Page 69 of Wrapped in Perfection

"Anna, are you into boxing?" Sergey asks.

I spin. "I usually watch the fights when they are on television. But it's usually in a bar. I've never been to a live one before."

"So, the sight of blood or violence isn't going to make you squirm?"

The only thing making me squirm is Dmitri's hand.

"No. I can handle it."

Sergey nods his head, as if impressed. "All right. I won't get out the blindfold."

"Ha, ha."

Dmitri slides his fingers over the curve of my ass cheek, and tingles race down my legs. "Let's grab a seat, kotik."

"I've got another call to make. It was nice meeting you, Anna," Sergey says.

"You, too."

Dmitri steers me to the metal chairs in front of the ring. He introduces me to several men, both Russian and Irish. They all seem to know each other well. I try to remember their names, but it's hard with his hand caressing my ass and the look he keeps giving me.

He introduces me to everyone as, "This is my Anna. She just moved here from New York and is an amazing interior designer." Pride shines in his eyes when he says it.

My face is scorching hot from his praise, but he only tugs me closer to him.

Maksim comes out of the locker room with Boris. I know it's him before Dmitri tells me because he is a cross between the three brothers. If I pinned their pictures on a wall, I could take each of their features and match them. Boris has Maksim's lips but Dmitri's nose and Sergey's forehead. Together, the four brothers could fill a fitness magazine with all their different ripped body parts and sexy good looks. And they all carry the air of danger Dmitri does.

I'm not sure why I'm not scared of any of them. I should be after what I've been through with Mitch. He showed me people can be more than they let on, which means if the Ivanov brothers appear dangerous, it's probably more intense than anything I could ever imagine. But I'm not intimidated.

Instead of sitting, we stand. The three brothers surround me while Boris fights. All I feel is a wall of protection. Maksim is friendlier than he was in the penthouse, especially when I tell him I will meet his deadline and come in under budget. Sergey likes to joke, but he also has an edge about him.

Boris doesn't come near me until after the fight is over. His eyes glow the entire time in the ring, as if he could stare death in the eye and not flinch. He and Killian are both bloody by the time the fight is over. Round after round, they knock punches into each other, until the very last minute. Boris swings and lands a hard fist into Killian's cheek, knocking him down.

Half the men in the room cheer. It's loud, and I suddenly realize more people came in. I just never noticed. I was in the bubble of the Ivanov brothers.

And something about their protection makes me feel powerful. I don't know how or why, but it does. I've grown up in a goody-two-shoes environment. Besides Mitch, I have never been around anyone who even hinted at danger.

I'm in a gym full of screaming men who could all crush me in a second. There are no other women besides me. Viktor is near the staircase, leaning against the wall, a reminder anything could happen.

But I am Dmitri's Anna. So nothing will.

It's a cocky thought. I'm never arrogant. But the blood pumping through my veins from the victory of the fight and new sense of security gives me a confidence I'm not used to.

A new thought springs into my mind.Maybe that's more dangerous than the Ivanov brothers.

14

Dmitri

"You've impressed me.Not just by meeting the timeline but the concepts as well. Thank you for getting us out of the jam Lada left us in," Maksim says.

Anna beams. "I'm glad you like everything."

"I do."

"We all do," Boris says.

"Anna, you want another coffee?" Sergey asks and rises.

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