I seethed with rage as I held and comforted Anya, wanting nothing more than to tear off Dimitri Ivanov’s head. I had no idea who he was, but I would quickly find out, I vowed to myself.

Speaking of vows, though I’d technically promised to wait for her to come with me to meet with the slime ball, I had no intention of dragging her along. She needed to be protected from him, and I wasn’t about to have her exposed even one more time to such a disgusting piece of filth.

After she finally calmed and spoke with her sisters about the situation, we all made dinner together, which was strange to me. I had a housekeeper/chef for a reason, but the three of them completely disdained the meal Mrs. Fields had left for us and threw together their own. Somehow, I found myself chopping lettuce for the salad, though I hadn’t done the task before.

“You should make the pieces more uniform,” said Sasha.

I nodded, taking the advice under advisement as I attempted to make the chunks of lettuce look like they should. It just looked more like a jumbled mess to me. “I’m certain there’s already a premixed salad in there, if that’s what you want. If not, we could call Mrs. Fields back.”

Anya looked annoyed at the suggestion. “She’s already left for the day, and we’re not going to call her back to make salad. It’s simple. You’ll pick it up in no time.”

That implied she intended to make this a regular part of our day. The idea of manual labor and fixing my own meals should’ve been off-putting, but when I was surrounded by the Russo women, I was surprised to find it was fun instead. Who would’ve guessed such a simple domestic task could be so relaxing?

Shadows occasionally flitted across her expression as we ate dinner a brief time later—the pasta they had fixed along with my mangled salad, about which no one complained. Midway through the meal, I couldn’t stand it any longer and reached over to put my hand on hers. I gently squeezed while giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be okay.” I wanted to promise I would handle it, because I fully intended to, but knew she would disapprove. It was a situation where I figured it was better to ask forgiveness than permission and to deal with this myself.

She nodded, and her hand tightened around mine. Neither one of us let go for the rest of the meal, and a sense of contentment filled me. Just last week, never-ending boredom had filled me, and nothing seemed like it would ever be exciting again. I never would’ve expected one woman and her sisters could make such an enormous difference in so little time. Anya was the piece that had been missing all along, and I refused to let anything happen to her, or tear us apart.

Sitting there with her hand in mine, I realized I had no intention of ever letting her go. The first thing I had to do was deal with Ivanov, and then I had to quell any resistance from her. I didn’t know that she would reject my attempts to keep her by my side permanently, but it seemed likely. I had to prepare for the possibility and figure out the best strategy to convince her to stay.

* * *

Spencer

Glenn accompanied me when I approached the nondescript Russian market. His sources confirmed this was where Ivanov spent most of his time when he wasn’t terrorizing young women, peddling drugs, or murdering people. He was a true scumbag in every sense of the word, and Glenn had insisted on coming along with me. I hadn’t minded backup, especially since Glenn carried a sizable handgun in his holster, in plain sight. He was licensed for open-carry, while I didn’t even have a gun. After this, I was giving serious thought to getting one and learning how to use it proficiently, just to be on the safe side.

We stepped inside, and it was cooler than outside by several degrees. There was a chubby dark-haired girl behind the counter, and her gaze skipped over Glenn, who was middle-aged with a slight paunch, to linger on me. I was used to such attention, and I rarely noticed it. But now that I was Anya’s, it felt intrusive, bordering on violating, and I scowled at her.

Her expression immediately changed from one of feminine interest to a politer demeanor, though there was a hint of fear in her gaze. “How may I help you?” She gestured to the cold case of meats and cheeses in front of her as we approached the counter, shunning the shelves of inventory.

“I’m looking for Ivanov.” I spoke firmly, during her to refuse to tell me.

She swallowed audibly, and there was a slight tremble in her frame, but she must have been well-trained. Her expression barely flickered. “I’m afraid that’s a brand I’m unfamiliar with, sir. If you could tell me more about what it is…?” Her slight Russian accent came through heavily now.

Glenn was the one who stepped forward, placing his hands on the cold case as he leaned closer to her and spoke in a menacing voice. “Tell us where to find your boss, or we’ll tear this place apart looking for him.”

Her eyes were big, and I actually felt sorry for her when her fingers trembled as she pointed toward the back room. “He’ll be angry with me that I let you through.”

“We’ll make sure he knows you didn’t have a choice,” I said in a somewhat soothing fashion. I didn’t want to terrify the girl, who might or might not know about her employer’s shady dealings. Her ogling me wasn’t unsettling enough that I wanted to see her in trouble with the mobster.

