Ivan (An Out of the Cage Novel Book 2) Read online

  Last night my dick grew painfully hard while we were fucking, and I thought for sure it wasn’t gonna let me finish, but then boom! I came so hard I saw stars and nearly blacked out.

  Will I get off this time, or will I have to walk around the rest of the day with the worst case of blue balls ever?

  “Harder, Ivan,” Maylin moans, and I swear my cock leaks a little just from her words, which is a helluva good sign.

  Giving this beautiful girl what she asked for, I brace one arm under her ass and flatten my palm against the wall beside of her head to pick up the pace.

  The familiar pain accumulates in my cock, making it swell even more as my balls draw up to my body. Rather than concentrate on whether or not it’ll cooperate or if the screams of my memories will distract me, I decide to focus on the woman in my arms, the hot as fuck way her back is arched so that her tits bounce with each of my powerful thrusts; how her pink lips are parted, and her head is thrown back. Maylin’s red hair is dripping wet, causing droplets of water to drip down her face, and I swear she’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.

  “God, yes,” she moans when she starts squirming, her arms around my neck, trying to climb me right before her pussy clenches around my cock like a fist intent on milking me.

  Fuck, it’s good. So good that, without even a thought, my shaft jerks and then I’m pouring my seed into her.

  “Thank fuck,” Maylin whispers in what sounds like relief. The same two words I said last night when I was able to finish. “I wanted you to come with me,” she says when her bright green eyes open.

  “How could I not when I’m with you?” I ask with a grin that she returns.

  Without letting her down, I lean forward and kiss her slowly and sweetly to show her my appreciation for this moment, for all the moments the two of us have shared in our brief time together.

  “You’re amazing,” I tell her, brushing my nose over her little button one. “But we need to be more careful.”

  “I know,” she agrees. “It’s just, being with you makes me feel safe and happy. I don’t know if I’ve ever really been happy before.”

  Her words touch me so much that I’m almost certain I feel the tug when they wrap around my heart and squeeze it. Maylin’s words also dump a boulder into my gut because they remind me that she trusts me and is depending on me to find a way to get her out of this wedding.

  “I’ve got to hurry up and get back out there and make sure no one else is in the hallway,” I say even though I would rather stay right here pressed against Maylin forever. “Hopefully I can convince the other guards to just let me go out with you to the dress shop, but we’ll probably have company.”

  “Right, my dress fitting is today,” Maylin says while biting her bottom lip in concern.

  “You’re not gonna marry him,” I assure her. “Just play along a little longer, okay?”

  Lifting her sad eyes to mine, she nods in agreement and gives me a small smile. Then, I finally lower her legs to the tub bottom and step away.

  While Maylin watches, I quickly shampoo my hair and soap up my body before rinsing off.

  “See you soon,” I tell her as I climb out and grab a towel from the closet to dry off with.

  Getting dressed takes longer than I expected because I can’t take my eyes off of Maylin through the clear curtain as she washes herself even though I need to go.

  Forcing myself to finally look away, I slip on my shoes and then quietly open the bathroom door to take a peek up and down the hallway, letting out a relieved breath when I see that it’s clear.

  I retake my position with my back against the wall, and not a moment too soon. It must be twenty minutes after the hour. Maylin was right. All night I kept an eye out, and Craig was never late with his rounds.

  “Hey,” he says, eyes drooping and looking just as tired as I am. “Still about eight hours to go. You need anything?”

  “No, I’m good,” I tell him.

  “Is your hair wet?” he asks, taking me by surprise.

  “Ah, yeah. I had a quick shower.”

  Jaw clenching and tired eyes narrowing, Craig says, “You were supposed to have me keep an eye on her before you step away.”

  “Oh, right,” I reply. “She was asleep and I was quick, barely took five minutes.”

  “Five minutes could’ve made a big difference if she tried to leave,” he says sternly through clenched teeth.

  “But she didn’t. She’s in the shower,” I tell him, pointing to the door.

  Craig walks over and opens the door to look inside. Even though he’s gay, I want to gouge his eyes out for looking at my girl naked. Satisfied that she’s still here, he shuts the door again and starts down the hallway.

