Ryssa

I stretched in my bed as I came awake. I shot up when I remembered I wasn't in my apartment. I took a look at my surroundings. The bag of snacks we picked up was on the table, Nikolai's duffle bag that was full of weapons, money, and other stuff was by the window.

Nikolai. His name whispered through my mind and I felt it all the way to my core. I shifted in the bed and felt a welcome soreness in my thighs. The good kind.

The memories of last night were fresh in my mind and I couldn't help but smile. I always wondered what it would be like to spend an evening with Nikolai and, while it may not have been a date, it was definitely one you called your girlfriends to talk about.

He was extremely talented with his hands, his mouth...everything. I would never forget his words:

"I love it when you say my name...Especially when you moan it."

"You are so beautiful."

"God, I want you."

"I always knew you would taste like peppermint and chocolate."

I bit my bottom lip as I remembered the way his hands felt squeezing my thighs as he continued to drive into me. "Damn, that man is talented," I said as I got out of the bed.

I frowned as I realized he was nowhere in the room. I noticed he wasn't still sleeping beside me and I figured maybe he was in the restroom, but nobody was in there.

I started to get worried before I heard the hotel room door open. He came inside carrying a small brown bag and a cup holder with two cups of coffee. Thank God...coffee fixes everything.

I was standing by the bed when his eyes met mine. A seductive smile formed on his face as he stalked over to me. He wrapped his free arm around my waist and pulled me to him; giving me a kiss that left me catching my breath.

"Good morning," he purred against my lips. I always loved the sound of his voice, but after last night, it was even more intoxicating.

"Good morning to you, too," I replied breathlessly as he took a step back to sit the stuff he bought down on the table.

"I got us some bagels and coffee," he said as he pulled out a bagel and handed it to me.

"Thank you." I took what he offered and spread some cream cheese on the bagel. Thank goodness he picked us up some breakfast because I was starving. I guess he and I definitely worked up an appetite last night.

He sat across from me as we ate and drank coffee in a comfortable silence. He kept glancing at his cell phone as I sat across from him. I knew he was waiting on a call from that Rick guy he mentioned, and I was worried that he would accept the job that they were trying to force him to take.

I wish there was something I could do to help him so he wasn't at risk of getting into trouble, or worse. Those guys definitely didn't mind using their guns.

The sound of his cell phone going off interrupted my thoughts and our eyes met. He leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath before answering it and putting it on speaker.

"Nikolai, it seems you got what it takes to get the job done," the voice said. He must be referring to the night before when Nikolai saved my life.

"I'm not interested, Rick."

"I think you will be. I know you're protecting your pepper-spray-wielding baker," Nikolai glanced at me as Rick continued, "but what about the two employees you have currently working at Inked?"

Nikolai slammed his fist down on the table making me jump. "Goddammit, Rick! What's it going to fucking take for you to leave me alone?"

"I think you already know the answer to that," Rick said dryly.

Nikolai was quiet for a few minutes before he asked, "What's the job?" When he asked Rick that question, I could tell he was clenching his teeth and barely getting the words out.

"See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Someone broke into our warehouse a month ago and still some of our product. We need you to retrieve it, and then some."

Nikolai's eyes closed before he asked the next question. I could tell he was dreading the answer as if you already knew what it was. "Who's responsible for the theft?"

"Juan Garcia."

Nikolai stared at the phone with bewilderment. I don't know who Juan Garcia, was but the name sounded familiar for some reason. Like I've heard it somewhere before.

"That's a fucking suicide mission, Rick, and you know it."

"Oh, come on," Rick urged, "don't sell yourself short...Ghost."

"I'm not that guy anymore," Nikolai barked into the phone.

"Stop trying to change who you are, Niko. You know no one ever really leaves the life."

Nikolai looked so defeated in that moment that my chest ached for him. I wanted to pepper spray this asshole right in the face.

"I need tools," Nikolai finally said.

"We have everything you need," Rick said so matter-of-factly like they were discussing the weather. "I'll text you later when and where to meet me for the details."

"You're a real son of a bitch, Rick."

Rick laughed into the phone. "I know," He said before the line went dead.

Nikolai got to his feet and immediately started pacing around the hotel room. I didn't blame him for being so angry and worked up. It seemed like Rick was trying to ruin his life by dragging him back into this.

I kept thinking about the name that Rick said on the phone. Juan Garcia. I swear I've heard that name before. "Who's Juan Garcia?" I asked him.

He stopped pacing and turned to towards me. The way he was looking at me at least told me that this guy was not one to be messed with. "Juan Garcia is the worst in the business. He doesn't think twice before committing every crime imaginable. He also sells drugs to anyone, even kids."

Wow, he really was the worst out there; and scary by the sound of it. Nikolai must really be good at his job if Rick is coming to him for this.

I frowned when a thought occurred to me. "Does he deal out of New York?"

"Yeah, he has people everywhere. That's one of the things that makes him so dangerous."

"That's where I recognized the name from! I knew he sounded familiar," I exclaimed.

He tilted his head, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

I got to my feet and walked over to where he was standing. I knew he wasn't going to be comfortable with what I was about to offer him, but it may be our only chance.

"You know Taylor, right?" I asked him and he looked even more confused.

"The girl who worked in your bakery? What does she have to do with this?"

A lot more than he thinks. God, I hope he was okay with this plan. "Her brother is a New York City cop. He works in major crimes and narcotics. I knew that name sounded familiar to me. One of the nights I hung out with Taylor, she told me her brother has been stressed out because they've been trying to bust him and his operation."

"Ryssa, I know where you're going with this. We cannot get the police involved. I can't risk it with my past." I could tell he was disappointed even though his voice was firm and serious.

"Do you have any warrants out for you?" I asked curiously. I didn't think he did since he owned a tattoo shop. I'm sure the police would have been able to find him.

"No," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "but if they attach me to Rick's people, and what I have done, I can be put away. For a long time, Ryssa."

I definitely didn't want him to go to jail. The thought of him being put away for a long time, when he finally has his life together, made me upset.

"He can be trusted, Nikolai. And I'm sure Juan Garcia is a big fish, right? If you help them get him, maybe you can figure out a way for both Rick and Juan Garcia to be put away." I closed the distance between us and reached out to lightly stroke his jaw. "Then they can finally leave you alone."

He held my gaze as he thought about what I said. I waited patiently, not wanting to rush him. I knew we were taking a risk by confiding in the police, but it seemed like our only option at the moment.

I cared about Nikolai more than I wanted to admit, and I wanted more than anything for him to be able to keep what he's built for himself. I also didn't want him to get hurt while doing this. Maybe with the support of the police, it will be some added protection.

He placed both hands on the side of my face and pulled me in for a deep kiss. I sighed as I took in the feel of him. How could something so simple as a kiss make me feel this way?

He pulled away from me, but kept his hands where they were. All right. Call him. But Ryssa, this is going to be dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt."

"I'm not leaving you," I said sternly. No way in hell was I letting him do this alone.

He smirked and he shook his head at me. "How did I know you were going to say that?" He let out a deep sigh before he said, "Okay, before we call him, I need you to get a pen and paper. I'm going to tell you exactly what to say to him when you talk to him."