Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I thought Michail’s wife was on the council. Can’t she help?”
“She’s on the Chicago council and was in touch with Emmanuelle, who turned out to be an FBI agent and was removed from his council position. So that whole thing is pretty complicated.”
This is the most I’ve discussed our family business with her, and I can’t tell if she wants to know more or wishes she knew less.
A moment of silence, and then she nods toward the closet. “So what do I need to do right now to help us get ready?”
I grab her belt loops and pull her into my body. “Right now, we must go shopping for something very important.”
“What?”
I bite her neck gently, loving the look of my mark on her pale flesh. “You’ll see when we get there.”
She doesn’t need much convincing to get into the car. Once again, Alexei drives us, staying nearby as we head into the small jewelry shop we have all taken to shopping at. The owner isn’t in, but the manager, who recognizes all the Doubecks, immediately locks the doors and is ready for whatever we need.
I wave at the brightly lit display cases. “We need jewelry for the event. Pick what you like.”
She freezes and hugs her middle. “This isn’t necessary. I don’t need anything.”
I close the tiny bit of distance between us and lift her chin. “I will only say this one time. You, like me, represent our family when we go to events like this. That means you need to look the part, act the part, and do anything to protect our interests.”
She gulps, and I cup the back of her neck and lean down to kiss her. “Now pick out whatever you like so I can take you home, strip you naked, and see what your skin looks like when it’s covered in jewels.”
When she sways into me, her eyes drifting closed, I know I’ve got her.
She finally steps up to the cases and looks around. “Was I right? Are we wearing black?”
I align my hips with her ass and stare over her head. “Yes, the clothes are black. So pick something that will match.”
She points at the smallest diamond studs in the case, and I sigh.
“If you make me choose for you, I will buy the most expensive item in this store.”
She leans down to the case again, and her eyes catch on fire-red stones set in platinum with diamonds around the outside. But she doesn’t ask to see them.
I reach around her and point at the earring and matching necklace set. “Can we see this one, please?”
The saleswoman lays the pieces out on a plush velvet cloth. “These are one-of-a-kind pieces and can complement any ensemble.”
Ignoring Cilla's gasp when she sees the price tag, I scan the case again. “Do you have bracelets to match?”
She rushes to another case and brings back two matching garnet bracelets. Now, I focus on Cilla. “How do you like these?”
I give her a few seconds to process. She moves to another case, out of my grasp. “What about this one?”
I lean over to stare at a thick, brilliant gold arm cuff. It’s intricately carved and beautiful. “If that’s something you like, it’s yours.”
The manager rushes to grab it and then waits for more instructions.
I let her take her time and enjoy watching her eyes zero in on the smaller items, then shift to what she really likes almost involuntarily. Each time I motion to the woman and have her pull out the pieces.
Cilla gasps at the array of jewels on the velvet when she returns to the main case. “I don’t need all of this. Just give me a moment to figure out which I want to take with us.”
My patience with shopping is done, so I shake my head and turn Cilla to face me. “We are going home. They will deliver the pieces later.”
With that, I nod and circle my finger to indicate the saleswoman can wrap it all up. “Please put it on my account.”
She stumbles over her response as we turn to the door. “Yes, of course. We’ll wrap them up and send it all today. Thank you, sir.”
We head back to the apartment, and Cilla still looks a little shocked.
I lead her to the bedroom and sit her on the bed. “Malyshka, do you remember what I said about arguing with me in public?”
She jerks, her eyes dropping to where I’m stripping off her shoes. “What? That wasn’t arguing.”
“I told you to pick, and you didn’t listen every single time. So now, I get to reinforce the message.”
She grabs my shoulders. “What are you going to do?” Her voice is husky and breathless.
It grabs me by the balls and makes me want to lay her back and open her up like a feast.
“Right now, I’m going to take your clothes off. Then while you’re beautiful and naked, I’m going to put you on your knees so I can fuck that gorgeous mouth until you can’t argue with me anymore.”