Fall (Romanian Mob Chronicles Book 2) (2 page)

I shook my head. “She tests me.”

“That’s not a bad thing. It’ll keep you sharp. Besides, you know what I think?”

I suspected what he thought and had no interest in hearing him share it, so I said nothing, which didn’t discourage my suddenly talkative brother.

“Everyone falls at your feet because of the name, that pretty-boy face of yours. Not Esther, though. And you don’t like it.”

I grunted my disagreement. My issues with Esther had nothing to with how little my charm seemed to affect her.

“No, what I don’t like is how she’s always around. She’s not family. Clan,” I said.

“She’s Fawn’s family, and will be treated as such.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, drifting back to the chair I’d recently vacated, trying to push thoughts of Esther and how much she pissed me off aside.

“You’re going to Familie tonight?” Vasile asked.

“Yeah, but I’m dropping by Petey’s first.”

“Good. There’s been talk about Clan Constantin. Christoph is in poor health.”

“Has he named a successor?”

Vasile shook his head. “Not yet, and time’s ticking.”

“Two sons and Anton and he still doesn’t know who’ll take over. What a fucking mess. This could get ugly, especially if a more ambitious soldier sees an opening.”

“It’ll be up to you to contain the fallout,” Vasile said.

“Yeah. I’ll let you know what I hear,” I said as I stood.

I left and headed toward the front door. I stopped and almost turned around when the sound of Esther’s voice drifted down the hall toward me, the sound sparking an awareness that wasn’t quite annoyance, one that made me want to escape if only to avoid figuring out exactly what it was.

But after a brief moment, I continued. I was Sorin Petran, brother of the leader of Clan Petran, a powerful and feared man. No one, not even Esther Jordan, would make me cower.

“So I have the interview at the hardware store tomorrow,” Esther said as I turned the corner.

I stopped, looked at her, seeing that for once she wasn’t wearing a scowl on her face as she stared down at Fawn who held Maria. She actually looked…pleasant, almost friendly. Nothing would ever make her exactly pretty, but the soft smile on her face almost did the trick. I took the moment to watch unobserved.

She was very tall, closer to my height than Fawn’s, solidly built with sturdy legs, thick waist, broad shoulders. There was nothing dainty about her, in body or mind, but there was a certain appeal in her. One wouldn’t have to worry about being delicate, handling her like she was fragile. Not that anyone could get close, not with her slashing tongue and fiery eyes.

“You got fired again,” I said before I could stop myself.

She pressed her lips together, her smile dropping in an instant. Then she turned slightly, looked me from head to toe before turning back to Fawn.

“So wish me good luck,” she said as she leaned in to half hug Fawn around Maria.

She was ignoring me, dismissing me, and I thinned my lips into a grim line and pierced her with a stare. And she noticed. Tried to pretend she didn’t, but I saw the momentary pause, saw her gaze as she shifted it to me but then looked away quickly.

I relaxed my face and nodded, some of the tension leaving. I was not one to be dismissed, and Esther now knew it.

“I’m not worried. I know you’ll get the job,” Fawn said.

Esther huffed. “Yeah, I just have to keep it,” she said, her voice light with humor. “Catch you later.”

“Wait. It’s dark out. Someone will drive you home,” Fawn said.

“I’m cool. Bye-bye,” she said, and with one last look over her shoulder, she walked out.

“You leaving, Sorin?” Fawn asked.

I nodded, and she met my eyes, put her free hand on my arm. “Take care.”

“Always,” I said and then left.

I thought about them, Fawn, Maria, even Esther, as I drove away, how normal they were, how I’d never had people like them in my life before. People who weren’t of my world.

And soon, I didn’t think at all.

It was time for work.

S
orin

A
s I left Vasile’s
, the me I was there, uncle, brother, got further away, and the real me, clan, sometimes killer, came out. This was a new development, one brought on by Fawn’s and Maria’s presence, one I hadn’t quite gotten accustomed to yet.

Vasile understood me, our world, and I didn’t have to pretend with him. I loved him; he was my best friend, but he was clan too, leader, in fact, and I didn’t have to mind myself around him, keep the darkness away. And it was better that way.

I knew who I was, what I was, but if I pretended too much, I might forget, think I was something more, something different than what I was, and I’d never let that happen. Not ever.

But with them, the little family that even now still surprised me, it was different. They didn’t know Sorin Petran of Clan Petran, not entirely, anyway, and much to my surprise, I wanted to keep it that way.

Esther, though, she was another story. A real, true-blue citizen, one not connected to clan, or the underworld at all save her ties to Fawn. And I’d never met anyone like her.
Ever.
All the people in my life, in my world, were connected, even if only barely. But not her.

