Redemption (The Volkov Mafia Series Book 4) (16 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Alekzander

I’ve been stuck in this same spot for hours now. The muggy heat of the London air is torture, I can't breathe.

I've seen lots of people coming and going setting up for tonight’s charity auction. Well that’s what it's advertised as, but I know better.  Around an hour ago, a couple of cars turned up with about eight young girls inside ... all wearing the same see-through white dresses. This isn’t to raise money for charity. It's to line his pockets with the cash from selling these girls.

He has ten men acting as security, making sure anyone who isn’t on that list doesn’t enter. I know Emma is on that list, I made sure of it, but I had to call in a few favors for that to happen.

I’m just hoping that what I ask of her tonight isn’t too much. I know she hates it! Without her this whole plan would fail.

I pull out my phone. She should be arriving outside within the next hour.

Alek: I need you tonight. I will give you instructions when you arrive. Please do this for me and I won’t ask anything from you again.

I hit send and wait for the reply. Vlad is back and we are sitting in the van. All the weapons are waiting. It’s time to get suited and booted.

Emma: Ok, but be warned, I have Faith, Cami, Damien and Malc with me.

I look down and read over her message again. Shit, that’s not something I need right now.

“Here, read this. Did you know they were coming?” I pass the phone to Vlad and see the look of pure confusion cross his face.

“No I didn’t know. If I did I would have told you and we could have adapted the plan accordingly.”

I believe him. Vlad has no reason to deceive me. Now all we have to do is figure a way around this without Damien or Faith getting hurt.

“I think we should call it off and go after him another time, Alek. It’s not safe now they have just thrown a huge spanner in the works.”

I hear his concern, I really do, but after everything that has happened we have to do this.

“No, we go ahead as planned. Jonny is expecting me to show up. He thinks he is getting his money back tonight. If I don’t show up it is going to be harder to get to him next time,” I tell Vlad. I hear him sigh, though he still nods his head in agreement.

Time to take action and end this tonight. We get out of the front of the van and get into the back. The suits are hung on hangers at the rear of the vehicle and the weapons are situated in the bag.

We get changed and put our plan into action. I have the bag with the cash I owe him inside. He knows I’m coming so it shouldn’t be a problem getting in, and his goons will be on their best behavior tonight.

The guests start arriving and I keep a close watch for Emma. The thought of her here when all this is about to go down tears me apart, but I know I need her. To do this without her would mean failure. That’s not an option. I have to do this. I need to be free to start again.

The men who arrive all look the part of a high-roller; tailored suits, nice watches. The women are dressed to the nines in the latest fashion statement, dripping in diamonds, showing off their wealth. That’s only bragging rights so that later, when the bidding starts, they are showing they have the money to back up what they say. It’s an illusion. Just a way to intimidate their opposition.

They say money hides the true nature of a person’s character, like perfume. It’s a mask.

“You know what to do. I’m gonna make my way inside,” I tell Vlad.

“Yes, I know. I take out what guards I can from here,” he says, lifting his sniper rifle out of the van.

“Yeah, I’m gonna need you to have my back as we’re outnumbered.” His nod of affirmation is all I need right now. I pull out the bag and make my way down the dock towards the yacht.

You can see money oozing from every pore. The path of red carpet and velvet rope is discreetly showing you where to go. Herding you like cattle to slaughter is more my thought at this moment.

The goon sees me straight away, and smirks as if he knows something I don’t. Fat chance. He thinks I’m weak. The beating he and his other fuckers gave me a couple of weeks ago is enough to render anyone out of action for a while. I try my best not to let him have a rise out of me as I walk towards the entrance to this sham. But the thoughts in the back of my mind play a little more. I really am tempted to show him just how recovered I am. I mean, it would be so easy to take him down right now, letting him know that just because he had the upper hand once, does not mean that he will ever have it again.

“You have the boss’s money, Alek?” His scouse accent seems so out of place in London, but I suppose you get all sorts of people in this line of work.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t, would I?” Come on, how fucking dense can you get? His voice is irritating me, and his fucking face is aggravating me right now to the point that I just want to punch the cunt. I walk through the entrance leaving his smug arse behind.

The atmosphere is stale. The guests are greedy fuckers who think because they have money they can own anything they want, including people. I hate that more than anything; the thought that someone holds power over you, that they can control what you can and can’t do. We lived with it long enough. My mother had to work multiple jobs just to try and get by. Her bosses wouldn’t give her the time of day unless something wasn’t done just right, then she would hear about it.

The worst time was when I was little. Men would call around at all hours looking for Viktor. They thought because he had been with her that she would instantly know where he was, and when she pleaded with them that she didn’t know anything, that’s when the black eyes or the slaps across the face would start. It took them years to realise that she was telling the truth, by which time it was too late.

