1
JUDE
The first time I ever set eyes on Sara Carter was through a pair of military-grade binoculars; a pair I was outfitted with just before landing this assignment.
Spying on a twenty-year-old woman isn’t my usual gig. But when Kristina Kozlov—leader of the infamous Bratva—gives an order, your only choice is to follow through. And given the fact she understands where my strengths lie, it only makes sense that I’m the one here.
I clear my throat, noticing the lump that must’ve formed over the last twenty minutes, ever since my arrival.
I’m not sure what I expected, but this blonde-haired angel isn’t it…and I sure as fuck didn’t anticipate the girl having some sort of effect on me—and so quickly.But she has.
Sara Carter’s hair flows down to her curvy slim hips, and she seems rather annoyed by it, flipping it back behind her pale shoulders. She’s willowy, dressed in casual clothing for the night. Nothing that would bring the girl to stand out, as she’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a t-shirt that seems a little big for her size.
These binoculars…they really are high grade. It’s the middle of the winter, and from almost two blocks away, I can spot those peaked nipples beneath Sara’s worn shirt. She’s decided against a bra, and apparently the room must be cold. Not surprising, considering she and Luca hardly frequent it much.
Luca Gusev prefers to move back and forth between his two other residences, both located uptown; one of which Sara knows about, having been there a number of times, and one she has not a clue exists in her pathetic fiancé’s life.
The fact I followed Sara here means Luca has likely been tipped off. He pegs this to be a safe house, but it’s just another modern, pricy apartment.
And not all thatsafe.
With the floor-to-ceiling windows, which cover the entire south side, it makes it rather easy to watch Sara move from room to room. She seems on edge, with her full lips pursed and her arms crossed, standing in the open bedroom now.All alone.
A part of my head slips to a new place…a darker one. Playing this out in mind, I’ll walk through that doorway behind her—a hulking, dark form invading her space. My hand set on wrapping over those pretty lips I’m staring at, wrenching her body back against mine.
All of a sudden my cock twitches, and I grunt. I’ve been a vital member of the Bratva now for seventeen years, and it goes without saying that never once have I beenarousedon the job, or ever bothered to question a command.
But there’s a first time for everything.
I feel perverted, recalling the angel I have my eyes fixed on is only twenty—and Luca’s girl. She’s probably been through the wringer, sexually and physically.Maybe mentally.
Anyone who can stick it out with a member of the Gusev family for two years surely can’t be right in the head.
But Kristina wants this girl in by the morning, which is precisely why I’m here.
I set the binoculars off to the side, my fingers dancing over the various pockets of my cargo pants. In one pocket is a hood, and in another is a paracord, along with the utility knife Jacob gave me when we were kids.
The thought of my brother clears my head, and I stand up, knees cracking.
I’m getting too old for this shit.
My fortieth birthday just passed and considering where I’m at in life, I should be thankful. There aren’t a lot of men that can make it out of the Bratva past the age of twenty-five.
But I suppose there’s been a few that’s made it...
Most recently, Cillian requested to retire from the gang. He ended up settling down with some sweet young thing, and now they’re traveling the world together. But good for the both of them, as lord knows Cillian needed a loving woman in his life.
He’s a good man, and just the thought of the bastard now reminds me of my brother.
What would Jacob think of this if he were still alive?
Me, here on my knees, eyes pinned on a girl I’m preparing to kidnap at Kristina’s request? No explanation nor idea of what’s to happen to this angel once I hand her over. Though something deep down tells me I already know her fate.
But it doesn’t matter.I have a job to do.
I turn abruptly, striding towards the front entrance.
One of my men informed me ten minutes ago Luca has been spotted at his residence further uptown—the one this angel here isn’t privy to. And little does she know her fiancé is already likely to be coked out of his mind…