaced bits of scenery. Still, none of that could compare to the action happening on stage.

“Again!” the director shouted.

Dancers twirled, their practice skirts fluttering about their lean legs as they performed a short section of steps until they gained the director’s approval. To one side, he could see Kira warming up. She had her leg on the barre, her body bent at an incredible angle as her arm gracefully made an arc over her body.

A sudden flashback to a moment with Elena left Viktor nearly breathless. He had taken his wife to the ballet once. He remembered how enthralled she had been with the dancers, and how she had impressed upon him the dedication that it took to gain this level of skill.

Elena would have loved Kira.

The thought was somehow comforting. Then Kira took center stage with two other young women. The three of them moved with perfect coordination. He watched the sensual movement of Kira’s body. The strength of her muscles beggared his ability to describe it. She leaped into the air, turning and yet landing in exactly the perfect spot before going up on her toes once again. He saw her legs bend and flex and felt a stirring in his groin.

The sight of her brought to mind what she had looked like bent over his arm as she came so prettily around his fingers. The sound and scent of her lingered in his mind, and Viktor had to adjust his cock to avoid discomfort. He had never wanted another woman with such a fierce longing, not even Elena. It was a rather shocking thought.

“Ah, yes!” the director shouted. “And passé! Again! More height, Kira, please.”

The determination on Kira’s narrow features was awe inspiring. Viktor watched her try again and again before finally nailing the steps in a way that made the overly dramatic director squeal with excitement.

“Yes, yes! This is beautiful!” he told her. “
Magnifique
! All three of you!”

The young women exchanged a nod and a glance, and Viktor realized that the camaraderie was not unlike what he often felt with his fellow mafia brothers. They were all in this together. And sometimes the bond created in those moments was as powerful as any friendship.

KIRA FELT VIKTOR’S gaze on her during the practice. It was strangely erotic. She remembered what it felt like to have his hands touching her body. He had awakened nerves she had never known she possessed and a hunger for fulfillment with a ravenous appetite.

“Who is that?” Tiana whispered. “That man? The one that looks like he could split a tree in two with one glare.”

“Split a tree?” Jessie rolled her eyes. “God, you’re dramatic!”

Tiana made a slight gesture toward Viktor. “Well, look at him! With that angular face and those dark eyes. He looks like a freaking mobster or something. Can’t you imagine him with a bunch of men at his back doing mob stuff?”

Kira had to stifle a laugh. “Mob stuff? Do tell. What exactly is it you believe that to be?”

“I don’t know,” Tiana hedged. “Like illegal gambling dens, and putting people’s feet in cement and then dumping them in the harbor because they owe you money?”

“You know what’s really stupid about killing someone who owes you money?” Jessie asked in a teasing voice as she unfastened her leg warmers and rolled them down her calves. “If they’re dead, you’re
never
going to get your cash.”

“You’re just saying that because Tiana owes you thirty bucks from last week,” Kira said with a laugh. She stretched her legs and then began removing her toe shoes.

“Well, there is
that
,” Jessie admitted. “So come on, Tiana. Give me my money before I make you swim with the fishes!”

“Girlfriend, you watch way too much TV,” Tiana pouted. “Although, if that guy wanted to come over here, I’d be willing to compensate him thirty bucks a thousand times over.”

Kira loved the camaraderie of the stage. She loved having real friends for the first time. And even though they were also rivals when it came to winning roles, the ballet company was fair for the most part, and it left the dancers to be more of a family than competitors.

“Kira, don’t you think he’s hot?” Tiana pressed. “Even though you’re an old married woman, of course.”

Kira was enjoying this immensely. She was never the one with a leg up in these situations. Not when it came to men. Tiana was the brave one.

Now she winked at her friend. “I know him, actually. Would you like me to introduce you?”

“Seriously?” Tiana’s mouth popped open. “You know that guy?”

Jessie grinned. “Whoohoo! Looks like Kira just pulled one over on you, Tiana. How about that?”

Kira already knew Viktor was watching. She could feel his gaze like a physical caress. It gave her a sensation of safety she had never experienced before. Now she turned and gave him a tiny wave and a smile. He stood up and began walking toward the side of the stage where she and the other dancers were stretching and getting ready to wrap up practice.

“Hey,” she said softly as she took his hand in hers.

If he was surprised by the contact, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. She felt warm and fuzzy inside.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked. “I thought we could stop for a bite on our way home.”

Meanwhile, Tiana and Jessie were both staring in open fascination.

Finally, Tiana nudged Kira’s arm. “Excuse me. You said you
knew
him. I’m thinking there’s more to the story?”

Kira grinned. “This is my husband, Viktor.”

“Whoa.” Tiana breathed. “Okay. So you
do
exist!”

There was a round of laughter while Kira made the introductions. She had the odd thought that this was the most normal she had ever felt in her life.

Chapter Eight

“So I’m guessing that your friends have no idea what your family situation is like,” Viktor said over a plate of French fries in a pub around the corner from the theater. He had suggested they share a few things only because he knew she wouldn’t really eat anything on her own. It was something he was quickly learning about her.

