“Duly noted,” she whispered.
“Now tell me about this identify theft scam your sister and that street slinger were running.”
“What?” Shay couldn’t fake that confused expression. “What identify theft scam?”
“Why do you think Mueller and his men want your sister?”
“I don’t know. I just sort of assumed this was another one of her dumb counterfeit scams. You know, like purses and DVDs. She and Ruben got into a scrape earlier this year when they were selling that stuff in someone else’s territory.”
“This isn’t about territory. It’s not about counterfeit goods. It’s about your sister and Ruben stealing financial information so they can sell it on the black market.”
Alexei placed the cup of tea in front of Nikolai and offered him milk and sugar. Shay seemed to be trying to wrap her head around this new revelation.
“Look, I love my sister, and she’s everything to me, but she is not smart enough to run a scam like that. Okay? She’s not detail-oriented. She never follows through on anything. She can barely work her freaking iPhone! There is no way she did this.”
Nikolai stirred his tea. “Ruben outsourced the tech side. All your sister had to do was plug in a little flash drive and hit a couple of keys. She used her access to all those offices she cleaned to infect as many networks as possible. The information they compiled? It’s worth millions and millions of dollars on the black market. Word on the street is that they have a buyer ready and waiting.”
Alexei filed away that piece of information. There weren’t many buyers with that kind of cash on hand. He needed to nail down the buyer and fast.
“Your sister and Ruben have some information in their possession that is extremely sensitive. Mr. Mueller wants it back. He’s not going to stop until he gets it.” Nikolai put down his spoon. “Do you understand what that means, Shay?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Mr. Mueller and Mr. Contreras reached a compromise on this matter. The terms were all worked out very neatly, and I raised no objection because I had no reason to interfere in business that didn’t concern me. Had I known that you belonged to Alexei, I would have made sure you were protected from this.” He gestured to her bruises. “Now that I understand the situation more clearly, I’ll make sure that you can walk the streets of Houston safely.”
When Nikolai leveled a serious stare in his direction, Alexei didn’t have to ask what the boss was thinking. Alexei was already cataloguing the assets he controlled. There wasn’t a damn thing he owned that he wouldn’t gladly give away to ensure Shay would reach old age.
“Mr. Kalasnikov?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Yes?”
“What’s going to happen to my sister?”
Nikolai took a slow sip of his tea, lowered his cup and met her tearful gaze with that cold, distant stare he had perfected. “You’ll find it easier to move on with your life if you learn to stop asking questions that have answers you don’t want to hear.”
Shay’s lip trembled pitifully, and she blinked rapidly. She couldn’t manage an answer, only a shaky nod.
Alexei hated Nikolai for being so callous with her. Aching for Shay as she realized that her sister was marked for death, he crossed the small distance between them and stood behind her. He placed a hand on her hip and another on her shoulder. He needed her to know that she wasn’t alone. Whatever happened, he would help her through this.
“Do you know where your sister is? Where she would hide?” Nikolai might have felt some compassion for Shay but he wasn’t going to let it get in the way of business. “The sooner this matter is cleared up, the better for everyone.”
“I don’t know where she is. Really,” she insisted. “We had one short phone conversation earlier tonight. Lalo said Shannon and Ruben had run off and disappeared.”
Nikolai drained the last of his tea. “When your sister contacts you, I need to know about it. You will tell Alexei, and he’ll take care of it.”
Shay agreed sadly. “Okay.”
The boss stood up and carried his empty cup and spoon to the sink. “A few days hiding out here is your best option.”
Alexei patted her hip before following Nikolai to the door. Alone in the hallway, they drifted back into Russian.
“You’re going to need someone to sit on her while you’re at work.” Nikolai stated the obvious. “I have the perfect man.”
“I bet you do,” Alexei grumbled. “Which soldier? Danny? Boychenko?”
“Stas.”
“I don’t know him.”
“He’s a new guy, down from Brighton Beach. We’re transferring in some new blood. Loyal blood,” he added. “We need to grow but I need men with experience. He’s a good enforcer. He’s done bodyguard work. I trust him.”
