Free Protected by a Mobster: A Russian Mafia Romance (Volsky Mafia Book 1) by Jacee Macguire Page A

definitely a spitfire, but I loved that about her. She didn’t take shit from anyone. Not even me, and that was sexy as hell. “Da. She’s a wild one but I can handle her. I can handle her just fine.”
    Abram and Ivan took off after that. Now I had to have a little one-on-one with Liliya and get her opinion on the only plan we have at the moment. A fight to the death… followed by a marriage to the last man standing. Would I be that man?
    Sure, me and the boys occasionally hit up the underground fight clubs and watch a few fights here and there, but I hadn’t gotten in the octagon in years. Mafia bosses couldn’t put their lives on the line like that and throw off the balance of power. But now it was likely I had no choice. At least I was still in good physical shape, and if this fight happened, I’d have time to train.
    Heading upstairs, I knocked on the guest bedroom door. Twisting the knob, I stepped inside to find Liliya curled up on the bed asleep. Looking at her now, the simple beauty – the untamed fire – glowing within her, I knew I wouldn’t mind winning the fight and keeping her for myself. Fight or not, I wanted her. I didn’t need a fucking contract. This woman was worth long-term. How did I know that? There’s just something about her that feels right, like our paths were meant to cross. We may not know each other very well, but there’s plenty of time for that.
    “Liliya, wake up.”
    “How was the meeting?” she asked, half awake.
    Seeing her curled up in bed so peaceful, all I wanted was to forget about the mess we were all in and lay down beside her, pull her body against mine, and close the world out for as long as possible. I’ve never wanted a woman so much. There’s something about Liliya that calls to me, mind, body, and soul. Is it love? I don’t know. I’ve never been in love with anyone, never had the need for more than one night. A quick fuck has always been enough, but something tells me that one time with Liliya would never be enough. Men of the Bratva kneel to no one, but she makes me want to kneel before her, just as she did for me at the club.
    I shake myself from my imaginings and look at her. She’s looking at me, her head tilted slightly to the side, as if trying to figure me out. I’m usually pretty good at keeping my emotions in check, but this new situation has me reeling with concern and excitement, with undercurrents of lust and longing always lurking just beneath the surface. If she agrees to this plan, I would have her always. And I don’t think that would be a bad thing.
    “There might be a way out of the marriage contract between your father and Dane,” I said. “It’s risky. Abram suggested an old-school method for dealing with our problem, and I’m all for it if you are… but like I said, there is a great risk for both of us.”
    “Okay. What is it?” Liliya sat up and grabbed my hand, obviously reading the tension coursing through me.
    “I know we don’t know each other well, and for that reason alone, this might not be something you wish to do. I would have to challenge Dane to a winner-takes-all fight. Two men enter but only one walks away. You, Liliya, would be the prize.”
    “So it’s a fight to the death over me? That’s crazy.” The irritation in her voice revealed her opinion about being treated like a trophy. “There isn’t another way?”
    “I don’t think so. There’s more. You can’t just be with the winner. You have to marry him, no matter who it is, and it’s just as binding as the original marriage contract with Dane.”
    “I… I can’t ask you to do that. I won’t ask you to do that for me.”
    “I’m willing to do it. Give it some thought. You don’t need to decide right away. But soon, you’ll have to make a choice.”
    “Ruslan, I can’t marry him. I just can’t… but I don’t want to force you into a marriage, either. It just isn’t fair to you.”
    “Like I said, I’m willing to do it. I’d treat