Russian Roulette Read online

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Trademark Acknowledgement

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Other Works

  To my readers, I would not be where I am without you.

  Jenjo

  Brenda Wright

  Tim Brehme

  Ann Lister

  Brenda Cothern

  Copyright © 2017

  Skull Blaster Publishing.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Trademark Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Sleepy: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

  Dopey: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

  Cookie Monster: Children’s Television Workshop

  Post-it: 3M Company

  eBay: eBay, Inc.

  iPod: Apple, Inc.

  Disney World: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

  Magic Kingdom: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

  Desert Eagle .44: Magnum Research; Israel Military Industries

  Vince Markov was sitting by the pool at Andrei Panchenko’s mansion, waiting for everyone to be ready to leave for Fort Worth. He looked up and sighed. He knew he had done the right thing letting Dylan McAllister go. Dylan was in love with Alex Cannon and Vince knew standing in the way of that would be selfish.

  “Mr. Markov?”

  Vince turned to see Andrei’s head guard, Ivan, standing there with another guard, Victor Popov. “Yes?”

  “I was hoping I could ask a favor?”

  Vince stood and walked over to them. “Ask away.”

  “Victor and I need to go to Leningrad to speak with the families about the Turks. I was hoping you would stay and watch over Andrei?”

  “Why me?” Vince asked warily.

  “I think you know why, Mr. Markov. If there is anyone I trust to watch out for Andrei besides Mr. Cannon, it is you,” Ivan answered.

  Vince tilted his head. “This is about Urine.”

  “Urine?” Victor tilted his head, then it hit. “Oh…you mean Yuri.” Victor chuckled.

  “Yes, it is,” Ivan replied. “Can I count on you?”

  Vince looked toward the house and noticed Andrei in the window. “Does he know?”

  “No,” Ivan replied.

  Vince contemplated his options. Heading back to Fort Worth and seeing Dylan with Alex was not something he was ready for. “Okay.” Vince shook Ivan’s hand.

  They headed back into the house and Stefan and Jordan Youngblood, along with Lorenzo Costa, eyed Vince. Stefan smiled.

  “You’re staying here,” he said.

  “Yes.”

  Stefan hugged him and smiled when Vince looked shocked. “Take care of yourself, and come home soon.”

  “I don’t know where home is anymore, Mr. Youngblood,” Vince said.

  “Home is with us, Vince.” Jordan took his hand. “You’re part of this family now.”

  A new emotion flooded Vince…a sense of pride. He had been without a family for so long.

  “Thank you, Mr. Youngblood.”

  “Take care of yourself, old friend.” Lorenzo hugged him.

  Vince watched them leave and he chuckled when Chris Stevens blew him a kiss on the way out — earning him a smack on his ass by his boyfriend, Dimitri Voronova.

  Vince entered the sitting room and poured himself a glass of vodka. His eyes strayed to the walls and his mouth dropped open. A Monet painting hung on every wall. Vince walked around the room slowly, admiring Andrei’s art collection. There had to be billions of dollars spread around the man’s sitting room. He caught movement in his peripheral vision and swung around, gun in hand.

  “You are supposed to be watching over me, not shooting me,” Andrei said drily.

  “So, you heard.”

  Andrei poured himself a glass of vodka. “I am not surprised; for some reason Ivan thinks you are the best man for the job.”

  “And you don’t?”

  “I am not in the mood to argue right now.” Andrei sat down and sighed.

  “Alex.” Vince nodded.

  “Dylan.” Andrei regarded Vince’s face. “You are in pain.”

  “So are you.”

  “It is a new emotion for you. I have never been in love. I know I cared very much for Alex, but I do not think it was love. I do not know if I am capable of love.”

  “You are more capable than I am. That’s a very foreign concept for me.”

  “But you feel. That is progress.”

  “Okay, Doc.” Vince arched a brow.

  “Oh this will be fun.” Andrei rolled his eyes.

  “I’m not sure we are the best company for each other right now.” Vince sat down.

  “Well, Ivan seems to think so.”

  Andrei noticed Yuri in the doorway. “Yes?”

  “I am leaving for Italy now.”

  “Good riddance, Urine.” Vince narrowed his eyes to slits.

  Andrei chuckled. “Safe trip.”

  “Hope the plane crashes.” Vince winked.

  After Yuri sighed and left, Andrei regarded Vince. “You really do not like him.”

  “He’s a shifty bastard. I don’t trust him— not for one second. You don’t either.”

  “No, I do not. But he is next in line.”

  “Yeah, and he’s just itching to take your place.”

  “That’s what you are for.”

  “Then don’t be surprised when I kill him slowly.” Vince stood up, walking to the furthest wall. “You like Monet’s Water Lilies series?”

