Russian Roulette (Russkaya Mafiya) (19 page)

“Are you kidding me, Tate? If you hadn’t had Nikoli checking the apartment periodically, I would probably be dead right now! Instead, I’m here next to you and I’m okay. Please, don’t be upset. During this whole disaster, I realized something very important and I want to tell you.” I gaze at him, slightly nervous until he nods, telling me to go on. “I realized that I’m in love with you, Tate. During all of that scary time at my apartment, I thought of how much I care about you and how I love you so much. I know it’s quick and probably way too soon, I mean it’s been what? Two months? But, I just can’t help it.”

I grip his hand tightly, hoping he can feel just a semblance of the warmth I have for him inside. “You helped me today, probably more than you realize. Tate, you helped me get through it during the ugly things he was saying to me and when he physically hurt me. Each time, I thought of you and it made my heart warm. Then you really did save me, by having Nikoli there. Trust me, things could have been so much worse. Let’s just be happy that I’m sitting here—next to you—right now. Please.”

He hesitates, a little unsure. “I care about you a lot, Krasaaveetsa, but there are a lot of things you don’t know about me. I also have my own secrets. I don’t know if you could handle everything about me.” He glances away, looking at the floor for a few beats, then returns his glance to me. “I may be nice to you, but I’m not so much to others.” He appears so serious when he says this and I hope in my heart things aren’t so bad that I can’t handle them.

“I think I can handle it, Tate. At least I hope so. You accept me with all of my problems and I want to be able to do the same for you. If it helps, I know you have the club and you’re like Nikoli’s boss. I know you have lots of money and your brother works in money. I heard your conversation earlier with Nikoli about what to do with Jeremy, so I know you’re no Saint. Then there was when you yelled outside my apartment. Did you yell about the Mafia? Did I hear you right?”

“Let’s start with what you heard me tell Niko to do. You do realize I wasn’t just saying those things, right? I really do plan to do all of that to your ex. Can you live with that, Krasaaveetsa?”

I recall everything he said to Nikoli at my apartment. Those were some serious threats he implied and I know Jeremy will not come out of it alive. After all of the pain and suffering he put me through, can I live with myself or Tate knowing Jeremy is gone forever? That he will never hurt me again, never stalk me, and never take my babies away from me, ever again.
Yes, I can live with that.

“Yes, Tate, I can deal with it. It may make me a bad person to say this, but I will actually breathe easier, knowing he’s finally gone. I will finally be able to relax, knowing he can never hurt me again.” I look him in the eyes and say it as sincerely as possible. Tate needs to know I’m completely serious about this.

“That’s good, Krasaaveetsa, because I do indeed intend to kill him. It will be bloody and painful, and he will suffer a great deal for ever touching you.” He sighs. “Now, about what I said in the parking lot at the apartments. What do you know about the Russkaya Mafiya, Krasaaveetsa, huh?”

“Ummm, well, not much. I think we studied about the Italian Mafia in school. Is it close to the same thing?”

“Eh,” he shrugs a little, “I guess you could compare it to the Italians, but Russkaya work a little differently. Does the Mafiya scare you?”

“No, not really. But that’s probably because I’ve never been around it before and I don’t really know much of what they do, aside from some movies I’ve seen with London.”

“Does it scare you to know I’m Mafiya?” He peers down at me questionably and I shrug, unsure.

“My father, Gizya, is The Big Boss here in America. It means he is in charge of everyone, the entire thing. That’s around five thousand people, Krasaaveetsa. I may not be The Big Boss yet, but I am a Boss. People do answer to me, and I do a lot of business for my father and uncle.” I nod, taking it all in.

“Who’s your uncle? Have I met him yet?”

“No, you have not. You shouldn’t meet him unless we decide to marry. He’s another type of Boss.” My eyes widen at the marriage part and he smirks, continuing on. “My uncle is second in command here, in the Solntsevskaya Bratva. They are like us too, but more of a criminal element. They take care of the really bad stuff. I try to keep our businesses on the cleaner side of the law.”

“That’s not so bad then,” I cut in and he shakes his head.