I scan the room and spot her instantly. I lurk in the shadows, trying not to draw any unwanted attention to myself. She looks ravishing in that sexy red dress, it wraps around her body like a glove. The split all the way up to the thigh is enough to make my cock instantly go hard. That’s just looking at her. I don’t want to think what it will be like once I get to be buried inside her. With a pussy that fucks the way hers does, I don’t think I will last more than a few minutes when we are together again. Good job she keeps me permanently hard, because I think round two would happen almost straight away.

I see her at the bar, chatting idly with Faith and Cami. She looks uncomfortable, probably surveying the room looking for me, wondering what I need her to do.

Damien and Malc are mingling with all the big dogs. You can see the tension in Damien’s eye’s. He’s not happy being here, but it appears he doesn’t have a choice. In this business, if you frowned upon everything that every bigwig did, you would get nowhere. You would be a laughing stock. Image and power are everything in this world. I learnt that the hard way.

I spy the guards at the doors, keeping an eye on things. I haven’t managed to see Jonny yet. I’m not sure if he has arrived.

I can’t stand the thought anymore. I need to talk to her. I need to let Emma know what’s going on.

I catch sight of Jonny at the door and duck further into the darkness, getting lost in the crowd before I make a move to go get my girl.

I watch as she steps away from the girls. Now is the time to talk to her without the others seeing me or eavesdropping and reporting back to Damien. Right now, having him come and play the big concerned brother card would just fuck everything up.

He wanted me out to sort all this on my own and that’s what I’m doing. Granted, I couldn’t have done any of this without Vlad over these past few weeks. He has really helped me, in more ways than one.

Daria is his light. She keeps him focused on what’s important, helping him see right from wrong. Like this morning, he knew that things could go south, yet he made the morning special for her in case he couldn’t come home to her.

Watching that little girl’s face earlier while he made her pancakes was heartwarming. I have never given much thought to having children of my own; years of suffering can make the idea seem pretty pointless, and until meeting Emma I had never wanted that with anyone. I can see that for us though; her at home with the children or coming home after a long, hard day at work, reading them a bedtime story and watching them drift off to sleep in a home that is so full of love and care. I had the love and care growing up. My mother did the best she could. She never once blamed me for how her life had turned out, and she worked harder than anyone I had ever met, making sure I went to school and really applied myself. The worst years for me was when I had just finished school and I was trying to figure out who I was. But without ever meeting the man I call Father, how could I justify even becoming the man I am.

Life has a funny way of showing you what you want to see. That’s how I took up gambling in the first place. The adverts on the TV made it look so easy, that by putting a little amount of money down on a table could net you a big reward. They don’t tell you that the temptation of the win will become addictive. Or that you will do anything in your power to win. If that means begging, borrowing or even stealing from those you love, then that’s what you end up doing. I became too much for my mother to handle as the years went on, and when my addiction really became unmanageable, she took action. Of course she thought it was anything other than gambling. Thinking I had just got in with the wrong crowd, that a couple of months with my brother would help me, set me on the right path. Little did she know that any person who gambles has to first admit they have a problem. It wasn’t until I came to Faith and Damien that I really wanted to admit I have a problem.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I make my way towards where she is standing. She doesn’t see me as she has her back to me. That dress screams
come and get me
. The synched waist just makes her even more tempting.

As I get closer I can smell her succulent perfume. Fuck, she even smells good. I reach my arm out and grab hold of hers, tightening it just a little so she can’t break the hold.

I quickly look around the room to see if anyone has noticed me grab her; they all seem to be lost in their own small-minded conversations.

Where can I take her that is private and out of earshot?

Glancing over to the only door that isn’t manned by any guards, I take the lead. My only aim is to talk to her, maybe steal a kiss from her sweet lips, feel her sweetness against me once more. Those thoughts and the feel of her in my hand, has my cock harder than I have ever felt before.

The first thing I’m going to do is claim her mouth. I can wait for her body, but not that mouth, it’s a sin, one you need to keep reliving, until you can’t get enough.

Chapter Seventeen

Emma

I’m not sure what’s worse, the fact that he asked for my help, or that I’m going to do it. I’m not even sure what he needs me to do yet.

When we arrive, we are greeted by a guy wearing an earpiece with a list in front of him. He asks us for identification so that he can make sure we are on the guest list. We are admitted inside.

Upon arrival, the servers greet us with trays full of champagne. Taking a flute, I put it to my glossed lips and neck it, hoping that the alcohol will make me less nervous. Another server passes by so I place the empty glass on her tray and take a full one. This time I’m going to savour the taste.

My eyes search the room looking for any sign of Alek, but to no avail. I stand with Faith and Cami, trying to submerse myself in their conversation. They are chatting about the opulence of the yacht and how exquisite it looks. I will admit it looks stunning, like a floating hotel. We are on the floor that leads out onto the open deck looking out across the docks. All the furniture has been cleared out, and at the end is a little stage with around forty chairs in front of it. Oh we must be in for a treat. A show of some kind.

