Alexei Smirnov

Tammy isn't the girlfriend.

Alexei wonders over Tammy and what he has just witnessed. Tammy moves quickly to accomplish her end of the bargain. Alexei has been briefed on the actual girlfriend, Cookie. Mark's girlfriend had been expendable in the deadly game occurring throughout the family.

Alexei considered Tammy may have a personal relationship with Mark but hadn't considered Tammy to be Mark's type. Mark seems to gravitate to very dark-skinned women who were sort of fleshy but proportionate. Women whom Alexei would say are overweight, but society will say is "thick." Tammy is solid and muscular, with soft flesh over the muscle. Her body is romantic, and her height is moderate.

Alexei thinks about having broken into the apartment.

Tammy had been preparing to leave the room. She'd been hoping to meet Mark and not himself. Tammy already had motives towards Mark.

She is calculating. Alexei is sure of it.

Tammy is no innocent in Alexei's eyes. Especially after witnessing how comfortable she was to walk out, to a man, in a sheer white tee, barely concealing what is beneath and panties. Last night her hair was all messy but tousled in such a way you can tell she ran her hands through it a few times. She smelled amazingly clean and was only caught off guard for a moment.

Tammy is a seductress and quickly replaced her fear with a persona willing to do anything to come out on top of the situation. Alexi reviles and finds attraction to her personality of manipulation and self-preservation.

Tammy convinced Alexei, with her confident, welded sex appeal, that she's calculating and sophisticated. She's also so so broken. Alexei can't get her out of his head because of it.

He knows what he sees in Tammy.

He knows it all too well from within himself, within Mark, within Cassandra. Alexei watched Tammy do something; he's never spoken to anyone about struggling with. Instead of becoming afraid, Tammy gave up, shattered, and just became someone else.

It is Tammy's idea to make herself useful as a spy.

Alexei considered the deal and all the information about Mark being relayed to himself. It's helpful, but it puts him in a conundrum over her cunning and loyalty. She's unstable and a liability. Also, Cassandra has taught him that people, women, can be great actresses. How much is real and false concerning Tammy?

Is Tammy fucking Mark because she wants to sink her claws into him, or is she already planting seeds of betrayal against himself?

Alexei acknowledges her as one hard go-getter; it's repulsive and attractive because Mark's girlfriend is barely cold in a morgue, somewhere.

What is Tammy's angle?

Alexei breathes deeply to stifle the electric attraction he has toward her. All last night, he thought about Tammy's glazed, wide, and open eyes; how sexy her eyes would be to stare down into while she looks up pleading and on her knees.

Alexei fights the wave of disgust as he realizes his attraction to wanting to make her beg. His appeal to imagining carpet burns deeply embedded in her knee caps, and her face reddened from gagging on the girth of his phallus. He feels ill.

Is Tammy already a spy? She could be a plant, by whomever, is sending the messages, or is she another druggie model, looking to upgrade to the next big fish in the sea?

Either way, Alexei sees something deep inside that mirrors himself.

His mind works in so many thoughts over her, instantly fascinated, maybe already obsessing. He has a problem with that, obsessing. He doesn't want to be into Tammy, but she's so triggering. She makes him feel a perfect mixture of revulsion and fascination that isn't helpful at this time. Everything about Tammy is a beautiful disaster.

It causes Alexei to wonder, what could have someone as broken as he is?

When Alexei walked in with his father, he had to remind himself to breathe. She looked right into his eyes, and it felt like a challenge. Tammy knows who Alexei is, and he likes that. Tammy is beautiful, and he fantasizes about breaking her.

Why?

Alexei can be incredibly controlling; ever since he was a cherub-looking tot. This is something anyone knew, and thus having a specially made ring to brand what is 'his' and Tammy is his now. He clears his throat at the unpleasant thought. He doesn't want to think that. She works for him, not his woman. He doesn't want to desire her this way. He can't get his brain and body to agree with him. He's becoming frustrated at the compulsive thought.

His father and Mark are going back and forth, as to be expected, about women, promiscuousness, and the image of the family. One thing Alexei did agree with Mark on is that it shouldn't matter who is in Mark's bed. To a degree, it matters because you don't want a weak partner influencing you, but other than that, it's a personal choice.

Especially a woman as passionate and skilled as Tammy and what he witnessed walking in.

It was a sexy scene and not the first time he's ever seen Mark in a sexual circumstance. It furthers his nausea to have shameful moments begin to flash in his mind. He hates Mark because Mark is a part of the worst aspects and moments of himself and life. When they two were younger, they'd been closer and taken down many women together, galavanting around.

