BEAST: A Mafia Romance Read online

  He walks us backwards toward a door, reaches behind and tries the handle; it opens into a narrow utility room, with a sink at the end.

  "Perfect," he grins wolfishly, setting me down on the linoleum floor. "We can have a private moment together."

  He goes to turn the key then comes toward me, pacing like a panther after its prey. I feel the heat of his body, even though we aren't touching.

  Yet.

  Maybe knowing Kir is okay has let down my defenses.

  Who are you kidding, I tell myself.

  It's lust. Pure and simple.

  Warmth floods through me, rippling down my lower belly to the spot between my legs. My breathing grows heavy.

  I'm on fire for him, but at the same time I'm struggling with my feelings.

  This shouldn't be happening.

  It's dangerous.

  He's dangerous.

  We should be talking, not having sex. Except, I don't want to talk to him. Not yet. I'm still scared he'll want Kir all for himself.

  "Face away from me," he grunts. "Hold onto the counter."

  I can only obey.

  His hot breath on the back of my neck, he reaches around and unzips my jeans. Down they come, and then my panties. I step out of them.

  I'm naked apart from my Keds and sweater. The latter doesn't stay on me for long. "Lift your arms," he commands. His warm fingers trail down my spine and a shiver of want moves over my skin.

  "Spread your legs. Bend forward. Ass in the air."

  I do as he asks, my heart beating furiously against my ribs.

  "Just a second," he says gruffly.

  I hear a click and catch sight of his gun being placed on the counter next to me. With a thud, his holster drops to the floor.

  Oh, God ...

  His hand comes around and lifts my right bra cup, pinching and tugging on my nipple.

  "Tell me to stop, Kiska, and I will."

  "Don't stop," I hiss.

  I must be crazy, certifiable in fact, but I can't help myself. Anything to delay the moment of reckoning when he quizzes me about Kir. I arch my back toward Gleb.

  "Good girl," he pulls me against his rock-hard chest, briefly touching his lips to the back of my neck.

  I look over my shoulder. He's lowering himself on his knees behind me, spreading my legs wider with rough hands and running his tongue up and down my slit.

  Moaning, I flutter my eyes and give myself over to the sensations. I've never had oral before; my one and only boyfriend wouldn't go down on me after I refused to do it to him.

  Gleb presses his face into me, nuzzling me and breathing me in through his nose.

  He's like an animal.

  Suddenly, he turns me around to face him and looks up at me with lustful eyes. I meet his gaze and brush my fingers through his thick dark hair.

  I can't believe this man, this beast of a man, is on his knees for me. He parts my slit with his thumbs and pushes his mouth into me. Then he licks inside me, his tongue darting in and out. "You're so wet for me, Elousha," his voice vibrates against my pussy, "delicious and tight."

  He latches onto my clit and starts sucking hard, the pressure building until I'm moaning and fisting his hair, tugging at it and urging him on. He pumps his tongue, making my toes curl. I lean against the counter, my legs turning to Jell-O. He lifts one of my thighs over his shoulder, so he can go deeper. My vision clouds and I start shaking. "Please," I groan. "Please..."

  He withdraws his head and stares up at me. "Please what?" His eyes glint.

  "Please... please make me come."

  "Since you beg so nicely, my sweet..."

  With a grunt, he's on his feet, pulling me into him and trailing his hand down to my pussy. He presses one finger into me, his thumb circling my clit. "Ahh..."

  Rubbing my wetness with his hand, he curls a second digit, swirling until he finds my spot. I clench against him and he picks up the pace. He raises me onto the counter, still with his fingers inside my sheath. He trails his mouth up my neck, biting and kissing and murmuring how I'm so sexy, how I'm his kitten, how beautiful I am when I give myself to him, how proud he is of me for birthing him a son.

  Oh, Jesus, don't let him take Kir from me, I can't help thinking, even while his fingers twist and scissor, his thumb rubbing my clit. I close my eyes, focus on what he's doing. I'll deal with what happens next afterwards. Gasping, I start to come apart, an exquisite numbness making me lose control of my muscles as wave after wave of pleasure crashes through me.

