Embrace of the Russian Tiger (Russian Mafia Kings #2)

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

I woke up tangled in the sheets, my body still humming with the aftermath of the night before. My skin tingled where Maxim had touched me, and every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel the way he had made me unravel. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced—intense, consuming, and so incredibly intimate.

But now, in the cold light of day, I felt conflicted. I had spent so much time fighting against him, trying to resist the control he exerted over my life. Yet last night, I had given in—completely. I had let him claim me, not just physically, but emotionally too. And that terrified me.

I pulled the sheets tighter around me, my thoughts swirling.

Maxim was cold, distant, calculating, and yet, every time we were together, there was something deeper. Something I couldn’t explain. I felt it in the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t watching. The way he touched me when his guard was down. It was as if, for brief moments, the mask slipped, and I saw the man beneath the mafia boss.

But it wasn’t enough.

He won’t tell me the truth. I couldn’t do this anymore. I couldn’t just wait for him to give me answers. I needed to know.

I stared at the message that I received last night, my mind made up. Whoever this person was, they knew something about me—something that Maxim had been hiding.

I slipped out of bed, quickly dressing and grabbing my bag. Last night, Maxim allowed me to go outside again to the library, mentioning that I am not a prisoner. I didn’t know if Maxim had spies watching my every move, but I couldn’t take the chance of him stopping me. So, I went.

The moment I stepped outside, I hailed a cab, giving the driver the address from the message. I forgot to mention to Maxim that I would not be using his driver. He’d have understood. My pulse thrummed with a mix of excitement and fear as the cab wove through the streets of the city. I paid the driver and stepped out, my heart racing as I approached the entrance. I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking into something dangerous, but there was no turning back now.

Papa Joe’s Pizza came into view, a small, run-down place that looked like it hadn’t seen a renovation in years. My stomach twisted with unease as I stepped out of the cab, glancing around. The street was quiet, almost too quiet for a place in the city. Something about it felt… off.

I entered the pizza shop, the bell above the door jingling as I stepped inside. The door creaked open as I pushed it, revealing a dark, musty hallway. I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The place was empty—completely empty. There were no customers, no staff, nothing. The only sound was the hum of the refrigerator behind the counter.

I frowned, glancing around. Was this a joke?

And then I saw him.

A man in a hoodie stepped out from the shadows in the back corner of the shop, his face obscured by the hood. He moved silently, his gaze locking with mine as he approached.

“Follow me,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “And don’t ask questions.”

Every instinct screamed at me to run, to get out of there. But I couldn’t. I had come this far, and I needed answers. So, without a word, I followed him out of the shop and into the alley behind it.

There was a sleek black car waiting, the engine running. The man opened the back door, gesturing for me to get in.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound strong.

He didn’t answer, just nodded toward the car. I hesitated for a second, my mind racing. This could be a trap. But at the same time, this could be my chance to finally know the truth.

With a deep breath, I slid into the car, the man following me in and closing the door behind us. The driver took off without a word, the city blurring past the windows as we sped through the streets.

I turned to the man beside me, my fear giving way to frustration. “You need to tell me what’s going on,” I demanded, my voice firmer now. “Who are you? Where are you taking me?”

He glanced at me from beneath the hood, his expression unreadable. “All your questions will be answered soon. Just be patient.”

I clenched my fists, my anger simmering just below the surface. “I’ve been patient long enough,” I shot back. “I want answers now!”

The man didn’t respond, his attention focused on the road ahead. I bit my lip, trying to calm myself down. There was no point in arguing with him, not when I didn’t even know who he was. But the tension inside me continued to build, my mind racing with possibilities.

We drove for what felt like hours, the city fading away as we entered a more industrial part of town. Finally, the car came to a stop in front of a large, industrial building. There were no signs, no windows—just a heavy metal door at the entrance.

The man opened the door and gestured for me to follow him inside. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest, but curiosity won out. I needed to know.

The inside of the building was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of smoke and something else—something heady and intoxicating. I followed the man through a series of corridors, each one darker than the last, until we reached a set of stairs leading down.

