“WE’RE TAKING CARE OF some shit tonight,” Yakov rumbles in my ear as I head toward the club.
Tonight, I collect tribute from the men. It’s going to be a long night. I hate to leave Quinn alone, but last night I took her out in hopes that it would make up for my absence this evening.
“Do I need to be on alert?” I ask as I drive through the city.
“I think you’re okay there. You get your shit handled?” he asks, referencing Parker, Wilson, and Johnson.
“I did. It was handled with great ease,” I grin.
“Good.”
“Keep me posted,” I rumble. He agrees before we end the call.
It’s started.
War.
It will be bloody, and New York will probably see the brunt of it, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t leak its way out west to me, or even to California and the men there. I only hope that it’s over quickly; that whatever happens is over before anymore women are hurt.
The organization has had enough heartache to last a lifetime, all at the hands of dead, traitorous, corrupt men and other groups. Enough is e-fucking-nough.
“Boss,” the man standing guard at the back door greets with a dip of his chin.
I jerk my own chin in his direction as I make my way inside. The club is closed down tonight, save for some staff to serve drinks—all Bratva membered staff, that is. Nobody who isn’t part of the organization is allowed to be in this building tonight.
Timofei and Mika are already waiting for me in my office as soon as I walk through the door. They don’t even see me, too busy staring at one another, looking as though they’re in a showdown.
“What’s going on?” I ask, breaking the silence.
“This piece of shit fucked my sister,” Timofei growls.
“Watch yourself,” Mika rumbles.
“Mika?” I ask as I sit down in my chair.
“Oksana had accepted my hand. As far as I knew, we were as good as engaged. She changed her fucking mind, or her father did for her, for whatever reason,” he explains.
“Why’d you fuck her at her own engagement party, then?” Timofei asks. My eyes widen as I cough out my surprise.
“How’d you find out about that?” Mika asks, narrowing his eyes.
“You don’t want to know,” he growls.
“No, I think I really do,” Mika says, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“I watched you go up the stairs, then Sana, with Emiliya and Quinn.” My eyes widen when he mentions Quinn’s name, and I sit up a little straighter.
“Doesn’t matter. She’s engaged. She’s getting married in just a month’s time. I won’t even see her until the wedding,” Mika says.
“You love my sister?” Timofei asks, arching a brow. “Or was this a way for you to gain some power through my father?”
“If anybody is trying to gain power, its Gavril. I’m a Brigadier. It’s higher than I ever thought I would be. I don’t need more power. If it’s offered, that’s great, but I don’t crave it like some people do,” he shrugs.
“I don’t like Gavril. He’s not right,” Timofei admits. “But I’m not going to do anything about it until I know how you feel.”
“Thought I was a piece of shit?” Mika asks, raising his brow.
“Oh, you are, but I want to know what your intentions are.”
The room is bathed in silence as both Timofei and I wait for Mika’s answer. I’m curious to know how he feels about Oksana as well. She’s a beautiful girl. She’s been raised in the life, so she knows her place as a woman, and she had an exceptional example in her mother. She knows how to behave as a wife of a Bratva man. But that doesn’t mean that Mika has anything other than feelings of lust over her, or perhaps anger that he was the chosen one. Yet, Pasha forced her hand and made her announce a different suitor as her fiancé.
“Sana knows how I feel for her,” Mika says.
“I’m sure she knows what you’ve told her, but I want to know exactly what you feel.”
“She was meant to be mine. From the moment I saw her, I knew.”
Mika doesn’t offer anything else, and his explanation must be enough for Timofei, because he nods once.
“Consider it taken care of,” Timofei murmurs.
“How is it taken care of?” Mika asks.
“Don’t ask questions that you don’t want to know the answers to,” Timofei says.
When I originally moved here from California, I didn’t know how it was going to go. Timfoei was some spoiled ass kid coming to me with a chip on his shoulder and using his daddy’s title to get him by. But he’s grown up out from under his father’s shadow, and out from hiding behind his father’s name; he’s really grown the fuck up.
“Well, now that that’s taken care of,” I chuckle. “Time to get to business. Go ahead and let them come in,” I say.
Mika jerks his head before he walks over to the door and opens it. One by one, the men come in with their cash. I count it, split it up, and hand the men back their portion.
