I knew it was going to be punishing seeing Isla touching another man, and not me. But, this is excruciating agony. And pure torture. An intense pain is ripping me apart from within, yet my feet remain firmly planted on the plush carpet.
My hands want to grab Dimitri by his thick neck and squash it until there isn’t an ounce of breath left in him. Or use his face as a punching bag, until it’s unrecognizable and lifeless. I want to yank every last part of his being from this world, ridding it from his disease and destruction.
My shoulders firmly squared and rigid, I glare at Isla and Dimitri and their public display. His wet lips all over her delicate skin. Demanding eyes seeking her beautiful gaze and the way he grips her waist, bending into her neck has my blood bubbling.
Seth stands in front of me, with his back to them as they approach us after their announcement. Words fall from his mouth, but I have no idea what he is saying. Kameron stands by his side, interacting together like a silent movie. I can only focus on one thing.
Isla…
Moving his arm out, Seth touches my arm, breaking my concentration for less than a second, but it’s enough to bring me to reality.
“You need to stay cool, man. For Isla’s sake.” Speaking in a low voice, I can understand why. Isla’s mother and brother, I presume, are just to the left of us, chatting to Jules and another couple. My stance and firm stare is one Seth would know.
I am a killer.
And I would kill for this woman.
Trying to relax my position, I shift my legs and cast a look around the room at how many people are here. My senses are in overload. I can hear nothing, but everything is so loud around me. My skin is burning with anger but prickling in anticipation. I can smell Isla’s rose and vanilla scent. Darting to behind Seth, my eyes capture brilliant violet ones filled with concern.
“What drink do you want, Seth? Kameron?” Dimitri’s voice booms as he stands beside my cousin. “Isla. A cocktail for you?”
Seth acknowledges Dimitri, leaving Isla to get her head in the game before Dimitri notices too much. “I’ll have a rum and cola. And a cider for Kameron.”
“Isla?”
“Oh, umm. A red durif if they have it please.” Her head faces his, explaining what she wants to drink. All while I stand there as if I am invisible.
Dimitri looks directly to me, then his authoritative voice lands on my ears. “Sir, can you get us a cider, rum and cola, a durif, and I’ll take a double scotch on the rocks.” Dismissing me, he returns to facing Isla and the middle-aged woman and young man.
The motherfucker…
He wants me to get his drinks.
The veins on my neck must pop out because my body is about to explode. The muted music playing has no calming effect over me. Gritting my teeth, furling my hands, barely holding it together, I minutely raise my eyebrows and glimpse at Isla.
The strain on Isla’s face is evident. She’s torn. The way her eyes look at me, you can’t deny the hunger and desire between us. Dimitri is a fool to think she will ever love being with a man like him, who has taken everything away from her. Casting her eyes down, I need to help her. I wish I could lighten the shadows that fall across her face. Without a second thought, my hand involuntarily reaches forward to brush across her cheek.
Fuck… I can’t do that here. Looking behind her, I quickly click my fingers to get the attention of the wait staff behind her. The waiter looks and starts to walk toward us.
The tension swirling between our small group is tangible. Seth is smirking but wiping his arm thanks to Kameron who spluttered her drink all over his arm when Dimitri gave me his drink order. Jules is staring back and forth between us men, plotting inside her head who is going to win this contest. And of course, it will be me… It may not be tonight, but I will have Isla by my side forever when I do.
“Dimitri Sokolov?” I ask, loud enough to be heard. Stepping forward, I wait for his attention. Without any hurry, he turns to face me. I proceed with my professional commanding tone, “Alex Raven. Owner of this Casino and Resort.” Reaching my right arm out again, this time to shake his hand, Dimitri grasps it firmly. I wouldn’t expect anything different. Spearing him with my intense glare, an acknowledging leer forms on his face.
“Mr. Raven, so nice of you to join us, but I don’t believe your name was on the invitation list.” Letting go of his hand, I place them in my pockets before I slam this asshole to the floor. Seth steps in closer to me. Isla is still searching the floor for answers as to what to do.
“Being the owner gives me certain privileges, as you can well appreciate in your line of work. Just thought I’d meet you in person before I left for the night.”
His arm swings Isla in closer to his body. “Well, I bid you a goodnight, Mr. Raven. I imagine you will be heading out on this Saturday evening with the lovely lady plastered with you all over the media sites. You both look so happy.” Fuck, I forgot about the photos captured of Dede groping me the other night when Kam flattened her. Shifting my head away from his vile grin, I speak to Isla.
“No, quite the opposite. That woman was given a well-deserved lesson from Kameron over there the other night.” Shaking my head, remembering the legs and flailing arms almost makes me laugh. “An old flame trying to rekindle the dead. Miss Winters, I still need you to organize a schedule for the interior of my new Las Vegas resort and fulfill your promises you made when we were there last month. I look forward to hearing from you.”