“Where are we?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly now.

He didn’t answer, just continued down the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the enclosed space. I swallowed hard, my nerves frayed, but I kept moving.

At the bottom of the stairs, the corridor opened into a large, underground club. The sound of music hit me first—loud, pulsing, almost hypnotic. Then the sights. Bodies writhed on the dance floor, half-naked men and women moving in time with the music, their skin gleaming under the dim, flashing lights.

But this wasn’t just any club. This was something else. Something darker.

As I moved through the crowd, my senses were filled with the heat of bodies pressed together. My eyes widened as I took in the scenes around me, each one more explicit than the last. In the corners of the room, groups of people gathered, their hands roaming freely over each other's bodies, their eyes glazed with desire. Their tongues slipping on one another. I couldn’t tear my gaze away as I watched women draped over men, their moans lost in the pulsing music and flashing lights. Women jumping on men’s or some men were just pounding from behind. This was new to me. All of it. I couldn’t understand if I feel disgusted or aroused. I was definitely curious.

My skin prickled with excitement and danger as I noticed glass rooms lining the walls, where others watched from behind one-way mirrors. But my heart raced even faster as we reached an area separated by a thick velvet curtain. Suddenly, the man pushed it inside, revealing a small room with glass walls on all sides. Inside, I could see everything happening in the club below – the dance floor, the people, and what it is that they were doing.

“You can see them but they cannot see you. You wait. You understand?” the man said, and closed the door behind him.

Suddenly, I heard a sound behind me, and I turned just in time to see a woman in another glass room. She was black, tall, and strikingly beautiful. Her breasts were full and heavy, with dark nipples that begged to be touched. Her lips were plump and pink. She entered the room with another woman, whose skin seemed smooth as a peach. She lied down on the bed and spread her legs, as the black beauty leaned down into her pussy and slid her tongue right into her hole. The woman’s body arched and then suddenly the beauty took out a toy in a shape of an alien-penis. And then she spread the woman’s lips with her fingers and slid the toy inside.

“ Ah! ” the woman exclaimed as moans echoed through the room, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

I should have looked away. But instead, I was aroused. I could feel the heat building inside me, my pulse quickening as I watched them, unable to stop myself. She was moving her hands faster and faster, twisting the alien looking penis from one side to the other while rubbing the woman’s clitoris. It was like watching two goddesses together. My pussy was getting wet. I did not want it to get wet, but my body was betraying me. I have never seen anything like this.

I tried to pull my gaze away, but then a voice crackled over the loudspeaker, deep and commanding. “Jessica.”

The woman in the next room froze, her eyes widening as she pulled away from the toy.

“Step forward,” the voice commanded.

Jessica stepped into the center of the room, her face flushed and her body trembling. The voice boomed again. “Choose your position.”

She hesitated for a moment, then stripped off what little clothing she had left and knelt on the floor. Her hands moved to her breasts, and she began pleasuring herself as the loudspeaker instructed.

I should have looked away, but I couldn’t. I was mesmerized. My body throbbed with desire as I watched her, the heat pooling low in my stomach.

The door at the far end of the room slid open, and a man stepped inside. My breath hitched at the sight of him—tall, muscular, his skin a rich, dark bronze that gleamed under the soft light. Every inch of him was a masterpiece, his body sculpted in such a way that it almost seemed unreal. His movements were graceful, confident, like a predator closing in on its prey, and the way he carried himself made it clear that he was in control of the situation.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away. He crossed the room with slow, deliberate strides, his gaze never leaving Jessica as he approached her. Her breath quickened, her body visibly trembling as she knelt before him. She had already surrendered herself to the commands of the loudspeaker, but now, in front of this man, her submission took on a whole new depth.

When he knelt in front of her, the room seemed to hold its breath. His presence was commanding, magnetic, and even from behind the glass, I could feel the sheer force of his dominance radiating off him. He reached out, his hand brushing her cheek with a tenderness that belied the intensity of the moment. Jessica’s eyes fluttered closed at the contact, her lips parting in a soft sigh.

