Mafia Soldier's Irresistible Lover (The Karzhov Crime Family Series Book 3) Read online

  Val clenched his fists to avoid strangling the man speaking about the incident as if it was no big thing. Mateo had played on the MMA circuit for a few years when Val had first started fighting in the cage. He had a reputation for being mean and cruel to his women, and more than one fight had been based upon revenge for a sister or former girlfriend.

  The fact that Terrence had thought it was okay for this monster to be anywhere near his sister was appalling. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know exactly. Mateo was supposed to take her away for a few days, but the next thing we knew, his picture was being flashed all over the news. Seems he got involved in a shootout with the police and lost. I didn’t hear from Chelsea for almost two months after that.”

  “She called you?” Val asked, wondering why she hadn’t just kept herself hidden and started her life over.

  “Yeah. She wanted me to send her stuff to some address out in the suburbs. I told her she needed to explain where she’d been and come get it herself.”

  Asshole! Val had killed many men in his days, but none of them had deserved it as much as the man lying in the bed in front of him. A man he couldn’t touch. At least, not yet.

  “You didn’t send her stuff?”

  “Hell no! She called me a few more times, but I refused. I figured she would eventually give in and come see me. She knew where to find me well enough.”

  “So you never heard what happened between her and Mateo?” Val asked, knowing that as unpleasant as the task may be, he was going to have to do some prying.

  “Nah. She never would talk about it. And with him dead, it wasn’t like it really mattered. She could have fallen madly in love with the man, but that wouldn’t have made any difference.”

  Val shook his head in disgust. He had a pretty good idea of what had sent Chelsea to the hospital, but he needed to confirm it for himself. That way, when he killed her brother, he wouldn’t have to feel guilty about it. Now, he just needed to go find her and get her to talk to him.

  Chapter 9

  “Nik, any word from Valentin yet?” Grigori asked as he, Desi, and Katya gathered on the penthouse deck for a late brunch.

  “I got a message from him last night. He wants information on Terrence Barlow. It seems the man showed up last night and is the twin to one Chelsea Barlow, the current guardian of Misha’s daughter.”

  “Did you find anything on him?” Desi asked, spooning some fresh fruit onto her plate.

  “He’s a known associate of Raul Cordoba, and currently the man in charge of their Colorado operations. He’s been fishing for several months trying to find some other muscle to partner with them. It seems that Raul is in the process of moving their distribution and growing operation to Colorado.”

  Katya nodded, . “That makes perfect sense. Why risk having some of your merchandise confiscated while trying to smuggle it across the border, when it could be legally grown, packaged, and distributed in the middle of your territory?” She turned to Nikolai and asked, “Do we have any operations in Colorado?”

  Nik shook his head, pleased to see that Katya was adapting to the mafia mindset so quickly. While there were many things he wouldn’t condone, and probably another arm-long list of things she would insist shouldn’t be done, they were in agreement on one thing. Money made the world go round, and if there was a way to make money, keep the authorities happy, and meet a need before someone else could do so, success was a sure bet.

  “No, but that is probably something we should look into. Now, getting back to the man in question. He’s got a record which that includes petty theft, assault, menacing, and possession with the intent to distribute. But, oddly enough, he’s never done time for anything. In fact, his last possession charges were dropped before the court date.”

  “That’s rather convenient. Judge or DA?” Grigori asked, knowing the only way the man would have escaped criminal prosecution for his latest crime was if someone on the inside with some clout was pulling strings.

  “Don’t know yet, but I’m working on it.”

  Talk around the table grew silent for a few moments as food was passed and everyone began to eat. Desi was watching her new friend Katya only pick at her food and finally couldn’t stand it any longer. Knowing how possessive Nikolai was of his woman, Desi made an excuse of needing a small restroom break.

  “Katya, could you show me where the restroom is?” Desi inquired softly, not missing the look of relief on Katya’s face as she nodded her assent.