The chatter from the guests is loud and the champagne is flowing freely. I relax slightly, knowing that when the time is right, he will find me. 

The next hour or so passes with not much goings on. Damien and Malc mingle with some of the other guests. Me and the girls stay near the bar.

“I’m just nipping out for a breath of fresh air,” I say to them. They both nod in confirmation. I turn and start making my way through the small crowd.

Walking towards the back of the yacht, I feel an arm grip hold of mine. I spin around and see Alek in a tux. Fuck, he is the hottest man I’ve ever set eyes on. The tension leaves my body as soon as I realise it’s him. 

“Alek, you’re here,” I say to him. He pulls me to find somewhere a little more private.

We find a door that’s unlocked. He takes me inside and closes the door behind us. God, even the storage cupboard on this thing is bathed in luxury. 

“Emma, you look fucking amazing,” he says, his voice sounding a little rugged with each word.

“What do you need me to do?” I ask him, but it’s hard to concentrate with his body pushing me up against the wall. 

“Right now, I need you to let me devour you,” he whispers into my ear. Then I feel his lips close around the lobe, tugging gently.

“We can’t here. Someone could walk in and catch us,” I plead. My body turns into him knowing that there is no stopping him.

“Let them see you’re mine. I want the whole world to know it.” The command in his tone makes my thong instantly wet. 

“Please, Alek. It’s been so long.” I know we are far from sorted, but I need him right now. I don’t dress up like this very often so it’s nice to see that someone wants my body, needs my body. And the look in his eyes tells me he needs it.

His hand comes up to grip my waist, holding me steady. His mouth finds mine. I open instantly for him, not caring if the gloss on my lips smudges. His kiss is consuming, full of want and need. I bring my hands up and place them on his massive chest, scrunching the jacket beneath my fingertips. I moan into his mouth. With each move of his tongue, he sets my body on fire for him.

His hands wander down my dress, finding the split that ends at my thigh. His hands disappear inside, immediately finding my wet thong. He slips it to the side and rubs two fingers over my clit. I hide my face in the crook of his neck to muffle the sounds of pleasure coming from my mouth.

The next instant he is on his knees and my dress is pushed up to give him better access to my pussy. With one hand he is holding the thong to the side, and he uses the other to pump in and out of me slowly. Fuck, this is torture. I find myself grinding my hips closer to his face to create a better friction against my clit, but he pulls his head back and chuckles. Then he proceeds to blow gently against my clit, all while his fingers never change speed or direction.

Then, when I think I’ve gotten used to what he is doing, his tongue starts to circle my clit. At the same time, he curls his fingers forward to find that little trigger spot. And oh boy does he find it. I can’t take much more of this. My legs feel shaky in my five inch heels. My heart rate speeds up with every movement. My palms feel clammy as I cling onto his shoulders. My head drops back against the wall of the closet. I can feel the stirring in my tummy. My clit is tingling from his affections and my pussy starts to clamp down around his fingers. He knows it too, and speeds up. It’s not long before I scream his name into the air, letting the feeling of total euphoria take over. He gently pulls away as I come down from my high. Placing my thong back and pulling down my dress, he stands, cupping my face in his hands and kisses me. I love the way I taste on his lips. I move my hands towards his crotch but he shakes his head.

“This is just for you, baby. I will get my release when I earn it.”

I want to come back with some sarcastic comment but I don’t. I know by the way he is looking at me he honestly thinks he doesn’t deserve pleasure. But with everything that has gone on he has just proven one thing to me; after all the men that took pleasure from my body, he is the only one that has given it without expecting it in return. If I wasn’t hooked before, I sure as hell am now.

“What did you need to tell me then?” I say with mock anger, but I can’t keep the smile from my face.

“It’s true, I do have a huge favour to ask of you. I will understand if you knee me in the balls and storm out of here, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that without you this plan won’t work.”

With his words the post orgasmic bliss fades quickly, only to be replaced with a knot in my stomach, and not the good kind.

“Wh … wh ... What do you need me to do?” I stutter out, my fear getting the best of me.

“You’re not going to like it,” he says, his head still buried into his chest in defeat.

“Just fucking tell me, Alekzander,” I demand. My tone should tell him that I mean business and not to fucking beat around the bush.

“I need you to lure Jonny away from the crowd so that I can sneak in and kill him.”

My mouth falls open in shock. I’m dumbfounded. Did he just ask me to help him commit murder?

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I question him.

“NO … I’m not. We need you to do this before the auction starts at eleven.” His voice is harsher than I expect. If he wants my help speaking to me like that, then he has another thing coming.

“What’s so important about doing it before? Surely, after the auction when everyone is heading home, you will have a better chance,” I question, hoping that what I say might sink into his head and make him see sense.