“Continue,” the loudspeaker commanded, but it was unnecessary. The man had already taken control, his hand trailing down Jessica’s body with a slow, deliberate precision. His fingers danced over her skin, teasing her, making her tremble with need.

I could feel my own pulse race, my body reacting to the intensity of the scene unfolding in front of me. Every movement, every touch seemed to heighten the heat that simmered in my veins. I felt a strange, forbidden pull, a deep desire building within me as I watched the man guide Jessica with such confidence, such dominance.

He leaned in closer, his mouth brushing against her neck as his hands roamed her body, exploring her as if he had all the time in the world. Jessica’s breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps, her body arching into his touch as though she couldn’t help herself.

My breath caught in my throat when the man’s hand slipped between her legs, parting her thighs as he spread her open before him. The way her body responded, the way her moans filled the room, was enough to make me lose any semblance of composure. I could feel the wetness pooling between my own legs, my body throbbing in sync with Jessica’s as I watched, helplessly entranced.

The man didn’t hesitate. He claimed her, his movements slow at first, deliberate, before gradually quickening as Jessica’s moans grew louder, more desperate. She clung to him, her hands gripping his shoulders as he pushed her closer to the edge, his control over her absolute.

I could feel every moment, every breath, as though I were right there with them. The intensity of the scene was unlike anything I had ever experienced, and my body responded in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I ached, throbbed with a deep, primal need as I watched the man take control of Jessica, pushing her to the brink of pleasure and beyond.

She screamed his name as her release hit, her body shaking with the force of her orgasm, but he didn’t stop. He pushed her further, driving her to the edge again and again, until she was a trembling mess beneath him, utterly consumed by the pleasure he gave her.

I was breathless, trembling with desire, as the scene unfolded. It was raw, powerful, and completely intoxicating. And even though I knew I should look away, I couldn’t. My own body was alive with need, and the heat between my legs burned with a fire that only seemed to grow stronger as I watched.

I watched as he took her, his movements slow and deliberate. Her moans filled the air, her body arching with pleasure, and I couldn’t help it—I reached for myself, my hand slipping between my legs as I watched them. I bit my lip, trying to stifle my own moans as I matched their rhythm, the pleasure building inside me until I couldn’t hold back any longer.

I couldn’t stop myself. My body betrayed me, the heat between my legs growing with every second as I watched the scene unfold in the next room. The woman—Jessica—was lost in her pleasure, her moans vibrating through the walls, and the man, so graceful and strong, moved with such precision, as if he knew exactly how to drive her to the edge.

My breathing quickened, my fingers trembling as they moved against me. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the waves of desire building in my core, and when I opened them again, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from what was happening. The glass walls of my room felt like a barrier, separating me from them, but it wasn’t enough. I was drawn to them, to the pleasure, to the intensity of it all.

This isn’t right . The thought flickered in the back of my mind, but it was quickly drowned out by the pulsing beat of my heart, the throbbing in my core. I bit down on my lip, my hand moving faster now, mimicking the rhythm of the couple in the next room.

Before I knew it, my body was on fire. The pressure building inside me exploded, and I bit down harder on my lip, stifling a cry as I came, my body trembling with the force of it. My legs quivered, my heart racing as I slumped back against the wall, my breathing ragged.

For a moment, I was lost in the haze of pleasure, but as the wave subsided, a new feeling washed over me—shame.

What was I doing? I had never been like this before, never so consumed by lust that I would give in to it so easily. And yet, here I was, pleasuring myself while watching a stranger. It felt wrong, but at the same time, it felt… good. Too good.

I wiped my hand on my dress, my fingers shaking as I tried to steady my breath. My body was still humming with the aftershocks of my orgasm, but my mind was already racing, confusion and guilt flooding in. What is happening to me?

Before I could dwell on it any longer, I heard the voice on the intercom. The air in the room shifted, growing colder, and a chill ran down my spine.

“Enjoying the show?” he asked, his voice deep and smooth.

I didn’t answer. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to sit up straighter, pulling my dress down to cover myself.

