Beautiful Trouble: A Dark Mafia Romance (The Oligarchs Book 2) Read online

  When I finally came back down, he eased me off the chair and onto my knees.

  His cock was thick, long, and hard. It glistened with my juices.

  “Now, Winter. Lick me clean.”

  I opened my mouth and obeyed.

  It was one of the most erotic moments of my life. He stared while I tongued every inch of his shaft, from his balls to his head. Then I took him into my mouth slowly and sucked him hard. He stroked himself into my mouth once, twice, three times, before finally filling my throat with his orgasm.

  I swallowed him and stuck out my tongue for his inspection when I was through.

  “Very good,” he whispered and kissed me.

  I held him there. Fingers tugged at his hair. “You can’t do that to me. You can’t make me feel that way.”

  “I can, love. And I will.” He pulled back and collapsed into the chair. I looked at him uncertainly, but he gestured for me to come crawl into his lap.

  Maybe I was crazy, maybe I was desperate and still a little insane from the orgasm, but I listened again.

  He held me tight against him. His cock stayed half-hard the whole time.

  If I wanted more, he’d give me more. There was no doubt in my mind.

  I was in over my head, but I was beginning to like it.

  17

  Darren

  Winter told me the story of why her parents divorced. I held her in front of the fire, our bodies naked, intertwined, damp with sweat and cum. I listened, asked questions, kissed her throat, and she rode me until she came in a blissful chorus of moans and gasps. I filled her pussy that time.

  Afterwards, she was spent. She dressed and let me help her back to her room. I tucked her into bed, kissed her lips, and retreated back to my office.

  That girl was going to kill me.

  One way or the other, I was dead.

  She’d plunge a knife into my heart—or she’d shape me into a better man. I didn’t know which.

  But I was already changing.

  I underestimated her. What she went through with her father and mother hardened her into something tough. That was what I saw—the granite-like will and the ability to handle stress and pain.

  I admired that in her. Lesser women had crumbled before me over the years, but not Winter.

  I slept fitfully, dreaming of her pussy, and woke early. I worked out, dressed, showered, and summon Pavlo down to attend my breakfast. He stood while I drank coffee and skimmed through the Wall Street Journal.

  “How many men do we have?”

  Pavlo answered instantly. “Fifty on hand. We can double that easily if we pull men from nearby assignments.”

  “How many in total? Worldwide?”

  “Three hundred, give or take. All very loyal and longtime employees. More if you want mercenaries.”

  “That’s very good. Gather a hundred of our best soldiers and bring them along.”

  “What’s the mission?”

  Good old Pavlo didn’t miss a beat. I was sending him into a war and he reacted as though I’d asked him to pick up my groceries.

  “Kill as many of the Drozdovs as you can.”

  “Yes sir. Any rules of engagement?”

  “None. Your mission is to sow chaos. The Patrenko family is working on the Liberto Mafia, and you will ensure the Drozdovs are busy as well. That will leave Roman with only the MacKennas, and their strength is currently diminished.”

  “Very good, sir. When do we start?”

  “Today. I have more detailed plans drafted in my office. I’ll send them to you soon. Gather the men.”

  He nodded once then left.

  I continued eating with a smile on my face.

  Death was coming. So many men would die. Some in my employ, but more in Roman’s.

  He tried to murder me on that road, just like he tried to murder my little brother ten years ago.

  I’d gut him for it. Rip him to shreds.

  And nothing will soften my resolve.

  I turned back to the paper to try to distract my bloodthirsty mind but a soft knock at the dining room door drew my attention. Chika stood in the doorway staring at me with that intense, blank expression.

  Chika had been acting strange lately. I wasn’t sure exactly why, but ever since Winter came to the house, Chika had been keeping more to herself. She’d also been more obedient, which was rare.

  “What can I do for my mother today?” I asked with a mocking tone. I was in a foul mood and shouldn’t take it out on her, but I couldn’t help it.

  She didn’t rise to the bait. Good old Chika. She was a consummate professional.

  “You have a visitor.”

  My eyebrows raised. Nobody visited me at the manor unless specifically invited. “Who?”

  “Kaspar Baskin. He’s down by the guard house.”

  My eyebrows went up through my skull and disappeared into the stratosphere.

  Kaspar, on my turf? That was the most bizarre thing I’d ever heard. I didn’t think I’d see him again for a long while, not after the last meetings.

  “Alone?”

  “Alone as far as we can tell. He even consented to a search.”

  “He let you search him?” I shook my head, completely blown away. “Did he say what he wants?”

  “To meet with you.” Her face betrayed nothing. I could strangle her on the spot.

  “Send him in. Keep three men nearby at all times, and I want you on hand.”

  “Yes, sir.” She turned and walked off.

  I stood and paced. I had to burn off some of this uncertain energy. What the hell was Kaspar doing here? He wasn’t even supposed to know this location—but of course he did.

  I didn’t know much about the man. He was one of the more mysterious men in the Oligarchs. His family went back generations, back to the founding of America. They were rich before that, made their wealth in the Old World as money lenders, and became speculators when they emigrated in the early days of colonization. Kaspar controlled vast sums of money and large stakes in several important mining companies.

