Page 77 of The Tsar's Obsession
“It’s a little sore, but worth the pain, baby.” My lips ghosted right underneath his ear, finding that part I so loved to kiss. “You’re worth the pain.” My lips drowned in him. “The pleasure.” Another peck, “The chaos.”
My own words sent a rush through me, and those green eyes pierced mine, without any humor or tease. Slowly, his hand cupped my cheek, stilling all of me once more.
“Ma– ”
“Ew! Cut the PDA!” Viv burst the cocoon we were immersed in and interrupted whatever Kirill was going to say. “Ugh, all of you are so in love, I hate it!” She quickly shuffled over for a hug, with Carly and Ari right behind her.
In the time between Ari's injuries and now, Carly and Ari had entered into a real relationship, just as Viv explained a month ago, and Carly had been riding a high ever since. Things were getting serious between them, and she was hoping he would propose soon.
I hadn’t properly seen Ari since he was in the hospital, and that was back in August. Not only had he been actively avoiding me at work, but I also noticed that Carly made every excuse under the sun as to why he could never join us for dinners. Overall, he disappeared from everyone’s radar. The difference between his behavior before the accident and after was night and day. Before it all happened, he would always be around, be the life of the party, magically showing up where he wasn’t even expected.
Carly and Ari walked closer to the table, and Kirill’s arm wrapped around my waist, squeezing me to him.
“Mia! It’s been months!” Ari’s joyous voice was surprising considering how diligently he triednotto speak to me or be in my company while in the office. I rose for a hug, but Kirill’s arm remained around my waist, both of us up on our feet.
“Nice to see you again, Ari.” Kirill extended his hand, and…did the Russian accent come back again?
“Likewise, happy birthday!” Ari was always so polite and genuine; he looked truly happy to be out and celebrating the birthday of a man he didn’t know.
“Thank you. Let’s get drinks; grab your seats. Hello, Carly.”
But Carly shot him a big fake smile with a curt ‘happy birthday.’ She didn’t like him. I knew that. They had only met a few times, but there was always a strain, for no obvious reason.
It was hard for her to hide how much she disapproved of Kirill, even though she encouraged me to take a chance on him. I suspected that Viv had blabbed to Carly about the true nature of Kirill’s work, and Carly probably saw that as the biggest sin on the planet.
Kirill, of course, looked nothing like the expected Bratva crime boss, which seemed to irk Carly even more. A few months ago, at our girl’s brunch, she made a comment about how dedicated Kirill was to wearing the finest clothes, as if trying to mask something. I didn’t react outwardly, although it ripped open a massive hole of resentment inside me. Especially considering that Ari’s polished appearance wasn’t any different, yet shenever seemed to find fault in him. But when it came to someone I loved, she had no problem picking him apart.
“He’s rich as fuck, Carly. Let the man enjoy his Rolex and shit.” Viv would always come to my defense with a vicious eye roll, but Carly was clearly bothered by how Kirill walked through life in his expensive shoes, having earned his money solely outside the law. In a way, it made sense; she was a lawyer and loved her job and everything it represented.
Nonetheless, the entire afternoon turned out to be surprisingly lighthearted and easy. The conversation flowed along with the drinks, but Kirill’s hand was glued to my thigh the entire time, his happy energy passing to me. Fuck, I was so in love with him.
I’d never wanted attention until I received a dose of his. Now, I was a fucking addict. Him, his eyes, his lips, his words, his love, his energy, his care, his everything.I wanted it all.
But with everything he was…came a very dark side. A dark side that greeted me full force in our kitchen late at night.
34
A Tragic End
Kirill
"Mmm!Ineedwater."Mia broke our kiss as I carried her into our apartment, her legs hugging my waist. "Meet me in the bedroom, ah!" Her effervescent giggle filled up my entire soul.
This was the best birthday I ever had in my whole thirty-five years. There was never a better birthday; not one even came close. Glued to her lips, I placed her on the countertop, my hands roaming her perfect body, like I owned her. Mine, all mine—I fucking did own her, and she owned me.
We were one, together; nothing could rip us apart.
"Fuck, baby, you always taste so good. Get your water and coconut oil and meet me on the bed. I can't wait to take care of your big, badass tattoo." I grinned, giddy at the thought of running myfingers over her new tattoo.
I left Mia sitting on the island counter, her smile genuinely elated, and headed to our bedroom.
But as soon as I flicked on the ensuite light, her earth-shattering scream echoed throughout the apartment and turned my blood cold. In seconds, I was already back in the kitchen. Mia was on the floor, trembling, frantically crawling backward through a slick pool of crimson, her hands and legs soaked in it.
Blood.She was covered in blood, shaking and kicking away from something still hidden from me.
"Mia!" I lunged toward her, petrified. Wide eyed, she stared ahead and gasped for breath, urgently pointing to something just behind the island. Carefully, I looked her over for any signs of damage while she pressed herself against the kitchen cabinet, never looking away from whatever she witnessed.
The trail of blood was plentiful. I took two steps forward and rounded the island to see Francesco sprawled out on the marble floor in front of the stove. His throat was slit open, his dead body drowning in a pool of red.
