Russian Roulette (Russkaya Mafiya) (26 page)

Tate finally gets Cameron to leave and we all decide it’s time to head home. This night was awesome, besides the altercation with London and Cam. I got to relax with the girls and my man, what’s better than that?

SIXTEEN

EMILY

The Wedding

Four months later – March 27

I stare blankly at myself in the wide mirror. We
have the opulent Presidential suite for three blissful nights. The magnificent room is in the same hotel that has the large ballroom we rented for the wedding. I can’t believe today is my wedding day. I know it was fast, but at the same time it feels as if I’ve been waiting forever to marry the love of my life. I blink, feeling my eyes starting to crest with tears.

London huffs, griping at me, “Girl, don’t you dare cry and mess up your face. You look beautiful but I can’t fix red rimmed eyes! Plus you don’t want mascara dripping on that enormous dress of yours.”

I gaze at my reflection once more, taking in the beautiful hand stitching and lace on my dress. This dress was designed specifically for me. I told the designers what I wanted, they drew it up and then they made it.

Tate’s mother Vivi, and grandmother, Mishka, took me dress shopping. It was the worst and best experience ever, all rolled into one. I have never tried on so many dresses in my entire life. It got to the point where eventually the boutique called in a well-known designer to just make what it was that I wanted. I was exhausted but also extremely happy. My mother and grandmother are in Heaven, or I know they would have been the ones helping me, so to have family there to support me and be a part of it all, was beyond a great experience.

I sniffle, “I can’t help it, London! Everything’s just so perfect. I’m so blessed to have you guys in my life, marrying the man of my dreams, I have family here to stand beside me, all these changes and I’m just so fortunate my life turned out like this.” A tear leaks out of my left eye and I try to hide it.

Avery walks back into the dressing area, glances at me and shakes her head, scolding me, “Geez! Is she crying again? When will you stop, woman? Today’s a good day. Be happy and quit your damn crying, you’re an emotional mess today, Emily!”

“I know,” I clear my throat, “I know it, I’m just so lucky and extremely happy.” A few more tears trickle out and both of them roll their eyes at me.
Bitches!

London hugs Avery and grins at me, “Thank you, I was just telling her that!”

Elaina pops in the room, “Hey, hookers, leave my sweet, little sister alone!”

This shit again. Elaina’s been teasing me for the past few months that she’s older but I know I have to be the older one. She won’t show me her birth certificate so I know she’s fibbing.

“Aghhh! You! Are the little sister! Clearly I’m bigger.” She starts to laugh evilly.

“Yes, you are definitely bigger in the waist!” I start to throw everything that is surrounding me and she takes off running.

“I’m taking back all of your key cards!” I threaten and they all laugh at me.

“She’s going to cry again, dammit!” London yells at my sister.

Elaina holds her hand out for me to grab, “Come on, cry baby, it’s time for you to go officially belong to that hunk standing at the altar.”

I can’t believe London even had the energy to fix me all up like this and touch it up a few times too, since I keep crying. I shoot her a wobbly smile, full of gratitude and she smirks at me, with a teasing glint in her eyes.

I breathe deeply and let it out in a whoosh, “Okay, you girls go stand up there and keep my spot for me.”

Avery starts giggling at me and hugs me, “You dork, Tate would shoot their asses if they tried to take your spot!”

I shrug, “Eh, wouldn’t be the first time he shot someone for me.” I wink and smile.

She probably thinks I’m being silly and fibbing. Very few people know what all Tate has done for me. I do and I’m grateful my fiancé likes to keep me safe, and by any means necessary.

The girls go ahead of me to take their places in the ballroom. Konstantin, Tate’s father is patiently waiting for me in the hallway when I open the suite’s large, mahogany door. He smiles widely, his face lighting up when he sees me.

