The Cruel Boss Won't Let Me Go

Nikolai hung up the phone and ran his fingers through his hair. He couldn't reconcile himself to the fact he needed to deliver Merri to Alexi. I can't! I won't!

 Storming out of the office Nikolai ignored Sammy who was rushing in the door with a handful of red and yellow wires.

 Sammy ran after him, "Boss! I need to talk to you!"

 Agitated by Alexi, he glared at him and the oppressive aura surrounding him made Sammy unable to breathe. He coughed and followed him, "Boss..ah..keke..it's important."

 Opening the door of the black Maybach Nikolai impatiently snapped, "Whatever it is, take care of it yourself. If you can't, don't come to work tomorrow."

 Sammy wiped the sweat from his forehead and watched as his inimidating boss drove away. How am I supposed to handle this problem! Those unscrupulous Rimbaldi brothers haven't given up sabotaging the project!!

 Nikolai drove to the Riverside Mansion and angrily strode into the restaurant. His long legs stretched out taking the steps two at a time desperate to think of a solution.

When he arrived at Vladi's private room he busted in the door and bellowed, "SCRAM!" to the two startled women sitting on the couch with Vladi.

 The two half dressed women looked at Vladi and he motioned for them to leave. They quickly put on their clothes and hurried out of the room while holding their high heels.

 Looking at his friend's flustered appearance, Vladi chortled, "What is wrong with you?"

 Nikolai picked up the bottle of vodka on the table and poured a glass. After he hastily gulped it down he poured another. After he drank three glasses, Vladi grabbed the bottle and Nikolai in a rarely seen rage smashed the glass into the wall. His eyes were like a bottomless abyss as he bellowed, "Selfish bastard! I want to kill him!"

 Seeing his friend out of control Vladi was speechless. He hadn't seen Nikolai visibly angry since they were young. "Who?"

 Nikolai took the bottle from Vladi and lifted it to his lips. When he put the bottle down his eyes were glassy, anger mixed with helplessness was making him crazy.

 He sat on the couch and put his hands on his face and his body was trembling. Vladi sat next to him and patted his shoulder, "Brother,talk to me."

 Nikolai's eyes were red and he was on the verge of breaking down. He clenched his fists and growled, "Why does that bastard destroy everything that is beautiful? Sometimes I hate him so much. I know if he didn't save me I would be dead, but how long do I have to suffer? I am tired of killing and living in darkness. I just want...I just want."

 Vladi was stunned by Nikolai's words, he always thought his taciturn friend was devoid of emotion. He was a ruthless assassin and never wavered in his devotion to Alexi. 

 Nikolai suddenly grabbed Vladi's collar, "Tell me! Tell me how you broke away from his control!"

 Vladi had a serious expression as he lifted Nikolai's hand, "I know I told you when you helped Nina I would tell you but now is not the time. You are drunk and need to calm down."

 "How can I calm down! I have never wanted anything before...I only want the little angel. I can't let him ruin her life...I won't!"

 Vladi had a puzzled look on his face then realized who Nikolai was talking about. "You..you like Alexi's woman? The little fairy girl?"

 Nikolai's face darkened and the veins on his forehead bulged, "Merri Winslow isn't his woman. She hates him."

He thought about her shy expression and the way she would peek at him with an infatuated look. "The little angel...I know...I know she likes me."

 Vladi's eyebrows twitched and he held him by the shoulders, "Brother, whether you like her... she likes you... it doesn't matter, man. Get a hold on yourself! She is just a woman... not worth breaking your relationship with Alexi. Do you think if you betray him he will let either one of you go? Even if you don't mind dying, think about the woman. If I know Alexi, he won't kill her but make her life worse than a living hell. You know what an obsessive and paranoid lunatic he is."

 Nikolai's's eyes contained complicated emotions as he pleaded, "That is why you need to help me!"He brushed the half empty bottle of vodka and the glass off the table. As the glass shattered on the ground he growled, " Alexi wants me to bring the little angel to him in England tomorrow, I won't fucking do it!"

 Vladi could tell Nikolai was out of control and the consequences could be disastrous. "I owe you, not just for helping Nina but for saving me on the last mission we had together. I will think of something." 

Because Nikolai had been drinking heavily Vladi arranged a driver to send him home. Nikolai agreed, picturing sitting in the backseat with Merri, he thought it wasn't a bad idea.

 He was late and Merri was standing by the elm tree under an umbrella wondering if he forgot. She was looking for his black Maybach when a silver Mercedes pulled up to the curb. The driver got out and opened the back door. Merri looked at him with a complicated expression and he said, "I am Mr. Ruskin's driver."

 Merri hesitated then walked over, when she saw Nikolai in the back seat she got into the car.

 He smiled, "I'm sorry I'm late. I had a business meeting."

 She could smell alcohol mixed with his unique woodsy scent. "That's okay. I wasn't waiting long."

 His tie was loosened and his ink black hair was messy giving him a wild and unruly look. Merri was staring at him when suddenly the car swerved on the rain slick highway. She fell into his lap and he embraced her slender body. He looked down at her and teased, "You didn't buckle your seatbelt?"

 She blushed because she was staring at him thinking his unbridled appearance was unbelievably sexy and forgot to buckle. Merri quickly moved to the side and with trembling fingers buckled the seatbelt. 

 He felt a bit of a loss as her soft body left his arms. He leaned back and closed his eyes to control the rush of heat flowing through his veins as a light jasmine fragrance lingered around him. 

 Merri nervously looked out the window, her heart was racing from the feeling of being held in his strong arms. 

 Both of them were deep in their own thoughts when the car pulled in front of the apartment building.

 The driver opened the back door and Merri and Nikolia got out of the car. Merri suddenly remembered they were going to stop at the grocery store. She smiled sweetly and giggled, "Mr. Rushkin, we forgot to stop at the grocery store."

 "It's fine I can have the food delivered."

 When they walked into the lobby Merri saw Blair Pennington and ducked behind Nikolai. He turned slightly and had a devilish grin, "Hiding?"

 Clutching onto the back of his coat and burying her face, in a low voice Merri answered, "I..I don't want that girl to see me."

 Viktor didn't ask why and in one swift motion pulled her to the front and held her horizontally in his embrace. He covered her face with his coat and walked towards the elevator.

 Engulfed in his intoxicating scent Merri's small hands rested on his chest him and she whispered, "What are you doing?"

 He chuckled, "Be good."

 He breezed past Blair and her aunt and they watched him with their mouths open. They hurriedly followed into the elevator and Bair's aunt blurted out, "Who is that?"

 Nikolai grinned and responded in a natural tone, "My girlfriend."

 Under the coat Merri felt like she was on fire and her heart was thumping. Did he just say girlfriend?!

 When they exited the elevator both of the women were in shock watching as he carried Merri into his apartment.

 Blair turned to her aunt and her face was contorted in anger, "I saw who she was! Before he picked her up she tried to hide behind him." 

Furious, she dug her fingernails into her palm, "Merri...Merri Winslow!"