And maybe that was why she vexed me so.

She knew nothing of our world, except that she should be afraid. But she never was. No, she pushed, rankled, gave no care to how I might react. And it drove me fucking crazy. She drove me crazy.

But I couldn’t think of that now.

I parked, entered the club owned by Clan Constantin. The man at the door gave me a passing once-over as I walked in. Good that he respected me, but we’d never be so lax at our place. While I didn’t plan for things to get out of hand, I was prepared if they did.

“Sorin.” Petey Constanin scurried over to me and clapped me on the back.

“Petey,” I replied, nodding.

“Glad you could make it. Father is here,” he said as he led me to the back of the club.

After we entered the private room, I went over to the old man sitting behind the desk. He looked ashen, gaunt, had lost more weight since I’d seen him last. But he was still dressed impeccably, and though I could see his struggle, how tired he was, he sat upright.

“Water, Father?” Petey said as he moved to his father’s side, again rushing.

Mr. Constantin shook his head, and I could see the effort the gesture took. “Mr. Petran, can I offer you something?” he rasped in Romanian, his voice deep, phlegmatic.

“No,” I replied, still standing.

“Please, sit.” He gestured to the chair in front of him.

I normally wouldn’t, but the old man deserved respect, and I could see that staring up at me was taking a toll.

“You speak for Clan Petran?” he asked after I’d sat.

Another thing I appreciated about him. Right to business.

“Yes.”

He nodded. “So what are the terms?”

“Clan Petran will take thirty percent,” I said.

“Thirty—” Petey started to speak but was cut off by his father’s sharp, icy gaze.

“That’s a more than generous split. What justifies the amount?” he asked.

“We could take one hundred,” I said, “but we’re happy to let you manage the business and take a small cut for staying out of your way.”

The old man considered my words as Petey stewed. I understood. I’d wanted to continue running the fights, but Vasile had insisted this was a better way. And he was my leader and brother, so I listened.

“Your terms are amenable,” Constantin said while Petey sat, stunned.

“Good.”

“Now, please stay. Petey will escort you, show that Clan Constantin is committed to maintaining good relationships with Clan Petran,” he said.

I looked at Petey, wondered if he felt the same way. He was a second son like me, and he was pissed, but unlike me, powerless so therefore harmless.

“Of course,” I said, unwilling to disregard the old man’s hospitality.

Petey’s sullen expression dropped. “Come down to the basement. We have a very special event planned for tonight. We got a new fighter, and I think you’re going to love him,” he said.

S
orin

“
Y
ou still here
? Not at home playing papa?” I asked Vasile the next night, not bothering to hide the smile that covered my face, taking the opportunity to tease my brother about his newfound domestic bliss as I always did.

I slapped him on the back and then sat next to him.

“I don’t play anything,” he said, face grim as ever but his amusement clear. And then he leaned back, the momentary humor fading.

“They okay?” I asked, taking in the now more-serious-than-usual expression on his face.

He nodded. “Fine. I have five guys at home, so they’re good.”

He spoke, but I could sense his trepidation. Since Fawn’s attack and Maria’s early birth, he’d loathed leaving them alone, especially at night. Which made his presence here now a question.

“Why aren’t you with them?” I asked.

He shrugged, the move out of character for him. “I need to be here.”

“No you don’t.”

“I do,” he said with certainty. “They need to see me, know that I’m here, still on top of my game.”

I couldn’t disagree, so I would help how I could.

“Any issues with Clan Constantin?”

“No. Christoph’s not well, but he agreed to our terms. Petey is…Petey,” I said, and then cut off to nod a greeting at several soldiers who’d come in. “But it’s nothing I can’t handle,” I added quickly.

“Good. At least for now, I want to stay close, but I feel better with you looking out,” he said.

I nodded, ignoring the sense of pride that welled in my chest. I’d never wanted to be the leader, supported Vasile entirely, but hearing him say that he trusted me was something I treasured.

Vasile turned his attention from me and focused over my shoulder, and I turned to watch as Natasha Florescu, the daughter of one of my father’s most trusted lieutenants, approached. Her clinging black dress, heels, flawlessly applied makeup, everything about her, including her sultry steps, was designed to garner maximum attention. And it did, every male eye save Vasile’s glued to her as she walked toward us.

And on a normal day, I’d be staring at her as well, confident in the knowledge that if I so chose, I could have her as I had so many times before.

But tonight was different, and I knew why.

As I watched Natasha approach, instead of being thralled by her sensual spell, I couldn’t dislodge the image of Esther. She’d never gone out of her way to get attention, walked like she didn’t have a care in the world and certainty didn’t give a damn if anyone noticed. And that casual uncaring made it impossible for me to look away from her, no matter how much I wanted to throttle her at any given moment.

