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Stephanous drove the car into the private parking lot under the hotel and brought it to a stop at a private elevator. When he parked the car, he searched the area well before he opened the door and stepped out. Then he moved to the back door and opened it.
Iosif got out and reached back in to assist Jaden out of the back seat. She moved slowly as if her ribs hurt and they made their way over to the elevator. Iosif held her close to him as they waited for their ride.
Yuri was putting them on the top floor next to his own penthouse, across from the unit that Roman and Stevie were in. With everyone on the same floor their security men would find it easier to keep track of visitors both coming and going.
Jaden’s heart was in her throat as she walked down the hall to the room she would be sharing with Iosif. She had never been in a hotel this classy and she wasn’t sure how to act. It was clear Iosif was comfortable here but she didn’t know if she could be.
She peeked up at him and saw his strong jaw and chin. His eyes were straight ahead and he didn’t waver. She was secretly very impressed by him and thrilled to be here. It wasn’t the hotel that impressed her but the man himself. When she was with him she felt at home and for her that was strange.
She’d never felt at home before. Not in all her life. Every time she changed foster homes it took a while to get settled in. Then each home she entered, she felt like she never belonged. She was only there for a time so over the years she closed off her heart. After she left the foster system, she tried to make a home for herself but with Billy Jo after her, she found she couldn’t do that either. Her future had always been bleak. She trudged on and always hoped that one day it would get better.
Now with Iosif she felt something she hadn’t felt before. She felt she belonged right where she was. This was what she’d been missing all this time. Him.
When they stopped outside the door of a room, Stephanous inserted a key, opened a door, and stepped aside.
Iosif ushered her into the room and Jaden gasped. The suite was spacious and very luxurious.
The carpet was thick and a rich dark grey color. The drapes matched the carpet and the furniture was draped in plush, rich colors. The suite came with its own small kitchen and two other rooms, each in plain sight by an open door.
Jaden had never been in such a nice room and she felt a little intimidated. Kicking off her shoes just inside the door she stood awkwardly waiting for Iosif to lead the way. She had no clue where she should go or what she should do next.
Iosif closed the door behind Stephanous and turned to Jaden. When he noticed her fear, he frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Jaden shrugged. The more she looked around the more uncomfortable she felt. Then she felt his arms wrap around her shoulder and he hauled her close to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.
“What’s wrong sweet thing?” he murmured.
Jaden looked up at him. “I don’t know. This room is too much, too nice for me. I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”
Iosif chuckled low. “Oh Malysh, I can’t wait to show you the world.”
Jaden’s eyes widened. “The world?” she whispered. “You want to show me the world? Why?”
“Because you belong to me now.”
Jaden was just a tad disappointed. She wanted him to admit he wanted her with him. Stating that she belonged to him wasn’t quite the same but it was the only thing he offered her now. It was too soon to think of anything permanent, she knew this. he just felt sorry for her, maybe?
She hugged his waist and planted her face into his chest. Drawing in a breath she inhaled his scent and that did funny things to her. Again, she felt a strong sense of being home.
Moving over to the sofa, they sat down and she glanced at him with heightened color in her cheeks. “Why do I feel so much like being with you is like being home? Something I’ve never felt before?”
Iosif gathered her close to him and asked, “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’ve never felt so at home before I met you. In all the foster homes I’ve had I never felt like I belonged there. I was just a visitor if you like, and sometimes they made me feel like I had outstayed my welcome. But when I’m with you, I feel comfortable. Even your scent brings me a feeling of belonging. I don’t know how else to describe it.”
Iosif smiled down at her. “I think you described it very well.” He paused and asked, “Do you really feel like I’m home?”
Jaden nodded.
“Good because that’s exactly how I feel when we’re together. When I’m with you I feel complete. There’s always been something missing in my life. When Roman and I were born we lived in a small apartment in Moscow. We only had each other and a mother who didn’t quite win mother of the year award. I think Roman was about six and I was only two when she left us alone in the apartment. She left us behind because she heard our father had been looking for her and she was running away from all of us. What she didn’t figure on was the fact that it would take my father days to track us down. The day he found us, Roman was out looking for food and he missed our fathers’ visit by only minutes. Father found me but left before Roman could get home. While I had a good home and food in my belly every night, Roman had nothing. He roamed the streets for a few years before he found Yuri and the others and they became a family of their own. It would be many years before we found Roman again. We found him as a grown man with his own family. My father is pushing him to come back to Kazakhstan and take his place in the Bratva but Roman won’t leave here without his wife and sons.”