  “That’s strike one,” he warns over his shoulder. “But Jimmy hates baseball, so only one more and you’re out.”

  “Yes, sir,” I call out to his back as I slump against the wall. Fuck that was close. If I had stayed just a minute longer, Maylin and I would’ve been in a world of trouble.

  There can’t be any more slip-ups. I will keep my hands off of Maylin until Jimmy’s dead and we’re both alive to celebrate.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ivan

  While Maylin is inside the bridal shop trying on her dress, Craig agreed he would stay with her while I grabbed lunch, a.k.a scarf down a sandwich at the corner deli while making covert phone calls on one of the last payphone that’s still in operation.

  I dial Knox’s number while chewing on the last bite of my roast beef sandwich.

  “Hey, man,” he answers right away.

  “Hey. So not much time, but here’s the plan. I’m getting ready to head to the Grandview Resort with Maylin. Once I have the room number, I’ll call you so that you and Cain can try to get the room next door. We’re gonna take out the guards one by one…”

  “We’re gonna kill them?” Knox interrupts.

  “No, we’re not gonna kill them,” I lower my voice to reply. “We’re gonna tie them up and shit. You know, hold them hostage until Jimmy’s dead.”

  “Oh, okay. That sounds a lot easier,” Knox replies.

  “Yeah, well, you haven’t seen the Big Foot who was at the house last night,” I say while glancing around to make sure Craig’s not within earshot. “I swear he could crush my throat with his paw within a matter of seconds.”

  “Then we’ll just need to be smart about it,” he says.

  “Right. And, more importantly, we need to make sure we don’t get caught,” I say. “So you’ve got my gun, right?”

  “Yep. And one other small caliber handgun.”

  “Good. Bullets?” I ask.

  “A box for each.”

  “That should hopefully be plenty,” I agree since I only need to put one in Jimmy’s head. “Is Cain on board?”

  “You know he is,” Knox replies. “But he’s adamant that he’s not going back to jail.”

  “I know. He won’t,” I assure him. “So we’ll also need black spray paint in case there are security cameras. You two should wear baseball hats low on your face to keep your identities off of the lobby cameras. What else?” I ask more to myself than Knox.

  “Rope and duct tape for tying the guards up and shit?” he suggests.

  “Right, yeah,” I agree. “How about some trash bags and gloves too?”

  “Oh shit,” Knox mutters. “You’re really gonna kill that SOB, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, I am. It’s the only way Maylin can be free, and he’s had it coming for years after what he did to my mother,” I tell him without any hesitation, even though I haven’t worked out all of the details just yet. For six years all I’ve thought about is killing my mother’s murderer. Unfortunately, I haven’t spent any time trying to figure out how to get away with it. “So, you and Cain round up all the supplies, and I’ll call you as soon as I’m ready for you to come to the resort,” I tell Knox

  “Sounds like a plan. Maybe not a very good one, but it’s a plan,” he agrees. />
  “I also need you to call Liam and let him know that we’re gonna take the guards out one by one without any witnesses, no suspicion. Tell him Jimmy will just think they quit and left or some shit. And then, when he comes looking for Maylin tomorrow morning after she doesn’t come down for the wedding, we’ll corner him in the room and I'll kill him.”

  “What are we gonna do with his body?” Knox asks.

  “Not sure,” I tell him honestly. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “Sure, we will,” he says sarcastically. “But if you say so, then Cain and I are there for you.”

  “Thanks,” I tell him, feeling grateful to have two guys I can count on…even to cover up a murder. “Call you in a few,” I say before hanging up.

  As I walk back to the dress shop, I try to decide if I should just grab Maylin now and make a run for it to avoid having to kidnap five or more big ass guards and saving my boys the trouble. But if I do that, I probably won’t ever have the chance to get Jimmy alone, and then he’ll kill Liam if the wedding doesn’t happen. That would really upset Maylin. So, since I need to keep her and her father alive, this seems like the best plan of action — take out the guards who protect him and then take down the man himself. Craig said Jimmy’s never packing, and even if by chance he decides to strap on a gun tomorrow, we’ll have two to his one.