Glenn insisted on going first, since it was a single-file aisle and doorway, and I doubted he was surprised to find three goons with guns facing us when we stepped into the back. It was unsettling, but I didn’t allow that reaction to show as I moved to stand beside Glenn now that there was room. I firmed my shoulders, and he did the same. Remembering my words to the clerk, I said, “Your counterperson couldn’t stop us.”

“Who are you?” asked the biggest one, who looked like a bear stuffed into a suit, minus the fur. He ignored my words about the girl.

“We’re here to see your boss,” said Glenn without a hint of fear. “You must be Arseny Telsov, his second-in-command.”

If Arseny was surprised to be identified, he didn’t show it. He didn’t even blink. “What do you want with him?”

As Glenn started to speak, I put a hand on his arm for a second to silence him. “I have business with him. Personal business.”

Arseny give me a look filled with disdain. “I recognize you. You’re on the footage from that show.”

Once again, I forced my expression to remain neutral. I wasn’t going to reveal that I was slightly uncomfortable having been recognized for my appearance on “The Island.” “If you know who I am, you can guess why I’m here.”

“The Row-so girl,” he said, mispronouncing her name slightly with his heavy accent.

I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest.

He shrugged a beefy shoulder and nodded at the other two, who put away their guns. “Come with me.”

I was surprised when he didn’t request Glenn’s gun, and my friend seemed equally surprised. We shared a look, but followed along behind him. It was unnerving moving deeper into the room, which was far larger than it should have been. That was explained by the way we were sloping downward, and the mobster’s lair must be below street-level.

We emerged from the darkened hallway into a brighter room a moment later. There was a huge TV with overstuffed leather furniture surrounding it, and the fat bastard I recognized from the photos Glenn had shown me seated like a king in a massive recliner.

There were two scantily clad girls sitting on each arm of his chair, just reposing against him, but when I got closer, it was obvious they weren’t relaxed because they were comfortable. Their vacant-eyed stares suggested they were drugged out of their minds, and I was further disgusted with him.

It was a struggle not to show it when he looked at us, his lip curling. “What do you want?”

“I’ve come to settle Lev Russo’s debt.” I refused to refer to it as Anya’s or her sisters’ obligation, because they had nothing to do with it.

He smirked at me. “You have nothing to offer.”

I reached into my pocket to get my phone, noticing from the corner of my eye how Arseny stiffened and watched my every movement. I pulled it out a moment later and held it up, so he could see the banking app I had already opened before entering the market. “I have your million dollars.”

He scowled. “I don’t want money. I want the girls.”

“You won’t be getting them,” I said confidently. “You can take the money, or Glenn and I can pursue another course of action.”

He scowled. “You come into my home and try to dictate to me? I can have Arseny make you disappear in a heartbeat. Take your worthless money and get out. Deliver the girls to me, or I’ll come to claim them myself.”

Anger surged through me, and I took a rash step forward. Glenn put his hand up to block me, and he took over the narrative.

“I have some deep contacts, Mr. Ivanov. I spent years in the military and then working intelligence before retiring to set up my own firm a couple of years ago.”

“Congratulations on your American entrepreneurial spirit,” he said with deep sarcasm. “Why should I care?”

“Because those contacts include people in the FSB.” Glenn seemed to enjoy the way Ivanov and Arseny both stiffened. “Do you know General Boris Masakov?”

It was difficult to hide a grin when Ivanov started sweating. He shook his head, clearly going with playing ignorant, but neither of us was fooled.

“He’s very interested in what I’ve turned up about you. I guess you two have a history?” Glenn shrugged a shoulder, sounding as though he was unconcerned or unknowledgeable about the past between the two men.

Ivanov grunted. “That’s not your business.”

“No, but I find it interesting that the general is not just an FSB agent, but is also a Sovietnik for the vory v zakone. The Russian mafia doesn’t usually accept members who have served the government in any capacity, do they? I guess they’d make an exception for an FSB agent though. It might have something to do with his brother being the Pakhan as well.” Glenn turned to me with a wink. “That means he’s in charge of that arm of the bratva, Spencer.”

Ivanov squirmed when Glenn spoke the Russian words.

“You must be familiar with them, seeing how you swindled the Stelzvoy bratva out of a chunk of money before fleeing to the United States to set up your little empire here.”

Ivanov was sweating heavily now. “Fine, I’ll take your damn money.”

Glenn nodded, looking satisfied. “I thought you might see it my way. As of yet, I haven’t revealed your location to the general. You still have plenty of time to shore up your defenses or scurry away like the rat that you are. I’m sure the million dollars that my friend’s about to wire to your account will help you in that endeavor.”

His lips were tight, but Ivanov made no further attempt to argue or refuse the money. He simply bit out his account number for transfer when I requested it, and the money was sent a moment later. I moved closer to show him the confirmation code on the smart phone before shutting it off and slipping it back in my pocket. “That concludes our business, and you’re to stay away from the Russo sisters.”

