Ruby Mayhem: A Russian Mafia Romance (Vyronov Bratva Book 1)
Chapter 2

I recline on the plush leather couch.

I’m wreathed in shadows, absently stroking the smooth crystal of my glass. The clear liquid swirls hypnotically, glimmering silver that does nothing to calm the anticipation brewing within me. I hadn’t planned on this; sitting here waiting for a woman I just bought like a prized heifer. Yet, here I am, captured by the memory of midnight-colored eyes and a defiance that stirred a primal hunger in me.

The room I’m sitting in surprised me when I arrived. The receiving area where buyers can examine their purchases. I’d expected it to be different; as tasteless as the activity that goes on outside the tall double doors. It’s not. Dimly lit and shadowed, yes, but it’s also luxuriously appointed. Elegant paneling, plush furniture, expensive art. Yet, it’s all a deception. The cultured exterior disguises the nature of what happens in the hall I just left.

Selling women.

Human trafficking was never my thing. Not that I’m an angel; far from it. But there is something about preying on the innocent that doesn’t sit well with me. My world is driven by violence and blood. It has always been that way. But it’s the blood of men who know the score before they get involved in it. Bad motherfuckers, just like I am. These girls are victims. Snatched from airports, off the streets, casualties of illegal immigration. They didn’t choose to be here. And yet the one I just bought was delivered by her own father.

Theodore Avants.

I take a sip of my Stolichnaya and let the warmth seep down my throat.

What the fuck are you up to, Theo?

Theodore Avants has worked in my organization for decades – ever since my father’s time. I’ve never liked him. There has always been something shifty about the fucker. When I heard rumors that he was planning to auction his own daughter, my radar immediately started to ping. Especially when it was just a day after that a shipment of product went missing. And it wasn’t the first time this happened. It’s too much of a coincidence. Our planning has always been impeccable, yet somehow, no matter how closely we watch our consignments every step of the way, someone else always seems to be a step ahead. As if they already know what we’ve planned. I’ve smelled a rat for some time, and Avants is looking distinctly like a rodent.

The bastard is up to something.

Something that needs a significant cash flow in a hurry. And it’s something I’m going to get to the bottom of. Except riding in roughshod and beating the information out of him is not an option. The fucker might be slimy as shit, but he’s too high-ranking for me to simply make him disappear. I can’t get my hands dirty that way. It would raise too many eyebrows.

But with a million dollars of clean cash in his pocket, it’s only a matter of time before he shows his hand. And then I’ll be there to catch the fucker in the act.

Except right now, I’m replaceing myself preoccupied with the memory of defiant dark eyes, and anticipation is swirling. I didn’t expect to feel this way, this… restlessness, this…hunger. It’s been a long time since a woman has captured my interest. But the fire in her expression as she stood there on that stage was… interesting.

A soft knock at the door interrupts my brooding thoughts. “Mr. Vyronov.” It’s one of the attendants from the auction.

“Come.” My voice echoes in the silence of the room, reminding me that there’s nothing warm or inviting about this place. Perhaps it’s better that way. I don’t need her thinking that things will ever be warm between us.

The door opens, and a middle-aged man in a dark suit steps in. “Your consignment is ready, Mr. Vyronov, sir.”

I nod, and the door swings open.

The woman framed by the light outside is being held by another attendant, who’s grasping her upper arm firmly… as if she’s about to bolt off. Perhaps she will. If she does, I’ll chase her down. The thought of that makes my lips twitch at the corners. But that would distract me from the purpose of this whole damned exercise.

Avants is a problem.

No doubt about it.

As for his daughter?

His daughter is fucking beautiful. The photos I’d seen before I made the decision to attend this auction had made that clear to me. But the reality of her is even better. Leggy and willowy, with full breasts and softly curved hips. She’s toned and in good shape, yet everything about her is rounded and itching to be touched.

She tugs at where her arm is being held firmly, and a heavy wave of dark hair falls over her shoulder. Hair I could tangle my fingers into as I fucked her from behind. The image has my dick swelling, and I’m having to shift in my seat.