It made no sense. She made me crazy with her pushy intrusion, and though she was attractive enough, there was nothing about her that should have stuck with me except how damn annoying she was.

But Natasha didn’t have the allure to distract me as I hoped in this moment. I could see only Esther, her tall, shapely body, the fire that always sparked in her eyes when she looked at me, and fuck if I wasn’t rock-solid by the time Natasha reached us.

And when she reached us, stood close enough her small but nicely shaped breasts brushed against my arm, I waited for Esther’s image to fade to be replaced with Natasha’s.

That switch was not forthcoming.

In fact, when I gazed down at her, smelled her perfume, all I could think of was Esther.

I ignored the thought and looked directly at Natasha.

She smiled quickly and then let her gaze linger on Vasile.

“Fawn?” she asked.

“Fine. The baby too.”

“Good,” Natasha said.

And then she waited, and after a beat, Vasile bade her to sit.

“You look good,” she said to Vasile.

He shrugged and an awkward silence fell.

The recent changes had been an adjustment for Natasha. She’d been one of the few women, the only, in fact, in our circle and accustomed to a certain amount of Vasile’s attention, which was now directed at Fawn and Maria. She’d never said anything, but I couldn’t help wonder if she resented the change.

“I’ll be back,” Vasile said.

He stood and left us, and silence reigned in his wake.

“You look good too, Sorin,” she said, letting her gaze linger on me, her plan clear.

Ordinarily, I’d have her in the back room bent over by now, but I stayed still. Natasha wouldn’t do.

“Let’s get out of here,” she said, tracing a finger along my forearm.

I shook my head. “Not tonight.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed, but she recovered quickly. “I understand. Business comes first,” she said. Then she smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Maybe later?”

When I said nothing, she nodded and stood and left without another word.

So I was alone with my raging hard-on and Esther on the brain. A few moments later, a smile curved my lips.

Inspiration had struck.

E
sther

I
’d gotten
the
job at the hardware store, and hadn’t been fired or even reprimanded in the week I’d worked there, so all was good in my world as I walked home from Fawn’s house, enjoying the cool night air.

Part of me could hardly believe she was back in my life, believe the happiness she had found.

And the dangerous man she’d found it with.

I worried for her, worried even more for her baby, and despite what she said, in spite of how much I could see Vasile cared about them, I wondered if he could keep them safe.

If his brother would help him.

I shook my head as if doing so would shake loose the memory of Sorin’s face.

Or shake loose the knowledge of what he was, of how I felt around him. A tremor ran through my body, one that wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as it should have been. Yes, he drove me crazy, and yes, I wanted him more than I could even admit.

It was ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous. Sorin was a monster, probably a killer…and yet, my body didn’t seem to mind any of that, and my mind was coming around.

Even at our first meeting, one that had involved me taking leave of my senses and going to confront his brother, one where he’d stared at me like he would toss my corpse down an abandoned mine shaft, I’d felt it.

And I hated it.

I wanted to settle down, find a nice, stable family man, and here I was fantasizing about a Romanian mobster. I rolled my eyes at my own ridiculousness. Lusting after a man I didn’t like, knowing nothing good could come from it, but totally unable to stop myself.

Way to go, Esther.

The one piece of comfort was that my resolve, which was weak on a good day, would never be tested.

I’d made peace with who I was, what I looked like, knew that I wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, something that was probably doubly true for Sorin. He’d want someone top-shelf, one of those impossibly beautiful girls with huge boobs, which I had, a tiny waist, which I did not, and someone mild-mannered and meek, which I couldn’t even pretend to fake.

So there was no possibility of anything there, which was for the best. And as much fun as it was, I would stop antagonizing him, or at least try not to, if only for Maria’s sake. I planned to stay a part of her life, and I knew Sorin was also going nowhere, so I’d keep the peace. It would be hard because getting under his skin, needling him right to the edge was great fun.

I’d miss it.

I pulled myself from my thoughts and looked around.

The transition from Fawn and Vasile’s to my house was always fascinating. They only lived a few blocks away, but it was like a different world. Their house was situated in one of the city’s older, well-to-do neighborhoods. Mine was decidedly not, and though I felt comfortable here, no matter how late at night, I always tried to stay alert.

My house was at the edge of the block, and as I approached I felt a strange sensation, almost like I was being watched. I looked up the block, back down, wondering what the source of the feeling was. But when I saw nothing, I continued on, keys gripped tight in my hand.

I unlocked the door, opened it and screamed out loud when a strong hand closed around my wrist.