Alexei smirks, Tammy had recognized him, and he knows for a brief second he'd ruined her pleasure in Mark. He could tell as Tammy looked straight into his eyes and passed his father, an orgasm ripped through her body. Tammy made a face, of course not of fear, but general dislike to see him.

It is hard to disguise himself.

Alexei is 6'5 and thick, built with solid muscle. His Russian features, foreign to American white men. Although fluent in English, the language still isn't his first, second, or third language. He has an accent. Many women have likened him to a Norse warrior. He's full filled many romance novel fantasies.

Instead of listening to the heated conversation, Alexei fantasizes about what Tammy is thinking. Now, his instinct itches to know precisely the nature of her and his cousin. How long has she been in Mark's life? How do the two know each other? Why was Tammy alone in Mark's house? How long have they been intimate?

Why had she been so quick to betray Mark?

"So it is agreed, you and the girl will go stay with Alexei in Russia." His father resolutely commands.

"What!?" Alexei chokes out.

His father said it in Italian, and Alexei needs to hear it again. Maybe his father said words he didn't mean. Sometimes speaking many languages could do that.

"You will host your cousin and his guest in your home while I get to the bottom of who the family rat is." His father gives a steely look.

Alexei is angry but quickly calculates how having Tammy and Mark closer is beneficial. He wars with disdain at the situation and understanding how it's for the best.

Even now, his father forces Mark on him.

He honestly doesn't want his cousin in his home, and even though Alexei is dangerously curious about Tammy, he didn't want to find out about her so close. She could be kryptonite, and he didn't need her to fuck everything up right now. In his gut, something feels different about this and her.

Alexei scowls.

He is familiar with the face his father makes; his mind is made up. Why can't Mark stay with his father in his home? He knows the answer. His father won't accept that they aren't close because that will include giving up the vision of Mark and Alexei running the Italian and Russian families as Co-Inheritance.

Alexei loves his private life to be just that, personal.

"Mark could be the rat, and we don't even know his guest," Alexei says the words nonchalant and looks deadpan at Mark, who lifts an eyebrow.

"Alexei, Mark is NOT the rat. He is not nearly focused enough to cause the issues we've been facing. And his real girlfriend was murdered today; he's being targeted too." His father is becoming angry with him.

Alexei knows he should toe the line.

Even though he is taking more responsibility over the family, his father is still the figurehead and shouldn't be disrespected. Alexei scoffs, and there is a bitter taste in his mouth. Yeah, he'd believe that Mark isn't the rat once he gathers his proof.

Everything in Alexei screams Mark is more than capable of being the one to attempt to betray him. No one knows Mark better than himself and, unfortunately, vice versa. There is no one to be a more fornimble enemy to himself than Mark.

Alexei looks at Mark.

They both are defeated. Neither of them wants this because then they have to face so much more. The last time they'd had to face things, they'd ended up the way they are now.

They can love each other so fiercely and become so dependent on the approval and presence of the other, and yet they hate each other. Alexei knows that he hates Mark way more than Mark ever could genuinely hate him.

Alexei feels his stomach quake and feels sick as he looks away from Mark's brown eyes and the situation of having Mark at his home.

The home where everything happened.

The home his father makes him keep because of what it means figuratively. How his father doesn't understand what that house means for himself or Mark.

Mark speaks up. "I will make myself scarce in your home. I know how you feel about me."

Fuck.

There would be no getting out of this. His head hurts. Mark says he knows how he feels about him, and Alexei laughs inside. There is no way Mark would say that if he had any clue.

The only thing on Alexei's mind is getting to the gym. He aches to beat the shit out of a punching bag. Better yet, he wishes he could beat the smug look off of Mark's face.

Tammy

"I don't have a passport," Tammy exclaims in panic.

This occurred quickly.

With sobriety, everything begins to hit her. Tammy feels her nose tingle at the tip, and her eyes burn as she thinks over her position. She belongs to Mark to do with as he wishes, and she fucked him.

Why did Tammy ignore the power dynamic of it?

Now, she has to go to a whole new world literally. Tammy is afraid of what's ahead. Everything has progressed so quickly. She can't breathe, and she can't think.

Tammy knows Alexei, Mark's cousin is the assailant.

Did Mark's cousin do this on purpose? Are they being taken to Russia to be kept close? She didn't want to go to a foreign place. Tammy feels nervous. She's out of her depth. She has to find something useful and expose Alexei to Mark quickly.

"You don't need one." Mark shrugs, and it makes her needs feel insignificant.

Tammy takes a deep breath.

