Page 69 of Lord of Passion

"That's ridiculous," I said. "I am capable of laughing when something is very funny."

"Hmmm…" Alexsey rested his chin on his hand. "Come to think of it, I don't think Nik has laughed since the seventh grade, when our calculus teacher farted as he sat down. It was likean explosive whoopie cushion. Have you laughed since then, cousin?"

"Numerous times," I snapped, "usually when you do something profoundly stupid."

"Do you mean inside?" Caroline asked with wide-eyed innocence. "Where itreallycounts?"

"You're treading on thin ice, wife," I murmured to her. As close as we were, I could enjoy the flush that rose on her cheeks, her indrawn breath. "I'm happy to tie you down and findallthe ticklish places on you. And I'll have no mercy."

Liria and Alexsey watched this little moment, wearing matching smug grins. "Well, will you look at that," she yawned elaborately. "Time to get the twins home. I need to feed them before they go back to sleep because my breasts are ready to explode."

"Dorogoy,sweetheart." Alexsey said, "Please never talk about your breasts in front of any of my relatives again, because I will then be forced to kill them."

"It's just a word!" Liria protested. "I use my breasts to nourish our babies, it's a whole different thing."

"Bozhe moy,"I groaned. "Both of you, please stop talking!" Caroline covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

We walked them to the elevator and when it closed, I ran my hands through my hair. "Why did your cousin continue to talk about breasts? Does she want Alexsey to shoot me?"

Caroline was unsympathetic. "What is it with men?" she asked, laughing. "They're justbreasts, and when you're nursing, it's a whole different deal. They're much more utilitarian."

She leaned against the elevator, looking up at me and laughing, and I stepped closer, blocking her there, my hands on either side of her face. "For the record, I have neveroncelooked at your spectacular breasts and found them utilitarian." The atmosphere around us thickened, it felt darker.

When I heard that little inhale between her lush, parted lips, my hand slid down to cup and squeeze her breast, dipping inside the V-neck of her sweater to tug on a nipple through the lace of her bra. I ran my other hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. Her mouth opened with a sigh, and she slid her hand into my hair like she'd been waiting for this.

So, with Caroline, things were good. Disconcertingly good, and I found myself leaving work earlier to come home to be with her.

***

But again, as my grandmother Morozova insisted, along with the newfound pleasure of discovering my wife comes an increasing shitstorm raining down on our Bratva.

Novikov's marauders were becoming increasingly arrogant. Our captains were alert, though, so when the next shipment that came into Moscow with high-grade pharmaceuticals was attacked by pirates, they're shot to pieces, every one of them left floating in the Volga River. The crew managed to retrieve one corpse. He had a Novikov Bratva tattoo on his chest.

Ironically, Dariy Agapov had turned into a good resource - since we sent him an enormous shipment of sniper rifles and explosive ammunition. A few days after our impromptu dinner party with Alexsey and Liria, he came to New York and asked to meet me at my office.

"The Six Families," he said, "are getting restless. This new fool, this Novikov, is offering ridiculously low prices that cannot besustained. I couldn't run in enough volume to accommodate them, and I fear they may turn against you."

My teeth clenched hard enough to shatter a molar. "I thank you, Dariy Agapov. Which family do you think is most likely to believe these outrageous claims?"

He pondered for a moment. "The two that seem to be wavering are the Kuznetsov Bratva and Balabonov. Just so you know."

"I appreciate the information, my friend," I nodded politely.

"Of course," he said. His florid face brightened. "We must have dinner. Will your beautiful wife be joining us?" The look of hope in his eyes would be humorous aside from the fact that I'm irritated as fuck that Agapov ever looked at Caroline and thought he could have her.

"I'll check with her."

In the end, it was Caroline who insisted that I bring him to the Lyric and she hosted a dinner for him at the hotel's restaurant, The Melody. He beamed at the sight of her and attempted to go in for the Russian three cheek kiss, until he caught a glimpse of my expression. The rest of the night ran smoothly. Caroline was always good about drawing people out, listening to their stories and I knew she was genuinely interested in who they are and what they do.

After an assortment of Dot Cakes and eau-de-vie brandy, I rose, bringing the evening to an end. I wanted to take my wife home and fuck her. I'd been shifting in my seat with an erection for the last two hours.

"Well, I am sorry I will never have a chance to know you better, Caroline Morozova," Agapov's face was gloomy. He saved hislife by adding, "Fortunately, you have picked a fine husband. Nikandr will always protect you."

"I appreciate that," she nodded graciously. "That was my main concern when I married him." She smiled at me tauntingly. "That Nikandr could protect meproperly."

I narrowed my eyes slightly over the rim of my glass as I took a sip of vodka."You're going to regret that,"I mouthed at her and she fluttered her eyelashes back.

***