Page 131 of Beguiled

Her eyebrow lifted, the cute smile I’d come to adore sliding across her beautiful face. “I can take care of myself and I’m standing right here. The madness needs to stop. Mikhail isn’t well. He’s suffering just like you did as a child. Like you’ve all suffered. Killing him isn’t the answer. Kazimir already faced part of his demons. It’s time for you to do the same.”

“And how do I do that?”

“By accepting who you are. You’re Vladimir Chertov’s son, Kazimir and Mikhail’s brother, something you should be proud of. If I were to decide to marry into the family, I’d be very proud to have the last name. As would my children.”

“Your children, huh?”

“Well, I guess it’s possible you’d make a good father.” Her eyes were filled with mischief.

God, I adored this woman.

“Does that mean you’ll say yes if asked in the appropriate manner?”

“The manner in which I so richly deserve? It means we’ll see.” She laughed softly as if we were playing a very personal game of our own. Maybe in a way we were. As we had been since our first meeting.

My thoughts were all over the place, desires that were completely inappropriate for the moment, but the reality of how I felt about her was stronger, more impactful, and more powerful than any other feeling I’d had before.

Love.

I was certain that’s the emotional state she’d left in me, the need to possess more intense than any longing for revenge. And I would have her.

Maybe she just didn’t understand.

The woman was already mine.

Soon, it would be made official.

* * *

“Walk with me, Davit,” I told the young man as soon as he left the elevator.

His face held a moment’s surprise, but as with all traitors, he knew the instant his cover was blown.

I was ceremoniously removing any obstacles as well as creating a safer working environment. Plus, no matter the changes that had occurred in the Chertov Corporation over the last two years, leaving treachery on the table without any formal punishment wasn’t good for morale.

So here we were.

“It’s David, sir.”

He stepped beside me as we walked down a long corridor. The hotel had been renovated, becoming a luxury item for all visitors. But we still conducted business inside the four walls, not only within our executive offices but also down this very hallway to a soundproofed room. Dimitri’s idea, something he’d learned from his father.

“I think we can dispense with the lies. Don’t you?” When he didn’t answer, I tilted my head.

There was fear on his face. He was a low-level player, which was why he’d gone unnoticed. If what Anton had said was true, and from what we’d learned we were positive it was so, Vardan had been contacted by Mikhail while still in Chicago.

A perfect choice actually. A strong opponent with an excellent track record and to have his father as a long-time emissary to the Armenian people? Well, that was the chef’s kiss. The groundwork had been laid, Davit put into place as doing nothing more than providing information that could be considered low-hanging fruit.

Maybe this guy deserved a break, a warning and nothing more, but my patience had run out. I was sick of playing games. So were the rest of my family members.

Plus, my beautiful soon to be bride to be had requested that I not go lightly on the man since he’d been abusive to her best friend. Everyone had been playing a goddamn game, women as the victims. I abhorred anyone physically or emotionally abusing women.

We all had tasks to complete before tomorrow night when the fireworks commenced.

And I for one was eager and looking forward to the spectacular event.

We neared the door where my two men were holding court. As soon as we approached, Davit acted as if he was prepared to run.

I slammed him against the wall, using my forearm to place pressure on his windpipe.