Cruel Enforcer by Maggie Cole

22

Sergey

"How dodozens of steel pallets get stolen without it being an inside job?" I bark at Dmitri, pissed about the money we're losing but more at the fact we've got a traitor in our employment.

"It's nearly impossible," he agrees.

I stare at the list I made of who has keys to our machinery. "More long-term employees. It's starting to make trusting anyone in our employment harder."

Dmitri sighs. "I suppose the more we grow, the bigger the possibility is of this happening."

Both Dmitri's and my phone buzzes.

Maksim: Meeting at my place. Get here as soon as you can.

"Shit," I mumble at the same time Dmitri does. Messages from Maksim like that are never anything good. We're already sitting in my car, so I tell Igor to go to Maksim's. "What do you think this is about?"

"No idea." Dmitri glances nervously at me.

When we get inside Maksim's penthouse, Boris is pacing. Obrecht and Adrian are there.

My gut flips, and my jaw spasms. I will it to stop, but like always, I can't control it.

"What's going on?" Dmitri asks.

Boris spins. I've never seen him look so freaked out. "Zamir planted bones from men he had me torture and kill, on the city lot."

"How do you know they're yours?" I ask.

"He made me brand their bones while they were still alive."

"With what?"

"His symbol."

My stomach twists so fast, I get queasy. His symbol. The sign of the devil. The mark he signed on my back.

"I'll get with my contacts in the coroner and D.A.'s office," Obrecht states.

"Do you think there is a connection to the stolen steel?" Dmitri asks.

"Zamir is fucking with us. It's time to take him out," I growl.

"Sergey, enough!" Maksim barks. "Get it out of your head, little brother. We have a plan, and we're sticking with it."

"Our plan is flawed. He's more powerful than the O'Malleys and us combined. If we don't eliminate him now, we're asking for more trouble."

Adrian throws a rubber band he was fidgeting with on the table. "Sergey's right. I'm tired of waiting."

"Patience, my brother," Obrecht says.

"Enough with the patience," I state.

Maksim slams his hand on the table. "You two need to cool it. Obrecht, get with your contacts. The minute you find out anything, let us know. We discuss nothing over text or calls. Adrian, go with him. The rest of us keep our cool and continue to implement the plan we have in place patiently. When we get new information, then we'll reassess."

"It's time," I insist.

Maksim steps quickly to me and puts his hands on my cheeks. His thumb presses over my twitching jaw, and his icy blue eyes pierce into mine. "You will have your day. We will all step back and watch you destroy him, but you cannot act in haste."

My day with Zamir.

It's never going to come.

It is. I have to be patient.

"I have to go and get ready for the reopening," Boris says.

I forgot about Nora's reopening. I glance at the time. If I'm going to shower and not be late for her surprise entrance, I need to go as well.

We all part, and Maksim reiterates we need to keep things moving until we know more details. I get in my car, and my phone buzzes. Kora asks if I'm going, and we go back and forth.

At least she'll be there, and I can try and take my mind off how bad this day has been. I don't know who stole our steel, but I'm going to find out. I'm not sure what Zamir is trying to do by putting the bones in the lot, but it's flipping me out.

I light up my bowl, take a deep drag, and hold the smoke in my lungs. I slowly exhale. I take several more hits then get out of the car, go into my penthouse, and shower. After I towel off, I pull the handheld mirror out of my drawer and turn. For several minutes, I stare at my back, focusing on the stars, which look like they are part of a brilliant piece of art.

The memory of Kora's fingers and lips touching them this morning sends a wave of emotion crashing through me.

I need to lay off the weed the rest of the night. Too much is going on today, and I'm getting soft.

I put the mirror away and get dressed. I get to the pub a minute before Nora and Boris walk in. I'm not sure if Kora is already here or not, but my brothers and the O'Malleys surround me.

After I congratulate Nora, I glance around and spot Kora, Aspen, Hailee, and Skylar sitting in one of the new round booths. I could pull up a chair, but instead, I slide into the booth next to Kora right as Hailee says, "He said he wanted to lick my furry pussy."

"Well, guess I arrived at the right time," I say, trying to keep a straight face.

Hailee's cheeks turn crimson.

"Hailee, do you have shaving issues?" I ask and slide my hand on Kora's inner thigh.

"No! I'm very well-groomed, thank you very much!" She covers her face with her hands.

Aspen puts her arm around Hailee's shoulders. "Aww, you shouldn't have to defend your furry pussy."

"I do not have a furry pussy!" she says, a little louder than she probably meant to.

"Chill, Hailee! We know your wax schedule." Skylar takes a drink of her martini.

Kora turns to me. "Hailee was on a new dating site."

I slide my hand higher up the inside of Kora's bare thigh. "Did you swipe right, Hailee?" I tease, figuring Hailee's probably never even had a one-night stand.

"It's not that kind of site," she says.

I'm sure it isn't.