My crews are growing, which means our profits are growing. Each tribute, we get more and more cash coming in.
Once the last man has come in with his tribute, I hand him his portion, shove the rest in my safe, and lock it up tightly. Then, with Timofei and Mika flanking my sides, we walk out to the club.
“Now, we drink,” I shout. All the men cheer.
I should go home to my wife, but I’ve missed more than one of these nights, and I need to stay with my men. They need to see their leader conversing amongst them.
Plus, I could really use a drink. This shit with the Cartel and selling girls, Johnson, Wilson, and Parker—it’s all taken a fucking toll on me. I’m glad that, for the most part, it’s all over. Hopefully soon, the Cartel will be just a distant memory as well.
“I brought in some entertainment for this evening,” Timofei announces.
I look at him in question when he presses some buttons on his phone and the lights go down as the music is turned up. It’s soft, sexy, and I wonder just what the fuck Timofei’s idea of entertainment is. I don’t have to wonder for long. A few minutes later, at least twenty women walk out from the back of the club.
They start to dance, some with each other, and some against the men. Slowly, piece by piece, they shed all of their clothes. I chuckle to myself. He’s hired strippers, and the men love it.
“Have some fun, boss,” one of the guys says, nudging me with his elbow before he calls a woman over to us.
I recognize her immediately. She’s not a stripper, she’s one of our whores, and she’s one I’ve fucked more than once. This is the woman who showed up at my door not too long ago and talked to Quinn. The lightheartedness I felt from just moments ago disappears and dread fills me.
“Ziven,” she purrs as she shimmies in front of me, bending her knees and widening her thighs, showing me her pussy.
“You need to go to someone else,” I suggest.
“Don’t you miss me?” she asks as she trails her fingers down to her pussy lips and spreads them.
I watch, not because she’s turning me on, but because she’s not at all. I appreciate that she has a great body, and I know that she’s a great fuck, but I don’t want her. I only have eyes for my wife, my Quinn, my katyonak.
I could fuck this blyad, this whore, and nobody could stop me. Quinn couldn’t even leave me over it, even if she found out. Nobody could say a fucking thing—but maybe just knowing I can, I have no desire to? Or maybe I really just do love my Quinn.
“Nyet, I don’t. Now get the fuck away from me before I have you removed,” I warn.
Her eyes widen and she stands but she doesn’t walk away. Instead, she leans in close to me, so close that I can feel her breath on my neck and her tits brush against my shirt.
“That little girl you have, does she give you everything you need? If she doesn’t, you know where to find me. I’ll always be ready for you, Ziven,” she whispers. She then stands and walks away from me, her hips swaying.
I suppose she was trying to be enticing, but the truth is, Quinn gives me everything. Every single thing I could want, Quinn does or would give me. There’s no reason for me to go elsewhere when I have her at home.
I decide that I need to get back there, home, to my wife. With a wave and a few handshakes, I make my way out the back door toward my car.
Today was a good day. At least, to me it was. I felt brave today. After spending all day yesterday with Ziven, the museum, lunch, then the club, I felt like I needed to continue on with my bravery.
So, once Ziven left for work this morning, I took my morning coffee and I walked outside onto the balcony. It was freezing cold, and covered in snow, but I walked to the edge and let the sunshine and my coffee warm me. I breathed in the Colorado fresh air and just looked around at the snowy covered grass and pond below.
Once I was finished, I came inside and got dressed for the day. My courage waned a little, so I didn’t go any further than the balcony, but in the afternoon, I went out there again and ate a snack in the sun. It may not seem like much, but to me, it was the bravest thing I’ve done in weeks.
Now in the dark, lying under the warm blankets and staring at the ceiling, wondering what time Ziven will be home, I’m trying to think of something to do tomorrow.
I reach for my phone and send a text to Kristy. Lunch. Maybe we can meet up for lunch? She replies almost instantly and agrees to meet up, giving me the name and the address of a restaurant.
I let out a shaky breath, wondering if that was a good idea, knowing that it was, but still feeling frightened all the same.
I want to be this strong, brave, Bratva wife for Ziven, I just don’t know if it’s possible for me anymore. I bite my bottom lip and wonder if I’ll forever be this scared little girl. And what will that mean for me and Ziven—for us?
