Page 29 of The Bratva's Bounty

Craning my neck down, I kissed him deeply. "Now, clean me up, cuddle me, and let me use you as a pillow to nap." The exhaustion from our activities started to set into my bones and weigh myeyelids down.

"Yes, empress." Kissing my chest with a chuckle, Lev held me for a moment before tearing himself away.

And treat me like a fucking empress he did. He was so meticulous with making sure the water was kept warm enough while he wiped my body clean inch by inch, being extra careful at more sore areas. Then, when he was done, he slipped his shirt on me before laying down on the couch with me tucked cozily against him.

"You feel so perfect," I groaned contently against his chest, burying my face into it with a huge smile.

"My Lev." Pressing a kiss against his tattoo, I grinned up at him pridefully. "My little lion."

Chapter 15

Lev

"Sir, Mr. Volkov isbusy! And you do not have permission to be back here!" The faint voice of the assistant grew louder and louder, along with sets of footsteps.

"Do you know who I am?" Hearing Mark Le's familiar voice made me groan internally. "I always have permission whenever and wherever."

Great, this is where shit is gonna go? Fuck me.

"Mr. Le!" My assistant's voice was right outside the door now, and I was still bundled on the couch with a stirring Nicole in my arms.

"What's go—"

Nicole didn't get a chance to finish waking before the door was thrown open rather rudely. "Mis—" Nicole's father paused for a few seconds of shock before flying into a rage.

If Nicole wasn't awake, she surely was now, with how she shot up from the couch and shouted back at her father. Now, I had no idea what they were arguing about because it was all in Vietnamese, but given Nicole's situation and what she told me, I could take a few good guesses.

Also, it was a good thing I'd put my shirt on her and my pants back on earlier before we conked out. Otherwise, we'd both be stark ass naked.

Asthe shouting match dragged on, I slowly got up from the couch, standing beside a fuming Nicole. My movement caused Mark's stark eyes to lock onto me. "What is the meaning of this? I hired you to find my daughter and safely return her to me," he seethed, taking a cautious step toward me. "And I come in to see you taking advantage of her."

My jaw ticked with an irritated click of my tongue. "Do not make me out to be some predator, Mark. I do not take kindly to such accusations." Glowering at him, I slipped an arm around Nicole's waist and pulled her close. "What Nicole and I chose to do is none of your business, and per my last communication with you, the contract between us is null and void because you broke some of the clauses." Okay, that last part was a big stretch, but her parents failed to argue and immediately went on the offensive.

I already made the overdue phone call days—no, nearly over a week ago to terminate the contract with the Le's. Needless to say, that call was not pleasant, but it took a huge weight off my shoulders. Then, when I pulled the bit about them breaking one of the terms and conditions, they instantly attacked me, saying their family business was none of mine, that I needed to remain professional and indifferent, and that I should be understanding of them because I was in the same business and lifestyle.

Honestly, after a few shots of hard liquor after that call, I hardly remembered it, let alone give a shit about it.

Clearing my throat, I gathered myself back together. "When I agreed to your contract, it was to bring Nicole back to you because you wanted to care for her again, provide her a safe home and shit." Gritting my teeth, I tightened my hold on Nicole protectively. "I did not agree to return her to you so that you could use her for your own gain." Again, lies, and I might be digging my own grave with each word, but I was in too deep now.

"What I do with my daughter is none of your business," Mark scowled deeply, his eyes darting over to Nicole briefly.

"It is fully my business what you do with Nicole because she is under Volkov Bratva protection.Myprotection." Now,thatwasn't a lie because I made it my personal assignment when I realized Nicole's life was in jeopardy somehow.

I was determined to protecther until I ceased to exist.

Sputtering in disbelief, Mark's body did a double take before tensing up again. "What lies did she feed you to turn you against me? Do you know the consequences of such decisions? Do you think that you can just cancel onme?" Whatever lies I'd thrown out earlier had to have more truth to them than I anticipated, given how flustered Mark became.

Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I scowled angrily at him and took a threatening step toward him, making him flinch. "Watch your tone with me, old man," I warned him with a grave voice and glare. "You broke the terms and conditions, so I have more than every right to terminate our contract." Not like that mattered anyhow; they may have proposed the job, and I may have taken it, but I damn well had the right to change my mind and pull out. "Even if you hadn't, I still retain the rights to null the contract, per its terms and conditions."

As my brothers would tell me, 'Cover your ass.' This was why all my contracts had a clear condition stating that I held full rights to terminate the assignment no matter what. I seldom canceled assignments, though, only when they went against my rules and morals or if there was some kind of other shitty conflict.

"I gave you an assignment, and I expect you to complete it as we had agreed." Mark stood his shaky ground with a determined look. "Hand over Nicole right now, and I'll forgive and forget about all this."

Scoffing in disbelief, I waited for a second to see if Mark was being serious. When he showed no signs of changing the hard look on his face, I laughed. "Listen here, you may have come to me with the request, but I do not work for you at the end of the day. You and your family are under Volkov control. You work for us, not the other way around." Pushing Nicole behind me, I crossed my arms and stood protectively before her. "Unless you want trouble, I suggest you turn your ass around and leave. Then, you forget about Nicole and never bother her again, or else."

Baring his teeth at me, he glared at me harshly, muttering something foreign under his breath. "You Volkovs think you're all in charge now because ofwhat happened with Lady Qing, but you're all naïve to think that was the end of it all." He switched his tongue again, shouting at me in Vietnamese.

My body jarred with a shove from Nicole. Rounding around me, Nicole seethed at her father. "You fucking try." With one hand gripping my arm, she lashed out at Mark. "You've done more than enough damage and got more than you ever need in this stupid life. Your greed will get you killed if you dare try and carry out a fraction of your stupid plans."