On the long ride home, I took note of myself.Even as I gave a bitter laugh at the double meaning of this evening, my fists clenched. While my body felt well-loved, a little sore, the rest of me felt cheap and used. He’d made me feel that way. He sent me out like I was some escort, well technically.Before he could say anything more, I’d turned on my heel and left him, heading downstairs to face the real world. By the time I’d reached the lobby of the hotel, I was shaking, enraged and felt a bit of shame. Bright lights had stared at me like I had done something wrong; it’d seemed all eyes were on me. Like everyone knew what I’d done.When I’d asked for a cab, a gap-toothed drunk man whistled one forward, but he’d smirked as he opened the door. “Madam.” I’d almost kicked him in the dick, but refrained because of rule number five. Never attract attention to yourself, Ana.One small paid sex act had given me burning humiliation. But the money! Five grand and then the two I’d took as
On her hospital deathbed, my mother had begged me for two vows: to keep running away from my father and to finish college.I snuck into the hospital to see her while I was on the run.I’d only given her one vow. She’d used her last breaths to say, “Run from that evil man!” Before I saw the news of her death on the news.Phase one of my life plan was to complete my credits to atone for her death. I was one exam away.So why was I thinking about Rome more than my class? At least he hadn’t blown the whistle about my theft of his golden clip. Hey, he’d specified no amount for my tip! And how valuable could that money clip be?I’d been nervous about him ratting me out, which pissed me off.This unsettled feeling sucked. I already had enough loose ends in my life that I needed to tie up.I’d talked to Danielle several times since that night. She went way back with Lucious, the owner of the Escorts business, so she would have heard if Roman complained. So far, the Russian hadn’t contacted
“Which you would never give him, right?”At that moment, I got a text chime from a strange number: waiting“Danielle, we talked about this! There are boundaries.” I cried “We did talk about your number, about changing it. I held out for longer than even I would’ve expected, but when Lucious told me Roman offered ten thousand, I caved. We’re to split half. There’s twenty-five hundred for you at the agency.” More money? “By the way, Anthony thinks your vagina is full of rainbows—and dollar signs. Aside from the Russian, you’ve gotten requests online from different men! He wants your ‘ pussy magic’ working on other clients.” she said with a simple directness.I didn’t have pussy magic. Roman simply wants his money back, or his clip. Or he planned to punish me for stealing from him. Maybe with a crop? “What else did you tell Lucious about me?” I asked in a small panicky voice “Nothing else. Mainly because I know so little. Other than the fact that you scrub toilets for a living—which m
So as the cab halted in front of Hotel Furtan and I highlighted praying to who so ever was listening that nothing should go wrong tonight. At the door to Roman’s suite, I removed the long lightweight jacket I’d worn to conceal my racy dress. He’d said sexy, so I’d gone to Danielle’s, to get a new dress because I wasn't spending money on a new one for a man, uncaring if I was fifteen more minutes late. She’d brought out the tiniest dress I’d ever seen, gifting it to me because, as she’d put it: “My breasts are too big to wear this since I got enhanced.” The Red-colored dress was short and backless. Two narrow bands of silk made a halter to cover my tits—somewhat. Side-boob much . The “skirt” was about eight inches long and displayed a bit of my ass, but the dress had some slinky strands, making for a peekaboo situation whenever I took a step. A gold cuff on my upper arm that look like I was a queen or something, beautiful earrings, and fuck-me stilettos rounded out the ensemble.
In the elevator, his height and raw energy took over the space. He trailed the backs of his fingers up my spine, making me shiver again, I shouldn't have worn a backless dress but I like his hands on me. “So sensitive.”Downstairs, as we headed to the outside restaurant, he kept a steady hand on my back. Taller than all the other men, he walked with his chin up and his shoulders squared—utterly arrogant. Which I kind of enjoyed, when it wasn’t meant for me.The Furtan’s outdoor area was breathtaking, with giant palm trees, multiple small pools, and a luxury seating area nestled in romantic spaces with cool lighting and all. He separated me away from others, closer to the ocean. Though two sofas wrapped around the candlelit table, we sat on the same one.Our server—Kim—was a tall blonde with a striking face. I was expecting Roman to look over at her based on the fact that she was his type, but he was very attentive to me. He selected a white wine, a specific wine that must be expens
“If you must know, seeing me dive naked would’ve been life-changing for you.” “Would it, then?” His blue eyes grew lively. His charisma was off—the fucking—charts. “Continue.” “We would’ve had sex again. In the water. Then, after more drinks, I would’ve ridden you on a lounge chair until your eyes rolled back in your head.” He groaned low. “How long have you been doing this?” “Would you believe me if I told you that you were my first client?” “Nyet (No).” “Wow. Don’t even want to think about your answer?” “I bought an escort for a date and purchased her private line for ten thousand dollars. Before that, I downloaded her goddamned picture to my phone. If I’m to be brought this low, it shouldn’t be at the hands of a rank novice.” My curiosity passed. “Is there a compliment in there?” Had he truly downloaded my picture? “You fuck too well to be anything but a pro.” “Thanks?” Maybe he liked the idea of me being a professional. If I convinced him I wasn’t, maybe the thr
