AllFreeNovel
Share Us
”What happens between me and her is none of your concern.”
I’m done with this woman, and I start to think of all the ways I could get rid of her, when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Sergei’s name flashes on my screen. I look up at the older woman, excusing myself. “I have to take this. Don’t move.”
“Of course.” I can tell my command pisses her off but she’s smart enough to know not to say anything else.
I turn and walk into the hallway by the front door answering the phone. “Sergei.”
“Are you with Ella?” He sounds a bit distressed which has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Surprised by his question, I draw my eyebrows together as I answer him. “I’m at her house. According to her family she isn’t here, but something doesn’t feel right.”
I don’t expand any further knowing Sergei will read between the lines and give me what I need. He doesn’t say anything for so long that I check to make sure my phone is connected. He knows something and is trying to figure out how to tell me. I can feel it.
“Sergei, what do you know?” I demand.
“I just sent a few pictures to your phone. After doing more investigating on Ella, I found this woman who connected to her.”
Looking down at my phone, I check the text he sent me. I knew she looked familiar. I’m staring back at the pictures of the older woman who was just sitting in front of me, talking, kissing and fucking some of the most powerful men that attend my masquerade ball. The same men who came to me a few days after the auction, claiming that I was taking advantage of them. Luring them in and using women to blackmail them for money. They were angry and rightfully so.
“She must be the one who has been fleecing the guests from the auctions. The woman could become desperate if she thinks you’re on to her.”
“She doesn’t yet. But I’ll take care of it. Send me a few men. Tell them to sit out front until they see my signal.”
“Got it, boss. And Mikhail… be careful.”
“Always.” I hang up and stare at my phone trying to come up with a plan. The most important thing is finding Ella, and then I’ll turn this woman over to my father.
It’s one thing to come after me, but to come after my woman, my Bratva, and my business. That is unforgivable. I return back to the living room ready to make this woman pay.
I sit back down on the couch, back straight, leg spread making myself seem larger. I assess the woman in front of me. She could be attractive if she wasn’t a manipulating bitch. Leaning forward, I ask, “Did you think you would get away with it?”
Her lips thin with my question, I can tell that she’s irritated by my question. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Are you sure that’s the answer you want to give me?”
She stays still, not giving me anything away. Not answering. “Okay, let's play it your way then.”
Grabbing my phone, I pull up the pictures that Sergei sent me of her and place them on the table in front of her. “Would you like to explain?”
I continue as I swipe back and forth through them, giving her a clear view of the proof that I’m showing her. She keeps her eyes on the photos and I can see the wheels turning as she tries to figure out her next move. When her eyes meet mine, I can tell she’s made a choice of how she is going to handle it, and then seals it with her words.
“What am I looking at? I’m not doing anything different than any other guests at the masquerade ball,” she asks with a shrug, trying to be nonchalant.
Pointing down at the pictures, I respond. “The difference being that these men have come to me accusing me of taking advantage of them while they are in my club under my protection.”
Leaning in a little closer to her, I whisper, “And you and I both know that I didn’t take advantage of them.”
Relaxing back on the couch, I let the information I give her settle in the air. She opens her mouth but before she can spew any type of lies, I hold my hand up stopping her.
“I will give you this, you were careful. We’ve been investigating for a couple of years now, but your time has come to an end.”
“You're mistaken. This is not proof. This is just proof that I’ve had sex with them. I never took advantage of anyone.”
I grab my knife from the inside pocket of my suit jacket. To the world I’m a charming man that knows exactly how to talk to people and in life that has served well. But when someone crosses me, I show them who I really am, a man who will do anything for what he wants.
And right now what I want is Ella.
Rubbing my knife across the back of my hand, I harden my voice. “Listen. I know you did it and that’s the only proof that matters. Since you took advantage of guests at a Bratva establishment, we consider it a betrayal. Now, you're going to tell me where Ella is. If you don’t, I will kill you and your daughters for everything.”