Her eyes widened at this story. It was like a movie or some sad tale.
“To make a long story short, Roman is happy here. His family is here and he won’t leave Stevie and her brother behind to please an old man who claims to be his father.” Iosif shook his head. “Not that I blame him any. Now that I’ve found you I want to stay here and forge a life of my own, here in America.”
“Will your father allow that?” Jaden asked,
“Probably not. Timor Maxim is law unto his own self. Nothing will interfere with what he has planned.”
“Is he going to tear you away from me?” she whispered. Dread filled her very soul at the thought.
Iosif hooked her under the chin and raised her eyes to meet his. “I won’t allow that. I’ll fight for you tooth and nail if I have to. I just found you and there’s no way in hell I will let you go now.”
Jaden raised up enough to brush her lips on his. “I think I could love you if we had a chance.” she whispered.
“You don’t just see me as a hero? Maybe that is why you feel this way, just grateful.”
Jaden smiled. “That you certainly are, you’re my hero, but you are so much more than that to me. You are the man I always dreamed of when I was a little girl. I thought I left those dreams behind me a long time ago but I didn’t. You are a real flesh and blood man and when you hold me, the things I want to do to you, oh, my gosh...”
Iosif smiled and had to ask, “What things are those?”
Jaden smiled. “I want to see you, I want to touch every part of you, kiss every part of you. I want to feel your caress, your hands and lips on my skin. I want you to love me.”
Iosif groaned and his body grew hard at the thought of what she wanted him to do to her. He wanted nothing more than to give her, her dreams. But he knew she couldn’t at the moment. He wanted her free of the pain of the beating she’d undergone yesterday and he knew that wouldn’t happen for a while. “Sweetheart, I wish I could give you all that and so much more but you’re hurt and I don’t want to hurt you any worse.” He laid his forehead against hers.
Jaden nodded. “At least tell me you want that too.”
Iosif took her hand and brought it down to his pants. She could feel the hardness under his jeans and as she rubbed it he groaned. “Never for one moment doubt that I want you, that I would do anything in my power to be with you. Never doubt that.”
Jaden blushed and kissed him again as she grew breathless.
Iosif put one hand on either side of her face and coaxed her.” Just breathe easy, now. Your ribs. Breath slowly. Okay?”
She did what he asked as she nodded.
“Why don’t we rest for a while?”
“Ok,” Jaden whispered.
Iosif raised her to her feet and led her into the bedroom. Very gently, he helped her undress and when he pulled her shirt off to see the bruises Billy Jo had given her, he hissed and rage flooded his body.
But Jaden reached out and raised his head to hers. “It doesn’t matter. The bruises will heal and you promised he would never do this again.”
Iosif stared at her for a moment as he felt the intense rage drain from his body. Instead of speaking he continued disrobing her. Only when she stood in front of him naked did he look into her eyes again.
Jaden saw the wonder and awe in his eyes and she smiled. Reaching her hands out she began unbuttoning the buttons of his shirt. As each one slipped through she could see more and more of his skin. Like the ink on his back his chest sported tattoos. The brightly colored ink meant something but she didn’t know what. Maybe one day he would share his story with her.
As she slipped his shirt off her mouth began to water. Then her hands dropped down to his belt and she quickly undid the buckle of his pants. Grabbing the zipper tab, she lowered it quickly and brushed the jeans from his hips. When she freed his cock from his underwear she sucked in a breath. His size was overpowering and she almost melted.
Finally, she leaned in and brushed her lips against his chest. Moaning, she licked him. Moving her head over to his nipples she touched the tip of her tongue to the hard nubbin of dark brown skin.
Iosif grabbed her head and held her to him. Groaning, he felt her lick him again. Then her hands slipped down and took his manhood in her grip. Gently, she caressed him and moaned when she felt his hard cock in her hand. When she felt him grind against her hand, she sighed with need.
Breaking away from him she panted hard. Looking at him with tears in her eyes she whispered, “I can’t do this anymore. I want you so much I’m melting inside.”
Iosif groaned and closed his eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t hurt me. I need you. I don’t know what this is all about but I need you. I need something only you can give me.” She sniffled then added, “Please, my whole body is on fire for you.”
Iosif grabbed a pillow off the bed and dragged her over to the dresser. Turning her around he pressed the pillow to her chest and draped her over the dresser. Then he pushed her legs apart and stood behind her. Grinding his pelvis into her thighs he felt how wet she was.