A lovely flush creeps across her cheeks, her hand reaches to the Tiffany necklace I gave her before she revealed all of her secrets to me and I abandoned her. My Sweetness’ gentle voice starts, “Umm… Oh… Mr. Raven…”
“Isla isn’t working anymore.” A loud boom interrupts. “Between the wedding and the honeymoon, she will be quite busy. So, you will need to source another person for the job. I trust you know the way out.” Holding onto Isla around the waist, he pulls her slender frame toward him, catching her off guard. Isla’s beautiful face falls millimeters from his sinister face. Without hesitation, he lunges for her lips, passionately kissing her in front of me.
Motherfucking bastard…
Seething with fury, blood gushes through my body. I want to strike him. Flatten him like a steam roller until there’s nothing left of his loathsome body. My pulse thumps through my ears. I’m a nuclear bomb ready to detonate. Leaving devastation in my way.
Fuck…
Alex’s body steps slightly in front of mine. Shielding me, making me pause so I don’t irrationally make a huge mistake, for our family and, most of all, Isla.
Releasing Isla’s tender mouth, Sokolov eyeballs me directly, shifting Isla under his arm and control. Turning away, Sokolov dismisses us all, taking her with him over to chat to someone near another bunch of businessmen. I need her to fight for us. And to continue believing in our fierce connection.
Moving my shoulder and feet toward Seth, “Fuck, I can’t take any more of this.” My words are loud enough for him to understand the severity of them.
“You have to wait, man. Not too much longer.” Seth tries to calm me with his voice and words.
Nodding, so I don’t detonate, “Kameron, as always a pleasure. Give my regards to Jules.” Holding my hand out to shake my cousin’s hand, “I’ll be in touch. Keep an eye on her for me.”
“Will do, man.” With a final shake, I turn to exit this circus.
Full of anger, hatred, and remorse for sending Isla away from me in Las Vegas, I escape the torture chamber. A stab to the stomach would be less agonizing than having my heart gripped and twisted by Sokolov. The coolness of the hallway area hits me. Rage within eases to a level that isn’t nuclear.
Fast but quiet clicking heels on the tiled floor gains my attention.
“Mr. Raven?” The middle-aged woman from inside who I marked as Isla’s mother is rapidly breathing. Her brown hair fastened behind her head in some type of clip is coming out around her face. The floral dress is hitched in her hands allowing her to go at a fast pace.
“Yes… And you are?”
“Quickly, please… c-c-come with me around t-t-the corner. I must talk to you.” Her hazel eyes are twitching, rapidly watching all directions around us. Her neck, so similar to Isla’s, swivels from left and right, searching the room, but at the moment we are completely alone. Clutching my hand, she keeps her eyes peeled and leads me around the corner out of the eye shot of anyone.
Her ragged breathing is settling a little. “You need to know some things about Isla and Dimitri, so you can get her free from that evil man.”
My interest piqued, I hold her hand in mine.
“Mrs. Winters? Is it?” Her head nods. What could this woman have to tell me about Dimitri and Isla that I don’t already know? Understanding that this woman knew what her disgusting husband did to her precious daughter, handing her over to this monster, I have a hard time believing she has anything I want to hear. But, any information may just be the thing that helps us destroy Dimitri.
“I’m listening.”
Why the hell would Alex turn up? Crap… Why wouldn’t he?
I’d be stupid and naive to think that my alpha male, undercover angel wouldn’t.
Standing with Dimitri by my side, my body attune to Alex’s commanding presence, I knew this wasn’t going to be good. My body can’t lie when it comes to Alex. It has a mind of its own, reacting purely by itself.
Glimpsing his powerful body and severe face, chatting with Seth, Dimitri’s body stiffened holding his arm around my waist. His eyes trained on him like a hunter preparing to take out his kill. I wanted to run for the exit, without looking back to see who remained standing. But the slight softness that cast across Alex’s face, I knew he wouldn’t put me through anything here. The consequences are too dire. How the hell he restrained himself when Dimitri asked him to retrieve his drinks like some slave, I will never know. In my head, I felt tough, envisaging kneeing him in the balls. No one gets away talking to my man like that… Alex or I will have our revenge, soon I hope…
Standing, listening to this businessman kiss Dimitri’s ass, my eyes secretly watch Alex steam train his way out of the palatial room. Going through what he said about Kameron and this chick that was on my computer screen this morning, I really needed to find out what the hell that was all about. At least I know now that he wasn’t out trying to pick up ladies, forgetting about me. My chest deflates. Tears threaten to enter my sockets. Quickly, my fingers glide over my face to suppress any notion of sadness.
“Come over to the bar. I can show you there.” The man in his pinstripe suit must be a friend of Dimitri’s, because Dimitri’s normal scowl is lightened. He looks at me.
“If you don’t mind, can I go back and talk to Jules and Ben?” My eyes plead with his to let me go for a few minutes. “I haven’t had much of a chance to catch up.”
