Mafia Enforcer's Sassy Lover (The Karzhov Crime Family Series Book 4) Read online

  “You think you need a show of strength?” Grigori asked. He glanced at Nikolai in the rear-view mirror.

  Nikolai offered a small smile. “It couldn’t hurt. This is a new era for the Bratva here in the United States. Not only has there never been a female leader, but leadership has never been shared equally between two people.”

  “You have our support,” Val said.

  Nikolai tapped one finger on his thigh. “I would also like you both to join me afterwards. I wish you to come with your women to witness my marriage to Katya.”

  “So you’ve asked her?” Val said. He was surprised. He had not seen a ring on Katya’s finger. But Chelsea would be happy. She not only liked Katya, she was the type of woman to adore weddings.

  Nikolai glanced out the car window. If Val did not know better he would have said Nik looked nervous. “Not yet. I will do that after she has met the other Pakhans.”

  “You’re very confident she will say yes.”

  For a moment Nik’s mouth thinned. But he glanced at Val and said. “She will. Or I will find another use for the length of rope Grigori gave her.”

  Grigori’s laugh echoed in the car. Val looked from him to Nik and asked, “What rope?”

  Nikolai shook his head. “Ask Grigori later. And be wise and keep him away from your Chelsea. He is very good at corrupting our women.”

  Grigori threw a glance over his shoulder. “I have some beautiful new rope in a vibrant blue. You’re welcome to it.”

  Val shook his head. “If I decide to tie Chelsea up, I’ll procure my own rope, thanks.”

  Pulling into the cemetery’s gates, Grigori drove to the main building. Val knew that Nikolai had already had Danil’s remains cremated. The ceremony and the eulogy did not take long. Nik spoke of better days when Danil had worked for the family, and not just for his own greed. When it was done, Val followed Grigori and Nik back to the Mercedes. They drove back to Vegas in silence.

  At Nik’s building, Grigori parked. Nik got out and leaned into the car. “Remember—bring your women with you later.”

  Stepping back, Nikolai gave a wave to his men and entered his building. He nodded to the guard at the door and the other man he kept stationed by the elevator—he trusted these men to look after him. And to look after his most treasured Katya.

  Walking into his penthouse, he let out a long breath. It had been a sad day—and this a sad business. He had not wanted this end to Danil, but the man had forced it upon all of them.

  Walking into the living room, he found Katya arranging a vase of roses. Her black pant-suit showed off her curves and gave her the exact look Nikolai had been wanting for her. She looked confident. Serious. Sexy.

  She heard him and turned with a smile. Walking toward him, he decided that his Katya was sex in heels and she knew it!

  “Is it over?” She touched a hand to his tie to straighten it.

  “Yes. Danil is dead. The deceit your uncle perpetrated on the San Moreno family is done—buried now with Danil.” He took Katya into his arms. “Are you grieving?”

  She rested her head on his chest. “Yes. But not…not for Danil. I have no remorse for his death. But I came to Las Vegas looking for my uncle—for Danil—and for and a connection to the parents I had loved. I found he had been instrumental in orchestrating their deaths.” She straightened and looked at Nikolai. She touched his face. “And then I found another man who won my heart and soul. You are my family now, Nikolai.”

  “Are you nervous about meeting the others?”

  She pulled in a breath and nodded.

  “Do not be. In but a few hours, we will make you formally known—and then we will marry.”

  She stared at him, her eyes huge.

  “A wedding?”

  He smiled. “I love surprising you, and I am glad you allow me to do so.” Taking her hand, he kissed her palm. “As if you did not know what I was thinking.”

  He pulled her closer and kissed her, long and deep, to let her know exactly how much he cared for her. When he pulled back, he asked, “You are feeling better? Less sickness in the mornings?”

  “I am. I visited with the midwife and she recommended some herbal oils to help with the nausea.”

  Nikolai sniffed and smiled. “Was one of them peppermint?”

  Katya nodded. She breathed into her hand and tried to smell her own breath. “I only used a small amount. I didn’t want to show up to the meeting smelling like a piece of Christmas candy!”