  With a grunt, he withdraws his fingers. He places them between his lips and sucks on them, sucks on my wetness, his blue eyes shining.

  So freaking hot...

  I shuffle to my feet, and he helps me into my clothes. I wonder if he wants me to get him off too, but he retrieves his gun and holster, and we sneak back out into the corridor like two naughty kids.

  "I'll just go to the Gents," Gleb stares down at the bulge in his pants. "See you in a couple of minutes."

  Back in Kir's room, his nurse smiles at me, tells me all is well. She hands me two blankets and shows me how to make the armchairs fold back.

  "Did you enjoy that coffee?" she asks Gleb as he comes into the room.

  "Delicious," he deadpans, and I feel my cheeks redden.

  He sends his bodyguard back to corridor duty, and we stand next to each other by our baby's bed. Gleb takes my hand. "He's beautiful," he says. "I'll take care of him. I'll look after you both." He stares into my eyes. "Things are about to turn complicated, however." He squeezes my fingers, frowning. "We'll talk tomorrow." He presses a kiss to my forehead, then yawns. "In the meantime, we'd better try and get some sleep."

  I think about the gun I saw earlier, and a lump blocks my throat. Gleb is a ruthless Vor and I'd sworn I wouldn't let him touch me again. Wouldn't let him wreak havoc with my life like he did two years ago. My traitorous body betrayed me; he's like an addiction.

  My breath catches on a heavy sigh. Gleb is also the father of my baby and he clearly wants to be a part of Kir's life.

  I never put his name on the birth certificate; he doesn't have any official rights.

  Not that it would make any difference to him...

  What did he mean by 'things are about to turn complicated'? Sudden doubt whirls through me and my chest is tight. What if he's messing with me? Pretending to care so he can take my baby away when my back is turned? I don't know Gleb at all. All I know is he has the reputation of being a beast.

  Why should I trust him?

  And yet... and yet, he appears trustworthy. He could have taken Kir from me tonight. He has a gun and people to do his dirty work; he could have had me dragged out of the hospital and sent away or even had me killed, but he didn't. Instead, he comforted me in his lap and then gave me release.

  He appeared as happy as I was when we heard our son was going to be okay.

  Surely that means his intentions are good?

  I chew on my lip so hard I taste blood on my tongue.

  Twelve

  Gleb

  My eyelids fly open. No fucking use trying to get anymore sleep; I've been tossing and turning in this damn hospital chair since the early hours, alternating between aiming for some shuteye and texting instructions to my staff.

  I glance over at Eva; she's still sleeping. Hasn't made a sound whereas I probably snored like a fucking trooper. My morning wood is a reminder of what happened last night. I reach down and cup my balls. Fuck, she'd tasted sweet. The way her tight little pussy had responded had made it difficult for me not to shoot my load in my pants there and then.

  I'd loved every second of getting her off.

  Her moans.

  Her wetness.

  The look on her face when she'd lost her shit.

  She'd wanted me almost as much as I'd wanted her.

  I blow out a breath; I hadn't been joking the other night when I'd accused her of giving me blue balls. Last night I'd needed relief but couldn't bring myself to tell her to give it to me... not ap
propriate behavior on the pediatric floor of a hospital.

  Since when have I ever concerned myself with 'appropriate behavior' ha?

  I hadn't jerked off in years, hadn't needed to as I've always found it easy to find a willing woman. It's only been a couple of weeks since Eva came back into my life, and, strangely, I haven't felt the need for anyone else.

  Only her.

  Which is insane.

  I'd wrapped my hand around my cock in that stall in the Gents, masturbating like a fucking teenager, pumping my dick to thoughts of my kitten until I'd filled my fist with cum.

  Elousha.

  She's changing me.

  Having a son is changing me.

  But I need to keep up my front.

  The world sees me as the Beast.

  Only my family knows the other version of me.

  I stare at the gun holster on the table next to my armchair; my Glock is tucked beside me.

  I shudder to myself.

  Yes, I have used it.

  I have killed with it.

  And almost certainly I'll need to kill with it again.

