Chapter Nine - Liliya
“Do the thing we fear, and the death of fear is certain.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
My heart hammered like a drum against my ribs as I awaited Ruslan’s response. The shock of seeing him here, and the realization of who he was, threw me the moment our eyes met. How could I not see it? How had I missed the connection? He’d told me his name and I’d never caught on. Idiot! What’s worse is he had been so nice to me at the diner, but now all signs of that man were gone. Was his kindness only an act? Had he known who I was that day?
So here I sat, on the floor of his office, my knees digging into the cold hard floor, tears dripping onto my denim-covered thighs, head bowed before him. To say I was afraid right now would be an understatement. As I sat here on the floor, a powerful mafia boss towering over me, two of his henchmen at my back, I felt small and powerless.
The silence continued for what seemed like an eternity, the sound of the steady bass from the club vibrating the floor beneath me. My throat burned. I let out a shaky sigh, forcing my eyes to remain fixed on the floor. I feared that if I looked up, my eyes would meet the barrel of a gun. Then a small voice inside me let me know that I was being stupid. But was I? A shiver rolled over me and I took a chance and slowly lifted up onto my knees.
Clearing my throat, I dug deep, searching myself for the courage I desperately needed in this moment. I had to prove my salt to this man. I needed him to take me seriously. “If you’re going to kill me, then fucking do it already. Stop playing cat and mouse with me, for fuck’s sake.”
Then, shaking off the weakness I had lived with my entire life, I lifted my gaze to his sea-green eyes and all of the air in my lungs dissipated in a rush. His gorgeous eyes pulled me in, telling me everything and nothing at the same time. I saw the exact moment his control shifted, and it was exhilarating to see. The corner of his lips quirked up. I licked mine in response.
“Leave us!” he shouts, his eyes never leaving mine. “Now!”
His men scramble out the door. And just like that, we are alone. When the door clicked closed, I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I held.
“Get up.”
I push up from the floor, standing on shaky legs. My knees are knocking as I realize I might just be in over my head. What had I done? Oh yes. I stormed into his club, demanded a meeting, and then disrespected him in front of his men. I was fucking screwed, and I knew it. I’d let my mouth run away with me, not thinking of what he might do in response.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t want to die.”
He laughed. The bastard actually laughed at me. “I’m not going to kill you, Liliya. I have no reason to.” He turned away from me, headed for a small bar near the floor to ceiling window overlooking the club, and fixed himself a drink. “Would you like a drink?”
I didn’t respond. I was transfixed by the way he moved with ease and grace, like a jungle cat tracking his prey. His powerful body was a thing of beauty. And those eyes – Dear God – they were hypnotizing. I could get lost in them if he let me.
“Have a seat, Liliya. I think you have some explaining to do. What you ask of me is not a small thing.”
Shuffling across the room, I took a seat on the leather couch, hands trembling. “My father had my brother killed, you know. He… he’s up to something. Dane and my father killed Malcolm. All because they…” my voice cracked, and the tears came in earnest. I couldn’t stop them.
Just when I thought I couldn’t be shocked by anything, I felt Ruslan’s large warm hand grip my shoulder. The couch dipped against his weight and his strong arm pulled me into his side. It felt like home, and without another thought, I let him hold me, exhaustion overtaking me, my eyes closing as I felt truly safe with this man for the first time in what seemed like ages.
Sometime later, I awoke to the sound of men talking. I struggled to a sitting position, my head pounding from the liquor I had consumed. Rubbing my swollen, aching eyes, I glanced around the room and gasped at the sight of several men sitting around me, all their eyes on me.
“What the hell are you looking at?” I growled.
“Calm down, little princess,” Ruslan’s warm voice boomed from my right, wrapping me in its velvety warmth. I shivered. With a nod, I scooted back on the couch. “We have much to discuss,” he stated.
“I suppose we do.” I laughed. It was a small weak laugh. I wanted him to kill my father and the man I was intended to marry. Much to discuss, indeed.