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I nip at my lip. I’ve never taken any kind of drug before, I barely drink. It’s tempting, but I shake my head. For better or worse, I’ll know what’s happening.

I get pulled out of the room and down a hall where I can already hear the rumble of many male voices.

My knees begin to quake as I try to walk in my heels. “No backing out now,” Irina says from one side as she pulls me forward.

Up ahead, I see a red curtain, the voices growing louder. My heart is pounding in my chest and my whole body starts to shake.

Darius. I’m doing this for Darius.

But before my eyes, lights begin to swim. And I know I’m going to faint.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Triston

Ryker and Rushflank me as I stand outside the address that Killian gave me. He’s gone, stationed outside Dimitri’s home.

Women are off-limits in this game of real estate and crime. It’s one of the unwritten rules, but if Dimitri is going to play dirty, then so am I.

My gut churns that I made Honeyeh a target by bringing her to the benefit last night. But I put those thoughts aside. Right now, all I need to be is powerful. Decisive.

I bang on the brothel door, the sound echoing through the establishment. But no one answers.

Behind me, I see a few men appear in the alley. But they don’t look like Bratva.

Glancing at my watch, I note the time. It’s just after five. The auction is supposed to happen in less than an hour.

I raise my fist and bang again.

Again, no one answers.

Pulling out my phone, I do a quick search of my contacts. Finding Dimitri’s name, I place the call, waiting as it rings several times.

My teeth gnash together as I bang on the door a third time.

Finally, the phone picks up. “Triston Smith.”

“Dimitri,” I growl back.

“Why are you banging on my door?”

I look up at the camera positioned just above the door, glaring. “Because,” I push out, my jaw still locked. “You’ve got something that belongs to me.”

“I do?” he asks, and I can’t tell if he’s sincerely asking or taunting. “What would that be?”

My fist clenches at my side. “Open the fucking door, Dimitri. Or?—”

“Or you’ll what? Takeover another one of my casinos?” I hear the vitriol in his voice. “You’re not stepping foot in my establishment.”

I let out a growl. “That’s a mistake. Whatever is happening with us business-wise, you’ve made it personal, so you’d better?—”

“Personal? What the fuck are you talking about?”

This time, he sounds genuinely surprised. I blow a slow breath out through my nose, trying to decide how to proceed. Finally, I just go for direct. “Honeyeh. I want her back and I want her now.”

“Honeyeh? The virgin?”

I let out a snarl. How did he learn that the woman I passed off as my girlfriend is a virgin, I’m going to find out, but first… “Now.”