A man entered the frame, and Ike groaned.
Alexei Brazhensky, the eldest son of the Russian mafia leader, eased down onto the ottoman in front of the mystery woman and blatantly ogled her. Ike had partied side-by-side with Alexei, placing his bets on everything from football games to cricket tournaments directly with him. What was Alexei doing with the mystery woman? And why was he being allowed to watch?
A crackling sound filled the air as the camera zoomed in to a close-up shot of the mystery woman across from Alexei.
“What is your connection with Ike da Costa?” Alexei asked. He wasn’t looking at her face. He stared at the dark brown curves of her breasts pushing against her top.
“Do you want your money? Or do you want to gossip?” She responded. Her voice coated Ike’s ears like honey. His heart rate quickened as she crossed one long leg slowly over the other.
No underwear.
No fucking underwear.
His cock turned to stone.
Alexei noticed, too. His wayward hand animatedly adjusted the bulge in his pants as he stared at the mystery woman for a reaction.
But her eyes weren’t focused on Alexei.
She was staring directly at the camera.
At Ike.
Jealousy raced through his veins. Fists clenched at his sides. He should be in that room with her. Not fucking Alexei Brazhensky.
“You are so sexy. So beautiful. Why waste time talking about Ike da Costa when I want you,” Alexei said, reaching a hand to rest on her thigh. “And you obviously want me.”
The mystery woman grabbed a pin from her hair and stabbed it through Alexei’s hand. He jerked back, howling in pain. Guards appeared in the frame. Three behind Alexei with AK-47s raised. Three behind the mystery woman with AR-15s raised.
A standoff.
Who was this badass beauty?
“I’m not available,” the mystery woman said with a sexy smile. “How much does Ike owe you?”
“Much more than you can afford, stupid bitch,” Alexei spat.
“Do you think your father would’ve approved this meeting if he wasn’t sure I could wipe Ike’s debt away? How disappointed he will be if you come back empty-handed?” She wagged a finger in front of his face. “Incompetent Alexei fucks up again.”
Alexei bared his teeth at her, ready to pounce. But he didn’t budge. Cradling his bleeding hand with the other, he said through gritted teeth, “Twenty-two million. Cash only. You have one hour.”
“I only need one minute,” she responded, then snapped her finger. A fourth man appeared on the screen with two suitcases.
“Twenty-five million,” she said, then stood. “Keep the change.”
She looked at the camera again and winked. Turning back to Alexei, she said, “The Brazhenskys business with Ike da Costa is over. If your family reneges on this deal, I will slit your throat. Understood?”
Alexei looked at the mystery woman with unbridled hatred. Her armed guards pressed past her and ushered Alexei and his men from the room. In seconds, she was alone.
A spike of adrenaline zipped through his veins. Desire overwhelmed him at the thought of being with the mystery woman again. She’d paid off his debt to the Brazhenskys. But was he trading one debt for another that would be at a much greater cost?
The mystery woman sauntered toward the camera and looked directly at him.
The sweetest smile graced her lips as she said, “Get ready, Ike. I’m taking you home.”
The television shut off.
Ike stared at the black screen.
