Cruel Paradise - A Mafia Romance Chapter 115

Josh’s eyes go wide and the girls start whooping instantly. “I want a girl! I want a girl!” Caroline sing-songs.

“No!” Reagan snaps adamantly. “A boy!”

“Guys, listen.” It takes a while before the girls calm down. “Aunt Emma isn’t gonna have this baby for a really long time, okay? So I think it’s better, for right now, to keep it our little secret.”

The girls agree easily enough but Josh looks at me almost… accusingly? Almost… angrily?

No—I’m reading too much into it.

He’s just processing.

I hope.

12

RUSLAN

“… that model is too small. Let’s go for the bigger one. They’ve got a ton of books already and they’ll need the storage space.”

As Kirill jabbers, I rap my fingers against my desk impatiently. But he doesn’t seem to notice; he paces in front of me, listening and talking rapidly.

When he finally puts his phone down, I glare at him, waiting for an explanation. He calmly takes the chair opposite me, a sheepish expression on his face. “Should we talk about the security footage from Alcazar? There were a few anomalies—”

“What the fuck was that about?”

He tilts his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

I hate it when he plays dumb. Scowling, I narrow my eyes. “Kirill.”

He sighs. “Just getting some furniture in for Emma. She chose to camp out one of the guest bedrooms instead of the master. It needed furniture, so she ordered a couple of things. I’m just coordinating with the delivery team.”

I run a hand over my stubble jaw. “Glad to see she’s making herself comfortable.”

“Hey, it took some convincing on my part. I’m the one who told her to order whatever she wanted and said I would have it delivered.”

I glower at him. “Aren’t you ever-so-fucking generous with my money?”

I don’t know why I’m being a dick. The truth is, I don’t like the familiar way in which he refers to Emma. I don’t like the fact that he’s attempting to make her feel comfortable in my home as though it’s his. I don’t like the fact that he’s talked to her more in the last twenty-four hours than I have.

If this is what jealousy feels like, I want no fucking part of it.

“It’s not your money.”

My eyes snap to his. “What does that mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I wouldn’t use your accounts without your permission.”

“Then whose money are you using?”

“Mine, of course.”

What the fuck? “You’re using your own money to get Emma settled into the penthouse?”

“Kids need stuff, Ruslan.” He doesn’t look apologetic in the slightest. “They’re gonna be cooped up in that apartment for fuck knows how long. I wanted them to be entertained.”

“They’ve got three TVs to do the job.”

“They need books, toys, puzzles. They also need storage space for those things. I’m just making sure they have everything they need. I believe that order came from you.”

It did; I just didn’t think Kirill would run with it the way he has. “There’s no need to use your money. Use one of my accounts.”

“It’s fine,” Kirill replies flippantly. “I’ve got it covered.”

He’s got it covered. The beast inside me roars possessively. No other man should be taking care of Emma’s needs but me. Even if it is as inconsequential as bedsheets and extra towels.

“If anyone’s gonna cover the cost of Emma’s needs, it’s me.”

He’s quiet for a moment, face neutral. If he smiles, I’m gonna fucking punch it right off of him. Lucky for him, he doesn’t. “Alright. Whatever you say, boss.” He whistles under his breath as his gaze sweeps around the room and he twiddles his thumbs in his lap. When his eyes finally meet mine again, he exhales. “Brother, if you stare at me any longer, you’re gonna bore a hole through my face.” He uncrosses his legs. “Something bothering you?”

“How often do you go over to the penthouse?”

“Which one?”

“Don’t be cute.”

He chuckles. “Every morning. Unless, of course, Emma needs something and then I’ll drop by in the evening, too.”

“Stay long, do you?”

He knows where I’m going with this but he doesn’t skip a beat before he answers. “Sometimes. The kids get bored being cooped up indoors all the time. Spent an hour with them yesterday building a Lego castle.”

That’s my fucking territory is my first thought.

My second is, Am I that easily replaced?

“It was actually pretty fun,” he continues nonchalantly. “Those girls are hilarious. I don’t know how Emma juggles all three. She’s really got a way with them, though.”

“Seems they’re not the only ones she’s got a way with,” I rumble.

Kirill rolls his eyes. “You serious, man?”

“You do seem to enjoy spending time with them,” I point out. “Did you stay for dinner?”

Kirill cocks his head to the side. The bastard’s fucking goading me now. “Emma was making roast chicken. What was I supposed to do, say no?”

“Yes,” I hiss. “That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. She’s fucking using you.”

I burst out of my chair and storm to the door.

“Where are you going?” Kirill calls out after me.

“To put a fucking stop to it,” I yell back.

By the time I get to the Madison penthouse, I’ve worked myself up into a frenzy. I should have known better. The woman played me like a piano in order to sell me out to the sleaziest goddamn reporter in New York City. Of course she’s capable of this.

Fool me once—shame on you.

Fool me twice—and you better fucking watch your back because I’m gonna make you pay.

I walk over to the elevators imagining all the different ways I’d punish her. Maybe I’ll choke her with my cock. Maybe I’ll slap her ass raw. Maybe I’ll tie her to the bed with a vibrator strapped to her thigh and leave her there ‘til morning. The thoughts whizz through my head, each reinforced with a very vivid memory of doing something very, very similar once upon a time.

I punch in the access code furiously.

ACCESS DENIED.

Fucking hell. She’s locked me out of my own apartment. Sure, I told her she could, but still—not the right time.

I tap in the direct number for the penthouse and listen as the line rings. A moment later, Josh answers. “Kirill, is that you?”

I see red until I clear my throat. “It’s me, Josh.”

“Ruslan!”

ACCESS GRANTED.

That was fast. No follow-up questions. No are you really Ruslan or are you just pretending to be so that you can gain access to the penthouse and come abduct us all?

I’m gonna have to have a chat with that kid.

Right after I have a chat with his aunt.

Except she’s nowhere to be seen when I march into the entry gallery. Josh is the only one waiting for me. “I knew you’d come sooner or later!” he crows in delight.