“Trust me when I tell you this. If there was any other way, I would have done it. But we have to take him down before the auction because all is not as it seems. He has women back there that will be auctioned off tonight. That’s what all of this is. And I for one am not willing to let that happen. Are you?”

I stand staring at him, taking in everything he has just told me. Auctioning women off? What the fuck? I know what it’s like to have your power and your freedom stripped away from you, leaving you without a choice. Knowing that if you want to live to survive then you just have to do as you’re told and take the beatings that come. Take the hordes of men who invade your body.

“Count me in, but you make sure you take him out before his cock comes anywhere near me, do you understand? I don’t want my choice taken from me again, Alek.”

“You get him alone in his room, I will do the rest, baby.”

“Did you know before tonight about the women?” I ask. I have to know if he was only asking me because of the women, or if he had it planned all along. The thought of him using me as a pawn in a game of power scares me to death.

“I didn’t know about the women until this afternoon. When I saw the cars pull up and they were taken below deck all dressed the same, that’s when I text you.”

Relief floods through me, but then I realise that he told me to be here before he knew about the women.

“But you already had me in line for your plan, didn’t you? That’s why you asked me days ago.” I don’t care if now is not the time. He needs to answer me.

“Yes I did. And I have thought of every other way I can possibly do this without bringing you into it. There just isn’t any other way.” He steps closer to me and I have nowhere to go. The wall is at my back and Alek is stood before me.

“I need you, Em. For this to work, for us to be together and me to have a purpose in life that doesn’t revolve around gambling, I need to take him out.” His voice is broken, I daren’t look at him right now. If I do, I will tell him that he has me, and we will do whatever it takes to sort it out, but I’m not sure that I can.

“How could you use me like this, Alek? You don’t ask this of someone you’re supposed to care about. You don’t feed them to the lions and watch them being torn apart. And right now that’s what you’re doing to me. You are asking me to do something that I was trapped doing for months.”

I feel the burn at the corner of my eye. Right now I’m glad of waterproof mascara. The wetness hits my cheeks as I feel the sob rising in my chest.

“I know you don’t. Do you not think me and Vlad have tried to think of another way? The only time he is left unguarded is when he has a woman with him. I couldn’t trust just anyone to do this, it had to be you.”

If we carry on like this, it will go on for ever and sooner or later one of us will end up saying things we will regret.

“Right, I will do it, not because of you, but because of those poor women who don’t have a choice anymore.”

I listen as he fills me in on the plan, where he will be and what will happen when I have Jonny alone. To say that I am petrified is a fucking understatement, but I know there is more than just us on the line. There are the lives of those women, who were most probably taken from their families without a choice. I leave the storage cupboard with a better knowledge of what’s about to happen.

I’m stood at the bar making small talk with the girls. I tell them I got a little lost looking around this amazing yacht. They seem to believe what I said. I daren’t say that Alek is here. That would cause a whole load of problems that just aren’t needed. Once we get this sorted, then he can concentrate on fixing his relationship with his family.

“I would know that body anywhere.” My heart stops for a second. I know that voice, that cold, dirty voice.

I spin around and see him, his short fat, balding body and the scar that runs down his face.

“Mr Brown, what a pleasant surprise,” I say through a forced smile. The thought of his grubby hands on my body sends chills down my spine. At once, flashbacks return to the forefront of my mind.

“You know he only lets me have you because I have things he wants. I’m going to fucking destroy you, Emma, and you’re going to love screaming my name as I make you cum over and over again.”

His fist clenched tight into my hair as his other fat fist pushed deep inside me. It fucking burned, but I tried to hold back the sob that wanted to escape. He pushed and pulled, harder and harder.

“Oh don’t worry, you will get my cock. It will be buried in your arse while my fist is buried in your cunt. I know you’re loving it, aren’t you, Emma? You love what I do to your body when I come out to Ivan’s, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I screamed, knowing that he would go that little bit easier if I agreed. I learned that the hard way after the second visit I had from him.

“You’re looking ravishing this evening. Tell me, how did you survive what happened at Ivan’s?” His voice distracts me from the nightmare. I have to think on my feet. I can’t let on that I really know what happened, so I make it up.

“The people that came in let the woman go. They told us to leave and never return, so we did.” It’s sort of the truth, well, a diluted, very vague form of the truth. They did let the women go, I just wasn’t one of them that got to walk out.

“And look where you ended up, right here on my yacht.”

Fuck, this isn’t good. His yacht? That means Mr Brown is Jonny Haynes. Alek’s plan has just gone to shit. I hope he can speed up his rescue because I have no doubt that if he doesn’t, I will end up on that stage tonight along with the other women. That is, after he has had his fill with me. I can see it in his eyes, that spark of an idea forming in his head.