“She has family; they’re with her.” I rest my hand on her thigh.
“Isn’t that…oh, what was name?” She leans toward the TV as a photograph of Vasily Leonov appears on the screen while the anchor woman talks about his body being found on the shore of the east river.
“Vasily Leonov.” I supply for her, changing the station to a sitcom re-run.
“He was at Obsidian that one night. You threatened to cut off his hands if he touched me.” She says it like it bothers her, but I see the flash of arousal in her eyes.
The woman feeds off my protection. It envelopes her in the same manner my arms bring her comfort.
“Yes.”
“Ivan. What happened to him?” She pushes up from my chest.
“We found out he was trying to make a deal with the gambling commission to open his own casino in the same spot our new resort is set to break ground. I met with him to discuss it with him, and he assured me he was only interested in bringing his vodka line into the city. He wanted to sell the stuff at our casinos.”
“He lied.” She frowns.
“Yes. After the fire, we found out he was involved. He helped the arsonists gain entry to the warehouse. We’d given him permission to store product there, so he’d been able to get access.”
“He helped Marco DeAngelo?” Her brow furrows deep. “Why would he betray you like that?”
“Money and power.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “It makes men do stupid things.”
“You did that then?” She points to the television screen.
“Not me.”
“On your order though.” Tension fills her voice. “You ordered him killed.”
“Yes.” I nod. I won’t lie to her.
“Should you be telling me that?”
“You asked.” I shrug. “Sometimes I’ll have to keep things from you, to keep you safe, but there’s no danger in you knowing about this.”
“I could tell the police.” She points out, but there’s no real chance of that happening.
“You could, but I trust you. You won’t.”
“I could tell them about Obsidian?—”
I laugh. “Do you think the police don’t already know about it? It’s an underground club that’s operated right out in the open. The mayor comes to play poker once a month, for fuck’s sake.”
She chews the corner of her mouth. “That’s true.”
“Besides, sooner than you think, you’ll be my wife, and wives never have to testify against their husbands.”
“You trust me?” She tilts her head, as though she’s trying to gauge how much of what I’m saying is sincere.
I mean every word. I would put my life in this woman’s hands.
“I do.” I brush my lips across hers, intending a quick kiss. But once I get my mouth on her, it’s not enough.
Leaning into her, I press her down until she’s beneath me. She pulls my shirt out of my pants and runs them beneath my button down. Her fingernails scratch across my chest, spreading heat throughout my body.
“You’re dangerous,” she mutters against my mouth.
“Not to you.” I vow, leaning up to look down at her. “I will never hurt you, Vee. Everything I do will be to protect you, provide for you, make sure you have everything you could ever want or need.”