His hands slipped between her legs in the front and he touched her core. Her skin was wet and hot and as he slipped his fingers inside her, he felt how tight she was. She felt so good he ground his cock into her lower back and ass.
“That feels so good.” She moaned.
“It’s going to feel even better soon.” He promised. He felt her core getting wetter as his fingers slipped in and out of her body. “How do your ribs feel?”
“Please don’t stop.” she begged.
“Are you ready?” he whispered.
“Please...” she pleaded.
He bent his knees and placed his cock at her core. Stroking her other lips he moistened his hard cock and then without warning he pushed himself inside her willing body.
She was so tight he had to push a bit harder but once he was inside her he groaned. She held him so tightly and he wasn’t even all the way inside her yet. When he reached her barrier, he pushed through it and she whimpered but he couldn’t stop now.
He held himself still for a minute or more. It felt like an eternity, until she pushed back. This told him he could move again, so he did. He pulled back and surged in. He watched to make sure she wasn’t in severe pain but he saw only intense pleasure on her face.
His control snapped and he couldn’t stop then. Following the rhythm older than time itself he felt her body rushing toward her first climax and he was thrilled it would be with him. That alone gave him a supreme feeling of awe he wouldn’t have given up for anything.
He held her hips in place so as not to move her too much. Then suddenly she cried out and he felt her body clamp down on his and he rushed to follow her over the edge. As he spilled his seed inside her, he thought briefly about the consequences, as he’d never entered a woman bareback... but this doubt was only brief. He was hoping his seed would take and he would be privileged to see her swell with his baby. It was insane but it was what he truly wanted. Yuri said to tie her to him and that was what he intended to do.
When he pulled out, she moaned deeply as she gasped for breath. “Oh my god, that was the best I have ever felt! I never knew! How wonderful it would be.”
Iosif gently turned her to face him. Brushing her hair out of her face he searched her for signs of pain. He didn’t find any and he sighed. “I wasn’t sure you could handle it or not.”
Jaden gave him a dreamy smile. “Oh my Russian man, that was awesome. Can we do it again?”
Iosif grinned. “Maybe after we rest. We’ve pushed it as it is” Leading her over to the bed, he assisted her under the covers. Disappearing for a moment he brought her a wash cloth. He gently parted her thighs and cleaned her up. The little bit of blood bothered him a bit. He’d always avoided deflowering virgins until now. This was a first, but then this entire thing was many firsts for him. Then he snuggled in behind her and held her close to him.
Jaden fell asleep in his arms and Iosif watched her for a long time. He couldn’t believe she was his now. He had claimed her but didn’t dream of the feelings he had for her already.
His hand slipped down her body to her belly, wondering if he had planted a child in her womb already. He was ready to become a father and after having her even only one time he knew she would be the only woman he wanted as the mother.
Iosif stopped grinning as he thought about what his father would say. Timor hadn’t been very pleased by his decision to stay behind. He wouldn’t like that he hadn’t chosen a Russian girl either. He wouldn’t be pleased at all to say the least. Isoif knew he was pushing it but he found what he wanted his whole life right here. He would be damned if he’d give her up now.
A couple of hours later Iosif was awakened by a knock on the door. When he got out of bed Jaden woke up. When she heard the second knock she too got up and got dressed.
When she joined Iosif in the living room she found Roman, Yuri and Kosta there as well. Iosif was holding a file in his hands reading the information inside. When he finished, he looked over at her with a worried look in his eyes.
Jaden searched his face for something that would give her a hint of what he’d just read but his face was unreadable. “What’s going on?” she finally asked.
“We got some information on your mother,” Yuri finally told her.
“Ok.” Jaden whispered the word as she took a seat by the expression he wore she knew this wouldn’t be good.
“Kosta was able to go back in her work history and figure out where she worked before she had you.” Warily, Yuri watched her face as he delivered the next bit of news he found out. “She worked in a strip club called Frankie’s. It’s on the outskirts of New Orleans.”
“Ok so my mother was a stripper.” Jaden was shocked but not too shocked. “So how did she end up in Baton Rouge when she was murdered?”
Yuri glanced over at Iosif before he answered her question, “Well, twenty three years ago there was a well-known man murdered in the club Walter Franks owned. The man was a Senator and his murder was never solved. There are rumors that she could have been a witness to his murder as at the time of his death as she had been his favorite person to visit. The police were looking for her all over the state after he was killed. While she wasn’t a suspect, the police did want to talk to her.”
Jaden bit down on her lip. This might explain many things that she herself, could never figure out.