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t want to be hit with a crop.” “There’s more to it than that,” he said. “Whipping a woman is not a favorite aspect of mine.” “Then why was a crop part of your script?” Maybe because it limited touch even more? “If you’ve never tried any of it, then how do you know you won’t like it?” He’d deflected my question. Because of my weakness at lying, I dodged and deflected, and I was good at similar tactics in others. “I liked Monday night,” I told him, dodging his own question. “I liked how the weight of your body pressed down on mine, and our skin touched all over, and I could feel your big muscles flexing.” I leaned in, wanting closer to the heat emanating from him. At his ear, I murmured, “When your chest rubbed over my nipples while your cock plunged, I came until my vision blurred.” He inhaled sharply. “We should return. Now.” “We’ll ditch—” “Here we are!” Kim said, tray in hand. She was probably puzzled when we both scowled at her. My scowl
He was about to ask me more, but Kim returned with the check, saving the day.I told him, “I’ll just go run to the ladies’ room.” I grabbed my purse and hurried off, the tassels of my skirt tickling the backs of my thighs.When I passed the outdoor bar, guys gawked, knowing what I was. Or thinking they did.In the bathroom, I stared into the mirror. Ana Sol, escort.A far cry from my one time goal: Anna Bateman, tycoon. From an early age, I’d played with the idea of taking over the world, maybe going into politics like my father. Even as I partied in high school, I’d gotten straight A’s, earning tons of credits. I’d planned to graduate college at age twenty-one, with a 4.0 GPA.Yet the harder I worked, the more I got away from my dreams. Which wasn’t exactly motivating! At least the GPA was still within reach. All I had to do was make an A on my last final.With a sigh, I smoothed a curl behind my ear and tugged down the hem of my dress.By the time I passed the bar again, the men we
ANAMy eyes flickered to his hand wrapped around my waist as a sense of ownership.When Mayor Rice said my mother's name, The incident that I dreamt about sometimes came rushing to the forefront of my mind. My temples throbbed as my mind hunted for something. Something important.It evaporated, just like all of my dreams of freedom before she died.Forcing a smile to my lips, I turned to look at Roman. “Ready to make the rounds, dear?”Roman’s eyes were on Dario, something dark in his gaze. Yes, Roman was neck deep covered in blood, but at least he didn’t deal in human trafficking or selling innocent women. His uncle might have, but he didn’t.A corner of Roman’s lips tugged up, ever the politician “Gentlemen.”His voice held an unspoken threat of retribution and suddenly, I found myself happy to have him on my side.++++++++++++++++ROMAN Maria De Sol One thing I could be certain of.Ana faked not remembering that name. It was as if she was triggered by the name but she hid it
ANAHeels clicked against the marble floor of the club.The club XXS was turned into a ballroom while upper floors hosted poker tables and roulette tables.“Do you do this often?” I asked, side-eying Roman.“What? Show you off to my business partners.”“Host gambling at the same time as a fundraiser?”“No, usually it’s a nightclub and casino.” His gaze roamed over the room. “But for the event of bringing you out in public , my people didn’t organize anything. I let the city host their fundraiser and they have free rein of the building and event today.”It was an important day for me. Roman was introducing me to people. I was not the Rapunzel hidden in the castle anymore, my gut warned, a feeling of something happening tonight.“What’s the matter?” Roman’s gaze focused on me, his men walking right behind us.I shook my head. “Nothing.”Silver trays full of champagne flutes and appetizers made the rounds across the room. The glasses glistened the mighty chandelier. A small musical
ROMANSit down,” Kai orders. “Show respect to your Pakhan, Igor.” Igor mumbles an apology and begrudgingly sits while still giving me the death glare.“It’s good that you’re here, Petrov. We have some business to discuss.” The pakhan speaks for the first time since I came in. There’s a huskiness to his voice due to the cancer, and soon enough, it’ll be noticeable to everyone.“I have business to discuss, too.”Viktor scoffs under his breath at way I addressed Granduncle.My attention turns to him. “You have a problem with me?”“None at all, Petrov.” He pauses, readjusting his glasses with his middle finger. “Yet.”The threat behind his gesture doesn’t escape me, so I counter using his subtle way. Still keeping eye contact, I slide the cup of coffee in front of me then crush a piece of sugar inside before it melts. “Good to know.”His brows furrow, and his most loyal soldier, Aleksander, stiffens behind him, his hand going to his gun. He has a smaller frame for a guard, but he’s as