  This plan may be crazy, but it can work. It has to. Otherwise, Maylin is fucked.

  ...

  Maylin

  My wedding dress is so beautiful. It’s a shame I won’t actually get to wear it down the aisle. Not that I want to walk down an aisle where Jimmy Russo is waiting. But someday, when I’m marrying the man of my dreams, the sleeveless, ivory princess gown is exactly what I want to have on. The seamstress has it pinned at the back, needing to take it in a few inches, which she said she will get done by tomorrow morning since Jimmy likely threatened her life if she doesn’t. Otherwise, it’s a perfect fit.

  “Stunning, but I need to get to sewing,” the middle-aged woman wearing her white hair in a classic bun tells me.

  “Sure,” I say, admiring the dress on me for one more second in the long mirror. “Help me get out of it without messing it up?” I ask.

  “Of course,” she agrees with a smile. Then she holds up the chapel-length train as I walk back into the dressing room.

  “Are you excited?” the seamstress asks.

  “Oh yeah. Absolutely,” I lie.

  I am excited about having this whole ordeal over with, and praying that neither my dad nor Ivan gets hurt trying to pull it off.

  The gown lowers, and then the little old lady tells me to step out of it, which I do before redressing in my jeans and t-shirt.

  “I’ll bring it to the hotel late tonight or first thing in the morning,” she promises.

  “Thank you,” I tell her pleasantly, since it’s not her fault my father is trying to marry me off to his enemy.

  When I step outside the shop, I find Ivan and one of the guards leaning against the side of the dark sedan, sunglasses over both of their eyes. Ivan is doing a pretty good job playing the part of security.

  “Ready?” the actual guard asks me, and I nod. He pushes off the side of the car and goes immediately around to climb in the driver seat. Ivan, on the other hand, opens the rear passenger door and holds it open for me.

  “Thanks,” I tell him.

  “Hurry up,” he mutters with a half grin before he quickly schools his features and goes back into character. “We’re already running late. Mr. Russo wanted you checked into the resort by now.”

  “Which resort?” I ask as I take my seat in the back.

  “How about you keep quiet and let us worry about the location,” Ivan says as he slams the door and then gets into the front passenger seat. I’m guessing that he may not even know where we’re going.

  “The only hotel that could accommodate Mr. Russo’s wedding on such a late notice is in Timberlake, on the other side of Durham,” the guard, I think his name is Craig, supplies.

  “Durham?” Ivan asks, sounding surprised. “Like over an hour away?”

  “Yeah,” the man answers. “That’s why we had to pack up everything before we left.”

  As we pull out of the parallel parking spot and head for the highway, I notice Ivan looks restless, constantly fidgeting in his seat like he’s nervous.

  When we pull up to the hotel two hours later thanks to bumper-to-bumper traffic, I find out why just as soon as the guard tells us he’s going to check in and for Ivan to keep an eye on me.

  “Fuck,” Ivan mutters. “I didn’t know we’d be this far out!”

  “Why? Is that a problem?” I ask.

  “Yes! Knox and Cain were gonna help me execute a plan, but rather than commute back and forth they’ll need to get a room.”

  “Oh,” I mutter as I lean up between the seats to talk to him. “And what exactly is the plan?” I ask.

  “Less you know, the better. Just act normal and let me handle it, okay?” he snaps.

  “Yeah, okay,” I agree when I sit back against the seat. “Do you think my father knows where we are?” I ask curiously.

  “When we get to the room, you can call him and tell him just to make sure,” Ivan suggests.

  “Right,” I say, growing less confident about my chances of avoiding becoming Mrs. Jimmy Russo. Is his name even Jimmy, or is it James? Who knows, and I don’t really care. I just want to get as far away from that man as possible without anyone getting hurt.

  A moment later, the guard comes back and nods his head for Ivan to get out. The two talk a moment before he hands Ivan a plastic card key. Ivan then opens my door, and the young man grabs my bags from the trunk.

  “You take her up and I’ll go park,” he tells Ivan when he hands him off the luggage.

