Expose' (Born Bratva Book 3) (9 page)

Logan

I’m grateful for the shots and the champagne because I’m finally starting to relax. I join Gilbert at the table as Glazov escorts his son around the corner for privacy’s sake. Even though I’m curious to know what they’re discussing, I force myself to feign indifference and look away from them.

Alexander Glazov has to be the most intense man I have ever seen. Until I saw his father tonight, Kodiak had held that spot, but Alexander Glazov is like masculine intensity on crack. For one thing, the man is enormous. He’s got to be at least 6’3” or 6’4” and probably weighs in at a solid, muscular 250 pounds—none of which is fat. He has blonde, shoulder length hair that’s always tied back in a ponytail. But it’s his eyes that make you want to run and hide. I had to look away when he stared at me as if he knew I was up to something.

I just hope like hell Kodiak can handle his father when it comes to me. I know he’s not pleased that I’m studying to be a reporter. If he finds out I’m spying on his family…I mean, it’s not like I work for the New York Times, but still…I shudder at the thought of what would happen then. I decide I would much rather people-watch tonight than think of how easily Alexander Glazov could rip my head off with his bare hands. So I direct my attention to my best friend.

“Gilbert, you look fabulous. I think you’ve finally found your look.”

His face beams at the compliment and I can’t help but wonder if it’s the first time he’s ever received one. Svetlana really worked her magic with him; he looks like an elegant, hipster version of his usual self. His blonde hair is stylishly tousled and, without his glasses, his eyes sparkle, although I’m sure the champagne isn’t hurting.

Suddenly his attention is focused on something over my shoulder so I turn around in my seat to see what on earth has him frozen in place with his eyes as big as saucers. An Amazon of a woman is heading straight for us, the crowd parting for her effortlessly. With each languid step she takes toward us, more and more of her awe-inspiring persona is revealed. When she’s about twenty feet away we finally see her from head to toe, and she is unlike any woman I’ve ever encountered before.

She looks like she just walked off the cover of a BDSM fetish magazine. Towering over every woman in the room -- and more than a few of the men -- she stands at least 6’ tall with spiked blonde hair and striking deep blue eyes. Her hourglass figure is snugly encased in black leather from head to toe – bustier, pants, and thigh-high stiletto boots.

I barely manage to keep my jaw from dropping, but Gilbert’s not so lucky. He stares up at her, slack-jawed, as she approaches our table with him firmly in her sights. I look from Gilbert to her and back again, and I’m stunned as I watch Gilbert’s eyes glaze over and his chest rise and fall with each shallow gulp of air. I can’t decide if he’s scared or…seriously turned on. Maybe a little of both, based on the color in his cheeks. I have never seen Gilbert actually interested in a woman but, as she slithers into the seat closest to Gilbert and begins to speak, I swear I hear him moan. I lean in just in time to catch what she’s saying to him.

“Glazov tell me he want me to watch you.” Her thick Russian accent and broken English make her even more dangerously beautiful. Gilbert grips the table with white knuckles as his throat muscles convulse. He jerks back in his seat when she reaches her hand toward him, but she’s only straightening his bowtie. She gives the tie a firm tug toward her and purrs as his abdomen presses against the table, “So. I watch you. You like that, little
mischka
? Does the little mouse like Dominika to watch?”

Gilbert seems to struggle to catch his breath and form words as his mouth opens and closes repeatedly but no sound comes out. After a few false starts, he stammers, “Y-y-yes. I would…like that…very much.” Her face suddenly becomes stern and forbidding. I look rapidly back and forth between the two of them. It’s like watching the sexiest tennis match ever. She arches an eyebrow imperiously and tilts his chin up with one finger. I swear, in that moment they have an entire conversation without saying a word. I’m worried that Gilbert appears to have stopped breathing, but then I hear him whisper hoarsely, “Um, I mean, yes… Yes, ma’am…” At that, she lifts his chin even higher and glares down at him and, I swear, I hear her growl. Clearly, she wants him to try again. He gulps so loudly that I can hear it. Then an odd stillness settles over him and I can barely hear him when he whispers breathlessly, “M-m-mistress, I would very much like for you…to watch…me.”

