Bought by the Russian Mobster by Bella Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

surprised at the man’s tone and choice of words. Nicolai almost laughed out loud. “My father was the leader of a well-known Russian crime syndicate, Detective Orr. There’s a certain amount of notoriety that goes along with that. So no, I can’t think of anyone who would want to harm my father beyond the usual suspects who tried to either do him harm, or who had every right to want revenge. That sort of thing goes with the mafia boss territory, you know?”
    Detective Orr’s cheeks were tinged with pink and he suddenly became very interested in the notes he was taking on his phone. “Do any individuals come immediately to mind? Anyone your father had a recent disagreement with?”
    It was on the tip of Nicolai’s tongue to tell the detective that Vladimir was responsible for this mess, but years of training could not be overcome. Nicolai gave the detective a bland look of boredom. “This was nothing more than a typical mafia hit. There’s no telling who ordered it. I’m sure it’ll be wrapped up quickly and we’ll all move on.”
    There was more frantic typing on the little screen and Nicolai wondered how the man could even see what he was writing, let alone make sense of it. Fortunately it wasn’t Nicolai’s problem. He knew who had killed his father, and it would be handled in house the way these things always were.
    ***
    Lily rolled to her other side in the bed, unable to get comfortable. She was worried about Nicolai. What if something happened to him? What would become of Lily?
    She heard the front door open and close. Then a set of heavy boots went down the hallway. He was home. A sense of relief overcame her and she sagged with the release of tension.
    Nicolai’s tread on the stairs gave rise to anticipation. What if he wanted to have sex? Only a few hours earlier she had anticipated that possibility with eagerness. Now she wasn’t so sure. It was so dark. The only thing she could make out in the dim light was the shape of his body and the pale gleam of his blond hair.
    “Why are you not asleep?” Nicolai murmured. It was odd, but there was something just a little off about his voice.
    She struggled into a sitting position, pulling the sheet up around her bare breasts. Perhaps he had been drinking. The idea bothered her a little, but he didn’t seem drunk. “I was worried about you.”
    “Why?” She could almost hear his frown.
    Lily wondered why he sounded so grouchy. It was very unlike him. “You’ve never been this late before.”
    “My poor Lily, did you think I would leave you all alone without a protector?” There was something almost cruel and mocking in his tone. This was so unlike Nicolai. She didn’t understand what she’d done to warrant this treatment.
    “I don’t know what I thought,” she admitted softly. “But I’m very glad you’re back.”
    “I have to wash.”
    She couldn’t see him, but she could feel the strangeness in his manner. Her heart rate began to speed up as she wondered what was wrong. In the bathroom she heard the shower go on, and then turn off in what seemed like the blink of an eye.
    Nicolai pulled the covers back. The action exposed Lily’s naked body and made her feel strangely vulnerable. He got into the bed and then held out an arm. “Come closer.”
    She did as she was told, feeling horribly awkward. Gradually the heat of his body began to soothe her. Still, she could not relax. Something felt very wrong.
    “My father is dead.”
    The clipped sentence shocked the hell out of her. She grew tense once again. “What happened?”
    “He was murdered.”
    “What?” The word slipped out before she could choke it back.
    “Just go to sleep. I will take care of the murderer in the morning.” He turned over and gave her his back. Minutes later he was asleep.
    Lily tried to do the same, but could not shake the feeling that there was something wrong.
    Finally, she slipped into an exhausted doze.

Chapter Eight
    Lily turned around in a circle. She