  But more important than any of that, he controlled the Hungarian mafia. The Jaros Family was a relatively small outfit mostly concentrated in the Midwest, but they were ruthless and strong. Kaspar never had much ambition, or at least that’s what I always assumed—but he’d been hanging around the edges of my feud with Roman like a vulture, and I was beginning to wonder if he hungered for more.

  Kaspar entered behind Chika. He didn’t smile, only looked around with an appraising frown. Chika gestured toward the table then silently left, and I caught sight of the guards standing out in the hall.

  I nodded to Kaspar, but remained standing. “You don’t normally make house calls.”

  “No, I don’t. Though there are very few Oligarchs that would allow me into their homes.”

  I quirked a tight smile. “Maybe that makes me foolish.”

  “I like to think it makes you smart. Should we sit? I could use coffee.”

  “Chika, coffee.” I didn’t check to make sure she heard. I sat and Kaspar took the chair across from mine. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’m here to talk about Roman.”

  “I thought you might be. You’re not convinced?”

  “You spun an interesting story. I’ll admit that I’m not so sure marrying the Kane girl will do much good, but it’s an interesting theory.”

  “You backed it at the hotel.”

  “I have my reasons.” He tilted his head and didn’t continue.

  We lapsed into silence. I wanted him to elucidate on those reasons, but I sensed that wouldn’t happen. Chika appeared with the coffee, placed it in front of Kaspar, and retreated again.

  Kaspar took a sip and smiled. “Very good. Did she make it herself?”

  “Chika’s talented.”

  “I should poach her from you, though I suspect I’d be a much worse boss. Tell me, how involved in this business are your sisters?”

  I stiffened and tried not to show my anxi
ety. I hated speaking about Penny and Erin to anyone outside of this house, especially with a man like Kaspar. I didn’t know what he wanted to know about them, but I was sure he was aware of what happened to Liv. All of the Oligarchs attended her funeral, as was proper, including Roman. It rankled me, letting him anywhere near my sister’s casket after what he tried to do to my brother, but he paid his respects and left without making a scene. I had to respect that at least.

  “I’m not sure my sisters are your concern.”

  “I wouldn’t say I’m concerned, but I am curious. Family seems important to you, and you’re going to bring this Winter girl into the fold. I wonder what they think of the whole thing?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What are you getting at?”

  He smiled broadly. It would’ve been handsome and charming if it weren’t for the utter lack of warmth behind his eyes. “Nothing at all, only trying to make polite conversation. You do that, don’t you?”

  “With friends, I do. What do you want, Kaspar?”

  “I’ve come to offer you my support.” He sipped the coffee again and seemed pleased. “Really, I need to borrow that Chika. Think she’ll work for me? What do you pay her? I’ll double it.”

  I ran a hand down my mouth and along the stubble on my neck, stalling for time. It was one thing for him to agree to give me space to work things out with Roman, whether by diplomacy or by war, that was up to the two of us—but it was another to offer to get involved.

  None of the other Oligarchs had made such an offer. I felt a sudden stab of paranoia, and wondered if Roman had his own band of allies lining up behind him, and Kaspar was the only person stupid enough to be on my side.

  “Why would you get in the middle of a dispute that doesn’t involve you?”

  “Let’s say you convinced me.”

  “How about we don’t say that.”

  He shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “Then I have my own reasons. I’m offering you my resources and expertise. I want to see Roman knocked down a few rungs, and even if you don’t trust me, I’m going to ensure that it happens.”

  I leaned back in my chair, watching him carefully. I was in the middle of a snake pit and one wrong move would see me bitten a thousand times over. Kaspar was poison and death, but I knew how to handle that.

  I’d been elbow-deep in blackness all my life.

  “Exactly what are you offering?”

  “Manpower. Weapons. Money. Whatever you want, I’ll provide it so long as it’s within my powers and won’t expose me too much. I’m not entering into this without conditions, but I do plan on seeing it through.”

  “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t believe a word you’re saying. Everything I’ve learned about the Oligarchs suggests that none of us can be trusted.”

  “Including you.” He laughed and turned his coffee cup around on the plate. The porcelain made a soft scraping sound. “But it doesn’t matter. For now, our desires are aligned.”

  “Prove that you’re sincere.”

  “How?”

  “Attack the MacKenna family. Make sure they’re distracted and can’t muster resources against me.”

  “Meanwhile, you’ll focus on Roman?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  He stroked his chin. “I can do that. I know where they like to spend their time, as it happens. I want something in return, however.”

  I let out a snorted laugh. “I knew this wasn’t free.”

  “Like I said, I have conditions.” He held up his finger. “And in this case, there’s only one.”

  “What is it?”

  “I want you to follow through with your threat to marry Winter.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “Why do you care?”

  “Because I think it will do you good.” He showed his teeth.

  He was hiding something. That couldn’t be the real reason, but I didn’t have time to devote to figuring out what his real game was.