  “I was not aware you knew about art.” Andrei stood and crossed the room to Vince. He eyed the paintings. “My mother loved Monet. She was the collector. I am only missing one painting.”

  “Just one?” Vince snorted.

  “Yes. Water Lilies No. 24. It has eluded me for years.”

  “With your wealth and the people with whom you consort, I’m surprised you can’t get it.”

  “This is something I would like to obtain legally, Vince.”

  “Well, who knows? Maybe you’ll find it.

  Andrei ghosted his fingers over one of them. “My mother loved art. She taught me all about it. Art was the one thing that made her smile.”

  “You take after her,” Vince mused.

  “You…spoke to her?”

  “It’s late.” Vince straightened.

  Andrei eyed the wall clock. “It is. I should retire.” He stood up as well.

  “Lead the way.” Vince put his hand out.

  “You do not need
to be in the room with me,” Andrei protested.

  “But I will be; that’s the way I work.”

  Andrei cursed under his breath and started walking. Vince followed behind him.

  “This is going to be SO much fun.”

  Vince looked around Andrei’s room while the other man was in the shower; he eyed all the pictures. He walked over to the dresser and his fingers traced over the cologne bottles. He picked one up and smelled it, eyes closing as his skin broke out in small bumps.

  “That is my favorite one.”

  Vince whirled to find Andrei bare chested and in pajama pants. He turned away quickly and looked at the wall. He put the cologne down and took a deep breath. Andrei’s build was impressive, his chest smooth. Vince was attracted immediately.

  “Well, I guess it’s my turn to shower. Can I trust nothing will happen to you while I am in there?”

  “I have a gun.”

  “I’ll make it short.” Vince tore his eyes away and went to the shower.

  Andrei sat on the bed and picked up his book. The door hadn’t closed all the way and he could see Vince undressing. He gasped at the tattoos on his back and then his eyes lowered to his ass. Lord, the man had an ass. Vince turned at that moment to get in the shower and Andrei’s mouth dropped open at the size of his cock. He dropped back on the bed and closed his eyes.

  “What is wrong with me?” Andrei sighed.

  By the time Vince got out of the shower, Andrei was already half-asleep. Vince came out with the towel around his hips and studied Andrei’s face. As long as he lived he would never forget that face, the eyes that had looked at him so full of fear — but he had never begged to live. Vince settled down on the pull-out couch and stared at the ceiling. Sleep came slowly and he finally let it take him.

  Andrei sat straight up in bed and looked around. The sun was filtering through the curtains and he noticed Vince on the couch across from the bed. He was on his back with one hand behind his head, the sheets were right at the hairline below his belly button and Andrei realized he had been dreaming, his cock was hard as a rock.

  Vince’s eyes opened and he looked at Andrei. “Nightmare?”

  “I am all right.” Andrei felt his cheeks staining red. He got up out of bed and made a beeline for the bathroom. He looked in the mirror and cursed. Why was he dreaming about Vince?

  “I’m going to go get us some coffee and food, okay?”

  “All right, thank you.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “I am fine, Vince.” Andrei put his head down and let the water rush over his hair.

  When Andrei came out, Vince was wearing jeans and no shirt. His eyes zeroed in on his smooth chest and the tattoo of a woman on his chest, which took up a large part. Before he knew what he was doing, he ran a finger over her face.

  “Who is she? She is very beautiful.” A small current ran through Andrei’s finger. A current of attraction.

  Vince was in shock but held it together. The way Andrei was touching him made every hair on the back of his neck stand straight up.

  “That’s my sister.” Vince tried to keep his voice even.

  Andrei glanced up and their eyes met. “I am sorry.”

  Vince couldn’t drag his eyes away no matter hard he tried and he realized Andrei also hadn’t looked away; they were getting closer and closer to each other. The loud beeping of the alarm clock broke the spell and Andrei walked over and slapped it off.

  Vince ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. He needed to get his ass in gear and do his damn job, not ogle Andrei Panchenko.

  “I brought you some food.”

  “You are my guard, Vince, not my slave.”

  “I know.”

  “Please do not feel like you have to do everything for me.”

  “It’s just breakfast, Andrei.”

  There was a knock at the door and Andrei opened it to find one of his men.

  “Yuri is on his way back.”

  “Thank you.” Andrei smiled.

  “Great.” Vince sighed and eyed Andrei. “You, don’t leave my sight when that asshole is here, are we clear?”

  “Yes, Dear.”

  Alex had taken Dylan to Destin Florida to a house right on the beach to recover; Dylan had slept most of the flight over and was still sleeping. Every memory he had of Dylan had come rushing back after the explosion on their mission, hitting Alex like a freight train.

  His first instinct was to go running to Dylan the first chance he got but after he saw Dylan and Vince together he just couldn’t ruin what they had. When Dylan had come to the airport it had been a shock, he had wanted to hold him and kiss him and when Dylan had told him he wanted him, Alex felt the weight of the world come off his shoulders. He had the love of his life back. He smiled and ran his fingertip over Dylan’s lips and kissed him softly.