  “Got it. Hurry up, these are heavy,” Ivan mutters to me. This time I’m not sure if he’s really grumpy or playing the part of an asshole, so I scurry in front of him and make my way through the large, lush lobby to the elevator bank.

  “Which floor?” I ask since I need to pick a button.

  “Six,” he replies. “We need to hurry and get to the room so I can call Knox. Let me talk to him, and then you can call your dad,” he says.

  “What if the guard comes up and won’t let me make any calls?” I ask with concern.

  “Then I’ll choke him out,” Ivan replies with a grin.

  “You can do that?” I ask.

  “Fighter, remember?” he reminds me.

  “And you choke guys out in fights?”

  “Yeah,” he answers just as one of the elevators dings and the doors slide open.

  Several older people step off, and then we jump on. I hit the circular button with a number six on it.

  “This place is nice,” I remark.

  “Yeah, some sort of rich person golf course,” Ivan agrees, sounding less than impressed.

  We arrive at our floor, and I follow Ivan off since he knows the room number. It’s the one at the very end of the hallway. Instead of using the key card, though, he knocks on the door.

  “What are you –” I start to ask, but he quietly shushes me, then puts his ear to the wood.

  “Sounds empty. Good,” he tells me before walking backward to a room over. There he puts my luggage down by his feet to insert the key card into the plastic slit, which makes it light up green.

  “Go ahead,” Ivan suggests, glancing up and down the hall toward the ceilings before I slip past him into the elegant suite.

  “Pretty,” I say at all the oversized furniture with gold trim in the main room.

  “Being a crime boss must pay well,” Ivan grumbles when he comes in and lets the door shut behind him. As soon as the luggage is tossed on the floor, he’s striding to the phone on the desk and dialing.

  “Hey, change of plans.” He speaks quickly into the receiver. “You and Cain will need to stay here overnight. We’re at the Grandview Resort in Timberlake, just on the other side of Durham. Traffic
is a bitch, so it’ll take about two hours. Get here as soon as you can and tell them you’re the bride’s brother and want room six thirty-two. I’m pretty sure it’s empty and it’s a corner unit. There are no cameras in the hallway, just in the elevators and lobby. Oh, and you’ll need a credit card for the room.”

  Wow.

  As Ivan talks rapidly into the phone, I’m awed that he picked up on so much when I was just strolling through the place like an idiot.

  “Good. Yeah, see ya then,” Ivan says as he hangs up the receiver and says, “All yours.”

  “Thanks,” I tell him as I walk over to pick up the phone and dial my father at Escapades since that’s most likely where I’ll reach him. “I had no idea you were paying that much attention.”

  “Trying to think of everything,” he says. “And I need to talk to Liam when you’re finished.”

  “Sure,” I reply, finding it odd how he’s on a first name basis with my father.

  A woman answers the phone at the club, so I tell her who I am and ask her to put me through to my father.

  “May? Are you okay?” Daddy asks when he picks up.

  “Yeah, fine. I’m at a resort a few hours away,” I inform him.

  “Right, the Grandview or Grandover in Timberlake?” he asks.

  “Grandview,” I answer. “I wasn’t sure if you knew.”

  “I knew. Jimmy gave me all the arrangements yesterday, and I’ve already booked a room,” he says; then, “Is Ivan with you?”

  “He is, and he said he needs to talk to you,” I tell him as I watch Ivan standing across the room with his hands on his hips.

  “Okay, put him on. I’ll be there for dinner tonight. We have reservations downstairs.”

  “Good, I’ll see you then,” I say, relieved that he’ll be here soon. Holding out the receiver in offering to Ivan, he takes two big strides. Then he’s in front of me, putting the phone up to his ear.

  “Liam,” Ivan says. “I’m working on a plan that I think will work, so just act normal and let it play out.” My father says something to him that’s mumbled, and Ivan’s gaze locks with mine as he listens. “The wedding will go according to plan until it’s time for the bride to walk down the aisle and Jimmy comes looking for her. I’ll have someone parked outside the back-parking lot of the hotel for five of us.” My father must ask who the other two people are, but Ivan just says, “Friends of mine. Yeah, okay, bye.” Ivan then asks me, “Do you want to tell him bye?”