Mark does appear stressed. Mark chews his lip in thought and leans against the wall, in sexy lazy abandon. His eyes travel over her exposed legs as she is curled up on his bed. Mark walks over and hands her the cup. He sits, and brown eyes watch until Tammy takes a big gulp.

"You will need some winter clothes and a few gowns and stuff like that." Mark's eyes roam over her body, and it isn't in a lustful manner.

Tammy reaches out and touches his hand, instantly feeling sucked into his pull. "Am I about to go to Russia?"

"I have to go tie up a few loose ends," Mark answers with a nod that confirms the trip and making her stomach go sour.

"We are going together? " Tammy asks and doesn't bother to hide the little desperation that cracks in her voice.

Mark takes her hand and begins to massage it. He pays careful attention to her palm. He breathes evenly and soothingly while rolling and pinching with a gentle expert the valleys and peaks of her fleshy palm. He's calculating a plan and formulating how to make this turn of events work in his favor. Nothing is going to shake Mark's focus on running the Italian family or his income.

Tammy's vision feels cloudy as suddenly she can feel the massage as throbbing in her nipples.

Mark's brown eyes deadpan her own, a silent dare to reject the lust fogging them. Tammy can only stare back, entranced with his beauty and dominance.

Mark nods yes, but once again speaks more schedule. "Alexei and his sister are going to take you shopping."

Mark's eyes become empathetic. He sighs and sits closer.

Tammy can see Mark isn't too thrilled either. He's so complex and so severe. He's almost enthralled in thought. She wishes she knew what is going on in his mind, but at the same time, she doesn't want to get caught up in more of his shit and neglect her own. Cookie had been right . . .

She needs to keep her mind straight and keep her focus. Why did she carelessly sleep with him?

"Our family is divided...

As Alexei's father becomes older, and makes it more apparent Alexei is taking his space. Some question that decision and say it should be me because I have loyalty to both the Italian and Russian sides by blood. My mother was Alexei's Aunt, and my father headed the Italian gang here in Ny until he died and my uncle absorbed it into his Russian
Mafia territory in the states. People were cool initially because he had me as his ward and promised to raise me to take the reigns when I came of age.

However, that doesn't seem to be happening, so now there are fractions and power grabs. " Mark takes a deep breath. "The situation with your father was supposed to go differently, but I saw the opportunity to use this to let my father's people know I will be taking over the Italian side of this. My uncle will honor that word, or he will find himself at odds with a formidible opponent."

Tammy takes in the direction of the conversation and looks to catch what he's saying.

Mark is never just saying one thing. His language has many interpretations, and he leaves it up to you to pick up the context. The context is important because thats how you know which definitions to apply. Her mind is hurting as she truly begins to feel the pressure of her delicate situation.

"My family tests me. Your father was a test that didn't go the way they wanted. They told me to handle your dad anyway I saw fit. My uncle says he wants to see me as an excellent leader to keep the two sides of the family at peace. I will head the Italian, and Alexei will lead the Russian

That's what he says, but I didn't see it, and Alexei doesn't want it. He's forcing us into Russia is him, supposedly showing Alexei and me as a united front, the joint leaders of the family. " Mark says the last portion in an almost wistfully.

He has a distant look in his eyes and just sits in the silence of what he's said. "It wouldn't look good as the future head of a family to make very soft decisions. I was going to kill your father. I had to prove myself to my world, my uncle, and in my world. "

Tammy stays silent. What was she supposed to say to that?

Mark reiterates the reality of the situation. He's no angelic guy. Her father, herself, and her family are something Mark will charge to the game.

Mark lives by different rules, no duh, or he would be a law-abiding citizen, not a criminal. However, it is increasingly hard to see him as a criminal. Tammy knows Mark does illegal things, but at this point, everything is processed so normal. She also knows that she would be going to Russia whether she liked it or not.

"What made it OK to spare us and take me?" She believes Mark would have killed her father.

What made him change his plan? Why did he give in and fuck her?

"Idk, watching too many Mafia romance movies? " He chuckles, and their eyes met.

Tammy could almost see the visible intake of breath he took.

The breath is deep and sudden, as though it hurt him to breathe. It is an admission that confirmed what she had been trying to deny, that sleeping with Mark means emotions deep and consuming emotions.

He feels it too, and this is his admittance that things are being freestyled, that he's recalibrating because he wants her in the plan. It's already that concrete for him; she has to be in the plan. It makes her feel cherished.

It makes her feel like a traitor.

"Honestly, so many people in my family want to be seen as ruthless; that they forget to be seen as resourceful and intelligent. Your father always agreed to use his locations to conduct meetings and traffic different things. He has a lot of prestige due to the money my family gave him to start the business.

