Read Online BWWM: Chosen By The Russian Mafia (A BWWM Billionaire Mafia Romance) (BBW Alpha Male Pregnancy Short Stories) by Serena Vale - Free Book Online
things.” She felt a twinge of regret for having brought up the subject of a man’s dead wife and for reasons that she could not quite explain she also felt a pang of victory. There was no wife in Alexi’s picture now… there was room to fill. Oh, and who’s going to fill it, me? The thought held an odd appeal to her. “Alexi,” she said, trying to steer the conversation in a new direction. “I hate to open up old wounds, but in the interest of the case I need to know something. How exactly did your late wife have a bearing on…?” Much to her shock and sudden fear Alexi pounded his fist upon the table, shaking the glasses of wine and vodka and making her nearly jump from her chair as the whole table shook. “What does it matter?!” he thundered. “Is it not enough that she is dead?” Regina froze, her eyes wide with the sudden fright and her hands holding the edge of the table as if afraid that he might next try to throw the table over. His face became flushed with anger and the look of a man who bore deep hatred rose to the surface. The seemingly gentle side of him that she had witnessed and had even liked earlier in the day seemed to have gone like candle smoke in a high wind. Stay away! Stay away! She held the table in fear and fixed her gaze upon him, unable to keep the fear that had risen within her from being seen. Alexi’s eyes looked red and angered. His neatly combed hair had lightly come undone and now was slightly askew. He had half-risen from his chair in his outburst and she was frightened that he might jump across the table and strangle her for her question. The side door opened up suddenly and quickly and Yuri came charging in and his expression was alert and dangerous. Regina froze at that as well and it suddenly seemed that she might not live to see the look on Carver’s face when she delivered this one home… assuming she lived that long. “Alexi? What has happened?” Yuri asked, stopping halfway across the dining room and surveying the scene. Alexi took in a sharp breath and blew it out slowly and held up a hand, keeping his friend from asking any more questions or pressing any further into the room. “It is nothing, Yuri… nothing… I’m sorry I disturbed you.” Yuri seemed to accept that readily enough and quickly turned and left the room, leaving them alone once more. For a brief second Regina wished that Yuri would come back. It seemed that the ex-military bodyguard had a somewhat calming effect on her client and she realized how Yuri’s absence affected the tranquility of the room. Alexi leaned forward and grasped the edge of the table tightly. She could hear the wood groaning in protest against his firm grip and she felt herself marveling at his strength despite his fear. After a few moments he stood up and straightened his tie and suit, looking proper once again. He put his hands behind his back and bowed to her, almost shamefully. “My apologies, Regina… I lost my temper,” he said, his voice ringing with remorse. “My late wife is still a sensitive matter to me.” She swallowed the lump that had formed her in her throat and tried to keep the light fear that had entered into her from showing. She didn’t entirely succeed as her voice lightly trembled as she spoke, “It’s fine, Alexi… I understand.” Alexi sighed and resumed his seat mournfully. “Perhaps it would make more sense if I put it all into context for you. How my wife’s death affected my business practices. Perhaps you will understand then.” She felt herself slip into the story as soon as it began.
Chapter 5 The world outside was cold and gray, the kind of gloom that only came with a winter day in Moscow. The kind of day where one would wish to be home, safe with a warm fire, or in lieu thereof another warm and pleasant body to keep themselves comfortable. Alexi had managed to do both. Alexi sat behind Lada in the