“Ahhh! Little printyessa, such Krasaaveetsa! You look like a true printyessa in the big, fluffy dress!” Konstantin opens his arms wide, embracing me in a warm hug and sweetly kisses me on my cheek. He came to walk me down the aisle and give me away to Tate. I’ve gotten close to Tate’s parents, which they love. I’m over the moon happy that he asked if it was okay for him to walk me down the aisle. I was thinking about asking Elliot to come and do it, but this way is better.

I beam a bright smile, “Yes, thanks to Vivi and Mishka! They did such a wonderful job with planning the wedding. I would have been lost without them.” I loop my arm through his, grasping on his elbow as he leads me down the hallway to my beloved.

I chatter away, the entire time, nervous, “I still can’t believe they planned everything for it to be here in New York. I’m so blessed to be a part of your family.”

We eventually make it to the double glass doors, leading into the room full of my future. I turn towards Konstantin, overcome with emotions, “Thank you for everything, Papa!” I hug him again, squeezing him tightly. I love this man; he’s been very good to me and my sister, and he doesn’t even know her. I finally gave in and made him happy by calling him Papa about two months ago. He was so happy I looked to him ‘like a father’ he tried to send me and Tate to Fiji. I told him no way, but we’d definitely go to Fiji for our honeymoon!

TATE

My breathing stops when I see her. I gasp, at the beauty walking toward me, on what is fast becoming the happiest day of my life. With each small step she takes, I think of how lucky I am. Emily’s absolutely breathtaking, resembling an angel. I can’t believe in a few short moments she will finally be my wife.

Our path was stressful but to know we made it this far and love each other so much makes it worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would do it five different times if I had to.

This woman is my heart and soul and I would do anything for her. I never believed I could find a woman who would accept me for all my flaws. I never thought I could have a great relationship while being so involved in my Russkaya Mafiya roots. Or that I would find a woman to stand beside me and look forward to our future together.

Emily steps to the altar, and while I gaze in her sparkling green eyes, all I can think of is that this woman is finally mine.

CORRUPTED

CORRUPTED

Copyright © 2015 by Sapphire Knight

Editing by Amanda L. Pederick

Formatting by Max Effect

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Dedicated to

LINDSAY and ABBEY

You ladies mean so much to me.

You’ve dealt with me happy, excited, mad, and crying.

Yet you’re still here.

Love you big.

PROLOGUE

VIKTOR

Warm, syrupy liquid coats my fingers,
bleeding onto
my
hands and drips to the cold cement below. The sky is black, the stars and moon hiding, helping me complete my task. The calming
swoosh
of the waves mask my noises as I drop the lifeless body to the ground to finish securing weights to his limbs.

The small pier is deserted and the men on the docks know to mind their own business. No one wants to be involved with the Bratva, especially when its leader is dumping bodies. They keep their concerns to themselves, knowing they would be next on my list.

I relish the power.

I was the smart one, the one strictly handling the money of the business. Then my uncle gave me my first taste of disposal. I don’t necessarily enjoy the kill itself, but I love
watching them sink into the deep, murky waters of the lakes surrounding us.

ONE

ELAINA

“Just a minute!” I grumble at the drunk asshole
waiting for me at the end of the bar. Geez, my feet are killing me. I sling another vodka-seven and set it in front of Tate’s big brother, Viktor. Rushing to the other end of the bar, I address said drunk.

“Yes, sir?”

“Yeah! Umm, gimme ahhh beer! Yeah, beer!” he chortles, lazily lying the top half of his body across the bar. Ugh, men like this make me sick.

“Sorry but you’ve had a bit much to drink and I can’t serve you any more alcohol.” I try to keep it polite, when in reality I want to get the soda gun and spray this idiot with the nappy hair.

“I’m the paying customer here! This is bullshit. Give me a beer!”

“Look, you can have a glass of water or I can make up a pot of coffee, but no more beer. I’m sorry,” I yell over the pulsing music. His rancid breath washes over me and I gag slightly.

