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I stand on the opposite side of the island as she cooks, eventually sitting down in one of the island stools. She gushes on about Dmitri’s childhood, saying he was the cutest kid and talking about all his funny stories. For the first time in years, I laugh. I may not talk, but maybe it’s okay for me to make noise.
We chat for a while, her talking and me writing stuff down. At some point, I retreated to Dmitri’s room to put some pants on.
She told me that he has a brother, Viktor. She said he doesn’t wear a mask, but Dmitri still does due to the years of brainwashing from his father. It makes me think about his childhood.
From the sounds of it, it was as brutal or more brutal than the stuff I went through. It makes my heart pang with hurt for him. Maybe he’s not as bad of a guy as I gave him credit for.
Linda made me feel safe enough to open up about my father and how he would touch me and pass me to his friends. I told her why I’m here, being a debt paid for by my father.
We shared many tears, her coming over to hug me several times while wiping my tears away. It felt nice to be around a woman. The first woman I’ve seen since my mother. She just emits that motherly aura. I feel safe around her.
She’s in the middle of sharing a story about the boys’ childhood when the elevator door dings from the living room.
A few seconds later, Dmitri stands in the doorway, leaning on its frame. He’s wearing a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and black jeans, with dark brown combat boots. He looks so mysterious, and a little delicious.
Stop that.
His tattoos lick at every inch of visible skin. I crave to see what’s on the covered skin. I didn’t get a chance to glance at them when he was shirtless in bed.
Once he sees it’s just his mother and I, he removes his mask. His mother seems surprised at the action, looking between us as his heated stare stays rooted on me.
His buzzed hair is seen from the top of the mask. I’m just now realizing how absolutely huge this man is. His shoulders are broad, and his waist is a slutty kind of small. God fucking damn, he is hot.
No, I shouldn’t be thinking like that.
He crosses his muscular arms over his chest, and the fabric from his shirt stretches deliciously at the motion, making me almost want to drool.
“Son! We were just finishing up.” She grins, walking over to her son, hugging him as he kisses both her cheeks. He adores Linda.
He’s lucky to have her. I wish I had my mom still. But I know she’s watching over me, at least happy I’m away from his hands. I just hope that maybe one day, I could be loved like that.
Doubtful though.
*This book is an advance reader copy and is to not be distributed anywhere. [email protected]*
6
Chapter Six
Crawling - Linkin Park
Riot
My. Fucking. God. Adrian Diaz. Fucking idiot of a man. I don’t know how someone who looks like a twink runs a mafia. It doesn’t make sense.
He is trying to dethrone the Russian mafia by infiltrating our warehouses while acting all buddy-buddy with me. I think the fuck not. His goons were caught trying to blow up one of my warehouses late last night when Daniel came to get me, making me leave Penelope.
My face is getting sweaty from having this damn mask on for so long. I’m so fucking done with this day and am ready to be home.
A small gang leader, Jake Kuznetsov, I think his name is, is talking to me as Viktor and Damien stand on both sides of me. He’s droning on about asking for protection in return for workers. The man flew from Russia just to see me.
I do need new people to work for me. We had quite a few people die or retire within the past year, so I ponder agreeing with him.
“But anyways, that is my proposal.” He stands there sheepishly, hands by his side, looking like he’s about to piss himself.
“Here’s the deal, okay?” I start to speak, pinning him with a stare. “I will accept this proposal, but your people become mine. They will still be your gang, but if I call for you and your people, you drop everything.” He looks like he’s about to piss himself as he nods, seeing I’m not done talking. “You can wreak havoc anywhere you want besides my cities. Touch a hair on anyone’s head where I control, and I’ll make sure you wish you were dead. Dismissed.” I wave my hand at him and walk out. Not bothering to give him time to agree or even talk. He knows not to push my buttons.
Viktor and Damien follow, their footsteps thundering behind me. “Set everything up for Kuznetsov, I’m going home for the day.” They don’t answer, and I don’t bother to give them time to, already out the warehouse door and heading to my car.