  Nikolai laughed. “You do smell like a candy cane.” He dipped his head and took her lips again with his own. After a lengthy kiss, he lifted his head and nodded. “You taste as sweet as one.”

  On her toes, Katya licked his lips. “We don’t have time for more, but when we do have time I will make you pay for that remark.”

  Nikolai chuckled and pushed her arm’s length away. “Stop that! You are right, we do not have time for whatever is going on in that devious little mind of yours.”

  “Not even for a quickie?” she asked. She brushed her fingertips over the front of his trousers..

  Nikolai wrapped an arm around her, turning her so she stood with her back pressed against his chest. He ground himself against her with a growl and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Behave!”

  Katya pushed back against him with a giggle. “But I like misbehaving so much more.”

  Nikolai hugged her close once more and then pushed her away, swatting her backside. “Later, you can be as bad as you want. After we solidify your place at my side.”

  Katya turned to meet his gaze. Her eyes twinkled. “Everything is going to be fine. I am going to charm them off their feet.”

  He touched a finger to her cheek. “That you will. Now, let us head downstairs. I want you to familiarize yourself with the ballroom and the safety protocols in place.”

  She put a hand over her stomach. “Is there that much danger, then?”

  He shook his head. “Not with Danil and the Yakuza out of the way. This is merely a precaution.”

  Katya smiled. “Good. Let me grab my purse.” She stepped into their bedroom and came back with the small clutch Nikolai had gifted her. It perfectly concealed the Colt .22 she kept tucked inside.

  Thanks to his instruction, she could protect herself—and the child she carried.

  Nikolai put a hand on her waist and they strode to the elevator. Katya could look after herself, but he wanted there to be no need for such a thing. A man should look after his woman—his family.

  He nodded to himself. That was what mattered the most. The family.

  Chapter 18

  David was all the family she had—and Tori wanted to kick herself for failing him. Why didn’t I work harder? Get the money sooner? Why didn’t I talk Raul into doing something about Earl? But she knew why. She hadn’t trusted Raul, or Terrance. If they’d known about her brother, they might have helped—or they might have laughed at her. Or they might have gone to get him so they could use David as leverage against her. She hadn’t wanted to drag David out of one bad situation only to put him into a worse one. And now she was just about handing herself and David over to a Russian mobster.

  She glanced at Kostya. He drove fast, but handled the car like an expert, sliding through fast turns and winding through the suburb that led to her stepfather’s home. She glanced at the clock on the dash. It had been almost thirty minutes since David had place his desperate call. Tori could only hope he was still in the home alone.

  She pointed. “It’s the house at the end of the street. The big one with the gates.”

  Kostya pulled the car up in front of the house, leaving the keys in the ignition, but turning it off. “Is your stepfather here?” He leaned forward, eying the two-storey house with the perfectly landscaped front yard. Earl had bought a house in one of the high-end neighborhoods. The houses all looked like palatial cabins here.

  Licking her lips, Tori leaned forward to see better. “I don’t think so. He usually parks in the driveway instead of th
e garage.”

  “Good, let’s go get your brother.”

  Tori looked at him. “That sounds much easier than it’s probably going to be. David’s room is on the second floor—he said he’d been locked in a closet, but I’m not sure if that’s the one in his room or not. And there’s a security system. Earl never leaves without setting it.”

  Getting out, Kostya strode back to the trunk. Tori climbed out, stiff and ready to jump at any sound. She glanced around and followed Kostya. He popped the trunk, reached in and pulled out a small black bag. “Let me worry about security system. Lead me to the back door. It’s good the house is so big. It is a long ways to the closets neighbor.”

  Tori nodded and quickly led him around to the side gate. When she reached to open it, Kostya stayed her arm, pointing to the security lock.

  She pulled her hand back. “Sorry. That wasn’t here the last time I was.”

  “How long ago was that?” Kostya asked. He pulled out some tools and seemed to disable the lock. She was amazed how fast he worked—how calm he seemed. She wanted to jump out of her skin. Overhead, a hawk cried and she just about wet her pants.