  “Sure. We’ll be back in a few minutes.” Katya scooted back her chair, swallowing as she turned away from Nik’s careful gaze in an attempt to still the nausea she’d been feeling all morning. She wasn’t one for getting ill, and based upon the fact that she had missed her monthly cycle the week before, she was fairly certain what was causing her nausea. She didn’t want to say anything until she was certain, but she’d seen the calculating look in Desi’s eyes. She knows something’s not quite right.!

  Desi waited until they had entered the luxurious bathroom off the main living area before she asked, “Does Nik know yet?”

  Katya tried to feign a look of confusion, but when she looked in the mirror and saw the green tint on to her face, she knew she couldn’t pull it off. “No. And I don’t want to tell him until I’m sure. He’s so overprotective of me, and I’m supposed to be meeting with several of the Pakhans for the other Bratva at the end of the week. If he knew I suspected I was am pregnant, he’d call the entire thing off. I’m just sure of it!”.”

  Desi nodded her head in sympathy. Nikolai and Grigori were very similar in their desire to protect their women. “How about going to the doctor and seeing if there isn’t something he could give you for the morning sickness?”

  “I already thought about that, but Nik watches everything I do. Besides, I don’t know any doctors here in town, and if I went to someone Nik didn’t approve of, I’d never hear the end of it.”

  Before Desi could reply, her cell phone beeped, indicating she had a text message waiting. She glanced at the sender and then smiled. Grigori! . She chuckled as she moved her thumb across the screen to open the message, . “I swear, I can’t even go to the bathroom without the man checking on me.” She read the message silently and then began to laugh, passing her phone over to a very puzzled Katya so she could read it for herself.

  Convince Katya she needs to go see the doctor today. Nik is very worried she might try to hide the fact that she is pregnant from him. He promises to not be too overbearing in the days and weeks to come!.

  Katya stared at the screen, and then burst out laughing, . “I can’t keep anything from the man.” The two women washed their hands, and then, still laughing, they opened the bathroom door to find two very smug smug-looking men waiting for them.

  “All through, ladies?” Nikolai asked, pulling Katya to him and hugging her close while whispering into her ear.

  Desi watched the interaction as Grigori pulled her in front of him, encircling her waist with his large hands and pulling her back against him. Nuzzling her ear and neck, he told her, “Nik is very happy with the outcome, and it has me thinking I wouldn’t mind being in his position.”

  Desi She turned her head, meeting his lips in a kiss full of promise, . “And what would be your reaction be if you were in the same position?” She’d intended to tell him in some special way, but she hadn’t come up with anything yet. Now seemed like the perfect time!

  Grigori lifted his head and stared into her eyes, . “Angel moy, nothing would make me happier.”

  Desi pulled his head back down to hers, whispering, “Be happy, then. Be very happy.”

  Grigori kissed her, forgetting that Nik and Katya were only a few feet away. When he heard Nik clear his throat, he finally released her lips and looked up. “It seems we both have much to celebrate this day.”

  Nik nodded his head, bestowing another kiss on top of Katya’s head, . “Yes! It is even more imperative that this ugly business is dealt with quickly. Katya is
meeting with the other leaders at the end of the week and we will be announcing our joint leadership at that time. I have already spoken to all of them, and they have given me their verbal support. The meeting is only a formality at this point in time.

  “Danil is closing the noose on his own neck.” Nik grew thoughtful for a moment, and then asked Grigori, “What if this Terrence person does have connections to the Cordobas? If we were to bring them under the wing of our protection, not only would it solidify their position, but ours as wellalso. With their added numbers, it would also strengthen our position along the border states and would increase our numbers to the point that the Yakuza might think twice about attempting a war.”

  “You think the Japanese will be problematic?” Grigori asked with a raised brow.

