You Belong To Me

KAIA

“Guess your knight in shining armor isn’t showing up, huh?” Gio’s words pulled me back to reality, his grin wide and teasing.

“Aleksandr isn’t one for dancing at these events.”

A frown creased my forehead as I realized his intentions. He was using me as bait to provoke Aleksandr, and judging by Aleksandr’s expression, it was working.

Gio’s eyes held my attention. They were a unique shade of hazel, turning greener when he was amused. But there was something else there, something I’d also noticed in Aleksandr’s gaze when I dared to look too closely.

A ~darkness~.

One of my hands was held against his chest, while his other arm wrapped around my waist. Gio was undeniably attractive, and his toned body against mine was proof of his fitness regime.

But there was no spark, no butterflies in my stomach. I might as well have been dancing with Ilya.

His cocky attitude made me raise an eyebrow.

What was his deal with Aleksandr?

“Do you always act so arrogant?” I asked.

His laughter was soft, a dimple appearing on one cheek.

“I believe the term you’re looking for is charming, piccola,” he responded, unfazed.

As one song ended, another began. A woman’s voice filled the room with a tale of heartbreak.

Over Gio’s shoulder, I spotted Anya and Lia back with the men, but Aleksandr was nowhere to be seen. Just great.

Apparently, the pakhan didn’t care about me dancing with another man.

I let out a sigh, deciding to make the most of the evening.

“So, how do you know Lia?” I asked, genuinely interested as we swayed to the rhythm.

Gio tilted his head, his lips pursing as he pondered his answer.

“We share a mutual friend,” he replied, his answer vague.

His eyes held a distant look, as if his thoughts were elsewhere.

“And what do you do for a living?” I asked.

His gaze snapped back to mine, his expression suddenly serious.

“I’m in business,” he said.

I halted, my eyes narrowing at his curt response. So much for making friends.

“Thanks for the dance, Gio. But I think I’ll—” I tried to step away, but his grip on my waist tightened, stopping me.

“Piccola—” he began, but a cold, authoritative voice cut him off.

“Ricci.”

We both turned to see Aleksandr, who moved to stand protectively by my side. His proximity left no room for doubt about his intentions.

His body language screamed ~mine~, even though he didn’t voice it. The realization made my heart race. Had he been watching me all along?

“Kozlov,” Gio responded, his smile returning as he released me, clearly understanding Aleksandr’s silent warning.

Despite not feeling threatened by Gio, I instinctively moved closer to Aleksandr.

“I was under the impression you preferred brunettes,” Aleksandr said, his tone casual.

For the first time that night, Gio’s smile wavered. “Especially one studying law at King’s College.”

Gio’s gaze flickered to where Santi and Marco were chatting with their women, then returned to Aleksandr, his expression cool.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I glanced between the two men, feeling out of the loop. The tension between them was palpable.

Then Aleksandr smirked.

“Don’t worry, Ricci. I haven’t told Santi about you stalking his sister…~yet.~”

I stared at Gio in shock. Santi’s sister? I’d heard of her during my time with Cristo.

“Isadora?”

Gio muttered a curse under his breath, gave me a curt nod, and then walked away.

I was still watching Gio’s retreating figure when Aleksandr’s arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his chest. I had no choice but to loop my arms around his neck for balance.

What was he up to?

Whispers filled the room again, and I could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze. It was odd how no one had paid me any attention while I was dancing with Gio.

“Gio mentioned you don’t dance at these events.” Even in my stilettos, I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. His scent enveloped me, making my head spin.

Was it him or the champagne? Unlike when I danced with Gio, every brush of Aleksandr’s body against mine sent a wave of heat coursing through me.

“I don’t,” he responded. “But you seem to be a magnet for the most dangerous men in the room tonight. I might have to keep you close to prevent any trouble.”

His words took me by surprise. He’d assured me I’d be safe. Besides, I didn’t feel threatened.

“Dangerous? Gio?”

Aleksandr arched an eyebrow.

“Did you never encounter Giovanni Ricci while working for Cristo?” His tone was laced with disapproval.