The Amazon obviously hears him, based on the slow, predatory smile that crosses her lips. I’m so focused on witnessing the spontaneous combustion sparking between these two that I jump when I feel Kodiak’s warm breath on my neck. His lips brush my ear as he whispers, “Dominika’s one of our best bodyguards. My father wants her to keep an eye on him. Looks like things are about to get real fucking interesting around here. I do believe your hacker boy has found his muse. Now, be a good girl and come meet my father’s cousin and his wife.”

He smirks at the bizarre scene unfolding before our eyes and asks the Amazon, “Everything good here? We need to step away for a moment.”

Dominika regards Gilbert with cold amusement, then strokes him under his chin with a long, manicured nail, much as one would a well-behaved pet. Gilbert bites his lips and closes his eyes on a shuddering breath. “Yes,” she purrs, “all is well with my little
mischka
. You go now.”

Kodiak gently pulls me out of my seat and into his side, allowing a few seconds of eye contact to transpire between us before we cross the room over to the evening’s featured guest and his wife.

I’ve never met anyone like Kodiak and I’m certain he’s one of a kind. He’s the kind of guy you always end up comparing other men to, and no one else ever measures up. I don’t want to fall for this guy but he intrigues the hell out of me. I’m sure he’s broken his share of hearts. I just don’t want to be one of them.

We wade through the sea of people as they laugh and dance to Russian music. It’s hard to believe some of these people are prolific killers on the payroll of a ruthless Russian gangster. If I didn’t know any better, I would say this is nothing more than a gathering of a large, boisterous family celebrating their heritage and the return of one of their own.

My heart strings tug at the sight of people who are so excited and happy about Novak’s arrival. I see in these people something I’ve never had—a sense of family. It is clear to me that these people love each other. I long for that in my own life, more than I’ve been willing to admit. As it is, I could drop off the face of the earth and nobody would even notice, except Gilbert, of course. Then again, maybe not -- I think Gilbert may be pretty distracted for the foreseeable future.

Kodiak whispers in my ear, “Novak can be quite daunting, but there is no need to be intimidated. Or if you are, for God’s sake, don’t let him see it.” I see exactly what he means as we approach the odd couple.

Novak has tattoos and piercings all over the areas of his body I can see. A star on his neck peeks out above the tailored white shirt he wears. Piercings cover his face and a large awl is placed in one of his ear lobes. His eyes rake over me as we approach and I know he already has inside information on me—no doubt Kodiak’s father has filled him in on what kind of work I want to do. He confirms my fears when he glares at me with the Glazov family’s cold blue eyes and speaks.

“So this is the spy who has us all on high alert.” The woman with him, who I assume is his wife, speaks and I’m grateful for her words.

“Now, dear, you married me and I work for the newspaper.” That puts me at ease and she and I begin to converse.

“Don’t be surprised if I want to pick your brain about the industry,” I say as I try to hide the fact that I’m shocked she’s with a guy like Novak. I’m sure they get that a lot.

“I’d be offended if you didn’t. Hello, I’m Katrina, and this very scary man is the love of my life, Novak.” The smile she directs at him lights up the room as she takes my hand, graciously shaking it. For the briefest moment, his eyes warm as he regards her, his eyes leisurely traveling the length of her body before returning to her beautiful face. The heat in his gaze is enough to make me look away for the sake of their privacy.
Wow, get a room.

Katrina is the complete opposite of her husband. Her blonde hair is cut in long layers and styled in a curly bob that looks wild and untamed yet professional. In fact, everything about her says professional business woman. I can’t help but wonder how in the world two polar opposites like these two got together. We spend another moment talking and just when I’m feeling comfortable, Novak shatters my sense of calm.