  With a breath, she tried to pull herself together. “I tried to get David out about a year ago. Earl had me charged for kidnapping.”

  The corner of Kostya’s mouth lifted. “Your stepfather sounds like someone I would love to spend some time with.” The cold tone in his voice left Tori shivering. She headed to the back of the house and showed Kostya the kitchen door.

  “Keep an eye open,” he told her. She turned and stared at the scenery. Earl had a view of mountains behind the house. A pool had been covered up for winter. Tori shivered and wished she’d grabbed a jacket—a sleeveless T-shirt was not the best clothing in a Denver winter.

  Seconds later, she heard a click. She glanced at Kostya to see he had the door open. He held up a hand to keep her outside. “Let me check inside first.” He pulled a gun from a holster at the small of his back, from under his T-shirt. Unlike her, he didn’t seem to be cold—he didn’t seem to be anything but calm.

  She nodded and crossed her arms to rub her prickling skin.

  Glancing up at the side of the house, she wondered if David still had his old room. And were the windows nailed shut? Earl’s paranoia had started when she was still living here.

  I don’t want any of those deviants you hang out with sneaking into this house and robbing me while I sleep!

  Tori shook her head to dispel the echo of Earl’s voice. That had been one of the first times she’d challenged him, defending her friends to his face. He’d torn into her, calling her every name possible, telling her she was a complete moron who wasn’t fit for anything. He hadn’t screamed at her—or hit her. He’d just torn her to shreds, kept at her until she was curled into a ball and crying.

  David, thankfully, had slept through that tirade. That was the day mom had been diagnosed—and she had vowed to leave as soon as she could. She’d tried to bail at eighteenth birthday, but Earl had had the cops haul her back as a runaway. At twenty-one, he hadn’t been able to do a damn thing. And she’d been working for two years to get her brother free.

  This wasn’t how she’d thought it would work out, but if Earl was getting physical now, she’d be damned if she’d leave David here one more night!

  Kostya stepped back out of the house. “It’s clear. Get your brother. I’m going to leave a surprise for your stepfather.” Running, Tori hurried upstairs, taking them two at a time. She barely glanced at the paintings and art Earl liked to collect. She checked several of the bedrooms before she found one that was locked. Instead of wasting time, she grabbed a bronze statue and smashed the lock. The closet was easier—Earl had used a rope to tie the handles shut. Pulling out her real dad’s knife, Tori cut the ropes and threw open the door. She barely managing to catch David—he threw himself into her arms. “You came!” He choked back a sob.

  “I told you I would.” She cut off the nickname she’d once used for him. She’d once called him stupid-head and he would call her marshmallow-brain. Once her mom married Earl, those names disappeared. Earl used a lot worse on them, and Tori found any insult to be hurtful.

  She took him by the shoulders. “What do you want to take? Can you grab it now?” David nodded and wiped his runny nose on the back of his hand. Reaching into his closet, she grabbed a backpack and pulled it open. “Toss it in and let’s go. And, David, I have a friend downstairs helping us. I don’t want you to be afraid of him.”

  David nodded. He grabbed a few things from the dresser—underwear, the watch mom had given him before he’d died, his favorite T-shirt and a jacket. Tori glanced around. It looked like Earl had taken away all of David’s toys—even the glove that their real dad had given David. Her throat tightened. David turned and looked up at her. “Okay. I’m ready.”

  A bruise marred David’s cheek. The bastard had hit him in the face! Tucking her knife back into her belt, Tori grabbed David hand. She hung onto him, her pulse thudding loud and fast. She found Kostya waiting for them at the foot of the stairs.

  David started to shrink back, but Kostya dropped down to a low crouch that put his eyes on the same level as David’s. Kostya held out a hand. “I understand you are David. Pleased to meet you. I’m Kostya, but my friends call me Kos.”

  Glancing up at Tori, David shrank back against her. Kostya kept his hand out. Tori nudged David’s shoulder with her leg. “He’s the friend I told you about.”

