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She stepped into the grand foyer, her movements cautious and calculated. A silly grin played on my lips as I wondered how she’d been able to slip past my security at the gates. She became more intriguing each time I saw her.
I motioned for her to follow me and led her into the study to keep things professional. At least that was my intention. I shut the door behind us and caught a whiff of her perfume, not too sweet, definitely vanilla, and some other spicy notes. I liked it. For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to nuzzle my nose into her neck and drink-in more of her scent. Warmth blossomed inside me, and my blood rushed south.
Her eyes scanned my study as she stood rooted to the spot in the middle of the room. She was all alone with me, in my mansion. A filthy image flashed through my mind, and I did my best to stop myself from laying her on my desk.
Dressed as she was, in that tan-colored skirt, a silk cream blouse tucked into its waist, it would take me only a few pulls of fabric to get her completely naked. A desperate heat spread across my entire body, begging me to give in to my desires.
My better judgment, however, reminded me how fucking insane it was for me to be feeling this way about Jonathan’s daughter, of all people. I took a deep breath and tried to pull my eyes away from her luscious curves.
I gestured toward the plush armchair, inviting her to take a seat, but she remained standing, her body tense. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her refusal to comply. What a feist little spirit.
“Why won't you sit, malyshka?” I asked.
She met my gaze, her eyes blazing with intensity. “I can't exactly afford to relax, Nikolai. Not when my father's life is at stake,” she said resolutely, her voice steady.
“Oh?”
“Someone pulled an assassination attempt on my father.” She huffed.
I couldn’t contain the loud laugh that escaped me. “And you think it's me? That I would stoop so low or even have the time to try to kill your boring father?”
Ashley shook her head, shooting me a fiery glare. Interesting. Why else would she be here?
“No, Nikolai. I don’t believe it's you, but I know the Bratva dislikes him, and my father's political influence makes him a target.”
“So, what then? You think one of my brothers, did it? One of my men?” Leaning back in my chair, I studied her closely. “You're right, none of us likes your nerve-grating father. However, the Bratva has nothing to gain from his death either. I don’t have anything to gain from his death.”
Ashley eyed me suspiciously for a couple of seconds and I met her fiery gaze with a bold smirk. This wasn’t exactly how I had planned to spend my free evening, but I sure didn’t mind.
She was delicious entertainment, and I was more than ready to match her sharp intellect with my own shrewdness. I’d have loved nothing more than to show her how things were really done.
Finally, she sighed. “I need your help, Nikolai. You're the only one who came to my mind,” she admitted, her voice laced with uncertainty.
As her words hung in the air, a rush of dopamine surged through my veins. My smile grew wide as a pleasurable sense of power washed over me.
She needed me.
Knowing that she had come to me, relying on my expertise and resources alone, ignited a fire within me. My chest raced as I thought of the vulnerability of her situation.
I could make her do anything in return for my help. My pupils danced watching the pitiful, helpless expression on her face. She stood, shuffling her feet from side to side, her hips rocking slowly as she moved.
She was so fucking sexy.
Her words flowed with desperation as she revealed the details of her father's attack. “The attempt on my father's life was over a week ago,” she said, her voice raw and filled with intensity. “He was shot in the stomach, and he's still fighting for his life in the ICU.” Her eyes flickered as she continued, “I must find the culprit. Bratva is known for finding anyone they want to. They have their ways, their connections. They always find the perpetrator and exact revenge.”
She sighed, “The police have, apparently, been doing their best, but I doubt …” She paused and bit her lip. “I doubt they’ll get anywhere.”
I kept my composure and allowed her to continue. She sounded as though she was looking for a villain, not a hero.
Her voice was firm as she went on. “I would appreciate it if you helped me find the culprit, I’m willing to give any amount of money, Nikolai. Whatever price you name, I will meet it.”
I was amused by her words, and couldn’t hold back my laughter, “Ashley, my dear, you may be smart with numbers, but they don’t add up in this case. You sure as hell have no idea how business is conducted within the mafia.”
Her expression shifted to the menacing undertone in my voice. The realization that she might have underestimated the danger she was getting herself into washed over her.
She began to pace back and forth, looking terribly anxious, and even a bit shy as she avoided my gaze.
My voice was colored with glee, as I warned, “In the world I operate in, we handle ‘situations’ with one favor for another. Money alone won't be enough, malyshka.”