Because Nikolai trusted him, Alexei was expected to do the same. “I’ll give him a try, but if he makes Shay uncomfortable…”
“You can throw him back to me,” Nikolai promised.
“Fine.”
“He’ll be up in a few minutes. I brought him with me.”
Alexei frowned. “I see.”
“And he’s going to need a salary.”
Alexei snorted roughly. “Why do I get the feeling you had this planned even before this mess with Shay happened?”
“Because I did,” Nikolai answered honestly. “Your companies are clean. You have plenty of job openings for a man like Stas. Just give him a job title and put him on your payroll.”
“It’s not that easy, and you know it. Fuck. I hate it when you do this. I’ve worked hard to keep the businesses legit.”
“And you have those legit businesses because I gave you the first dealership,” Nikolai reminded him.
“I haven’t forgotten.” Because Christ knows you aren’t ever going to let me forget.
Nikolai glanced away and grimaced. “I sound like Maksim when I say shit like that.”
Alexei didn’t know why that was so surprising or why it seemed to bother Nikolai so much. Maksim had been his mentor, after all. “He’s the big boss. You learned everything you know from him.”
Nikolai made a throaty humming sound before running his fingers through his hair as if exasperated with himself. “You’re my friend. You gave years to the family, and you helped me take this city one street at a time. You bled for me. Everything you’ve built? You earned that through hard work, and it’s bullshit for me to simply assume you’ll do what I tell you, even when it puts your legitimate holdings at risk.”
“I am grateful for every opportunity you gave me. Our brotherhood? The blood we’ve spilled? That binds us forever.” Accepting Nikolai’s apology, he decided, “I’ll hire Stas because I need him.”
“Thank you. Now, listen, I’ll set up a meeting with Mueller. It shouldn’t be too difficult to iron out your issues with him. He’ll want payments for the soldiers you’ve put out of commission.” Nikolai glanced back toward the kitchen. “What’s the story between Shay and Lalo?”
“He’s wanted her for a long time, but she doesn’t want him.”
“Were they involved?”
“From what I know of their history, she’s done everything possible to stay away from him. She’s not like her sister. She doesn’t have a taste for the gangster life.”
“Smart girl.” Nikolai unlocked the door. “I’ll be in touch soon. Whatever evidence you have can be dropped off at the new warehouse. Boychenko is waiting for you. He’ll ride escort for any other business you need to handle tonight.”
“I have to go by Shay’s place to get some things she needs.”
“Where does she live?”
“In one of Spider’s parks.”
Nikolai’s eyes widened fractionally. Was the boss trying to work out why Shay was still living on her own? It wasn’t his usual arrangement with the women in his life. In fact, it was more similar to Nikolai’s and Vivian’s.
From what Alexei knew of Vivian, she had lived on her own, paying her own bills
and taking very little from Nikolai, until she had been kidnapped. Only then did she move under Nikolai’s roof. Vivian was the virginal matriarch of the family, untouched and unknown by any man except her husband. The men who guarded her day and night would swear on their mothers that the couple never shared a bed or were alone until the night after they were married.
It was too old-fashioned for Alexei’s tastes, but he understood why it had to be that way for Nikolai and Vivian. Even if the boss’s wife wasn’t known for her religious devotion and her conservative values, she would have been held to a higher standard. Nikolai simply couldn’t have a wife with a complicated history of lovers. His position within the family wouldn’t allow it.
The thought of lovers and histories unsettled Alexei. Had Shay known true love? Was there a man out there somewhere who still owned her heart? Was he competing for her affection against ghosts he could never best? As beautiful and interesting and intelligent as she was, Shay must have had no problem attracting good men. Better men than me, he thought crossly.
“I’ll talk to Spider and square things. You two were friends back when you handled all the gun runs from Liam. I assume that friendship still stands?”
“It does.”
“Good. That will be useful to you. There’s one more thing.”
“What?”
