I’m alive so he can die.
***Ruby***
“Oh, come on, Ruby. It’s going to be fine.” Tarzan’s voice filters through the bathroom door.
I’m not ready to come out yet. Glancing at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror, I barely manage to keep the nervous yelp inside my mouth. Yegor and I spent the last few days inside his bedroom. We didn’t even leave for food. We just had it delivered to the door. We had ourselves a full blown sex-a-thon, only stopping for eating, sleeping and bathroom breaks. And yes, even bathroom breaks sometimes slipped into shower sex.
After spending the last few days naked, it feels strange to be wearing a dress. Specifically, an evening dress that’s pitch black. Elegant silk strands flow from my waist down to my ankles. A split slices up my leg to the very top of my thigh.
The dress is so beautiful, I’m afraid to go downstairs. The sheer nude-toned high neck and long sleeves seem to disappear so all I see when I look in the mirror is the black flower detail wrapping around my arms, breasts and belly.
Not to mention, I’m wearing heels that look like jewelry. For real, they are beautiful. Like carved silver flowers molded into stilettos, with straps that wrap around my feet.
“Yegor is waiting for you downstairs. I’m right there with you. Hell…our whole gang is there. Open the door, Ruby.” Tarzan keeps up her persistent knocking along with a firm voice.
I know I have to do this, so after one more deep breath, I flip the lock. Tarzan opens it immediately.
Strolling inside, her gaze connects with mine in the mirror, and her words tumble right out. “Wow, you look amazing.”
Behind her, Karma, Peacock’s wife, steps inside and her eyes widen. Even though I just met her, she has no problem telling me what she thinks. “Damn, you look hot.”
“You girls,” I groan. “This isn’t helping. I mean, look at it. I’m afraid to take one freaking step. I bet this whole thing cost more that I made last year. And that’s including tips during the summer when I worked as a waitress. Hell, I bet it’s more than…”
“Okay, stop right there, missy.” Tarzan points a finger at me. “You have to toss those thoughts in the garbage, because you’re no longer in that life. Yegor is loaded, and therefore you’re loaded. Man up, woman up, whatever you wanna call it, and get over yourself. Now, are there any other insecurities I need to destroy? Anything?” She raises her eyebrow in question and all I can do is smile.
“Nope. I think I’m good.” I reply.
“Ah. Look at that. We kick ass in these dresses. And…we all know how to kick ass, in these dresses. Do you think our hubbies would mind if we ditch the party and head to the gym downstairs? I mean, there’s a reason they have a split like this in a designer dress, right? Raising legs to head level is a necessity, you know.” Karma smooths down her dress while she checks herself out in the mirror.
Karma is decked out a dark blue strapless A-line dress with peacock feathers embroidered across the torso. It fits her body perfectly. Tarzan is dressed in a bright cobalt blue halter dress with lace around her waist that shows some skin in peekaboo fashion. They both are wearing strappy sandals similar to mine.
“Killer heels, Karma. Remember, we just bought them, I don’t want them ruined any time soon.” Tarzan rolls her eyes and leans in. “Karma here likes to kill targets by jamming her heel into an artery. She’s quite the hitman, you know.”
“Retired, Tarzan…I’m retired. I only do that shit for pleasure now. But Peacock told me to behave, so that’s why I said gym. Kick some rubber guy’s ass, and it keeps everything squeaky clean.” Karma’s bright smile could light up the room.
I’m still nervous, but with these two girls having my back, I feel a little more settled. I know Yegor told me that most of the guests at tonight’s party will be people from our own gang. Dammit…own gang. Months ago, I would have face palmed myself at the thought of becoming the wife of a mob guy and part of a mafia gang.
Yet all of it feels like I’m part of a family. I’m not alone anymore, and all of them look after one another. Ford and Tarzan both had their own gang and merged them into one huge gang. When you add Peacock’s organization…yeah…lots of people. For an outsider, it might seem that it’s a huge party. Yet every single one of them is on our side in this war. Well, except for Ricca and Paco. They were invited, along with a plus one and obviously, their right-hand man. But clearly, they are seriously outnumbered.