ROMAN I have to go to the meeting with the elders today and try to reason with them on the death of Vladamir and it not being Ana’s fault.I push the board room door open and go inside ready to fight for her.It’s easy to be intimidated by the leaders of the elite group. Most of them, From other families included, have served time in jail. While that’s disgraceful in the outside world, it’s a stamp of honor for any member of the Bravta.Granduncle Morozov sits at the head of the table. He’s old, in his sixties. His once-blond hair is now completely white and washed by time. While cancer has made him look older, it didn’t take his hair away, probably because of his stubbornness about refusing to undergo chemotherapy. I try not to look at him knowing every and any weaknesses will be exploited.My cousin Vasili leaves my side and sits on Granduncle’s right, which is his position as his right hand man. On his left sits Kai, the Enforcer. He holds the same level of power as Vlad, bu
I nod again, feeling stupid for thinking he wanted me dead. “I’m so sorry. I panicked and wasn't thinking straight,” I try to explain.He lets out a heavy breath. “I know.” His eyes caress my face. “Please, just don’t ever run from me again.” it hurts“I won’t,” I whisper in his ears. I wrap my arms around his neck, and hold him as tight as I can not letting go. After a while, he asks, “Do you feel much better?”Even though my world is still ruined by the terrible incident, I just nod because I feel safe in Roman’s arms. I didn’t lose him. If anything, it feels as if this nightmare has brought us closer together than how we were before.“Do you think you can eat down something?” he asks.I pull back as I rub my hand over my burning stomach. “My stomach still feels quite uneasy.”“Some toast might make you feel much better,” he murmurs as he gets up.When Roman lifts me into his arms, I don’t bother fighting back and rest my head on his shoulder. I close my eyes as he carries
ANA'S POVRoman is so careful with me that it makes me feel even more emotional.When he’s was done helping me take a bath, he turns off the faucets and helps me out of the shower. My eyes drift over him while he uses a towel to pat my skin dry, uses the hair drier on my hair with the appropriate heat setting.Even though I’m still feeling shock from all the trauma, love fills my heart for him, the way he's taking care of me.He places an arm at my back and another under my kness, then lifts me and carries me back to his bed gently After setting me down to seat on the bed, he rushes to the walk in closet for a clean shirt and gently pulls my hand in and buttons it up.“I need to brush my teeth,” I say, my eyes constantly on him.“Okay.” When he moves to pick me up again, I shake my head. “I can walk.”“I know, let me do this.” He lifts me into his arms and heads back into the bathroom with me. Once I’m on my feet and I’m brushing my teeth, Roman cleans the floor.Seeing this b
ROMAN’S POV The past two days have easily been the longest days of my life.I'm walking on fucking thin ice, and every time Ana makes a sound and moves, I hold her tighter.At first, I was struggling to process the death of my uncle , but now I wish he was alive so I can fucking kill him myself.Unrestrainable rage keeps filling my chest, and knowing I can’t get revenge for what they did to Ana, because it not letting me have a peaceful sleep.I haven’t slept since the night before we left for Russia, and until I’m sure Ana is okay, I won’t be able to shut an eye.Suddenly her body tenses, and she tries to curl into me like a child hiding from someone. I’m still holding her against my chest tightly.I vehemently refuse to lay her down on the bed, I need her in my arms again.“Shh…I’ve got you, baby,” I whisper, hoping my words will get through to her.“No,” she mumbles. She’s weak as she slaps my chest, then her fingers grip my shirt. “No.”Bringing my hand to her face, I run my p
ANA'S POV“Noooo!” I scream as I wake up from sleep, into something hard. My breaths are nothing more than gasps.“I’ve got you,” Roman’s voice says above my head.Oh, God. No!As I realize I slammed into Roman’s chest, and I feel his arms around me, all the terror and trauma come rushing back.Vladamir telling me to leave Rome alone that cheap girls like myself don't deserve anything..The struggle on the balcony before falling over the railing.Vladamir’s fingers grasping and ripping at my dress.The sickening thud. The sound on his body hitting the floor.Seeing his body broken a few feet from. Where I was hanging on to the railing.The fear of falling to my death and the struggle to pull myself onto the balcony.The fear of being stopped as I escaped the compound.The terror of running away from Rome.Running into traffic to escape Roman.Him grabbing hold of me.“Are you–”Instinctively, I try to scramble away from him as a cry tears from my throat. “Baby!”His hold on me tight
ROMAN’S POV Wake up, baby. My heart won’t rest until I see your beautiful smile again. My eyes move over every inch of her face, and a painful feeling slashes through my heart when I think how close I was to losing her. I’m never leaving you alone again. “Can I get you anything?” Dimitri suddenly asks, his tone tense with worry. I get up and shake my head. “I need you to stay with Ana. Sasha and the Rest of the Bravta are on their way, I can't show any weaknesses.” I look at Ana again before I say, “Call me the second she wakes up.” “Okay.” He takes the bag from me, and as I pause beside him, I place my hand on his shoulder and lock eyes with him. “Thank you.” This man is one of the most important and irreplaceable to me at this crucial moments. I’ll never be able to repay him for everything he’s done for me and Ana. he murmurs truthfully, “Anything for you, Boss.” Leaving the bedroom, I take off my suit jacket as I head down to the meeting feeling exhausted. With