I jump when I hear the front door open and close, my eyes wide and watching the bedroom doorway for someone to fill it. I let out a breath when the person filling the doorway is Ziven.
“You’re awake,” he announces as he walks into the bedroom.
I turn the lamp on at my side and sit up, my heart thumping in my chest as I lean back against the headboard.
“I am. I couldn’t really sleep,” I shrug.
“I can’t be home every night, katyonak. You’re going to have to be able to sleep without me,” he murmurs.
“I know, I just—I don’t know. I went outside today,” I say, changing the subject.
I watch as he unbuttons his shirt before he takes it off and tosses it to the ground. He stops and looks at me.
He’s standing there shirtless, wearing only his slacks, and looking amazingly perfect, with an expression that I can’t quite read on his face.
“It was just the balcony. I had coffee, and then later, a snack. I didn’t actually go anywhere,” I quickly ramble. I suck in a breath when he starts to stalk toward me.
I watch as he climbs into the bed. When he reaches me, I think he’s going to stop, but he doesn’t. I have to spread my legs open as he gets even closer. He wraps one hand around the side of my neck and the other around my rib, his thumb brushing the underside of my breast.
“You’re amazing,” he whispers.
“Ziven,” I say with trembling lips.
“You are, my good girl, my katyonak,” he rasps before he presses his lips gently to mine.
“It wasn’t anything, Ven,” I whisper against his lips, feeling awkward about the positive attention he’s giving me for just going out onto the balcony.
“You went outside, alone. That’s everything, Quinn. You’re facing your fears, and it’s amazing,” he murmurs.
“You make me a stronger person.”
“I don’t do anything but support the strength that’s already inside of you,” he says, squeezing the side of my neck and my ribs simultaneously.
“I’m going to lunch with Kristy, tomorrow,” I admit.
“Mika will drive you.”
“No, I want to do it alone,” I say, shaking my head.
His grip tightens on me again and his eyes darken before he speaks.
“For my peace of mind, Mika will drive you,” he orders in a way that I know he won’t relent.
I nod, which makes him tip his lips in a small smile.
“I didn’t think you’d be home so early,” I rasp.
“I missed my wife,” he mutters as his lips brush mine, once, then twice before they press fully against my mouth.
I sigh as I part my lips and he slides his tongue inside of my mouth. He kisses me with long, lazy strokes of his tongue, swirling around my mouth and enveloping me completely. I moan as I lift my hands and wrap them around his torso.
“I want to be inside you,” he sighs against my lips.
“I want that,” I agree.
My hands fall from his side as he rocks back on his knees. He’s watching and waiting for me. I shimmy out of my panties and let them fall to the side before I pull my short night gown off and let it join my panties in a pile on the floor.
Ziven unbuckles, unbuttons, and unzips his pants, pushing them down his hips and legs, along with his boxer briefs. I lick my lips at the sight of his naked body.
“Quinn,” he rasps as he wraps his hand around his cock and strokes himself.
“You promised it would feel good if you took my ass,” I whisper, staring at him.
His hand stops stroking his dick, his eyes grow wide, and his mouth gapes only slightly as he stares at me in surprise.
“Quinn…” he says hesitantly.
“I want to be completely free of him. Your touch has erased him from everywhere else. Please, Ziven, erase him from there,” I plead.
“I would never hurt you,” he murmurs.
“I know, that’s why I want you to take me. Take me, and make it feel so good, like only you can,” I state.
I start to roll onto my stomach, but Ziven’s hands come out and wrap around my arms, halting my movement.
“I won’t fuck you from behind, especially not the first time. I want you to see me, see that it’s me and nobody else.”
I nod once as he wraps his hands around my ankles and tugs me down so that I’m lying flat on my back.
I look up into his eyes, and he grins before he bends and places a gentle kiss on my lips. He kisses his way over to my ear before he whispers.
“You need me to stop, you need a minute, whatever you need, katyonak, you just tell me.”
“O-okay,” I whisper nervously.
His hand moves down to my pussy, and I feel his fingers brush my center once, twice, three times before two of them enter me. His mouth finds purchase on my breast, and he starts to lick, nip, and tug on my nipple.
In a matter of seconds, I’ve completely forgotten that I’ve asked him to have anal sex with me—I’m too busy enjoying the way he kisses and touches me.