  “I think they have gotten very cocky. Danil has promised them things he cannot deliver, and Yoshi Yamashita has no tolerance for failure. He also is also very arrogant and has gotten overconfident in his dealings this last year. We may have to go above his head to avoid an all outall-out war, but I have no problem doing so. His leadership is only as strong as the support he gets from the Hawaiian organization. If that support was to be withdrawn, his organization would crumble beneath his feet.”

  Grigori nodded his head,. “Well, Desi and I are here for the next several weeks. I will help in anywayany way I can.”

  Nik nodded, . “Thanks. Hopefully that will not be necessary. I take it you have already started the paperwork to take over the island?”

  Grigori nodded, and Desi smiled. The island being referred to was a small private island down along the Florida Keys that Nikolai had gained ownership of in return for lending his support to

  Stefan. He liked knowing that Grigori would be in close proximity to help Stefan if the need arose, even though Grigori had officially retired as far as other Pakhans were concerned. Having him living that close to the situation would be sufficient incentive to keep any naysayer’s in check. Stefan had his work cut out for him, but Nikolai had every confidence that with time and patience the man would succeed in uniting the eastern states together once again.

  “I’m excited to get back to the water. Vegas is nice, for a visit, but I have to confess I really miss the ocean,” Desi confided softly.

  Grigori smiled indulgently at her and then suggested, “Why don’t we leave these two alone to celebrate and we’ll go try out that private pool outside our suite?”

  “Swimsuits optional?” Desi asked, tongue in cheek.

  Grigori nodded, amazed at the transformation that had taken place in the beautiful young woman who claimed to loved him as much as he loved her. “Most certainly.” He ignored the chuckles from Nik and the outright laughter from Desi as Katya looked at her, scandalized.

  When Nik leaned down and whispered in Katya’s ear, Grigori grinned at the blush that immediately suffused her face. Seems Nikolai can be just as scandalous as Desi! .

  He turned back to Desi and took her arm, tossing back to Nik and Katya, “You two don’t have too much fun now. Let me know if you need more rope, hon. I stocked up before we arrived.”

  When Desi gave him a curious look, he smiled at her and whispered, “Later.” She nodded, and he grinned. He had almost given up on ever finding someone who complimented complemented him so well. She was a strong, independent woman when the need arose, but she also embraced the pleasure to be had in letting him have total control in certain situations. The bedroom was one of those, and as he led her back into the elevator that would take them two floors down to the executive suite, he was already planning various ways to drive her crazy with pleasure before finding his own release.

  Maybe he would put some of that new rope to use himself.!

  Chapter 10

  Val found Chelsea sitting in the gazebo, her eyes closed as she breathed deeply. “Chelsea?”

  She opened her eyes, and Val’s heart hurt upon seeing the unshed tears there. She gathered herself together and made to stand up, but he stopped her. “Don’t.”

  Chelsea shook her head. “I need to go finish breakfast, and check on Darya—”

  “I saw Margot in the kitchen before I came out here. She’s got breakfast taken care of, and Darya is going to spend the day with her once James gets here.”

  Chelsea looked back toward the house, then gave Val a grateful smile. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without your help last night.”

  “You would have managed just fine. I spoke with your brother.”

  “I bet that went well. Don’t believe half of what he tells you. I don’t.”

  “He told me many things, including something about a misunderstanding that seems to have caused the rift between you two.” Val waited for her to pick up the conversation. When she didn’t, he pushed, “Tell me what happened after he set you up with Mateo Cordoba.”

  Hearing the vile man’s name caused a shiver of revulsion to run down her spine. “He didn’t tell you?”

  Val shook his head, taking a seat on the wooden bench next to her. “I don’t think he knows. According to him, you went with Mateo, and several days later, he was killed in a shootout with police. You disappeared. Terrence hinted that there was some belief you were hiding because of some deep affection for the deceased.”

  “What?!” Chelsea barked out a harsh laugh. “Hardly! If the man could come back from the dead and be killed again, I would gladly pull the trigger this time around.”

  Val knew he was asking her to dig up old, painful memories, but he got the sense that whatever had happened had remained locked up in Chelsea’s memory for far too long. “He still scares you even though he’s been dead almost ten years?”

