The stabbing pain intensifies in my palm. My manicured nails are digging deep into my skin. Anxiety courses throughout my body sitting in the back of the limousine with the ruggedly handsome yet deadly man sitting next to my stiff body. I don’t even bother trying to make small talk, my mind is a frazzled mess.
What if I see Alex?
Will one of Dimitri’s enemies try and shoot me tonight?
Will Dimitri let me be by myself at all?
Why was that woman all over Alex?
“Isla.” Hearing my name, sounding like a whisper, my thoughts disappear. My teeth clench tightly together, my eyes refocus on the window I have been staring out of for the past thirty minutes. “Isla, we are here. Let’s make the most of our special night tonight.” Grabbing my chin so I have no choice but to look at his commanding eyes, I try to smile. “In two months you will be my wife. Don’t do anything stupid tonight.” His fingers tighten on my chin. “Someone will be watching you at all times. Security will be tight.” If his penetrating glare didn’t make me take heed, his potent voice sure made his words clear. “I don’t want to have to remind you who you belong to. Be a good girl and everything will work out how it’s supposed to.”
Tensing my hand that bit tighter, I affirm his statement, “I understand.”
“Good girl.” A sigh quietly leaves this cold-hearted man’s mouth. Is he possibly relieved that I am going along with his demands? “Petya, we are ready.” Warmth surrounds my hand in the time it takes to open the black leather-clad door. Dimitri steps out clasping my hand, pulling me along with him.
My chest doesn’t inflate. Holding my breath, bright bursts of lights flash before my face. There’s loud voices penetrating the dark night around us. Petya and Maksim spread their arms so no one touches me but the arm snaked around my back, sliding over the bare skin of my back. Hating to admit it to myself, but I am grateful for the protective measures Dimitri has in place. Realizing that I am holding my breath, I exhale and look at the sturdy man beside me.
The public ‘do-gooder’. A man who gives so generously to causes that he helps manifest. A property tycoon, the master of his own universe. The man who has used me for the past six years to entertain his clients. The business man whom my father owed money to. The devil who took me for his payment.
My face plastered with a smile, I hope I’m convincing the paparazzi.
Dimitri’s strong face bends in toward my ear whispering, “Smile, my dear Isla. This is now your life. This is where you belong.” He places a kiss on my cheek, lingering there so everyone can grab a shot of him kissing his new fiancée.
Heart thumping under my skin-tight dress, it’s not from desire but anxiety. I was only outside this foyer with Alex just over a month ago. A happier occasion. Protected by his strength, presence, and love.
Crap, I hope he’s not here tonight. In his own resort… I’ve got to be kidding myself thinking he won’t be here watching me somewhere. How do I keep my hands and body free from Dimitri’s touch? It won’t happen…
“Isla, we have to move in.” Arm still tight around my waist, I’m pulled in tighter, making my feet move. Thoughts of Alex go to the back of my mind for the moment. Trying to navigate the way inside the foyer through the two bodyguards and people leaning in snapping photos disorientates me. I’m not good in high heels at the best of times.
Letting Dimitri lead the way, he still holds me close to his side. The hotel manager comes over, speaking to the Russian crime lord beside me, oblivious of his disregard for human lives. Not caring for hearing the sucking up he will be doing to Dimitri, I am powerless to move but I slowly rotate my head around the opulent foyer with its marble and travertine tiles, extravagant chandeliers, and exquisite pieces of antique furniture scattered tastefully around.
Looking up at the ceilings, eyeing the cameras, I know his eyes are on me. Bringing my spare hand up to my neck, I slowly take out the silver Tiffany Pendant Alex gave me so it’s not hidden anymore. My serious stare gazes into the cameras I can see from where I am standing. I hope he knows he will always be a part of me. That I will always be his, alone.
“Fuck, Isla.” A stern, but hushed voice interrupts my thoughts, again…
“Why the hell do you keep spacing out?” Noticing that we are alone now, with only Petya and Maksim near us, Dimitri berates me, taking his arm out finally from behind my back.
“I’m overwhelmed, that’s all.” My hands clasp together in front of my body. I haven’t even got a handbag to fiddle with tonight.
Strong muscular hands clasp me around the back, trapping me against his athletic body. Anyone looking would think we are a couple in love, ready to announce it to anyone who will listen. But the pressure holding me in my place is bordering on extreme pain. The menace in his eyes tells me he’s not joking around.
“Don’t fuck this up, Isla. Remember how I treat people who betray me and how family can get hurt so easily. We wouldn’t want anyone you know to have an unfortunate accident.”
My hand reaches up to his cheek, touching it lightly. “Dimitri, I understand. I really am just so overwhelmed, but after we get in there, I’ll be fine. This is going to be a wonderful night to share with my family and with you.” I stare into his brown pits, his body relaxes marginally around mine.
I have to perform.
I must have Dimitri onside.
He must believe I am going to be married to him in two months’ time.
My hand finds his ass, squeezing it to relieve the tension between us. A slight smirk releases from his mouth.
“Christ, Isla. Hear these words. I will have you completely very, very soon. My dick is rock hard for you in that scorching dress you chose for tonight. Every man will want what is mine after seeing you.” Standing together, still embracing, with eyes at this point only on each other, the meaning behind these words ring through my ears clearly.
Alex…must…stay…away…
“They’re ready for you, Mr Sokolov.” A pleasant voice reaches my ears.