Centering myself with this knowledge…I realize I need to get over myself and get downstairs. Confront Paco on my own turf. Look him in the eye and shoot a fuck you through it. Show him I’m a warrior and he chose the wrong woman to fuck with.
“I’m ready.” I announce firmly and full of determination.
“You are.” Both girls agree.
We all stroll out the bathroom and head down the hall to the stairs.
“Let’s do this, ladies. Remember to smile, Ruby. Always smile.” Tarzan tells me.
Karma nods. “Yes, even when you stab a guy or hit his balls. A smile is crucial. We are after all ladies, right?”
I release a very unladylike snort.
“See,” Karma says. Her smile is radiant. “Just like that.”
The grin that’s spreading across my face resembles theirs. “Thanks. You girls don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Aw, honey. We do. Believe me, we do.” Tarzan strokes my back. “Now just slide your eyes over to the bottom left. That’s your man right there, waiting for you.”
Glancing over, I see Yegor standing with a firm grip on the banister. His knuckles are white and his face looks fierce and yet pained.
“He doesn’t look all too happy to see me.” I mumble, more to myself than to the girls standing beside me.
“Aw, honey…” Tarzan croons again. “Don’t you see he can’t believe his eyes? You’re too gorgeous, too damn hot. I bet he wants to drag you off to that room he’s kept you in for days and fuck you some more. Just as long as he doesn’t need to share you walking around, looking all sexy, while other dudes gawk their eyes out.”
“Damn.” I mutter.
“Ah. Yes, damn. Look behind him. I believe he’s not the only one with a look like that painted on his face.” Karma chuckles.
Somehow that makes me feel good. I am damn lucky to have such support from all of them. We make our way down the stairs. Yegor takes my hand, as do each of the other men, grabbing hold of their own woman.
“Let’s mingle.” Ford mutters and we all follow him to the ballroom.
Huge doors are propped wide open and when we step inside, my breath catches when I catch sight of the beauty before me. Like the rest of the mansion, the room has been completely restored, right down to the amazing carved details in the twenty-foot ceiling.
It’s straight out of a fairytale castle ballroom. Chrystal chandeliers, a marble dance floor…even the pillars that are scattered around the ballroom have carved details. People are sitting at the tables that are placed near the walls, leaving the center of the room open to dance or to just gather around in groups.
“Wow.” I whisper.
Yegor squeezes my fingers softly. “That was the word that went through my head when I first laid eyes on you.”
My gaze slants in his direction. “Just now, or the very first time you saw me?” I can’t help but smile when I tease him.
“Both times, love,” he tells me with complete honesty. “And those two times came with fury after that. Ready to pounce on anyone who dared to come near you or glanced at you.”
This time I’m the one squeezing his fingers. “I’m yours, Yegor. Not one single person walking this earth holds a fraction of the love I feel for you. No worries about that, we’re here to do a job and then…a few hours from now...we’re going right back to our room. Right?”
“Another fuck marathon, you got it, Ruby. Damn. My dick is not liking my slacks right now. The teeth of my zipper is a killer for the hard-on I’m sporting. We need to stop talking about that shit for now. That and you need to dance with me to hide the boner.” He grumbles, making me laugh and relax at the same time.
When the third song begins, Yegor guides me off the dance floor to a table in the left corner. Tarzan and Ford are sitting there, along with Afon and Borya. Next to Borya is Tori. She’s wearing a stunning dark blue, or maybe close to purple evening dress with a plunging neckline. Her hair is tied up in a bun at the crook of her neck. There are pearls placed here and there in her dark hair. She looks amazing.
What’s even more amazing? Borya is holding her hand that’s placed on her thigh. Tori’s body is slightly leaning toward his, and there’s a smile on her face that’s telling. It’s clear that Borya stopped pushing Tori away and finally made his claim. Those two have been dancing around each other for weeks now. I think everybody knew they belonged together, but they just weren’t ready. Until now.
“Finally. You took your time, Yegor.” Ford’s eyes slide from Yegor’s to somewhere behind us. “They’re both here. There’s something going on between them, because they’re sitting on opposite sides of the room. They haven’t acknowledged each other, and yet they obviously know the other person is there. It’s weird.”