He didn’t argue, but his lips compressed so tightly that the skin around them turned white. Clearly, Ivanov hated someone else dictating to him, but I enjoyed the moment. He deserved a taste of being the victim, and the million dollars I gave him was far more than he deserved. What I really wanted to do was strangle him with my bare hands and barely resisted the urge. I didn’t want to go to war with him. I simply wanted him to leave Anya, Carrie, and Sasha alone.

Arseny walked us out, not saying anything as he left us at the door of the market. Glenn and I stepped through, returning to his car without breaking the silence. It was only when we were inside, and the bulletproof glass was between us and the Russian market, that I started to relax. At least until Glenn withdrew his phone. At first, I paid no mind to whom he was calling, still riding high on the euphoria of having beaten Ivanov at his own game.

When I heard him mention the address of the market, I froze and turned my head to scowl at him as he finished his conversation and hung up. “Who was that on the other end?”

“The general.”

I glared at Glenn. “What have you done? Ivanov and his people will come after me now, and I have Anya and her sisters to worry about.”

Glenn looked confident. “Don’t worry, my friend. You’re the least of Ivanov’s worries now. The Stelzvoy bratva will descend on him and get their pound of flesh. They don’t take kindly to those who turn on their own.”

“Are you sure?”

Glenn seemed completely confident. “Honestly, his little house of cards is about to collapse. He won’t have time to pursue you. If anyone, he’d come after me, and I’m more than ready.”

I let out a sigh, leaning back against the creamy leather seat, and allowed myself to be convinced. Glenn had to be right, and Ivanov would be busy dealing with far more important matters than me and Anya. If he somehow managed to escape and seek vengeance, he was sure to go after Glenn, who’d been the one to sell him out.

I couldn’t wait to get home to tell Anya the good news.

* * *

At first, she was as angry as I’d expected that I went around her and dealt with Ivanov on my own. She ranted at me for a bit, and everything she said was justified. I had most certainly unleashed the cavemen routine, as she claimed, and made the decision for her. I tried to appear remorseful, but didn’t think I convinced her.

Finally, I said, “You’re right. I did it in an underhanded fashion that took the choice out of your hands, but I did it to protect you and your sisters. I didn’t want you interacting with that filth any further, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same thing again. It’s not because I don’t value your opinion or right to make your own decisions. It’s because I value you so much. I wanted to protect you, and I’ll always do that if I can.”

Her mouth fell open, and she seemed poised on the edge of continuing to berate me. Moments later, her shoulders slumped as she shook her head. “It’s difficult to remain angry with you when you put it that way. Don’t do it again.”

I opened my arms, and she went into them, this time willingly. Laying my cheek against the top of her head, I rubbed lightly against her hair. “I won’t promise not to do overbearing things from time to time, but I do promise it won’t be my default reaction to everything. I just want to keep you safe.”

She sighed as she pulled away to look up at me. “Are you sure we are safe?”

I nodded. “My friend Glenn, who came along, is dealing with Ivanov permanently. By the time he gets done sorting out the business with those he’s wronged, he’ll be lucky to escape with any of his hide. His empire will crumble, and I doubt he’ll be able to even fund ‘The Island,’ which will hopefully lead to Sid Moreau’s downfall too. We’re the least of Ivanov’s worries.”

She let out a deep breath and sagged against me again. “In that case, thank you.” The words were grudging at best.

I laughed. “You’re welcome.” She wiggled against me, and I was unable and unwilling to control the surge of desire that swept through me. I hardened against her, and she stiffened slightly, but didn’t move away. In fact, she slid down my body, sinking to her knees in front of me. I put a hand in her hair, pulling gently so she looked up at me. “You don’t have to.”

She licked her lips. “I want to. I don’t think I’ve been sufficiently grateful.” She put special emphasis on the word that was slightly mocking. “I really should thank you properly for circumventing me and dealing with him.”

The words were ambiguous, and I wasn’t entirely certain if she’d forgiven me or not. As she undid my pants and slid them, along with my briefs, down to my knees, I took a ragged breath at the feel of her hand around my shaft. When Anya guided it to her mouth, I wasn’t entirely certain whether she was going to lick me or bite me. My stomach tensed with anxiety as I waited to see her true reaction.

I sighed with both pleasure and relief when her lips slipped around me, and she took my dick into her mouth. She sucked and licked, at first gently, then with more vigor as my hips bucked against her. Anya was learning all the places that made me lose control, and she focused on them. She wrung an orgasm from me a couple of minutes later. When she swallowed my seed, looking satisfied, I knew she had forgiven me. That rush of relief was almost better than the bliss from the blowjob.