“It was nice meeting you, Logan. I look forward to seeing what Kodiak finds out about you.” Those cold eyes have me locked in place and I know it’s his way of reminding me that I’m not exactly an invited guest, at least not like everyone else in the room. I know Kodiak will be reporting back to Glazov and I’m certain Glazov will keep Novak informed. I don’t know whether to be mad or scared when the thought crosses my mind that Kodiak is making no attempt to deny the allegations—in fact, he’s staring at me every bit as coldly as Novak is.

The only way to meet this family is head on. It has to be done with respect, but it has to be done, nonetheless. I straighten my back and give Novak my most direct look as I reply, “I hope his findings show what my true intentions are.”

“And what would those be?”

“To make it through college unscathed and to be successful in getting a job at the Courier Journal. Perhaps in the future, the Glazovs may even find me to be an asset rather than a threat.” All eyes are on us and I know they aren’t accustomed to seeing an outsider stand up for herself.

“Only time will tell.” His face is set like granite and I have no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on me if mandated to do so by the Pakhan. Though I just met this man, I have no doubt his allegiance to his branch of Bratva comes before all else. The knowledge that I have to figure a way out of all this is pressing in on me. I have no idea how I’m going to get out of the predicament I’ve gotten myself into. How in the hell did things escalate so quickly? All I wanted to do was write an article and win a contest, maybe save a little money toward tuition, and now I’ve got the Russian mafia stalking my every move.

Maybe meeting Katrina tonight is something that can work in my favor. She’s the only one I’ve met so far who can relate to my situation. But I must also remember that, even by marriage, she, too, is Bratva. Nonetheless, I’m sure she’s been where I am—in peril, and relentlessly pursued by a Brava male.

Kodiak

Even in the darkened corner I’ve taken her to after her intense introduction to Novak, I can sense her apprehension. I didn’t expect Novak to come at her the way he did, but he’s looking out for my father’s interests and I honestly can’t be angry about my father being leery of a woman who’s pursuing a career in investigative journalism. Novak’s job is to watch over the brigadiers—the captains—like me. If you are loyal, he is the best source of inside information you could ever have. If you are a traitor, he will find out and become your worst nightmare.

My father is moving me into the position of captain, so Novak is essentially doing his job. He’s as serious as my father is when it comes to our Bratva cell. His presence here tonight reminds me of my lifetime commitment to ensure the Bratva legacy continues. I need to view Logan as a job, nothing more. My father wants me to guard her and that’s what I will do. This is a crucial point of my life and I’m not going to let a woman be my demise. More than once, a woman has been the downfall of a Bratva man, and I refuse to be that guy.

I’ve had enough. I grab her shoulders, turning her body and pinning her against the wall. “I want to know what the fuck you’re up to, Logan, and I want to know now,” I hiss as I lean in close to her face. “You’re playing with fire, and it’s more terrifying than anything you’ve ever imagined.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says so quietly that I can barely hear her.

I bury my face in her hair and can’t help but breathe in her intoxicating scent. She’s got to stop fighting me. My frustration pulls a deep growl from my throat. “Liar!” I bark angrily as I pull away.

“What?” she whispers, and her voice holds an undercurrent of desperation.

I lock eyes with her as I twirl a lock of her hair around my finger in a deceptively calm gesture. “Did you know that the Russian word for liar sounds a lot like ‘bullshit’? Are you a liar, Logan?”

“Yes, no -- Damn it, Kodiak!”

I cradle her jaw in my hand so she can’t turn away. “You’re hiding something and you want to tell me, but you don’t think you can.”

“Yes, but I’m going to fix it.”

“That’s funny, Logan, real fucking funny. You don’t
fix
things when you’ve been touched by Bratva. The only person who can fix whatever it is you’ve gotten yourself into…is
me
.”

I slide my hand down around her neck as I have done several times before. She knows my touch now, understands that I am serious. My grip is firm even as my thumb strokes gently back and forth along her jaw. “Sooner or later, Logan, you’re going to have to trust me. I just hope it isn’t too late when you do.”