  Kaspar would be a huge asset. Though the Hungarians were small, they were feared, and the other Oligarchs respected him enough to give him wide latitude. If he joined my side, that would lend a lot of credence to my cause.

  “I plan on making good on that promise.” I drummed my knuckles on the table. “It’s settled then. You attack the MacKennas, and I’ll marry Winter.”

  “You got the easy job.”

  “So you think.”

  He stood and held out a hand.

  I hesitated, but stood and shook it.

  Deal with the devil.

  Now I knew how Winter must’ve felt.

  Kaspar released my palm and turned. “I’ll see myself out. Or I suppose your men will see me out.” He laughed to himself and left the room.

  Strange man. Wily and strong, but I could never quite get a good read.

  He was much too chaotic. I’d known him since we were both young—we went to the same elite university together, Blackhills College, but we ran in different circles and he was three years younger.

  He was a loner even then. Not an outcast, not at all. But a loner by choice.

  I didn’t need to understand him. If he wanted to help me destroy Roman, I’d accept his aid.

  So long as I got what I wanted, I didn’t care how many people drowned.

  18

  Winter

  Chika summoned me the next morning.

  I followed her down the hall wearing sweats. My legs ached from the night before, but a good ache—one that reminded me what Darren could do to my body if I could stop hating him and start giving in to him.

  Not that I wanted to. It was all too broken and fraught and fucked up—

  But god, the night before.

  My pussy sang like never before.

  Orgasm after orgasm. It was like rolling on waves, cresting and dropping back down, only to go back up again. He was insatiable and wanted every inch of my body, from my lower back down to the soles of my feet and back up to my lips.

  Nipples, hands, throat, eyes. His tongue was delicate then rough, mixing pain with pleasure to create something beyond both.

  I’d never been so lost before in my life, and it was like I hadn’t woken up yet.

  As we approached the dining room, Chika paused. A man stepped out surrounded by guards. He looked down toward me and a grin slipped across his face. I didn’t move—I knew that face—knew it from just the day before.

  Kaspar. The Oligarch.

  He approached, his smile getting bigger. Chika didn’t move, but she tensed slightly, like she was preparing for a fight.

  Preparing to defend me?

  “Hello, Winter. I was just talking about you.”

  “Kaspar. How are you?” I folded my hands in front of me and tried to stand with a straight back.

  “I’m doing quite well. Just had a visit with your—what should I call him? Kidnapper? Fiancé?”

  “All of the above.”

  He laughed, but it never touched his eyes.

  Terrifying.

  “I like that. I suppose you’re not excited for your coming marriage, however.”

  “Are you here to congratulate me or to rub salt in my wounds?”

  “Nothing of the sort. I’m here to make sure you win.” He winked at me then looked at Chika. “Darling, if you ever want a new boss, you only have to call.”

  Chika bowed her head respectfully. “My thanks.”

  Kaspar slipped past us and down the hall. The guards followed several paces behind him, like fish being dragged in his wake. He whistled as he walked, tuneless and strange.

  “That man makes me uncomfortable,” I said softly, more to myself than to anyone.

  But Chika said, “You’d be insane to feel any other way. Now come, he’s waiting.”

  I watched Kaspar turn a corner before I followed her into the dining room. Darren looked up from his paper and a real smile covered his face. It was so unlike that strange leer Kaspar turned in my direction.

  Darren had real warmth behind his eyes. I felt myself
flush as the night before came back in suddenly snatches of memory.

  “Thank you, Chika. You’re dismissed.”

  But Chika was already gone.

  I walked into the room and sat down in a chair catty-corner to Darren. A lone coffee cup was still at the far end.

  “What did Kaspar want?” I asked, although there were a hundred other things I should’ve said.

  Such as: You made me come so many times last night, I forgot my own name.

  Or maybe: Fuck you, you monstrous piece of shit, now spank my ass and lick my pussy until I scream.

  But definitely: You don’t own me, motherfucker.

  “He wanted to make a deal. It’s a strange one, but here we are.”

  “Do you plan on sharing any details with me?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  And suddenly all of my post-sex good feelings disappeared. Darren had that amazing effect on me. One moment I wanted him to slide his thick cock between my legs, palm my breasts, and push himself deeper until I screamed—and the next I wanted to knee him in the sack so hard he spoke with a British accent for the rest of his life.

  “What do you want then? I was sleeping.” I crossed my arms and tried to look annoyed.

  He smirked at me. “Tired? Were you up late?”

  “Don’t be a dick.”

  “You worked hard, love. You’re entitled to a little beauty sleep. Unfortunately, we’ve got plans to make.”

  “Such as?”

  “Our wedding.”

  I felt myself turn pale.

  Right, the wedding.

  I almost forgot about that. Though I don’t know how.

  This psychopath really wanted to make me his wife.

  “As far as I’m concerned, that’s not happening.”

  He waved that off and continued. “You can go dress shopping with Penny if you’d like. She offered if I thought it might be a good idea. Time with your sister-in-law.”