"Sergey, we need to know your thoughts," Skylar says.

Aspen groans then holds her drink up and makes a circular motion with her finger to the server.

Skylar's face turns serious. "Can a clit be erect?"

I glance at Hailee. "Hailee, what do you think?"

Hailee tosses a peanut at me. "Stop teasing me!"

I lean forward and curl my pinky so it strokes the top of Kora's slit. She squirms in her seat. "Swollen, marbled, hard, and lickable, yeah. Erect? Mmmm, not sure about that."

"Can a guy have a beefy penis?"

I chuckle. "Do the four of you sit around and make these questions up?"

"Nope! These are legitimate words our previous lovers have whispered in our ears," Skylar claims.

"No shit? Give me a context."

"Kora, it was your man, you tell it."

"Skylar," she groans.

I turn to Kora and grin. "Please. Do tell, Kora."

She rolls her eyes. "Maybe Skylar should tell about the guy who asked if she could come over and blow his impressive member."

"Did you do it?" I ask.

Skylar stirs her drink. "I asked him to send a dick pic first. Then when I got the photo, I told him it was cruel to set a woman up with those types of expectations."

"Ouch!"

She shrugs. "He set himself up."

I ask Aspen, "And what kind of stories do you have?"

She shakes her head. "None. I was married for eighteen years, remember?"

"Kind of sad you met Maksim and missed all this, huh?"

She laughs. "Nope. But you really should hear Kora's story."

"Aspen!" Kora reprimands.

I trace the seam of Kora's panties, and she leans forward, moves her butt closer to the edge of the seat, and puts her elbows on the table.

That's my girl.She wore crotchless panties as I instructed her. I slip my digit on her clit. I barely move it, but she takes a deep breath. I pin her with my eyes. "Did he ask to lick your erect clit?"

"Nope. That would be my date," Skylar admits and drinks several mouthfuls.

"You get all the winners, huh?"

"Yes, she does!" Hailee chirps.

I point at her. "I don't know if you should be talking, furry pussy girl."

"Don't call me that!" Hailee says.

I laugh and turn back to Kora.

She stays quiet.

"Come on. Tell me," I urge.

"He asked what she thought about his beefy penis going in her forbidden zone," Hailee blurts out.

I cock an eyebrow, Kora's face flushes, and I glance at Hailee. "What's a forbidden zone, Hailee?"

Hailee's face returns to purple.

I pull my hand out of Kora's pants and rise. "I need a drink. Nice conversing with you, ladies." I leave then talk to Nora's brothers, Nolan and Declan, at the bar for a good ten minutes. There's a piece of ribbon on the counter. It's kelly green with four-leaf clovers and says congratulations on it. I wrap it around my hand and pretend to fidget with it. I refrain from looking at Kora's table and head through the hallway and into the new break room Nora added for the employees. I text Kora.

Me: Excuse yourself to the bathroom—second door on your right.

I wait for several minutes, and Kora finally walks in. I shut the door and attempt to lock it but realize there isn't one.

Oh well. I'll just have to make her come quickly.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

I tug her close to me then fuck her mouth with my tongue, pushing it in and out, until she's shuddering and moaning. I murmur in her ear, "I want to make sure you understand what a real beefy cock and erect clit feel like."

She chokes out a laugh, but I cover her mouth.

"Shh." I spin her in front of the table, hold her neck, and guide her head to the table. I take her wrists and tie them together with the four-leaf clover ribbon. It takes seconds for me to drop my pants to the middle of my ass and lift her skirt. I enter her in one thrust, and she arches her back.

"Oh God!"

"That's my girl. Always wet for me, aren't you?"

"Yes! Oh!" She moves her hips perfectly in sync with my thrusts.

"That's it, lapa." I reach around her and strum her clit.

"Sergey!"

In Russian, I growl, "Your sweet, tight pussy needs my Russian cock, doesn't it?" I hold both of her wrists with my right hand. I push them to the side of her body, and her inner walls clutch my shaft. I thrust harder and circle my fingers faster.

"Oh God... I'm coming...oh God," she shrieks and arches off the wood.

I move her wrists to her back and splay my palm over them, holding them flat so she can't grip anything. I keep her body pressed to the table.

"Sergey," she cries out.

I need to come so she doesn't let the entire bar know we're in here.

I plunge deeper in her, and her body becomes an earthquake tormenting mine. I thrust faster and faster until I spurt my hot seed deep inside her, groaning and falling over her body.

We stay still for several minutes, catching our breath. I kiss the back of her neck. "Come home with me tonight. I'll lick your furry pussy," I tease.

She laughs, and I untie her hands. I spin her around.

"I rode with Hailee and Skylar."

"I'll give them a ride."

"Okay."

I grab some napkins out of the holder and help clean Kora up. I toss them then cup her face in my hands. "We should stop at your place so you can pack a bag for the weekend."

She bites her lip.