She’s squinting into the shadows of the room now, probably trying to get a look at me. She won’t see much, which suits me. I like keeping people off balance.

The attendant murmurs something to her, and when she doesn’t respond, he pushes her. She takes a stumbling step forward.

“Careful,” I warn him. “That is a million dollars’ worth of merchandise you are manhandling.”

Her head snaps up at the sound of my voice. “Who’s there? Who are you?”

“You know why you are here, da?”

“I asked who you are!”

“I am asking the questions tonight.”

Her chin jerks up, her eyes fiery, and mutinous as she looks in the direction of my voice. There’s rage in her voice that makes her even more attractive. “You may have bought me but that doesn’t give you the right—”

“Remember your place, little bird,” I interrupt. “I own you. I have the right to do as I please.”

I run my eyes over her. The dress she’s wearing may be virginal white, but that’s where any pretense of purity stops. Whoever put her into that thing wanted to be sure that nothing was left to the imagination; it molds to her like a second skin, and parts of it are transparent.

“This whole thing is a damn farce. I demand that you release me immediately!” There may be a firm edge to her voice, but her nostrils flare slightly as she finishes. She’s sucked in a deep breath. Bolstering herself… not as brave as she’s trying to appear. “Are you listening to me? I insist that you release me!”

I feel an eyebrow lift. Insolence. Fire. I like it.

“Release you?”

“Yes!” The delicate line of her throat works as she swallows. “Let me go, and I won’t go straight to the police and blow this whole sick operation out of the water!”

I chuckle at the thought of that. “How kind of you. And what if I don’t?”

“I… I…” She licks her lips. They’re full and plump. I can almost feel them wrapped around my cock. “I know people. And who they are is none of your concern,” she finally says. There’s a tremor in her voice.

“Oh, but I think it is.” I lean forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees and getting a clearer look at her. She’s still straining to see me, and I’m still loving the fact that she can’t. “If you are so sure that this is your bargaining chip, I would like to know what I am up against.”

“You’re up against the law, that’s what! I hope you enjoy the idea of a life behind bars.”

I set my glass down and stand abruptly, then stalk toward where the attendant is holding her. As I move away from the darkness, her head tips back, and she stares up into my face. She has the most beautiful fucking eyes I’ve ever seen. And now that she sees me, they’re as wide as dark pools. There’s alarm in them… and something else. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was a flicker of desire.

I stalk closer, only stopping when I’m inches away from her. She flinches a little when I take her chin in my fingers and examine her face, turning it slightly from side to side to get a better look. Fine features, high cheekbones, a wide forehead over arched dark brows, and thick lashes. She’s fucking lovely… I bought well. Suddenly, there seems to be a bonus to my plan. And not just because it will get me closer to whatever her father is doing.

“Get your hands off me,” she hisses between gritted teeth. “I’m not a show pony!” She tries to pull herself free from my grip but I tighten it. I like her this close. I can catch her scent, warm and feminine with something floral beneath it.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

“Do you think men like me ever spend time behind bars, Tiana?” I tilt my head.

When she opens her mouth again, no words come out. But her breath is rasping. She licks her bottom lip, and it glistens slightly. I drag my thumb over the soft flesh and feel the wetness there. “You… you…” she whispers and then stops. “You’re a pig!”

That makes me chuckle. A woman with fire is always a pleasure for a man like me. Something to tame. Something to bend… but preferably not break.

“You are mine, Tiana. You will return home and get your affairs in order. In one day, you will come to me, so say your goodbyes. The life you knew is over.”

I keep staring into her eyes for a moment more. Her chest heaves, and her breath shudders. I let go of her chin, turn, and walk back to the shadows, raising a hand and flicking it as I do so. The sound of the door shutting behind me lets me know that she’s gone. I take my seat again and reach for my glass, emptying it in one swift swallow. The burn is as satisfying as the flare of defiance in the girl’s eyes.

Good.

Better than expected.

It seems that this situation has changed now. I went into this planning to get the upper hand over my enemies. But I think it’s going to bring with it the added advantage of being very entertaining.

Yes. Tiana Avants is definitely going to entertain me.