“No.” Kira glanced down as though she felt guilty. “Sometimes I feel like I’m leading a false life or something because I don’t tell them what my family does. Do you think that’s like lying?”

“No.” Viktor shook his head. “You’ve been taking great pains to separate yourself from the mafia lifestyle. We’re the ones who keep dragging you back in.”

“Do you like it?”

He considered her question. “I like certain things about it.”

“Like the money.” She shoved a fry into her mouth.

He hated the idea that she thought he was all about the money. “It’s not just about the money, Kira. And you know you benefit from the money too.”

“I know.” She looked chagrined. “I didn’t mean to imply that you were greedy. I know you’re not like my father.”

“The men in the organization are my family. I grew up with them. Like Anatoly. He’s always been like a crotchety uncle who might bluster a lot, but who can be counted on.”

“I understand,” she said softly. “It’s like the other dancers. For the first time ever, I feel like I really belong to something.” She sighed.

He took a sip of the sangria he had ordered. It was good, tasting like fruit and very mild. “Have a taste. I got this for you.”

“Really?” She sat back in her seat, looking shocked. “I’ve never drunk alcohol before.”

“You’re twenty-one now, right?” he teased. “You should at least give it a try.”

A pretty blush stained her cheeks. “I guess I am twenty-one. I don’t think about it much.”

“So?” He had a few reasons for wanting her to taste the alcohol. The biggest being that he fully intended to be inside her that night.

She picked up the glass and sniffed. “It smells sweet!”

“Don’t sound so surprised. If it all tasted terrible, nobody would ever drink it.” He laughed. “Go ahead. Everyone deserves to do something wild and crazy a few times in life.”

KIRA SNIFFED THE drink once again, savoring the blend of sweet fruits and the slightly bitter tint of the alcohol. “What is it?”

“It’s called sangria. It’s made from wine and lots of fruit extracts.” He looked so calm and safe. How could she refuse?

She tipped the glass back and let the liquid brush her lips. Then she licked them lightly with the tip of her tongue to try it. Surprisingly, the flavor was wonderful. Feeling bold and maybe a little bit wicked, she took a few swigs. The effect was almost immediate and felt amazing.

It was like the room went fuzzy for a moment before coming back into sharp focus bigger and more intense. The fries on the plate looked even more scrumptious than they had a moment ago. And she most definitely wanted more of the drink.

“Whoa there,” Viktor said in a low, warm voice. “Slow down.”

“It tastes incredible. How have I never tried this before?”

“I’m going to guess that dancers probably avoid that kind of empty calorie overload,” he suggested.

Kira made a face. “Yeah. We do have to watch what we eat. Nobody likes a fat girl in a leotard.” She giggled and then slapped her hands over her mouth in shock. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud!”

Viktor chuckled. “That happens with alcohol.”

“So what happens when
you
drink?”

“Me?” He raised an eyebrow. “It takes a lot to get me drunk these days. Half of council meetings or gatherings with the lieutenants involve the consumption of several bottles of vodka.”

“So the secret to the mafia is that you all sit around and get drunk together?” For some reason, that was really funny.

“I suppose you could say that, yes.” He chuckled. “Did your father drink?”

She scoffed. “My father pickled his liver before I was born! I think he had my brothers drinking before they were out of their teens. The four of them would sit around and make grand plans for the expansion of the Berezin territory while they drank themselves to oblivion.”

“Grand plans?” He raised his brows. “Like what?”

“Like taking over your father’s position.” Kira sucked down about half the glass in one pull. Her head was swimming now, but strangely enough it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation. She felt rather floaty. “Viktor?”

He seemed distracted. “Yes?”

“Will you have sex with me?”

She must have said that a little more loudly than she had intended, because several people at the surrounding tables turned to stare. Kira pretended not to notice and just smiled at them.

“Kira?”

“Yeah?”

“I think it’s time to go home.”

Viktor stood up, but to Kira’s surprise, when she tried to stand she found herself gripping the table as a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her. She grabbed for Viktor and let him support her as she tried to look somewhat normal on their way out of the pub.

VIKTOR FILED WHAT Kira had said about her father into the back of his mind for further examination. For now, he was fully occupied trying to figure out how one tiny glass of sangria had turned his graceful dancer into a lumbering bear.

He finally gave up trying to walk her to her apartment. He swept her into his arms and carried her there. It was damned distracting the way she kept kissing his neck, though. His cock was already hard as a rock, and he hadn’t even managed to get her home.

The last flight of steps was agony. She had threaded her fingers into his hair and lightly scored his scalp with her nails as she bit his throat with her teeth. His skin was tingling everywhere she touched, and he wanted her so badly he was afraid he was going to come as soon as he sank his cock inside her tight little channel.

“Kira,” he grunted. “We need to calm down here for a moment.”

He fished in his pocket for her keys and finally managed to find the right one. She wasn’t having any of the calming down, though. As soon as the door was closed behind them, she scrambled out of his arms. He tried to steady her when her feet hit the floor, but that wasn’t necessary. She was suddenly balanced and graceful again and determined about what she wanted.