Read Online Used by the Russian Mafia Boss: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance by Bella Rose - Free Book Online
Authors: Bella Rose
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handle it. Together.”
“But?”
“But I find I don’t appreciate the notion that my niece was kidnapped by the Alkaevs.” Nikolai stood up. He put his hands flat on his desk and leaned forward. His manner was intimidating, though Dimitri didn’t feel the need to back down. After all, he hadn’t done anything wrong. Nikolai wasn’t done. He peered at Dimitri with those uncanny blue eyes that looked so much like Toni’s. “Tell me, Mr. Alkaev. What are your intentions toward my niece?”
Dimitri didn’t answer right away. First of all, he refused to be intimidated. Dimitri wasn’t some green boy. He ran territory in his own right. He had a place on the mafiya council. Other men, older men, listened to his opinions and respected his authority. Why should Dimitri cower before Nikolai Kabalevsky? However, there was no reason to start a war with Toni’s uncle. Not when the man could prove a valuable ally.
Dimitri helped himself to a seat before Nikolai’s desk. The overstuffed chair was comfortable and upholstered in durable leather. Dimitri kicked back and watched to see what Nikolai would do.
There was a moment when Dimitri wondered if he’d made the wrong choice. Then Nikolai settled back into his own chair and seemed to be waiting for Dimitri to continue. Dimitri offered a dip of his chin, intentionally showing respect. “When this entire situation began, I’ll admit that I had no thought but to kidnap your niece for the purpose of using her to get back at her father.”
“How did that go for you?” Nikolai’s expression betrayed nothing of his thoughts. Dimitri could almost be jealous of the man’s poker face.
“Honestly, it didn’t go very well, because she had already left her father’s home of her own will. She was adrift I think, and looking for answers about her mother. So she offered me a deal. We would help each other.”
“And what help did she require?”
Dimitri couldn’t tell if Nikolai had his own thoughts on that or not. It was very difficult to say. Regardless, there was only one answer to give. “She doesn’t believe her mother was a suicide.”
“And she wants you to help her prove it was not?” Nikolai pressed his fingers together “Do you believe you can do this?”
“I believe I can help her investigate. As to proving it, I have no notion of what the truth is at this point.” Dimitri shrugged. “But I’m willing to help her in whatever way that I can.”
Nikolai cocked his head, his curiosity evident. “You have feelings for my niece.”
“I don’t believe that’s relevant.”
The man’s laughter was loud in the small office. “So the answer is yes.”
Dimitri didn’t confirm or deny. He didn’t actually know the answer. “Having feelings” was such a paltry way to describe Toni’s effect on his life. He had known her for such a short time and yet the effects had been almost immediate and somewhat life altering. He was looking at almost everything in his life differently. The way he handled his sister, and his brother’s bloodthirsty reaction to Katya’s predicament were only part of it.
“She’s gotten beneath your skin,” Nikolai said, obviously amused. “Toni has a way of doing that. Her mother was the same way.”
“Tell me about her mother.”
Nikolai sighed. “My sister was a ray of sunlight. Growing up she was the peacemaker. It was simply the way she was wired. She was loyal to a fault. She would have done anything for you, if you were lucky enough to be one of those people who had earned her devotion.”
“And her marriage to Rustikov?”
“A mistake,” Nikolai spat. “He came to our father with his charming words and promises. A bargain was struck, and Maria was never the same again.”
“But would she kill herself?”
Nikolai shrugged. “Who knows what she would do. I cannot say what was in the mind of another. Not even my sister.”
“Thank you.” Dimitri stood up. “If you could let Toni know that I was here,
“But?”
“But I find I don’t appreciate the notion that my niece was kidnapped by the Alkaevs.” Nikolai stood up. He put his hands flat on his desk and leaned forward. His manner was intimidating, though Dimitri didn’t feel the need to back down. After all, he hadn’t done anything wrong. Nikolai wasn’t done. He peered at Dimitri with those uncanny blue eyes that looked so much like Toni’s. “Tell me, Mr. Alkaev. What are your intentions toward my niece?”
Dimitri didn’t answer right away. First of all, he refused to be intimidated. Dimitri wasn’t some green boy. He ran territory in his own right. He had a place on the mafiya council. Other men, older men, listened to his opinions and respected his authority. Why should Dimitri cower before Nikolai Kabalevsky? However, there was no reason to start a war with Toni’s uncle. Not when the man could prove a valuable ally.
Dimitri helped himself to a seat before Nikolai’s desk. The overstuffed chair was comfortable and upholstered in durable leather. Dimitri kicked back and watched to see what Nikolai would do.
There was a moment when Dimitri wondered if he’d made the wrong choice. Then Nikolai settled back into his own chair and seemed to be waiting for Dimitri to continue. Dimitri offered a dip of his chin, intentionally showing respect. “When this entire situation began, I’ll admit that I had no thought but to kidnap your niece for the purpose of using her to get back at her father.”
“How did that go for you?” Nikolai’s expression betrayed nothing of his thoughts. Dimitri could almost be jealous of the man’s poker face.
“Honestly, it didn’t go very well, because she had already left her father’s home of her own will. She was adrift I think, and looking for answers about her mother. So she offered me a deal. We would help each other.”
“And what help did she require?”
Dimitri couldn’t tell if Nikolai had his own thoughts on that or not. It was very difficult to say. Regardless, there was only one answer to give. “She doesn’t believe her mother was a suicide.”
“And she wants you to help her prove it was not?” Nikolai pressed his fingers together “Do you believe you can do this?”
“I believe I can help her investigate. As to proving it, I have no notion of what the truth is at this point.” Dimitri shrugged. “But I’m willing to help her in whatever way that I can.”
Nikolai cocked his head, his curiosity evident. “You have feelings for my niece.”
“I don’t believe that’s relevant.”
The man’s laughter was loud in the small office. “So the answer is yes.”
Dimitri didn’t confirm or deny. He didn’t actually know the answer. “Having feelings” was such a paltry way to describe Toni’s effect on his life. He had known her for such a short time and yet the effects had been almost immediate and somewhat life altering. He was looking at almost everything in his life differently. The way he handled his sister, and his brother’s bloodthirsty reaction to Katya’s predicament were only part of it.
“She’s gotten beneath your skin,” Nikolai said, obviously amused. “Toni has a way of doing that. Her mother was the same way.”
“Tell me about her mother.”
Nikolai sighed. “My sister was a ray of sunlight. Growing up she was the peacemaker. It was simply the way she was wired. She was loyal to a fault. She would have done anything for you, if you were lucky enough to be one of those people who had earned her devotion.”
“And her marriage to Rustikov?”
“A mistake,” Nikolai spat. “He came to our father with his charming words and promises. A bargain was struck, and Maria was never the same again.”
“But would she kill herself?”
Nikolai shrugged. “Who knows what she would do. I cannot say what was in the mind of another. Not even my sister.”
“Thank you.” Dimitri stood up. “If you could let Toni know that I was here,
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