“Don’t mistake, I do also partake in an array of bad things. I do kill bad people and make a lot of decisions you would not agree with.” I swallow a large gulp when he talks about killing people so nonchalantly. “I need to know if this scares and upsets you, baby. I will not put you through this if you are not one hundred percent up for it. I will not keep you if you are scared of me and of my business.” He looks completely serious and I believe him. I also trust that he would never purposely put me in any type of danger.

“Okay, I trust you, Tate. It’s pretty frightening, but I know you would never get me hurt and you would keep me safe if anything were to happen. Is umm, all of your family in the Mafia?”

How will I fit into his life if I am not like them? Will his family even like me? The thoughts of his family are more overwhelming to me, than the whole Mafia thing.

“Yes, my family is Mafiya. We’ve covered the basics now and we will talk more about this later, Krasaaveetsa. Right now I have business to take care of.” He stands up from the couch and I sit up.

“By business, you mean Jeremy, right?” I don’t know if I really want to know the answer to my question, but I ask it anyway.

“Look, I won’t be informing you about my business or anything to do with my Mafiya stuff. I don’t want to taint you with the gruesome details of my dealings. I will tell you right now though about this, yes, it is about Jeremy. I’m only informing you because it has to do with you directly.”

“I understand part of your life has to be private, but we are definitely not done discussing this. I want to know as much as you can tell me. I’d also like to know how all this will affect me being with you.”

“Agreed, Krasaaveetsa, I will tell you what I can. God, baby, you have made me a very happy man today.” He kisses me roughly and I can tell he’s excited. I’m so happy he’s not sad anymore. I hated to see him so upset, it hurt my heart.

He didn’t seem freaked out earlier when I told him how I feel either. I didn’t say it to him so he would automatically say it back, but I can’t help but wonder just how he really feels about me. Once he leaves, I head to his bedroom. Soaking in the tub for a while, I play the day over in my head again. Everything that happened, everything that I learned, it was pure over load.

I turn the water on hot, to help my muscles relax, eating the delicious Hershey’s chocolate bar. I accompany the chocolate with a glass of sweet wine and I think of how lucky I am. When I came here a few months ago, I never would have guessed to meet such supportive people. For the first time since I arrived at Tate’s house, I go to bed alone and I hate the feeling.

Tate didn’t come home until after I was asleep last night. I heard the shower come on and then a while later I felt him crawl into bed. He pulled me close to him and kissed the back of my head. I fell back asleep comfortable, warm, happy and content.

The next day, we all have class with completely different schedules, so everyone misses each other at the house. Tate woke me up with a nice surprise. He had rolled me over onto my belly and worked some of his frustration out on my pussy. He wasn’t the only one who enjoyed it. I came twice and was trying to jump him again, before he crawled out of bed. I hope we aren’t too loud; I don’t want anybody else to hear us. I never thought of it before, but anyone could have walked into the kitchen the other day when he took me on the counter. I haven’t heard anyone else in the house though, so I think it’s safe to say the walls are thick.

I wonder if London will want to have lunch today. I need to find out what’s going on with her and Cameron. My phone beeps with a text. It’s my handsome man.

Tate:
Baby, don’t make plans for dinner. We’re going to my parents’ house.

Me:
What?! You can’t just spring this on me right now! Dinner’s in a few hours!

I’m going to strangle that man. He wants to have dinner with his parents and I know absolutely nothing about them, besides that they are part of the mafia. I also have nothing nice to wear. Oh my God, they will probably think I’m some hussy after Tate’s money or something crazy.

Tate:
Yes, baby. Be ready at 7. I’ll switch out cars then and we can go.

Me:
Okay, but you so owe me for this!

T:
Whatever you want, Kapacota <3

Me:
TTYS Sugar Dimples <3

Awww he sent me a heart! He’s so sweet sometimes. I follow up with sending London a text. Hopefully she’s not with Cam, so she can help me find something to wear.

Me:
911 woman, I need you to help me find something NICE, not slutty, to wear to Tate’s parents for dinner tonight.

I look up from my phone when I hear her voice, “Seriously, lazy ass, you couldn’t walk down the hallway to Cam’s room and ask me in person?” She’s wearing a cocky smirk.

