YURI (Her Russian Protector #3) by Roxie Rivera Read Free Book Online Page A

position where he knew she would shine.
    They passed through the gates guarding the enclave and turned down his private road. In the circular driveway, the car stopped near the fountain so he could exit. Jake slipped out of the front seat and trailed him up the steps. Derek remained in the SUV that had been trailing them all evening.
    Stepping inside his home, Yuri braced for the arrival of Sasha. On cue, the massive bear-sized Caucasian Ovcharka let loose a rumbling bark and bounded down the long hallway. His warning growl softened at the sight of his master. He skidded to a stop and plopped down in a well-trained sitting position.
    Yuri rewarded the shaggy beast with a good scratch between the ears. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Feodor, the elderly mentor who had followed him from Russia, entering the foyer. Feodor was one of the few men Sasha tolerated and the only one Yuri felt comfortable leaving in charge of the dog.
    After exchanging a few words with Feodor, he said goodnight and snapped his fingers to indicate that Sasha should follow. Fully aware of the pecking order in the house, the dog followed at his heel.
    With a beast so large and ferocious protecting him, Yuri required complete obedience from the dog. In Russia, the breed was used to guard the most notorious prisons but they were also incredibly loyal and protective of their owners. Yuri found peace of mind in the idea that Sasha was always nearby.
    Upstairs, he passed the long gallery wall where some of his favorite paintings decorated the space. More would be shipped in from his collections in London and Moscow. He paused in front of the piece he'd commissioned from Vivian last year. The little minx had charged him a damn arm and a leg for the painting but he'd happily paid it. There was no doubt in his mind he'd made a good investment. Someday her work would command outrageous prices.
    He couldn't wait to invite her over to see where he'd placed her painting. She'd get such a kick out of seeing her piece between a Basquiat and a Galán. He'd thought it rather clever to sandwich her painting between two artists who had been huge influences on her style.
    Inside his bedroom, he finally relaxed and kicked off his shoes. He dropped his watch and cuff links on their trays before moving toward his bed. Exhausted, he fell back on the plush mattress and closed his eyes. Sasha walked in circles, the tags on his collar jangling together as he searched for the perfect place to plop down on his comfortable bedding in the far corner.
    Visions of Lena danced before his eyes. He wasn't sure where their relationship was going but he was all right with that. He looked forward to the journey they were taking together. These things couldn't be rushed.
    In time, Lena would be his.
     
    * * *
     
    The annoying buzz of my cell phone rattling across my bedside table jerked me out of a deep sleep. Opening one eye, I glared at my alarm clock. Oh, Jesus! It was too dang early for this nonsense.
    I grabbed my phone and glanced at the screen. My father's face greeted me. He never called this early—and it scared me. "Hello?"
    " Mi'ja ?"
    "Dad?"
    He let loose a relieved sounding sigh. "I was worried about you. I couldn't reach you last night."
    "I was working and then I had a date." His end of the line crackled. "What's wrong with your reception?"
    "Oh, it's—it's nothing, mi'ja . Listen, if Tommy comes around, don't let him stay with you girls."
    I frowned and rubbed my tired eyes. "I never let Tommy stay here. Why would I start now?"
    "Good. Keep it that way."
    Something in my father's tone worried me. "Is everything okay?"
    "It's fine." He hesitated. "You still have that gun I bought you for your birthday?"
    My gaze flitted to the top drawer where it rested. Technically, he'd only given me the money for it and the concealed carry course I'd taken. With his record, there wasn't a gun store in Texas that would sell to him. "Yes. Why?"
    "Just keep it on you, mi'ja ."
    My