My pulse quickens. "Is that a no?"

"I have work to do. I can't ignore it."

"So? Bring it with you." I lean into her ear. "I'll even give you my Wi-Fi code."

She tilts her head and smiles. "Wow! An Ivanov internet secret! You must really like me!"

I run the pad of my thumb over her lips. "I do."

Her hazel eyes bore into mine. "I'm super boring when I work."

"I have some things to do for work, too." I wiggle my eyebrows. "But I'll keep you destressed on our breaks."

Her grin gets wider. "Okay. We'll stop at my place."

I give her one last peck on the lips. "I'll go first. The bathroom is across the hall."

"Thanks."

I leave the room, and Boris is waiting just outside. "Having fun?"

I smirk. You have no idea, big brother.

He nods toward the alley. "We have business to discuss."

"I'll be out in a minute." I step into the bathroom, feeling relaxed, and clean up. It doesn't last long. My anxiety builds in my chest within a few minutes during the conversation in the alley.

My brothers, Adrian, and Obrecht are outside.

Obrecht crosses his arms and leans against the brick wall. "Kacper and Franciszek Zielinski just got arrested. The examiner found their DNA all over the bones. Since it's already in the system for their prior convictions, it popped right up."

Boris blurts out, "Zamir planted this on Bruno's sons?"

Obrecht's voice is deadpan. "No. The O'Malleys did."

Fuck!I barely hear the rest of the conversation. I should be happy there's no more risk of linking the bones to Boris, but he hasn't even married Nora yet, and we already owe Darragh.

"Zamir isn't going to be happy his plan for the bones didn't go according to his wishes. We need to strike before he does again," I insist.

After some more conversation, I finally hear the words from Maksim's lips I've waited years for. "Sergey's right. It's our only opportunity. If we're all prepared with a plan, we can take him out."

I'm going to get my chance to show Zamir who he created.

Darragh and Liam join us, and my anxiety only increases further. I light up my pipe and inhale a significant stream of smoke into my lungs, holding it there before slowly releasing it.

Liam was part of making this happen. Now, we also owe him. As much as I like Liam, he's always acted before he thinks.

Boris asks, "Why did you plant evidence regarding the bones against the Zielinskis?"

"How did you know?" Liam replies.

Boris ignores him.

Darragh steps closer in our circle. "The head of the Polish mob visits the head of the Italian mob in prison. Why do you think that is?"

"We aren't sure yet," Boris admits.

Darragh points to my brothers and me. "You've recruited his people, given them enough to feed their families and not turn to him. Instead of staying in your community, you've crossed the line into his. You've put another target on your backs."

Maksim addresses Liam. "What do you know about this?"

"I was in the laundry room on my shift. Two of Rossi's top guys were talking. They didn't say Ivanov, but there was enough to put two and two together. Giovanni agreed to come after you to help put you out of business if Bruno aligned with him against Zamir."

"And you are only telling us this information now?" I seethe, stepping toward him.

Once again, Liam doesn't think.

Liam gets in my face. "I had to verify I was correct. It's the same thing my father would do. I'm not the same hothead who acts without thinking anymore."

I stand speechless, not sure how to respond. That isn't the Liam answer I expected.

"You should have told me," Boris states.

Liam spins and barks, "So you could start a war with the Zielinskis without absolute certainty? And what if I was wrong? Then you'd have another family coming after you, putting Nora and the baby in more danger. Sorry, but I'm not putting my family at any risk unless it's necessary."

The alley goes quiet. Has Liam changed?

Darragh clears his throat several times then takes another drag of his pipe. He slowly exhales the smoke. "Bruno's sons will go to prison. Our men inside will kill them. But Rossi has the power of the Poles behind him now, too. And that's a problem for all of us." He steps toward Maksim. "Your family has done well. You've made a lot of enemies in the process. What I'm teaching the O'Malley men is to look at all angles where you may be vulnerable. Do not overlook anyone in the process. I've made the same mistake in the past. I will never do it again. Lead your family wisely because we are now connected."

Joined to the O'Malleys for life.I try my hardest not to scowl at Boris for his actions. Those actions got us here.

We couldn't have started this war between Rossi and Petrov without them.

For life. I take another hit of weed.

Maksim's ice blue eyes pierce Darragh. He finally nods. "We will need to take into consideration the power of them together. The balance will be thrown off considerably."

"Yes. And Bruno will not take it lightly that the bones have been planted against his sons. He will assume you did it. I suggest you move swiftly to handle this issue. The wrath of two men who have lost their sons becomes more powerful," Darragh warns.

"Understood," Maksim replies, but all I feel is a new sense of dread.

No matter what we do, we can't escape mafia life. I hate the thug I've become. My father would roll over in his grave if he knew his sons were masters of torture, killers, and involved with all these mafia families.

There's no doubt in my mind. The false hope I've carried bursts into flames. We're never getting out.