Just as she’d promised, Christa was still in my bed when I got back thirty minutes later.
“What the fuck are you still doing here?!”
“Hey, calm down,” she cooed. “Just get over here and let me calm your nerves.”
“I told you leave, didn’t I? I left money for you on the nightstand and asked you to leave.”
“Yeah, but sometimes, money is secondary.”
“If you’re not gone this minute, my men will be here to throw you out. Trust me, you don’t want to be seen naked in front of a five-star hotel.”
That got her. Her eyes grew wide and she crawled off the bed.
I went into the bathroom to freshen up. That was the last time I hooked up with the same girl twice.
But it was different with Alina. I couldn't think of what to do after because I wanted to do so many things. I didn’t need her to prompt me to want them. I wanted to sweep the covers off her body and kiss her from head to toe. I wanted to run my fingers through her hair and wake up to her beautiful smile.
I’ve crossed a line.
I didn’t just cross a personal line; I crossed a work line. While I hated thinking of her as a hostage, the truth remained that she was here with me for Bratva reasons. As such, I shouldn’t be intimate with her and complicate things.
I shouldn’t have stayed even when I knew I was attracted to her. I shouldn’t have kissed her downstairs. I should have stopped and not made her come all over my fingers. But I did. And I wanted to fucking do it again.
She’s not just collateral anymore.
Bringing the covers up to her chin, I slid out of her bed and out of her room.
**********
As Sergei briefed me on the status of one of our shipments, I contemplated telling him about Alina. There was no doubt about him being discreet, but the fact that it was about her made me rethink it.
He was about to leave my study when I said, “The attack on the house. Do we have clear identities yet?”
“Not yet, boss. But we will. Very soon.”
I nodded. “I was surprised at how she didn’t cower in fear. Alina.”
“Oh, yes. Asking to fight. That was shocking,” he agreed, chuckling. “She is one of a kind.”
“Thatshe is,” I confirmed. “We’ve been a bit closer recently. Surprisingly, I’m finding her nice to be around.”
A surprise frown crossed his features.
“We’ve been getting physical. I’m getting fond of her, and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that she’s attracted to me,” I admitted.
“I never thought the day would come when I’d hear you say this about a lady, boss,” he disclosed, his surprise melting into a small smile.
Neither did I.
But his face became grim as he added, “If Sir Viktor hears of you getting attached to a potential informant, boss, it could end badly. For you and for her.”
“Well, Viktor and my other brothers already accepted her into the family,” I pointed out.
“Sir Viktor can turn the other way in seconds when it comes to the protection of the Bratva.”
He’s right.
I nodded before dismissing him.