“You don’t have to be afraid, Anna,” he said, his voice eerily calm. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

“The show was nice. Quite enjoyable. What do you need?” I asked, my voice cold but inside I was trembling despite my attempt to sound strong. The glass walls of the room felt like a cage, and I was trapped.

“I don’t need much from you,” the man hissed.

“Who are you?”

“I am the past and I am the future. Someone who knows everything and anything.”

“Why am I here? Just get to it already.” I did not know where I found the courage to speak like that, but I did.

“You want answers, don’t you?” he asked. “About who you are. About why Maxim has kept you in the dark.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as I stared at the wall. Answers. The word echoed in my mind, and the desire for them burned inside me.

“I do,” I said, my voice steady.

“Shall we play a little game then? I will tell you who you are, but in return, you will marry me. Don’t be too shocked, it’s just a little game. I cannot kill you now, and don’t want to. You are much too valuable alive, and too beautiful. I would love to fuck that little pussy of yours. But not today. Let’s stick to the point. I do need something from you, and you need something from me. I have a marriage proposal for you. I believe it’s a fair trade.”

“You are out of your mind if you think I am getting married like this and especially to a voice. Are you insane?” The audacity of this man was far beyond my comprehension. Who does he think he is?

“Oh… devochka . You don’t know who you are playing against. Like I said. You are not some random girl. I would like to let you know that you are the biological daughter of Rossi. And there are a lot of people, including Maxim, who want what your daddy owned, and they will come after you. I can protect you from them. All you will need do is to sign a marriage contract with me. In a minute, my assistant will bring in the marriage agreement and then we can talk more.”

“I’m not signing anything. You can shove it up your ass.” I laughed out loud. He could, for all I cared. I was done following people’s orders.

The man chuckled softly. “I’m not demanding for you to sign… yet. But it is the only choice you have. Look at it like this: you will stay alive by entering a marriage with me. You will have a good life. Another option is for you to remain Maxim’s prisoner forever. But let’s say somehow you manage to come into power on your own, and then those who your father wronged will come after you… Maxim won’t save you.’’

I narrowed my eyes, distrust simmering beneath the surface. “What makes you say that? Maxim will save me.”

His laugh echoed through the room. “How naive you are, little girl. Let’s continue to play our little game. I will give you the contract. You can take it home with you. Yes, krasotka , I will let you go home. And then ask your precious Maxim to tell you the truth. If he does not, and he will not, then I will reach out and we will meet again.”

I was sitting there stunned. I couldn’t believe it but in a way he was right. I need to ask Maxim for the truth. He must tell me.

“You don’t have any other choice,” he said simply, his smile fading as he leaned closer, his voice lowering to a near whisper. “And let me tell you the actual truth, Anna: you are just a pawn to him. Nothing else. You have no value. You are a toy. But do not take my word for it, if you don’t want it. Go and ask him yourself. Learn this lesson on your own.”

Thoughts were spinning in my head.

“What next?” I asked.

“Have the drink that my assistant placed on your desk, little girl. And then ask your precious Maxim for the truth when you go back home.”

I sipped on the drink and said again: “Maxim will tell me the truth. You coward. You can’t even come out to face me.”

The man laughed. “Anna. You little, little bird. This is all a game. Play the game wisely and win. But insulting is a loser type of play. Are you a loser Anna? The contract is in the folder on the desk. Put it in your bag. Take control of your life, and I will see you next time.

“Oh, and, krasotka … One more thing. Even if Maxim tells you who you are, he owes you more answers than that. Do you understand? Him just telling you whose daughter you are is not the whole truth. He must give you something as well. If he does not, then he is lying.”

I hesitated for a moment, my fingers trembling as they brushed against the edge of the folder. I could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me, the fear gnawing at the back of my mind.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest, and opened the folder. My heart raced as I stared at him, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Take control? Was that even possible? I had been under Maxim’s control for so long. I always had someone controlling me.

I stared at the contract, sipped on my drink, my heart pounding in my chest and then it all went black.