“Only problem was, is they couldn’t find her and neither could anyone at Frankie’s,” Kosta took up the story.
“Was she only a stripper or was she a working girl as well?” Jaden asked. She, herself had done many different jobs to survive but never that and she always felt some sort of pride in that fact.
“As far as we know, she was only a stripper,” Yuri replied.
Jaden sighed in relief. Until Yuri burst her bubble by saying, “But it was well known in certain circles that she was having an affair with a married man.”
“Do they know who he was?” she had to ask.
“It was rumored that it was Walter Franks himself.”
“So it’s possible that Walter Franks is my father?” she asked.
No one said a word to confirm or deny.
Jaden sat down hard in a chair. All her life she wanted to know more about her parents, she wanted to know about her father especially. It was possible he was still out there somewhere, maybe even looking for her. Now her dreams were shattered beyond repair. If Walter Franks was her father, he was already married. She had heard of the man way over in Baton Rouge. He had been married a very long time and his wife was a vengeful woman. She was surprised he would dare find himself in another woman’s bed.
Looking over at Yuri she asked, “Did you find out any more about who murdered my mother?”
Iosif came over to where she was sitting and squatted down to her level. Looking her in the eyes he told her, “Honey if she witnessed the Senator’s murder, Franks would have had to kill her or go to prison if she ever took her story to the police. He had too much to lose to allow her to live.”
Jaden felt a dread building inside her. “So daddy killed mommy to keep another murder a secret. Is that what you’re telling me?”
Iosif nodded slowly.
“Then why was I allowed to live?” she asked. “Why didn’t he kill me as well that night?”
“Maybe he didn’t know you were there,” Kosta offered.
Jaden frowned. “But I was covered in bruises and I was told by Mrs. Bradley the night I was found the police took crime scene photos of my injuries.”
Yuri nodded. “My team followed up on that. You were indeed lucky to live through that attack. Whoever was there tried to strangle you. My men found doctors reports that said you must have stopped breathing briefly and he removed his hand and didn’t know you were still alive.”
Jaden paled. “So I was supposed to die that night as well, huh? Why am I not surprised?”
She looked so dazed and lost for a moment that Iosif thought he lost her. He brushed the hair away from her face gently. “Well, I for one am very glad you survived.”
She glanced at him and began shaking her head. “I can’t be with you, can I?”
“What?” Iosif frowned. “Why the fuck not?”
“Because I’m the bastard daughter of a stripper and a murderer.” She laid her forehead on his. “You deserve so much better than me.”
Iosif wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. “I don’t want anyone but you. Do you hear me woman? You and you alone belong to me and I’ll fight the devil himself to keep you.”
Jaden glanced up at him. Tears ran down her cheeks and she gulped had. “Really? Do you mean that?”
“God yes, I mean that.” He stated with a growl. “I’m not going to give you up, not now. I just found you.” He bruised her lips with his own.
Jaden leaned her forehead against his. Turning her head, she looked at Yuri. “Ok so now what?”
Yuri shrugged. “I guess we wait and see who comes after you first, Billy Jo or Franks. We still don’t know who killed your mother and who tried to kill you. Even though we do believe it was Walter franks, we can only guess at that.” He glanced over at Iosif. “I’ll have to put a call into Nikoli and we may get a visit from him in the next few days.”
Iosif groaned. “I suppose I’ll have to call my father as well. He’ll want to know what’s going on.”
“You know he’s going to want you on the first plane home, don’t you?” Yuri asked him.
“Well, he can want that but it isn’t going to happen. I’m not going anywhere without her.” He looked determined.” Roman and his family live here as well. You are all family to me now as well. I wish to stay.
Kosta loked upset. “That isn’t going to make your father very happy.”
“I don’t care,” Iosif stated.
“I’d better call Sergi as well.” Yuri sighed hard. “He may be able to head your father off.”
“Maybe before I call my father I should ask if you would mind if I stayed here.” Iosif stood up and turned to face Yuri. “I know you have Roman as a brother, would you happen to need another man here?”
Yuri got to his feet and reached out his hand. “I would welcome you if you wished to join us.”
“Now you just have to convince your father,” Jaden stated, as she knew this was a perilous situation at best. She didn’t want him to go to another country. “I don’t want to cause strife between you and your father.”
Iosif grabbed her hands in his. “It has been a longtime coming, Mylash. I always knew deep down that I would wish to stay near to my brother. And now that you are here and in my life, I truly do not want to leave.