“No one thinks Ricca sounds girly? Because I sure as fuck think so.” Afon grumbles before he takes a sip of water.
A snort drops in from behind us. Turning my head, I see Peacock standing within arm’s reach. He’s holding Karma possessively close to him, with an arm wrapped around her waist.
“I dare you to say that shit to his face. What would happen next would be very entertaining, I can tell you that.” Peacock smooths a hand down his tie after he straightens the knot.
Afon’s eyes slide to the corner, where Ricca is sitting with another man. “Maybe I will, but not until the party’s almost over. That way he can keep his pretty face clean.”
“Afon.” Tarzan warns. “No one is going to kick anyone’s ass.” The corner of her mouth tips up. “Not unless I say so, anyways.”
“Okay folks, get ready to have some mighty high times.” Ford holds out his hand to Tarzan, who laces her fingers with his. “Here comes Paco.”
My whole body freezes. Yegor’s hand slides from my lower back to my hip and presses me close against him.
Leaning close, he whispers, “Remember, gorgeous. Just four bad guys and over a hundred of our guys in this room. Outnumbered is an understatement.”
I appreciate the reminder that I’m not helpless. I can look Paco in the eye and shoot him down, and nothing would happen to me. Seriously. Well, maybe it would be a little hiccup if they needed to wipe out the guy who came with him. Or the floozy on his arm that he’s dragging over to meet us.
I don’t mean that as degrading or anything, but for real. All of the women attending this party are dressed to the nines. Full-length evening gowns, flawless hair and makeup. And gorgeous shoes. Classy. This one is wearing a fire-engine red, rhinestone halter dress that is so tight it’s a wonder she’s still breathing. Well, maybe it’s because it’s barely covering her pussy so the air flows in from the bottom, rather than the top. And judging by the size of her boobs, they might come equipped with oxygen tanks.
Ugh. I shake my head to rid the nasty thoughts. I’m a friendly person. I don’t usually carry hate or judge people by their appearances. People might look shallow, but you should never judge the reasons for their actions. To each their own.
For now, I’m taking in the son of a bitch who threw hell at me. His thick black hair is combed back, slick and shiny. A light beard covers his tight jaw. He’s wearing a dark blue suit and a white button down shirt that seems to be ripped open, showing off a lot of chest hair. Okay, that’s so not sexy. I know many others can pull off that look, but on him? No way. He has something red tucked into his jacket pocket where a handkerchief goes. But seriously, maybe it’s his chick’s panties. Ew.
“Ford.” Paco extends his hand for Ford to shake. “Thank you for the invitation. I foresee a solid connection for our gangs to work together. I appreciate you taking the first step. It’s one I won’t forget, and with that you have my respect and friendship.”
I need to puke. And put a bullet in his head. I don’t care in which order. Both are necessary, although I really hate puking.
“Ah, the choices we have to make that are a necessity for the path of the future.” Ford says to Paco.
Ford doesn’t accept the hand that Paco is still holding out, but instead waves at Yegor. “You’ve met my right hand, Yegor Volsky. His wife, Jude.”
Paco spins around and it’s as if he’s seeing us for the first time tonight. His shoulders rear back and he seems to grow a few inches. Disgust and hatred fill his eyes when his gaze lands on Yegor.
“Ah, the son of a mere foot soldier, or so it’s been said. You cleaned up nicely working underneath a boss, mio fratello.”
My brother. Yuck. The way he says that word, he might as well add some vomit on the side.
The chick in the tight scrap of a dress wiggles around like she needs to pee. When she speaks, her voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard. “Daddy, you promised we’d dance.”
Daddy? For reals? Daddy? Oh, double yuck.
Paco taps the hand she set on his chest before his eyes slide to me. I can tell right away that he recognizes me. The feral smile on his face makes me swallow. I can’t let fear overtake me. I’m safe here. I’m alive so he can die after I’ve kicked him down memory lane. And that’s exactly where he’s going. I might as well point him in the right direction.