“I want the balance of Boychenko’s debt to you wiped.”
“Done.” With a sigh, he said, “Kolya, this wasn’t supposed to happen. Not like this.”
Nikolai actually grinned. “You? Me? Two gangs who want to take us out? It’s like old times, huh?”
“Yeah,” Alexei replied with a wry smile. “Except this time we’re too old for this shit and have too much on the line to lose.”
Nikolai’s gaze softened. “Sometimes too much to lose gives us a better reason to fight.” He angled his head toward the kitchen. “I like her. She reminds me of Vee.”
Alexei figured that was the highest compliment the boss could pay.
“She’s a good choice. She suits you.” Nikolai whacked his back with a series of hard claps. “But, Lyosha, get her the hell out of this apartment. This is the place you fucked your strippers. Your future wife shouldn’t have stepped foot in this apartment.”
The comment was a stark reminder that Nikolai was one of those old school gangsters who still had very black and white ideas. There were women you fucked, and there were women you married. Period. Full stop. The two pools were never supposed to overlap.
Nikolai opened the door and stepped into the hall. He adjusted his hood to make sure his face was covered. Alexei waited until Nikolai disappeared from view to step back into the apartment and lock the door.
When he returned to the kitchen, he found Shay slumped forward, her shoulders rounded with defeat, as she sobbed helplessly. The heartbroken weeping cut him deeply. Moved by the sadness engulfing her, he quickly ate up the floor with long strides.
Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her off the chair and onto the counter. He tucked her wet cheek against his shirt and combed his fingers through her damp hair. She clung to his shoulders and sobbed.
“Ptichka.” Kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure what she needed or how to help her. Nothing he could say would make any of this easier. “Shay, it’s all right. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. God, I’m so sorry,” she cried. “I’m so sorry for getting you in trouble and dragging you into this. I shouldn’t have—”
“Hush,” he whispered gently. “Don’t apologize to me about this. We’re fine.”
She exhaled a shuddery breath and burrowed in closer. The move sent his heartbeat into overdrive. She needed love and comfort tonight. It would be so easy to seduce her but he refused to take the choice from her. Shay’s life was unraveling, and right now, she needed to have control over the most important decisions.
The apartment phone rang. With an irritated sigh, Alexei kissed Shay’s temple and left her on the counter so he could answer it. “Yes?”
“Sir, there’s a man in the lobby who says he’s one of your guests. His name is Stas.”
“Send him up, Carlos.”
“Yes, sir.”
The call finished, he turned back to find Shay sitting there with her hands clamped between her knees. He plucked a napkin from a drawer and used it to dab away the shiny streaks on her face. “No more crying tonight.”
She sniffled and nodded meekly. “All right.”
He placed the napkin on the counter and then cupped the back of her head, tangling his fingers in her hair. With every intimate touch she allowed, his craving for her increased in potency. Much more of this and he was going to spontaneously combust.
“A friend of mine is going to watch you while I go take care of some things.”
“A friend?”
“His name is Stas. He’s trusted and safe, but I know you’ve been through hell tonight so I’ll make sure he gives you some space.” Wanting her to feel comfortable, he picked up his bag and dug through it until he found the red hooded sweatshirt showcasing the Ivan’s logo. “Here. Put this on. You’re so short it will reach your knees.”
“Thank you.” She lifted her arms and let him glide it into place over her head. He reached into the open neck and pulled free her hair. The floral scent of the shampoo from the toiletry basket wafted from her hair, and it momentarily confused him. She was supposed to smell of beaches and sunshine, not generic flowers.
A knock at the door announced Stas’ arrival. The man he let into the apartment looked like a street brawler with his stocky build. He had a scruffy beard and the coldest gray eyes Alexei had ever seen. There were no tattoos on his fingers or hands but intricate sleeves covered his arms. The ink that peeked out from the collar of his shirt and curled along the side of his neck gave Alexei a brief rundown of the man’s history.
“Alexei Romanovich,” Stas greeted respectfully.
