The Russian Billionaire’s Secret By: Aisha Brooks
Chapter 1
One of the Trophies
Alexei didn’t much care for the US. He couldn’t put his finger on why exactly. He only knew that, as he sat in the club waiting for his client, his skin crawled.
Wealthy men sat all around him at their own tables. They smoked cigars and wore attractive women on their arms like trophies. They were all soft, sheltered looking men who had likely never done hard work in their lives. These were the types of men who got rich because they already had money. They were born with advantages and exploited them… Not that Alexei had much room to talk in that department.
When his client finally showed up, he was nearly thirty minutes late. He came with three women, two of which he directed to Alexei as if that might smooth over any offense caused by his tardiness.
It helped.
The man himself was still obnoxious. He was a white guy - big and loud and always laughing. He’d been born into money and it showed. He had an entitled air about him that was hard to tolerate.
Alexei had to remind himself that he was here for his boss. It meant a lot if they could get this guy to funnel his more questionable profits through their organization. If Alexei failed here, there would be consequences… Not that failure was particularly likely. Everyone stood to make a great deal of money from the arrangement.
Alexei forced himself to put on a smile and greet Mr. Douglas like a brother.
“Sorry I’m late,” said Douglas. “Got a little tied up in the car on the way over.” He gave all three women who had come with him a meaningful look at that.
The two now flanking and fawning over Alexei were attractive. They had the look of career cheerleaders. Their bodies were slim and their faces were perfectly symmetrical. They laughed at all the right moments. All things considered, though, the real prize of the three was the girl on Douglas’ arm.
She had said nothing so far, but she was quite the stunner. Her skin was dark. Her body was voluptuous. Rather than looking like a young woman in search of a sugar daddy, she had the air of a person who was intensely bored by these proceedings. That interested Alexei but was neither here nor there. “Let’s get to business, shall we?” he said, trying to cut right to the chase.
Douglas wasn’t very good with business for someone so wealthy. Ultimately, they made little progress in their dealings. It was difficult to tell whether the man wanted to be wooed or just have fun. When he invited Alexei to stay the week with him, it felt a lot like the latter.
“Let’s take this back to my place, why don’t we?” said Douglas after what couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes.
Alexei had very little choice in the matter when it came right down to it.
Douglas had a nice house, at least. It was a big place off in the woods. It was several stories tall with a bar and a hot tub and, really, all the amenities one might need for a party. It didn’t much surprise Alexei that discussing business wasn’t really done there either. In the end, Douglas drank too much and passed out on the couch. Alexei retired to a guest room with two of the women from Douglas’ entourage.
The black one didn’t come - which was a shame. Gorgeous girl like that just hanging behind and turning on the television? What a waste.
Alexei saw her again when he got up in the middle of the night to take a piss. He swung by the kitchen for a drink of water after and happened upon her sitting at the bar, eating a bowl of cereal.
“Evening,” said Alexei.
The woman shot him a brief look. “It’s morning,” she said.
Was it? Alexei looked at the window. Sure enough, the sky was growing brighter. “Barely,” he said. He came around to the other side of the bar. “Name’s Alexei.”
“Ashley,” said the woman, sounding bored.
“You’re Douglas’ girlfriend?” he asked. Alexei wanted to check before he really turned on the charm.
Ashley shrugged. “Not officially,” she said. “There’s a woman he dates officially. He takes her to galas and shit. I’m not her.”
“But he’s fond of you,” Alexei prompted.
Ashley gave another shrug.
“And are you fond of Douglas?” Alexei asked, uncertain about flirting with her but warming to the idea.
“Oh yeah.” Ashley’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “I’m just crazy about him. He’s the light of my life.”
Alexei snorted. He couldn’t help but smile. “I haven’t spent long around him, but he seems like an infuriating man. Any suggestions on how to handle him?”
“Either he’s decided to take you up on whatever it is you’re angling for or he’s not. I’ve never known him to sit down and talk it out. He just makes up his mind on the fly.” Ashley slid from the stool she was on and took her bowl to the sink. “But, since he invited you here, I’m thinking he likes what you’re sellin’.”
That sounded believable - not that Alexei was going to bring that information back to his boss without a more concrete answer. “Thanks,” he said.
“Don’t mention it,” said Ashley and left.
Odd girl, Alexei thought. She didn’t seem like the sort who was big on partying. He didn’t think he had even seen her crack a smile once since first laying eyes on her. To him, it felt like she was here for a reason not at all similar to the naked women now sleeping in his room. It wasn’t any of his business, though.