I shiver when he moves down to my center. His mouth is hot on me as he swirls his tongue around my clit. My hands automatically dive into his hair as I lift my head and look down at him.
Without warning, I feel a finger slip in my ass, and I gasp. He hums against my pussy but doesn’t say anything, his tongue slipping inside of me while he uses his finger to fuck my ass.
“Ven,” I moan, gripping his hair tighter as I lift my hips for more from him. I want more of everything. I want it all.
He growls, and I feel a second finger fill me as he sucks on my clit. My eyes roll in the back of my head as I continue to lift, roll, and use my hips to search for my release.
It takes me by surprise, and it’s more intense than anything I have ever felt before. I lift my head and look down at him in awe as I gasp. Ziven moans before he pulls out of me, and pulls his mouth away from me.
“You okay, katyonak?” he asks.
“Better than,” I whisper.
He smiles as he reaches into his nightstand and pulls out a bottle. His lips touch mine sweetly before he rocks back on his heels. I watch in fascination as he pours the liquid into his hands and rubs them together, warming them up. Then, he puts a little more into his hand and touches my sensitive pussy. It’s oil, it’s slick and warm, and I moan as he plays with me.
“Ziven,” I murmur.
“We aren’t taking this fast, Quinn. We’re going slow, and I want to play with this gorgeous pink pussy of yours,” he whispers.
Ziven plays with me. He fingers me and strokes every part of me. By the time he’s stopped, I’m on the verge of my second climax. I whine when he pulls away, but then I watch as he pours a bunch of oil on his hand and strokes his cock with it.
My eyes widen when I realize what that means. He hooks my knees under his elbows, and he spreads me higher and wider, his nose practically touching mine.
“I love you, Quinn,” he whispers as his lips press against mine.
I gasp and pull my head away as I feel his cock at my back entrance. His lips caress my neck as he pushes a little further inside of me.
“Relax,” he whispers. “You have to relax, katyonak.”
I will my body to relax as I squeeze my eyes tightly closed. It stops hurting, and then all I feel is his dick stretching me, completely and totally stretching me.
It doesn’t hurt like it did with Oswald, but I feel extremely full, and I’m afraid that when he does start to move, that it might hurt.
“You feel so tight, so good,” he murmurs.
I take a few calming breaths and open my eyes to look at him. He looks almost, dare I say, amazed.
“Ziven?” I ask.
“I love you so much, Quinn,” he rasps, looking directly at me.
“I love you, too” I grin.
One of his hands leaves my leg, and I wrap my own arm around it to keep it in the same place as he slides two fingers inside of my pussy and starts to make a come-hither motion with them.
“Oh, god,” I groan.
It’s then that he slowly slides out of me and then pushes back inside with a loud moan of his own. I have never felt so sensitive, so full, and so in love than I do at this exact moment.
I go between watching his cock slide in and out of my ass to watching the expression of awe and amazement on his face—stunning, if there was a word to describe it, it would be stunning.
“Are you going to come for me?” he asks as he starts to pick up his pace.
I can feel my orgasm. It’s on the edge, building as he begins to slam against me with his hips. The gentleness is now gone, and he’s chasing his own climax, his eyes still completely focused on mine.
“Fuck, Quinn, come all over me. Let me feel you squeeze all of me as tight as you can,” he grinds out through clenched teeth.
I start to shake, my thighs, my arms, and my entire body as I rear my head back and come with a scream. It’s the most intense feeling I have ever had in my entire life.
My pussy and my ass simultaneously clamp around his fingers and cock. I hear him groan as his body stiffens and then he stills, his cock twitching as he fills my ass with his cum.
“Perfect, Quinn, you’re so perfect,” he whispers as his lips touch mine.
“I’m not,” I rasp, “not even close.”
“You always have been to me.”
Ziven pulls out of me and then carries me to the bathroom. He washes me, refusing to let me wash myself. He takes complete and total care of me, even as he tucks me into bed, pulling the warm covers up and over my body as his arms wrap around me.
This is what sex is supposed to be like.
This is what life is supposed to be like.
All I have left of Oswald are bad memories that, hopefully, with time, will fade. He no longer has power over any piece of my body. Ziven has it all, and I trust every inch to him.