  My shoulders slump and I give a halfhearted shrug.

  I'm aware of a sound emanating from the bed and I can't resist a chuckle. My kid is babbling to himself. A couple of hours ago, a nurse had come in to check on him and had removed the IV from his arm. He'd slept right through, but now he appears wide awake.

  Slowly, so as not to startle him, I go to his bedside. "Hey, little bud," a smile creases my face, "I'm your papa."

  He stares at me with big blue eyes and his bottom lip trembles like he's about to burst into tears.

  Idiot, I tell myself. Any kid would be terrified to wake up to a scary man towering over him.

  Scrubbing a hand over my face, I look around for something to divert him and my gaze lands on the bag Eva had the foresight to bring with her. I rifle through diapers and onesies until my fingers touch a teddy bear. It looks like it has seen better days, the fur has almost all been rubbed off and one ear is hanging by a thread. I pick it up and wiggle it at Kir, making silly noises as an afterthought.

  He laughs from his belly and holds out his arms. My heart melting, I lift him up and he clutches the teddy between us. I kiss the soft hair on the top of his head, holding him close, breathing him in and walking him up and down the room. "I'm sorry I haven't been in your life up to now, Kir. From now on I'm going to be here for you."

  I sense Eva's eyes on us and I return her gaze. What is she thinking? She'd clammed up on me last night...

  She gets out of her chair and approaches.

  My son’s cute little face breaks into a wide smile. "Mama," he gurgles, turning in my arms.

  I hand him to her; she swings him over her head. His giggles are intoxicating, and I laugh with him until we're interrupted by a knock at the door.

  "The lab tests are back," Dr. Hughes says, entering the room. "As I thought, your son has a mild bladder infection. I'll prescribe a course of antibiotics to make sure it clears." He takes Kir from Eva. "I'll just check him over then you can take him home."

  Eva's golden eyes dance with happiness. "Thank you, doctor," she says in a bubbly tone of voice. "We're so relieved." She glances at me. "Aren't we, Gleb?"

  I nod curtly, too overcome with emotion to speak. I clasp the doctor's forearm to convey my thanks. My mouth is dry and unexpected tears well up behind my eyelids. I excuse myself and head for the bathroom.

  I stare at my face in the mirror.

  Put your Beast mask back on, Gleb, or people will think you've grown a pussy.

  I take a piss and return to Kir's room. Yuri has arrived to relieve the bodyguard who'd stayed with us all night... Dmitry, my housekeeper's husband. There's something I need to tell Yuri, but I'm distracted by the arrival of Brash, who's arrived to drive my Porsche home. He's brought a child seat for the Merc, like I requested in the SMS I sent earlier.

  Dr. Hughes hands me paperwork to complete while Eva dresses Kir. I hand Brash my car keys and lean in so only he can hear what I say. "Ask Olga to prepare two rooms. One for Eva and one for my son. We'll stop by her parents' apartment on our way home."

  "Yes, sir," he smirks as if he knew this was always on the cards. I wish I could be so sure... I still need to broach the subject with my kitten, and she'll fight my suggestion like she's fought almost every suggestion I've made to her up to now.

  "What did you mean when you said things are about to turn complicated?" Eva asks as she buckles Kir into the child seat in the back of the car outside the hospital entrance. She gives him his teddy then sits herself next to him, placing her bag by her feet.

  I'm sitting on the other side of our son but lean across him to explain my worry that if Vadim finds out about Kir he might try and get at him, to get at her and ultimately me. I deliberately keep my tone neutral so as not to upset my boy. "I want you to move into my place with Kir," I tell her, "so I can take care of you both."

  I rub the back of my neck while I wait for her answer.

  She stares at me, and I know she's going to argue back.

  "That's not necessary," she says firmly. "I'll be extra vigilant at home."

  I shake my head. "How can you be vigilant? You don't have adequate security. My estate is a much better option. It's surrounded by a high fence with an intrusion detection system. And I have a team of people who can protect you and Kir."

  She chews on her lip, avoiding direct eye contact with me. "Who will look after him while I'm at work? My mom is like a second mother to him."

