Page 98 of Emerald Vices

Cevdet’s gaze sweeps over to me. “Well then, I don’t see the point of continuing a business venture that poses more risk than reward, do you?”

I return Cevdet’s smile. “Of course not. But there’s not going to be much more risk once I’ve dealt with the complications. You’re not going to let a minor setback deter you, are you, Cevdet? I took you for a stronger man than that.”

“Depends on what you define as ‘minor.’”

“As I said, I’ve got everything under control.” I hold his gaze a second longer than necessary to ensure my point lands.

“Glad to hear it,” Luca concludes, raising his glass. “Another toast then. To fruitful new ventures and our enemies coming only close enough to lick our boots.”

Once we’ve clinked our glasses together, the topic falls back to less pressing business prospects. My eyes wander over to where the women are sitting and chatting.

The chandelier dapples Natalia’s dress and highlights her cheekbones. When she tips her head back and laughs, I stand without a firm idea of where I’m going.

“Excuse me, gentleman.”

All four ladies look expectantly at me as I approach, but I only have eyes for one. “Natalia, can I borrow you for a moment?”

“Of course.” She reaches for the arm of the chair, but I offer my hand instead. She flushes. “Where are you taking me?”

I make eye contact with Olaf as we close in on the ladies’ restroom. “We’re not to be disturbed, Olaf.”

“Understood, boss.”

“I don’t understand,” Natalia interjects, looking more and more bewildered. “Andrey! You can’t come in here with me. This is the ladies?—”

She gasps as I close the door and push her up against it. I slide my hand inside the high slit of her dress, stroking her thighs.

“Andrey! You can’t… Wait…”

But her eyes flutter unconvincingly as I pull her panties to the side and bring myself home inside of her.

It’s a fast and furious fucking. The door rattles in the frame as I plow Natalia into it, my hand cupped over her mouth to muffle her moans. We come almost in unison, mere minutes after we started. Only then can I breathe again.

“What was that?” she asks while I’m zipping myself back up and helping her do the same.

“I wanted you.”

“Cut the shit, Andrey.” She grabs my wrists and drags me toward her. “You’re worried about something, aren’t you?”

I sigh. It’d be easy to lie, to downplay everything. But that’s not what I signed up for with Natalia. That’s not what we agreed on.

And if I want a future with her, I have to be honest.

“This alliance can’t fall apart, Natalia,” I grit. “But the longer it takes me to deal with my enemies, the more vulnerable it becomes.”

“It’s only a matter of time. Soon, Nikolai and Slavik will be a thing of the past. And we can finally focus on our family.”

Her arms are tight around my waist. I lean into them. Into her scent, her softness, her sweetness. “You’re my secret weapon, you know that, little bird?”

“This little bird is flexing her talons,” she winks.

I kiss the curve of her jaw. “My world doesn’t know what it’s in for.”

“Should we go back in?” she asks. “I don’t want them to think we snuck off to have sex.”

I chuckle. “That’s where you and I differ. I sincerely hope they do.”

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