Alexei shook the street soldier’s hand but didn’t let go immediately. He held tight and tugged the man off-balance. “Nikolai vouches for you, but I don’t know you. So here’s the deal. If I come back here and Shay is upset or you’ve done anything that makes her uncomfortable, I start breaking fingers. When I’m done with fingers, I move to bigger bones. Understand?”
“Perfectly,” Stas assured him. “I’m not here to cause problems. I’m here to work. I’m here to earn my place. You tell me what you want—and it’s done. No questions asked.”
Thinking of how much Stas reminded him of his younger days, Alexei let go of the street soldier’s hand. He had been hungry to prove himself once. Hungry men were loyal men, and Alexei knew exactly how to ensure Stas did what was necessary to keep Shay safe. “If you keep her happy and out of trouble, I’ll pay you a bonus at the end of each day. Cash,” he clarified. “Under the table and off the books.”
“Deal.” Stas glanced around the luxurious apartment. “The boss didn’t mention what sort of arrangement you have with your…mistress.”
“You don’t need to worry about the arrangement I have with Shay. You just need to worry about how you’ll keep her safe when I’m not here.”
Stas held up a hand. “Hey, I’m not trying to get into your business. I just wanted to know if I need to worry about being ambushed by a pissed off wife or another girlfriend.”
Wondering what sort of men Stas had worked for back in Brighton Beach, he shook his head. “There is no one else. There is only Shay.”
“Well that makes this job a hell of a lot easier. I know how to deal with hostile crews and hit squads but wives and girlfriends?” He whistled low. “That shit gets real fast.”
Alexei could only imagine. He gestured for Stas to follow him into the apartment. Shay stood next to the kitchen island and warily eyed the new face trailing him. He didn’t blame her. She had probably had quite enough of big, tattooed men for one night. Fuck. She had probably had enough of big, tattooed men for a lifetime.
“Shay, this is St
as. He’s going to stay here while I take care of some things.”
“Hello.” She greeted Stas with a tremulous smile.
Stas stopped at the other end of the granite slab and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Hi.”
Alexei grasped Shay’s hand and led her into the living area. “Would you like to go to bed or—”
“I can’t sleep,” she hastily interjected. “I just can’t.”
“That’s all right.” He rubbed her shoulder and guided her into the corner seat of the large sofa. The stone-colored cashmere throw artfully draped over the back caught his eye. He tugged it free and tucked it around Shay’s legs and lap so she would stay warm.
“Alexei,” she said in an almost pleading tone while clutching his hand. “Please be careful.”
Her fear and concern for his safety detonated a wild burst of emotion in his chest. Bending down, he pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” He lowered his mouth until his lips were touching the shell of her ear. “They think we’ve been involved for a long time, and it’s best if you play along with that.”
She turned toward him, seeking out his gaze with one of understanding. She knew the stakes here. She wouldn’t do anything to put either of them at risk. Embracing the role he had foisted upon her, she leaned over and kissed him properly. The shock of her soft, warm lips upon his nearly took him out at the damned knees. It was an innocent kiss, the type he had first tried on a girl when he was eleven or twelve, but this one made is heart race and his lungs ache.
Unable to help himself, Alexei brushed loose strands of hair behind her ear and cupped the back of her head, holding her in place a moment longer just so he could enjoy her mouth on his. When he found the strength to break the kiss, it was all he could do to straighten up and walk away from her.
After ducking into the master bedroom to grab the emergency set of clothing he kept stowed there, he gathered up their bloody clothes and stuffed them in his gym bag. Stas followed him to the door. “She’s in good hands.”
“See that those good hands of yours stay away from her, yeah?” Alexei warned before shutting the door. He waited to hear the lock engage and went straight to the elevator. After punching the button for the parking garage level, he leaned back against the wall of the box and closed his eyes. He lifted his hand to his mouth and traced his lips. He felt like an overeager teenager as he relived that simple kiss. With one unexpected and wholly innocent move, Shay had fucking shattered him.