  "I don't want you serving cocktails at the club, Elousha." I set my jaw and lean toward her. "Not the right job for the mother of my son."

  "Ha, you had no such qualms before you found out about Kir," she shakes her head slowly and finally meets my gaze. "And what about my father and his debt to you?"

  "I'll wipe it out. My housekeeper will be happy to give you a hand with Kir." I touch my fingertips together. "Your mother is welcome to visit any time she wants."

  Eva's eyes rove over my face. She settles back into her seat and heaves a deep sigh. "Okay... as a temporary measure, I agree to move in with you. But only until the danger has passed." Worry creases her brow. "If you are willing to help me support Kir in the future, I'd like to get my own place, then go back to college and finish my dance studies."

  To say I'm surprised by her forthrightness would be an understatement. I snort out a laugh. "Consider it done, my sweet. You know this makes sense." I reach for her hand and squeeze it. "It's a strange way to start a relationship. I mean, starting with having a baby. Most couples get to know each other first..."

  Christ, what have I just said?

  Me, in a relationship? With this smart-ass kid?

  I should be laughing, but, fuck me I'm not.

  It appears Eva can't believe what I've just said either. Her eyes almost pop out of her head and her face reddens. She doesn't say anything to me for the rest of the ride to the Petrenko building. Instead, she busies herself with keeping Kir distracted, pointing through the window and talking to him about what they can see... other cars, people walking their dogs, kids on skateboards.

  She's a good mother, it occurs to me.

  And I'll be a good father to my boy, so help me God.

  After we arrive at the Petrenkos', and Eva's mom and dad have kissed and cooed over Kir, expressing their relief that he's on the mend, we go through to their small living room. Eva places our son on the floor, and he toddles over to his toy box in the corner of the room.

  "No easy way to say this," she grabs both parents' hands, "so I'll come right out with it. Gleb is Kir's papa."

  Again, I'm surprised by her candor; there's so much I have yet to learn about my kitten.

  Ludmila Petrenko gives a yelp. Ivan simply squeezes his eyes shut.

  They ask myriad questions, to which Eva responds calmly. She again highlights her fear that I might have taken Kir away due to her melt-down.

  "That's not on the cards," I r
eassure them. "I will stand by your daughter, support her and my son."

  I wait for their reaction, pulling in a deep breath.

  A slow smile spreads over Ivan's face, and Ludmila reaches out to Eva, enveloping her in a hug.

  "Thank you," Ludmila says to me. She offers me tea, which I accept for politeness' sake. Eva goes to fix Kir a drink in his sippy cup and settles him on her lap.

  I can't remember the last time I sat and drank tea like this. Such a Russian thing to do; it gives me a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. I glance at Eva, give her a brief nod.

  "There's something else," she says with her habitual directness. "Kir and I will be moving in with Gleb right away."

  Ludmila releases a groan. She tugs at her graying hair. Skin bunches around her eyes, and she shoots me a pained look. "I helped bring Kir up," she wails, tears furrowing her cheeks. "He's like my own little boy. Please don't take him away from me."

  I decide to come clean about Vadim. "If he finds out about Kir, he might try and get to him. He's already got Eva in his sights. I need time to prepare to take him down," I deliberately keep my voice calm. "In the meantime, Eva and our boy will be safe with me."

  Eva reaches across and strokes her mother's arm. "Gleb says you can visit whenever you want, Mama. Every day if you like."

  Ludmila nods, sniffing and wiping at her nose. "I know it's for your protection, my dear," she touches the gold cross at her neck for comfort, "but it's hard." She huffs out a sigh. "I hope you understand."

  I reiterate my promise she can have full access to her grandson. What else can I do?

  Kir finishes his drink and squirms to be put down. But Eva lifts him up and sniffs his butt. "This little guy needs changing," she announces. "Come with me, Mama, and help me pack our things."

  They do as Eva suggests, leaving Ivan and me glaring at each other. Petrenko has been silent since his daughter dropped the bombshell of moving out.

  "I'm prepared to write off your debt," I say to him, my head cocked to the side. "And I'd like to invest in your business, help you get back on your feet."