I racked my brain. ~Ricci. Ricci.~ The name did ring a bell. Then it clicked, and I gasped, nearly stepping on Aleksandr’s foot. He deftly sidestepped me.

“The Cosa Nostra boss?” I whispered.

Aleksandr smiled, his finger lightly grazing my cheek as if he was proud of my realization.

“Giovanni is the only son of Elio Ricci. He’s next in line to take over when his father retires soon.”

My lips parted in surprise.

“He seems a bit young to lead, doesn’t he?” I couldn’t help but ask. Gio seemed closer to my age than the other Dons.

“Age is irrelevant in the Cosa Nostra,” Aleksandr said, drawing me closer, his lips brushing my temple as he spoke, oblivious to the onlookers.

“He’s been his father’s enforcer since his teenage years.”

He felt me shudder, and his palm slid up my back to caress my bare skin. I wished I could be as nonchalant as him, but my past had left me too scarred for that.

“That’s no life for a child,” I murmured, goosebumps erupting on my skin where his fingers traced.

Pressed against his chest, I felt his body tense at my comment.

“Not everyone gets a fairytale childhood, kotik,” his voice was thick with an unspoken emotion.

I pulled back slightly to look into his eyes.

“I think I understand that better than most,” I replied softly.

I stiffened, surprised at my own admission. Aleksandr had a way of lowering my defenses, making me open up before I even realized it.

I stepped out of his embrace, feeling a bit flustered.

“I need to use the ladies’ room,” I blurted out, turning away.

“I’ll accompany you—”

I spun around.

“I just need a moment, Aleksandr.”

His lips tightened, as if he was biting back words. He simply nodded.

Unbeknownst to me, he signaled Niko to follow me as I headed for the restroom.

I found it down a large hallway that led to a pool, and sighed in relief when I found it vacant.

I entered a stall, lowered the toilet seat cover, and sat down, taking deep breaths to steady myself.

The door creaked open, and the sound of music and clicking heels filled the room.

“These old farts are so dull!” a high-pitched voice complained, followed by the sound of a purse being emptied onto the counter.

“Well, at least they’re wealthy,” another woman retorted, eliciting laughter. “I’ll need at least two more glasses of champagne to sleep with my date tonight. But hey, I might get a new Birkin out of it.”

More laughter echoed.

“Speaking of rich, have you seen Aleksandr Kozlov tonight?” a woman asked, making me freeze.

A collective moan filled the room.

“I wouldn’t need to be drunk to sleep with that man,” someone declared. “In fact, I’d want to be completely sober when I take his cock in my mouth.”

A whoop of agreement followed.

“Cheryl, do you always have to be so crude?”

I assumed Cheryl was the one who scoffed.

“But did you see the doll he brought tonight? She looks like she’s off to prom. How old do you think she is?”

I bit my lip to keep from responding as anger flared within me.

“Who cares. She’s just a pretty accessory. Aleksandr isn’t into innocent little girls.” This sounded like Cheryl again.

Something inside me shattered.

“What are you implying?” another woman chimed in, her curiosity piqued.

I wished I could just block out their words, but it seemed I was a sucker for self-inflicted pain.

“Well, I wasn’t supposed to spill the beans, but,” her voice dropped to a whisper that still echoed in the hushed room, “Janet let it slip that she and her husband are members of that superexclusive sex club in the city. Apparently, Aleksandr has a private room there he frequents once a week. She mentioned he only prefers submissives and is heavily into BDSM. So, no. If that little Barbie was with Aleksandr, she wouldn’t be walking right. I know I wouldn’t.”

Their laughter echoed behind them as they exited the restroom.

With legs that felt like jelly, I managed to step out of the stall. I pressed my hands against the counter and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

I didn’t like the expression I saw. Disappointment.

This was all make-believe. A pact.

Regardless of my feelings for him, Aleksandr didn’t desire me. Not in a sexual sense. It was evident. Just like those women pointed out, I wasn’t his type. In fact, I was so far off his radar, it was ludicrous to think otherwise.

Now, all I had to do was uphold my end of the deal so I could get what I wanted, and try not to let my feelings for Aleksandr interfere.

I rinsed my hands under the faucet, dried them on the neatly folded towels on the counter, and then walked out of the restroom.