Page 2 of P.S. I'm With You
CROATIA, 1969
“Please!” the worthless excuse for a man snivels from his place on the stone floor, my men on either side of him as I continue to stare out the window at the darkening skies, the back of my chair turned toward him. He’s caused me to have to delay my travel plans—something I’m none too appreciative of. I have an appointment with the most important person in my country and I had to call to say I would be a day behind. There is no word for the amount of disappointment, not only from them, but from myself as well.
“Kasapin, please, I have a family. You must understand! I couldn’t pay! It’s impossible to buy food right now. I can’t pay—”
“Are we supposed to take pity on you?” Jakov, my number two sneers as he undoubtedly hits the man in the face. I continue to sip on my Rakija, allowing the amber liquor to warm my throat.
“Kasapin! Have mercy!” he cries as Jakov stops his assault. He stops because once again, the man is naming Jakov, Kasapin—the leader of the biggest importers and exporters of firearmsand drugs in our country. Too bad Jakov isn’t Kasapin. No, that title belongs to me.
Reaching into my humidor, I pull out a cigar before slowly spinning my chair around to face the man. He looks confused as I cut the tip off my cigar and give it a once over before placing it between my lips.
“Why is a woman here?” he sneers toward me. I pay him no mind as I light my cigar.
“So what if I’m a woman?” I blow out the smoke while leaning back in my chair. “You only want mercy shown to you if it’s at the hands of a man?” The man spits on the floor between us and I raise a brow.
“I have nothing to say to you. The only person I need to speak to is Kasapin.” Standing, I round my desk and make my way toward the man. A small smirk plays on my lips as I finish my drink.
“It’s funny.” I start, keeping my voice calm as I set my glass down. “Women often say that men see us as lesser. That we are unable to do the things that you can simply because of a few centimeters in your pants.” The man scoffs while rolling his eyes. “Truth is, youfearus. You fear a strong woman because a strong woman never forgets, never forgives, and never backs down.” Grabbing the man by the back of his head, I jerk him to me and hold my right hand out to my other man—Dominik. Dominik says nothing—only placing his pistol in my hand. The man’s eyes widen as I press the barrel with its suppressor under his chin. "I'm going to tell you a secret," I whisper softly into his ear, the smell of piss leaving his pathetic body. "I am Kasapin. And you, my friend, stole fromme. I don't take kindly to thieves." I pull back to take a final look at his widened eyes. “P–Please,” he whimpers weakly. “Please, it’ll nev—” There is a loud snap as I pull the trigger, the suppressor silencing most of the noise. Iwatch the soul leave the man’s body as I drop his head and hand the pistol back to Dominik.
“Jakov.” I pick my cigar back up and inhale deeply. “Clean up the mess. Dominik, come with me.” I start walking away but pause at the door to my office. “And, Jakov.” I turn my head, causing my long black braid to fall over my shoulder. “Next time you allow some ground licker to not only steal my product, but assumeyouare Kasapin, it’ll be you who is tasting my bullet, are we understood?” Jakov gives me a long stare with his dark eyes before agreeing.
“Yes, Kasapin.” Nodding, I walk out of the office and down the hall to my private quarters where I have a bedroom and bathroom..
Once inside, I motion for Dominik to lock the door as I begin to disrobe from my blood-splattered clothes.
“Kasapin.” I ignore him as I try to hide the trembling in my hands. Another life gone because of this damn position I’m in. A position I never wanted, never asked for. How much longer can I continue to take lives? How long until my sins come for revenge? It's different now, and getting harder to pull the trigger as time passes. With each life taken, I’m left with dread. What happens when the fallen’s brothers want revenge? What happens when they find out about my flower, and they try to use her against me?
“Nika!” Dominik hisses as he grips my shoulders tightly. I stare into his blue eyes and feel myself getting lost in them—like always. Dominik is the only person I trust; he knows about me, he knows my fears, my weaknesses, my desires to leave. He knows my heart. As strong as I am—without Dominik, I’m nothing.
“Ninety-two,” I whisper out while looking down at my bare body—some of the man’s blood must’ve seeped through my shirt and stained my chest.
“I’m still refusing to allow you to count the brothers.” He smirks, and I give him a light laugh. “What? They wrecked their vehicle, that is hardly your fault.”
“I ripped their brakes out,” I mutter while bending down to remove my underwear before walking to my bathroom. Dominik follows and moves around me to run my bath. I stand in front of the mirror and stare at the blood on my body.
Ninety-two lives I’ve taken. Ninety-two hearts no longer beating, because of me. The worst part is… not all of them deserved it. It was simply a ‘them or me’ scenario. What choice did I have? What choice will I have for number ninety-three? Will I reach a hundred?
“Hey,” Dominik whispers against my ear as his hands wrap around my waist. “I’m with you, Nika. I’m here.” Closing my eyes, I take a slow inhale as he continues to hold me against his warm chest.I’m with you.It’s all he has to say, and it brings me back to him, It reminds me that there is one soul in this world who knows me inside and out. To Dominik, I’m not just Kasapin, the ruthless killer and drug lord. No, to Dominik Kovac, I am Nika Galic, the poor girl who helped him when he fell and hit his head at eight years old. He and I grew up together, and we have always had each other’s backs, and hearts—even if we can’t ever act on it. We can be nothing but stolen glances and hidden moments like this one.
Dominik removes his clothes before leading me to the tub. He steps in, checking the temperature before helping me in and sitting behind me. I rest my head on my knees while he rubs my sponge over my back.
“How long do you think I have?” I ask softly as he pulls me to his chest to clean the blood. “Before the wrong person finds out about me? About the flower.” His hand freezes as he takes a breath.
“No one will harmeitherof you. You know I won’t allow it.” I moan as his lips skim along my neck.
“You don’t allow it and they could kill you,” I pant as his hands run over my nipples.
“Then so be it.”
“Dominik!” I gasp while trying to turn around. He doesn’t allow it as his large hand grips my neck, holding me against him—I feel his cock hardening between us.
“I take care of what’s mine. You may be Kasapin out there, but behind these doors, you are Nika, and you belong to me.” I cry out as he thrusts himself up inside me.
“Dominik,” I breathe while rocking against him. His hand runs from my throat, over my breasts and down to my clit. “Shit!” I hiss while he continues to rapidly thrust inside me. I grip the edges of the tub for stability as the water sloshes and spills over the edge and onto the tile. “More… more, please.”
“That’s my queen,” he growls while grabbing my hips and forcing me to move up and down faster. “Let me serve you, allow me to give you what you crave.”
“Harder!” I cry as my body involuntarily shakes. I’m so close,righton the edge.