  “Stupid, huh?” Chelsea shrugged her shoulders and looked away.

  “No. But it is telling. You need to tell someone what happened so you can let it go.”

  “I did tell someone. Alexandra. It’s why she pretended I was her sister and hid me in her room at the hospital when Mateo came looking for me.”

  Val remained silent, sensing that Chelsea was fighting an inner battle with herself and wanting to allow her the chance to win over her memories. When she softly started to speak, it took everything he had to keep his hands planted in his lap.

  “Terrence sent me to make a drop and Mateo was there waiting for me. He’d been trying to gain my attention for a while before that, but I’d heard the rumors and didn’t want anything to do with him. It wasn’t until he told me how much money Terrence owed him that I even considered going with him. It was such a huge amount, and he threatened to hurt Terrence if I didn’t go with him.”

  Val clenched his hands into fists, just barely managing to contain his anger on her behalf. “How old were you?”

  “Fifteen. Almost sixteen. I wasn’t interested in boys back then. I wanted to finish high school and go to college. I kept thinking that if I could get away from the gang and build a different sort of life, I could get Terrence to join me. I didn’t realize until that day that I was only a pawn on his ladder of success with the gang.”

  “So you went with Mateo?”

  “He didn’t really give me much choice. He took me to his restaurant for lunch and we ate in his private dining room. I don’t remember much else until I woke up, tied to his bed—” She stopped talking as she relived the memory of that moment. All she’d felt then had been sheer terror.

  Taking a breath, she hurried to finish telling the rest. “He kept me tied up there for two days, until I finally managed to convince him I wanted to be there. He untied me so I could take a bath, and I crawled out the bathroom window and walked along the ledge of the building until I found another open window.

  “I managed to reach the street level, but two rival gangs were going at each other and I landed right in the middle of it. To make a long story short, the police took me to the emergency room and Mateo’s men saw me being arrested and managed to find out where they were taking me. He followed me to the hospital, I hid out in Alexandra’s room, and a
few days later he was shot and killed by the police.”

  “Sounds like the police did humanity a favor,” Val commented, amazed at the strength the woman sitting next to him had exhibited. “You survived!” He was silent for a moment, then softly asked, “Chelsea, did he—”

  Chelsea knew what he was asking and immediately shook her head. “No. I don’t know why he didn’t, but other than touching me a bit and telling me what he wanted to do to me, he left me alone.”

  Val was relieved that she hadn’t also suffered the trauma of being raped in addition to being kidnapped. “That’s good.”

  Chelsea nodded. “Yeah.” She took a breath and looked Val in the eyes. “Why is he here?”

  Val knew she needed to hear the truth, but right now she needed comforting more than knowledge. Pulling her close, he wrapped her tight in his arms, ignoring her feeble attempts to push him away at first. After several seconds, she gave up, and he smiled as she relaxed against his chest. That’s better.

  His body was in full agreement. Val angled her slightly to his side, not wanting to scare her with the evidence of his desire for her. She’d been through enough for the moment.

  Chelsea hadn’t been hugged by a man in almost four years. Right before she and Alexandra had moved Darya up into the mountains, she’d been dating a construction worker with no ties to any gangs or drug cartels. Billy. A nice, normal guy with a nice, normal job. Or so she’d thought.

  That had been a mistake of epic proportions, and part of what had precipitated their move away from the Denver suburb where she’d lived with Alexandra since Darya’s birth. The man had seemed nice and normal, but underneath, he’d been playing her all along. The man had only been trying to get close to her to get close to Alexandra.

  Chelsea didn’t know many facts pertaining to Darya’s father, but Alexandra had told her enough to know that he wasn’t a good person and not someone who she wanted involved in her daughter’s life. When she had overheard Billy talking on his phone about sending updated photos of Alexandra and her daughter, she’d been furious and demanded an explanation.