The nightmare is about to become very, very real…
She’s so fucking stunning.
My breath actually catches when I see her standing in my foyer, wrapped against the one man who is proving to be ridiculously hard to penetrate. As good as my family is, they are looking at every angle of this guy and can’t seem to pinpoint where his weaknesses lie . A bullet to the head would be a great solution but bringing heat upon us isn’t a smart idea. However, if it takes much longer, I will be delivering it to him personally. Blazing heat or inferno heat… It doesn’t matter as long as the fucker is gone.
The curve of her hips, the way the sleek black material sways when she walks, her hair bouncing slightly against the bare skin of her smooth back drives my dick hard, messing completely with my mind. And when I see her dainty hand swipe across the necklace I bought her in Las Vegas, I all but lose my sanity. I should be at her side. Walking with her, holding her, and announcing to the world what we mean to each other.
Knock… Knock…
What the hell?
At this hour, on a Saturday evening, none of my employees would know I’m here in my office, watching the other half of my soul parade around with another man. Only a few employees, my named close friends, and my family are allowed in this office space.
Watching Dimitri close his arms around Isla, I peel my eyes away from the screen in front of me. It’s as though I have to torture myself because I can’t fix this problem. I need to be able to protect her and I fucking can’t.
Striding to the door, I open it brusquely.
“Stefano…? Uncle… What do I owe the pleasure?” My voice conveys my anger, not the respect I should be displaying for The Boss. Opening the door wider, my uncle and Benito purposefully walk into my modern spacious office before placing themselves on the soft, rectangular black sofa I have in the corner for no purpose but to fill the void in the room. Their harsh eyes meet mine.
My shoulders are rock solid and stiff from anger and tension. I yank the office chair from near my table to sit opposite them, taking a large breath. Seconds pass without a word.
“What can I help you with, Uncle?” I try and state calmly. Much calmer than the cyclone brewing inside of me. “Do you have a plan? Is that why you’re here?”
Benito pulls out a cigarette and lights it up without taking his eyes from mine. My uncle crosses his legs. A slow and steady deliberate action. My upper body leans forward, arms crossed.
“Alex… We have come up with a plan. After much deliberation, Kolton, your IT specialist, and some of our men have found a powerful associate of Sokolov’s who we can gently coerce into thinking Sokolov is trying to take over his profitable drug run, causing a war within the parties.” My uncle uncrosses his legs, folding his arms across his chest. Taking this in, I lean back in the chair and wait for him to continue. “We will generate and spread speculation and rumors to fuel both sides, assisting our new allies to rid this world of Sokolov when needed.”
Moving my legs, I get up and pace to my desk and back. “This will take too long. I’ve got two months before Isla becomes his wife and I won’t let it happen.” Gripping the back of my neck, I tighten my fingers, digging them into my flesh, trying to remain in control. My legs firmly set on the carpet in a wide stance.
Without a twitch of a muscle, uncle stabs me with his eyes, “If he isn’t gone within that time frame, we will personally take him out. He will no longer be here when two months is up. You have my word.”
Benito pulls his lit cigarette from his mouth. “We have to be smart about this and draw no attention to us. We never have, nor will we ever, lose control of our family and what we stand for. This can be no different, Alex. Years upon years of established rules and routines have got us this far, they won’t let us down now and we won’t risk our family name for anyone.”
Unsure how to take this, I move back to my table and stand behind it. Rage builds within me. I want to lash out at everything and everyone. I know where I stand, and if I have to go against everything my family stands for, then I will.
Isla is mine… This is not up for negotiation.
I am to be head of the family soon and Isla will be beside me.
Both men stand. Cautiously watching me.
“It will work, Alex. Let our men handle it,” uncle says sternly. “And don’t you go anywhere near them tonight. We can’t have this mission compromised,” before he turns and leaves me watching his and Benito’s back leaving through my door, closing it swiftly behind them.
Stretching my arms forward, leaning on my wooden desk, I stretch my neck and close my eyes to release some of the tension. Slowly, I move my left ear toward my left shoulder and do the same on the right side, stretching it. The pumping of blood slows through my neck. My breathing steadies. At least they have finally made a decision as to how to proceed. Now all they need to do is execute it with precision.
Opening my eyes, I move my finger to the computer to display the scenes from the Ballroom where Isla and Dimitri are…together. I’m back to tormenting myself.
The camera brings up images of a suit-clad Seth and strong-bodied Kameron talking with Jules and another man. At least Seth is there to protect her. I know there is our security on Isla but getting in to this function would have been impossible with Sokolov no doubt using his own security.
So many men and finely dressed women move past the lens, capturing many smiling, happy faces. I keep flicking the button until I find her. My eyes roam up from her toes dressed in strappy black heels, glancing at her defined calf muscles, and over to her sexy hips. Seeing the naked skin on her back stirs me to zoom in on her. My eyes move up to her neck, which has been exposed as her long black locks had been placed over the left shoulder, showcasing this delicacy. My view catches a head zeroing in on her neck.
Fucker…
Fury bombards me. My arm swipes everything in its reach from my table, crashing it to the floor. My heart thumps… I won’t allow this for one more minute. Blood thrashes in my head. My major organ surges erratically. I can’t hold back anymore.
Grabbing my coat from the back of my chair, I move with haste to the door, crunching my feet over the broken glass and paperwork.
Time for my arrival…