  Slowly, David held out his hand and shook Kostya’s hand. Kostya nodded. “David, can you do something for me? Can you look after your sister while we get out of here? Look—she didn’t even think to grab a jacket before we came for you. Shows you how much she needs a guy looking out for her.”

  Tori opened her mouth to complain. She cut off the words as David straightened and stepped away from her. David nodded.

  Straightening, Kostya pointed toward the front door. “This way is quicker. Go now.”

  She nodded and put a hand on David’s shoulder. Outside, she glanced both ways and then she and David ran toward Kostya’s Mercedes. The front gate stood open now—Kostya’s work, she decided. She settled David in the back seat and made sure he had his seatbelt. She tucked his backpack in next to him and climbed into the front seat. She glanced back at the house. Where was Kostya?

  Heart in her throat, she tapped one hand on the inside of the car door. “Come on, come on,” she muttered. She gave one thought to sliding over and starting up the Mercedes to get her and David away from here—but she couldn’t leave Kostya.

  Walking out of the house as if he owned the place, Kostya headed for them. He closed the front gate behind him and got in the car. By now, Tori wanted to scream at him. Instead, she gulped down a breath and tried for a reasonable tone. “Drive—now!”

  Kostya smiled at her. He started the car and drove down the block, stopping the next corner. Tori glanced back at Earl’s house.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she yelled. “Patience, milaya moya. It is never good to leave untidy loose ends. But tell me one thing—are you serious about wanting to rid yourself of your stepfather?”

  Chapter 19

  Tori could only stare at the man. Of course she wanted Earl gone. She knew that she and David would never be safe with him around. And David was only nine. If Earl got David back—that was nine years or more that he’d have to treat David any way he wanted. She waved a hand at her bother. “What do you think?”

  Turning, Kostya looked at David. “Are you okay? It is not a bad thing to tell another if you have broken a bone.”

  David slowly nodded his head. He looked so pale, and Tori remembered a time when he’d been a chatterbox, a bright, happy kid with too much energy, always bouncing around. Always talking. Would he ever bet that again?

  David looked at her. “He can’t hurt either one of us anymore, can he?”

  She heard the raw fear in his voice. Tori forced a smile and shook her head, “No. He can’t.” S
he turned to Kostya, who had his cell phone in his hand as he watched Earl’s house. “Why are we still here?”

  He glanced at her. “Did this man—this Earl—did he beat you?” She shook her head. Kostya raised his eyebrows. “Ah, he did worse, then. There is an art to breaking someone. Pain is something the body can endure. But uncertainty, the loss of identity, the breaking down of the mind—those are the things where torture becomes an art. It takes a special kind to do this—very special to do this with enough control not to lose yourself in the power that such a thing brings a man.”

  Tori sucked in a breath. “How…how do you know this?”

  Kostya shrugged. “I know much like this Earl. They can be useful. But…too often they become a dog who cannot be chained or kept. You can leave. He will look for you. If he does not find you, he will find others. That is how it goes. He needs others to cower before him. He will begin this again. Or we can end this.”

  Tori didn’t know what he was saying. She met his gaze—his gray eyes did not seem cool now. Instead, she saw understanding in his eyes. She blinked, and it was gone. Shaking her head, she decided she must have been seeing things. “Kostya, please, can we just go?”

  “I thought you might want to have one final conversation with your stepfather.”

  “What? No! Why would I do that?”

  “Because he is about to die. His furnace will malfunction. It will do so thirty seconds after he answers the phone. His house will explode. That is going to happen. I allowed a man such as him to live once before—I came to regret that mistake bitterly for it cost the life of a woman I loved. For this man—this Earl—the only choice you have to make is whether or not you want to say any final words before he makes a quick trip to hell. “

  Tori sat back in the car seat, stunned.

  She saw Earl’s car speed past. She couldn’t mistake the red Corvette. The gates of Earl’s house opened and Earl pulled into the driveway. In a few minutes he’d discover that David was gone. He’d call the cops—again. She’d go to jail and Earl would have David—again. But, with one phone call, she could end this.