London has on one of Cameron’s white undershirts and a pair of his boxers. He would probably scold her if he saw her so informal walking around the house, but she totally looks hot in it. He seems to like to keep London in check. I think it’s good for her, considering she’s normally a total wild child. She has her hair pinned on top of her head in a messy bun and is sucking on a Blow Pop.

“I didn’t know you were in his room or I would have. What are you doing?” I gesture to her comfy outfit. “You look like a total bum, are you guys staying in tonight?” She shrugs and looks a little bored.

London shrugs, pouting. “Eh, he has stuff to do so I’m just hanging out and doing laundry. I might head to that little pastry shop right outside the neighborhood and get a pastry and coffee. I don’t know, it depends if I decide to get dressed or not.” She looks really bummed out now. I pat the spot beside me on the bed and she comes and sits next to me.

“Is everything going okay with you and Cameron? Y’all just jumped into it. I wasn’t sure if this was just a fling or if you really like him.” I take her hand in mine to offer her comfort and my attention.

“I know, I thought it was going to be a one-night stand type of deal, then after that night maybe two nights. He kept right on me ever since we first met and went out that night to the club.” She rolls her eyes, “I told him about you going to Tate’s parents and he thought it was too soon. I mean, I know you’ve been seeing Tate longer than me and Cam have been, but it’s like the thought of me meeting his family never once crossed his mind. That hurt my feelings so I told him I thought you guys were crazy and I prefer to do my own thing. After that he looked pissed off and told me he had shit to do. He stormed out, saying he’d be back whenever he was done. So I have no idea what’s going on right now. I usually never even give guys this kind of chance, but I’m a little addicted to Cameron right now. I just don’t want to be that girl who nags, you know?”

Aww, my poor London. That sucks. It sounds like Cam was being a dick but who knows, I wasn’t there to see how it all went down. I won’t tell London that, though.

“That’s really shitty, London, I’m sorry you are dealing with that right now.” I hug her and rub her back for a second.

“I’m okay, you know I’m not one to put up with any shit when it comes down to it. Now, let’s find you something awesome to wow the future in-laws. I’m excited for you!”

“In-laws, yeah right, they will probably think I’m a hussy after Tate’s money with my luck.” I huff, getting up and walking to the closet. Tate has unpacked my bags and moved all of my belongings into it. He just randomly did it without even asking me. I was pretty amused when I discovered it.

“Oh no, I’m pretty sure they will know what this means. Tate’s what, like, twenty-two years old? And Cameron was saying that Tate has never introduced a female to his parents or family, like ever. So relax, they will know you are the real deal.” London smiles big at me like this is the greatest news.

“Holy shit! This is even more horrible! Now, I know they will hate me! His dad will probably have one of his guys sink me to the bottom of a lake somewhere with cement blocks around my feet!”

She bursts out laughing at my descriptive picture and I just glare at her. If my leg still wasn’t so sore I’d leap at her ass. She smirks at me and shakes her head; bitch knows me too well to know exactly what I’m thinking.

An hour later and plenty of amusing quips from London and I’m dressed. I’m in my white, baby doll style sundress, that’s trimmed out in lace along the breast line and the bottom. I pair it with some cute white wedge sandals that Avery had packed in with her stuff.

Thankfully, Avery has smaller feet than London so I can borrow her stuff. We figured white was the virginal color, so hopefully his mom will approve. It’s also the longest sundress I own. I’m shooting for modesty and good girl look. I think we’ve pretty much nailed it.

I leave my hair down and put a few curls in it. Not too fancy, but at least it looks like I made an effort with my appearance. I brush on some black mascara to accent my long eyelashes, a dust of blush along my cheek bones and smooth on some lip gloss. London sprays me down with my Heavenly perfume by Victoria’s Secret and I’m all set.

It all worked out with perfect timing too because it is now 6:30 and Tate just pulled up to the house. Muffin runs to the front door at full speed and is jumping around whining, waiting for his dad to get inside.

Tate steps inside and he looks absolutely gorgeous. He’s wearing a light grey button up shirt and some black slacks that mold to his physique perfectly. He looks professional and sexy but not over-dressed. Muffin takes up his attention for a few minutes, wagging his butt around and nosing Tate to pet him. I love that he cares so much for his dog. Muffin is such a good boy. He has definitely stolen part of my heart, too.