I stand up behind him and kiss his shoulder. “Why don’t you get to bed and I’ll join you in a minute.”
He hums in agreement and slowly gets a towel when he exits the shower. I guarantee he will be asleep before I get into bed beside him. As I immerse myself under the steaming water, I bathe in the comfort of completeness and satisfaction. Seb being here is right, him being by my side is our future. I want to give him everything and I’m surprised that idea doesn’t scare me.
By the time I make my way back into the bedroom, as I predicted, Seb is completely out of it. But he looks happy. This is the first time I’ve seen him look peaceful and content and I love the fact that I'm responsible for his current state more than I should.
Just as I'm about to get into bed, my phone rings. It’s Lev, which is unusual. I move to the other end of the room so I don’t disturb Seb.
“What’s wrong?” I say.
“You need to come downstairs. We’re in the office.”
“On my way,” I say without hesitation. I hang up, put on some black sweatpants, and head downstairs.
When I arrive, Lev is there with Jules and Simon and a new guard of ours Zayn. They nod at me as I walk in, but I can feel the tension.
“Ok, what’s happened?”
Lev’s serious demeanor has me rooted to the spot.
“Tonight we received this. It came direct to the house and didn't have a name on it, so the guys brought it to me. I’d only remembered about it an hour ago and this was what’s inside.”
He pulls out what looks like photographs from a large envelope and the rage builds so fast I think my head will explode. Pictures of Seb that look like they have been taken over the last week of him arriving at work. Some of him behind the bar, and a picture of him arriving home with me here on the first night he moved in. I look up at Lev, he then passes me what appears to be a note.
“Now that I have your attention, I think it's time you pay for what you took from me and my family. You will not get away with what you have done. And now I know you have something precious to lose, I will make you suffer as you made me suffer. You are not invincible, Mr. Kozlov.”
There is no date, no name, no contact or demands. Nothing. My mind is going through all kinds of scenarios. Who could this be? Have there been any bad dealings recently? I come up with nothing. We generally don't have a lot of issues. We’re a small operation and we only tend to have problems internally or occasionally with a local dealer.
“Did anyone see who left this?” I ask.
Simon shakes his head. “No. There is no footage on the cameras or any evidence where the envelope was left. Whoever it was managed to avoid each camera surrounding the entrance, so they must have known our set up,” he says.
“Do you think this could be someone on the inside?” Jules asks.
“Well, I guess that’s what we need to find out.” I stare at Lev.
He stands up and walks towards me resting his big hand on my shoulder. “Don't worry, brother. We will find out who this is. I will sort it. You need to make sure that Seb knows what’s going on. He needs to understand that he has to have a guard on him for safety.”
I nod in agreement. “Keep me updated. Simon, you’re the only one I trust to watch him so I will need you guarding Seb until this situation is sorted.”
“Of course, boss. I got him.”
Back in the bedroom, Seb is still fast asleep. I lay in bed beside him and I decide not to tell him until the morning. There is no point ruining his sleep. However, I’m unable to rest. I watch Seb happily dream away, while I lie here plotting what I will do to this fucker for threatening Seb. This will be one interrogation I will savor.
CHAPTER 19 - SEB
Myassissofucking sore. I keep clenching, thinking that will take away the ache. I can’t tell if it needs to be stuffed or if the entirety of my insides is going to slide out of me. It was worth it though. Last night was the best sex of my life and I wouldn't change anything about it. I don't know how, but Dima seems to know me better than I know myself. He knew what I would like and what I would need. I can still feel tingles from that orgasm. I would never have believed I could feel like that but am now unable to see myself being satisfied with anyone else. Y’know? I think I’m ok with that.
I turn onto my side, preparing to get out of bed, but I jump when I notice that Dima’s sitting on the chair in the corner of the room watching me.
Something’s wrong.
“Why are you sitting over there?” I ask. He doesn't answer, just continues to stare. Upon closer inspection, the darkness around his eyes confirms that he hasn't slept at all. Shit, does he regret last night? I get out of bed, ignoring my nakedness and the tender ache in my ass.
I kneel at his feet, gazing up at him. “Dima, you're scaring me. What's wrong?”
He laughs without humor. “Out of all the things I've done to you, this is what scares you, beautiful?” I don't answer, waiting him out. He leans forward and holds my face with the palms of his hands. It’s the gentlest he has ever been and it's putting me on edge.
“Last night, one of the guards handed Lev an envelope with photos and a note inside. We think it’s a threat.”