In my mind, If I kill him, I lose a valuable resource, which is networking. So, you come into the picture...I have a chance to be seen as ruthless by your family because I kidnapped you. Also, I come across as somewhat negotiable. So I then teach your father a lesson, and I keep him as a future resource." Mark admits the beginning of a plan he's weaving.

He sees her accept that something is between them. They could be going somewhere together. Maybe things aren't conventional, but this could be it, their time. This could be the love of their lives, within one another.

"That's pretty smart. I didn't think you thought like that." Tammy looks at him and is glad to see he is becoming normal.

He appears less tense, almost relieved.

Tammy is going to have to be careful around Mark. This is the second time Mark broke out of the confines of the impression she has of him. He's unpredictable.  Tammy begins to wonder if he's feeding her the image he wants her to have of him. Mark is keen to do more than he lets on.

How long could it take for him to realize she met with Alexei?

"What, you thought I was just some cute face?" Mark switches into active mode.

Tammy knows it is an attempt to break the heavy cloud of arousal between them.

"You're stretching that cute..." Tammy still is in deep thought and feeling affected by their lingering eye contact. She knows he is involved as well.

They are going to Russia.

They are going to be staying at Alexei's house. Alexei expects her to observe Mark because Mark is the future leader of the Italian side of the family. According to Alexei, Mark is power-hungry and wants the entire family to himself. Mark is planning a hostile takeover, and he wants proof of it.

Maybe Mark is the rat the family is looking for? What if they got to Russia and they kill Mark? She would never see her family again. Her future is hanging by a delicate strand that can easily be severed and plunged into dark uncertainty.

"You seem like you have a lot on your mind " Mark looks at her critically before taking her completely off guard with a slow, lingering kiss.

How perceptive is Mark?

What if Mark realizes she met Alexei? Tammy decides to keep her lies to a minimum while she maps out her approach. So far, she hasn't done anything to betray Mark. If it is the right thing, she should just tell him what happened with Alexei and gain his support against Alexei.

" Yeah, I've never been out of the country, and I'm just thinking about everything. I'm scared if something were to happen to you while we are there. " Tammy admits her fears about going to another place so far from everything she knows while everything is so out of her control.

"You're worried about things changing because we fucked?" Mark says the words before gently sucking on her bottom lips and kissing her cheekbone.

Tammy scrunches her face.

What kind of child did she think he is? "Oh, I wasn't talking about that. I'm grown. I know what happened on the couch; we fucked. You just found out your girl was killed, and I was well...there."

Mark regards her for a moment before he is shaking his head.

It was more as though he was giving up than agreeing. "You're probably right."

"It's okay. We are two adults. We had sex...pretty good sex. We don't have to tiptoe around it.

I'm not about to get all clingy and think shit sweet. If it happens again, it happens. If that's what you wanted to use me for, fine. It's better than what I thought you are going to have me doing." Tammy did feel the nonchalant she gave off.

However, the pills and alcohol are still giving her more courage than she has. Deep inside, Tammy felt way more than just physical pleasure. She knows there is more between them, but Alexei clouds it all.

"Nah, you're too good just to be passed around, Tammy. I haven't met too many females like you. Even though you were afraid for your father, you spoke up.

I kidnapped you, and you woke up fighting and fucked my face up for life. You haven't once moped around or complained.

You're smart. You're able to handle so much. Nah, that would be a waste " Mark looked her dead in her eyes, and for a moment, her heart stops.

He looks at her almost the same way Alexei had when he declared her usefulness.

"You know you're deeper than you appear." The words tumble out.

She feels stupid. What else could she have said to all of that?

"I mean, yeah. I guess my main issue is not being focused on. I get distracted easily. " the doorbell rings. "That should be Alexei and his sister. "

Her heart skips a beat, and she can't swallow. Her mind screams: survive.

Tammy finds herself following Mark, swallowing hard. He opens the door and her day goes from complicated to complicated and annoying when she sees Amber on the other side.

"OMG! Alexei, I KNOW her!!!" Amber says in that squeaky voice. "We used to work together!

Then she disappeared. Omg!!! What is she doing here!!! Omg, omg omg, YOU'RE COMING TO RUSSIA WITH US!!!! You HAVE to sit next to me on the plane..."

Amber speaks at least 75 words per minute. Tammy groans as Amber grabs her wrist, pulling her out of the apartment.

"Omg, your hair..." Amber squeals in excitement.

"Amber, don't touch my hair, girl!" Tammy bit out in frustration.