Looking around the room, he surveys it with strategic precision. “Alright, my dear.” Leaning in to my ear, giving me a lover’s kiss for show, he whispers, “But Petya is over there and this room is full of security in case anything should happen.” Pulling back, he kisses my cheek. “I will collect you in a few minutes.” Releasing me, I smile and turn to find my friends without a second look at him.
The intense stare coming through the crowd aimed at me from Petya is unnerving. Others glance my way but revert to their conversations after I pass by them. Walking through this crowd of polished men, sexy and beautiful women has my mind wondering which ladies have seduced Dimitri. What enemies in here would kill me without a second thought to bring Dimitri down? Shivers run down my spine with the sheer thought. Seeing Kameron’s stunning red-striped hair eases my rising panic. Trying to blend with these glamorous people, I weave through them until I approach Kameron.
“Fuck, Isla. How the hell did you get away from that man?” Handing me a glass filled with a cola drink, hopefully with some stiff alcohol in it, I take a huge mouthful and hand it back. Closing my eyes, I steady my breath, liking the heat burning down my throat from her bourbon. Jules strolls over and drapes her arm over my shoulder.
“He’s talking business. I don’t want to talk about him.” Putting my hands on my hips, I grin, “Tell me about the lesson you taught that woman, who had her hands over my property?”
Seth’s eyes light up like a sparkler, smiling to show off his handsome, sexy smile. Damn, he’s nearly as good looking as Alex…
Jules nudges Kam’s ribs. “Our friend here, kicked some ass.” Raising my eyebrows, I want more details.
Seth and Kameron retell their story of the nightclub’s events. My insides are hurting from laughing at the blow by blow recount Kameron gives me, while Seth adds in his excitement at his woman starting an all-out cat fight with Alex’s ex. I should feel sorry for her skanky ass, seeing firsthand on other occasions what world of pain Kam can unleash on unsuspecting victims. But she had it coming the second she touched my man.
Laughing and catching up with my friends, I spot Ben chatting to some females in the corner near the musicians. His sexy charm winning them over no doubt. It makes everything I have endured for the past six years worth it. Seeing his carefree nature, his smile and vitality for life. Deciding early on not to tell my brother what was going on with Dimitri and with my mother in denial, at least they are free to enjoy their lives. It’s an easy choice to make when I see him so oblivious to the constant evil surrounding our family.
A waiter stops beside me, handing me a cocktail glass with what looks like my favorite drink-a raspberry cosmos.
“From the owner, miss.” Smiling, he leaves before I can even say thank you. Hell, Alex is too good to me. Thinking of my needs first always, even in the smallest of ways. “Looks like I finally get a drink I can drown my sorrows in.” Swishing a mouthful around my mouth, the sweet taste of raspberries is delicious. The flavor and a wish to make this night as bearable as possible, makes me drink the entire glass in a minute.
Seth rolls his eyes, taking his phone out of his pocket to answer, while Jules, Kameron, and I make small talk. Without touching on any controversial topics tonight. Not with people around who are loyal to my fiancé, or here to repeat any information they can get to bring Dimitri down, reporting any sliver of information to use against me or him. My smile wide and real, laughing and joking with the people who truly love me.
“Fuck.” Our eyes turn on Seth. He’s examining the crowd or the room, placing his phone in his pocket. Seth grabs Kameron’s arm, before eyeballing me with deadly serious dark brown eyes. “Isla, hold on to Kameron.” My chest rises abruptly. What the fuck is going on?
Darkness surrounds us in that second. An alarm penetrates my ears. It’s splitting my head in two it’s so loud. Screams and voices blend into the background. Holding onto Kameron for dear life. I can’t see Jules anymore or Kameron and Seth.
“Isla, don’t let Kameron go.” I hear Seth’s no nonsense gruff voice. “We’re headed to the kitchen, stay close and stay down to the ground as much as you can.”
Gripping harder than what I should, a distinct voice bellows throughout the room. Dimitri is trying to locate me. I should get to him so no one kills me. His guys can protect me. Is this what this is about? A person wanting to get revenge on Dimitri? Or is it just a fire alarm?
“I should go to Dimitri.” My breath is ragged as I bend down, still trying to follow Seth, without bumping into others.
“Don’t fucking let go, Isla.” His tone makes me forget what I just said. I’ll find him afterward. Where the hell is my bodyguard? So much for his great protective detail.
My legs are cramping. Kameron pulls me to keep close to her leather-clad body. I wish I had worn flats tonight. But I can’t be thinking of this nonsense now… My head is starting to go hazy and my sight, what I can see in the darkness, is blurry. Gun shots then tear through my befuddled thoughts. More screams erupt.
“Fuck, man.” Seth quietly speaks before an arm catches me from under my legs, lifting my weight into their chest. My brain is telling me to kick and scream, but it’s impossible. They feel like dead weights. My brain can’t make them move and my voice is nothing.
Blackness envelops me entirely…