“You’re sorry, huh? Good for nothin’ fucking cunt.” He spits the words out angrily and it takes every bone in my body to stay professional. Being a bartender I know I will deal with assholes but I’m no one’s door mat.

“When you calm down, then I will get you some water.”

He reaches over the bar, grabbing onto my mid-length, blonde hair, “Calm? Get over here, I’ll show you calm!” My head snaps back, and with the pain I’m immediately thrown into another time of my life.

Elaina

ten years old…

“Where are you going, baby girl? Daddy wants to talk to you for a second.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to go to bed. I have to get up early for school,” I reply, trying to make a decent excuse to escape his clutches.

“I only need you for a few minutes there, baby girl. Come here.”

I squirm uncomfortably. “Ummm, please, I’m really tired.” Brent likes to get close and touch me. It makes me feel weird and I don’t like it.

“I said NOW, Elaina.” His voice is menacing as he reaches his large fingers towards his belt and dutifully releases the clasp. Brent wraps his hand around the thick leather, pulling it free from the charcoal grey suit pants. Looking at me longingly, he reaches out and grasps my blonde hair roughly. The action forces my head back and my eyes crest with tears.
Ouch, please, no.

At a creak in the floor, he glances up quickly, taken by surprise.

“Brent, what’s going on? Was she bad again?”

My eyes rapidly scan the room until they fall on my foster mom, Paige. Thank God, she came at just the right time. She’s standing in the doorway with her hand on her hip, glaring at me spitefully. She always looks at me like that.

He speaks through gritted teeth, “She was talking back again.” He sits up to adjust himself.

Brent releases my hair at the same time as he propels me forward, dropping the belt to the floor. I stumble, splaying my arms out wildly to catch myself. I tend to be a little bit of a klutz sometimes and I’ve gotten pretty used to grabbing for anything within reach when I start to go down.

Paige grabs my shoulder and I cringe at the pain. Tightening my tummy, I hold my breath.

“Come along, Elaina. Such a pretty little girl. It’s a shame you are so ugly inside and can’t behave properly. We certainly won’t be keeping you.”

Paige walks me quickly down the long hall to a small room I’m staying in. I shuffle my feet hastily along the plain, tan carpet to keep up with her pace. “Now, go to bed and don’t make a sound,” she tells me sternly and shoves my small frame inside the shoebox-sized bedroom.

The door swings closed and I jump out of the way before it hits me. There’s a loud
click
as she locks the door. She doesn’t realize it, but I enjoy that sound. As long as that door is locked, I know I won’t have to submit myself to being uncomfortable around them. I know as long as Paige has the key, the lock will keep
him
out.

I shed my jean shorts for my pajama bottoms. I swear it always feels like someone is watching me; I wonder if there are ghosts in this house or something? Sighing loudly, I lie in the single-sized bed provided to me with the bright yellow comforter. The blanket is the only happy thing about this room. Is this what it’s like for normal kids? Do their parents treat them like these people treat me?

****

As I snap out of it, wheezing with shock, I see Viktor crushing the drunk onto the bar top, whispering something in the man’s ear. The drunk man shakes his head rapidly, sending his shaggy hair in every direction.

“No, no pleeeease. I swear it, I swear never again. I won’t even look her way, man, I swear it!” he sputters, sounding surprisingly sober and Viktor says something in Russian, nodding at the man beside him in black. Viktor straightens up, adjusting the jacket of his suit and steps out of the way.

The guy next to Viktor bends swiftly and grasps the drunk harshly, forcing him from the bar stool and carts him off towards the back of the club. The drunk drags his feet, begging the guard to reconsider.

Viktor brushes off his suit jacket, annoyed, and shrugs so the sleeves drop back in place. As he comes around the bar, he has completely returned to his ever professional façade. He’s always so well put together, so handsome and stern. The word
dashing
suits him perfectly as if he could step straight into a movie and fit right in. He’d easily take on the lead role.