  “Alex,” Dylan whispered.

  “I’m here, baby.”

  “I thought I was dreaming.”

  “Nope. I’m right here and I’m never leaving you again.”

  Dylan sat up and winced. “You remember everything don’t you?”

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  “Your birthday gift.”

  “But you told me about that memory.”

  “It was the way you looked at me, how you kissed me on the cheek. I knew.”

  Alex leaned over and touched his lips to Dylan’s softly. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, Alex.”

  “Enough to marry me?”

  “Are you proposing?”

  “Yes, I am. Marry me, Dylan.”

  Dylan’s eyes stung, Alex’s arms encircled him and Dylan broke down. Alex’s lips were all over his face, trailing to his lips.

  “Yes,” Dylan whispered.

  “I love you Dylan McAllister…always.”

  Paul Greystone hung up the phone and looked at his husband, Mark, pulling him into his arms.

  “That was Alex?”

  “Yes, he took Dylan to Florida.”

  “He has his memory back?”

  “Yes, he asked Dylan to marry him.”

  “And Vince?”

  “In Russia guarding Andrei.”

  “He’s a good man, I know it hurt him to let Dylan go.”

  “The fact is Vince feels. Dylan did that.”

  “Yes, he does.” Another voice answered.

  They both turned to see Stefan holding their son, Colin, with Colin holding tight to Stefan’s neck.

  “You know we plan on having another one right?” Mark asked.

  “Yep.” Stefan had a pleased look on his face.

  “Next week is the memorial for Tanner,” Paul said.

  “Yes, and then Lorenzo and Reece’s child will be born.”

  “Life goes on.” Stefan snuggled Colin and kissed his cheek.

  Vince was getting a very good insight into Andrei the man, not the head of the Russian mob. He wasn’t used to playing guard for someone, Vince’s only job had been to kill—and with pain. Over two days’ time Vince was constantly with Andrei. When they went to one of the smaller shops in town, Vince was prepared to see the mob side of Andrei.

  He didn’t get to.

  The man who owned the shop was telling Andrei that drug dealers were out front of his store every day chasing off customers and Andrei had listened intently nodding now and then. When the man finished explaining, Andrei had assured him he would take care of it and that there would be no more problems. When Andrei asked the man how much money he had lost he looked confused.

  “I will make up for your debt.”

  “You are not like the rest,” the man said.

  “No, I am not.” Andrei shook his hand. He handed him a very large wad of cash and they left.

  The next stop was an orphanage and Vince’s jaw dropped. The kids came running to Andrei screaming with laughter and one man who was with them had brought a ton of toys for them. Vince sat in a chair at the back of the room while Andrei read them a stor
y; they all sat around in a circle and Vince tried hard not to laugh when Andrei made different voices for characters. Andrei had a smile that could light up a whole room, and right then their eyes met and Vince winked at him.

  Andrei’s heart raced. Vince was sitting forward with his hands clasped together and his biceps were flexing; he realized he had gotten off track with the story and had read the same line twice. One of the little girls crawled into his lap and was stroking his cheek; she called him beautiful in Russian, and Andrei hugged her hard. He motioned to one of his men and they brought a doll over. He handed it to her and smiled.

  “It is the right one?”

  Her squeal confirmed that it was and he laughed and held her tight. The head mistress came in and informed them English class was starting. Vince was up and on his way over when he felt a tug on his pants, he looked down into the big gray eyes of the little girl who Andrei had given the doll to. He crouched down and looked at her. She was maybe five, and her long black hair was in a ponytail. She smiled and hugged Vince hard, shocking him. He hugged her back and she glanced at him shyly.

  “You are pretty.”

  Vince chuckled. “So are you.”

  “Viktoriya, it is lesson time.”

  Vince gasped, and Viktoriya smiled and hugged him again. “Bye-bye.”

  “Bye.” Vince palmed her face and smiled, he noticed Andrei watching him. “What?”

  “It was your sister’s name.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  When they were in the car, Vince got caught staring at Andrei.

  “Why are you staring at me?”

  “I guess I didn’t know exactly what it was that you did,” Vince admitted.

  “I do not sit around all day watching soap operas. Although there is one I am wondering if the character has come back from the dead yet.”

  Vince laughed loud. “I know that one.”

  Andrei busted out laughing. “Vince the monster watches soaps?”

  “When I’m bored. Stop looking at me like that.”

  “I saw you with Viktoriya. She is very sweet. I have always wanted to take her home with me.” Andrei sighed.

  “Why don’t you?”

  “I am alone. She would need a family.” Andrei closed his eyes.

  “Maybe, someday you will have it.”