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“Why should it matter what the girl wants? You need my money, Viktor, and this is the way to get it. You know the terms. You can either agree to them or not.”

“I’ll have to think about it,” he says tightly.

“Then I don’t see the point of making pleasant conversation. I’ll be off. To make more money.” He gives Viktor a pointed look as he stands up, leaning onto his cane.

Viktor walks him out, leaving me and Inessa alone. She rushes to my side. “I’m so sorry, Julia.”

“Why are you sorry? You didn’t bring that man here.”

“It just doesn’t seem fair that you should be burdened to a man like that.”

“You heard Viktor. If I don’t want to marry Grigori, then I don’t have to.”

Inessa sighs. “I did hear him and I’m worried he’s not saying the full truth.

I’ve felt him tossing and turning all night.

He’s been doing that for weeks now. This war is taking its toll on him and yet he won’t stop, no matter how many times I ask him to.

I know he needs more money. He says he won’t force you to marry that man but…

He could change his mind if times get even more tough for him. ”

“My brother has always protected me. He won’t marry me off. He doesn’t want it and neither do I.”

“Normally I’d say yes. But this isn’t a normal time right now, Julia, and you know it. Just be prepared for anything. I would hate for you to get hurt in this. But I’ll talk to Viktor and try to get him to see sense.”

“Thank you. I appreciate having you on my side.”

She takes my hands. “You were on my side when I needed it. It’s only fair I return the favor.”

Inessa used to work as a maid for my brother until they fell in love and got married.

It wasn’t until after the marriage that Viktor found out that Inessa hadn’t been entirely truthful about who she really was: the daughter of a Bratva man who tried to kill Viktor.

He was upset and Inessa almost died because of it.

Not at the hands of my brother but he didn’t protect her when he should have and that caused her to almost die.

That made him see reason – that he loved her - and they both forgave each other for their mistakes. They’ve been in love ever since.

I know my brother still feels guilt over not protecting Inessa like he should have. He could have lost her because of it. Ever since then, he’s been overprotective of her.

That’s nothing new: he’s been overprotective of me since I was a little girl.

“We’re friends,” I tell Inessa. “And we always will be. No matter what happens.”

Viktor comes back into the room with a sigh. “I apologize for Grigori.”

“Don’t make Julia marry him,” Inessa blurts out.

“I won’t be doing anything like that,” he says. “But it’s still an option we have to consider. I hope you agree, Julia.”

What can I say? That I’ll hate Viktor forever if he marries me off to Grigori? I’m not that kind of person. I love and respect my brother, despite how stifling he can be at times.

But the thought of marrying Grigori makes my skin crawl.

“Of course,” I murmur, playing along because that’s what I always do. I’m the good sister. I’m never a rebel.

That night, I can’t sleep. Matteo keeps floating around my head, taunting me with his handsomeness. Grigori does the same but for the opposite reason.

I sigh and stare up at the ceiling, knowing I won’t be getting much sleep tonight. There’s too much brewing in the air.

I hate to admit it but I want to see Matteo again. Just to talk to him. Just to feel the flutter of excitement I felt when I talked to him the first time. Never had I felt more alive than in that very moment we were in the hallway together.

But I wouldn’t even know where he is. So it’s a moot point, one I need to push from my mind.

But I just… can’t.

Even if I can’t find Matteo, I want to live a little. I want to feel that thrill and that excitement. I’ve never broken the rules before. Never even dreamed of it.

But that one moment with Matteo has me wanting to break all of the rules.

I slip out of bed and tiptoe to Viktor’s office. Surely he must have information on the whereabouts of Dante and Erik – businesses they own. Matteo might frequent places like that.

After digging around in his office, my heart pounding the entire time, hoping he doesn’t catch me, I finally find a list of businesses Dante owns. A lot of them are nightclubs.

I’ve never been to a nightclub before. Viktor would lose his head if I went to a place like that.

But right now, the thought of going to a nightclub sounds exciting. Even if Matteo isn’t there, I can still have fun. I just need to feel that thrill again. I need to live a little now that I’m an adult. I can’t stay in my brother’s house forever.

I write down one of the addresses and change into a simple black dress that’s elegant but still sexy. Now the question is: how do I sneak past the guards out front? If I try to drive away, they’ll only tell Viktor.

Which means I can’t use one of the cars. I’ll have to walk and use the subway to get there.

I know the routine of his guards very well, having spent time watching them without anything else to do.

I know when they aren’t in certain places at certain times.

I wait by the back door until I know there won’t be a guard around.

The second I have a minute, I run from the house and go to the back gate.

I only have a few seconds to get the lock open before a guard passes by.

My fingers fumble as I push at the lock until it snaps open and I can push the door, sneaking off the grounds. I walk as quietly as I can in my short kitten heels. It’s not until I’m down the street that I realize I made it out. No one will even know I’m gone.

I use the subway to get to the nightclub. Riding the subway is not something I’m used to as personal drivers and black sedans are more my lifestyle. Well, they’re my brother’s lifestyle. I just followed along.

Being on the subway is more exciting than I thought it would be. Two men end up in a fistfight. A woman ends up throwing up, who’s clearly drunk. And a young man sings his heart out, looking for tips. I pass him a few dollars on my way out.

The nightclub has a long line out front, even though it’s already midnight. I guess clubs get more popular as the night goes on. I wouldn’t know. I’m already learning so much.

I stand in line with everyone else. When I reach the front after waiting thirty minutes, I’m scared to pull my ID out. What if they don’t let me in because of who I am?

But when I show the bouncer my ID, he waves me inside without a second glance. In a place like this, I don’t have to be Julia Smirnov, sister of Viktor Smirnov. I can just be Julia.

The club is packed with people, making it hard for me to breathe. I’m not used to being around this many people, especially drunk dancing people.

The music is so loud, I can feel it all over my body. Instantly, I regret coming here. What was I even thinking going to one of Dante’s clubs? I could be hurt. I could be used against my brother.

I need to leave.

But when I start to head back to the exit, I’m blocked by so many people. I try to wedge my way through but it’s like walking through cement: next to impossible.

Instead, I head for the bathrooms. The women’s bathroom is covered in graffiti and toilet paper. It’s honestly disgusting in here.

With a gasp, I quickly leave the restroom and head back into the main part of the club. I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I need to get –

“Hello,” a man says, sidling up beside me. He has reddish brown hair and a glint to his eyes that instantly puts me on edge. “I’m Connor.”

“Hi.”

“I noticed you were looking a little worried. Did something happen?”

“I just need to leave.”

“I have a private booth upstairs.” He points to the second floor balcony.

“It’s quieter up there. Why don’t you join me?

” When I hesitate, he flashes me what I’m assuming is supposed to be a charming smile.

“There’s multiple people up there. You won’t be alone.

Come on. It’s a good way to take a breath from all of this madness. ”

“I really just want to go.”

“Just for a moment. Come on.” He grabs my arm and ushers me towards the stairs before I can even react. I want to pull away from him but my conditioning to be polite is ringing through me.

Connor isn’t lying: there are multiple people in his private booth. A roped off area, I notice.

“Come. Sit.” He tries to pull me into his lap but I scoot away.

“I’m good here.” I sit between him and a woman who keeps eyeing me over like I’m gum on the bottom of her shoe.

“All right.” At least Connor doesn’t push the issue. “Everyone, this is… I never got your name.”

“Rachel,” I lie. Telling people who I really am is not a smart idea.

“Rachel.” Connor says my name like a cat eyes its prey. I don’t like it one bit.

“Do you want some?” a guy asks, nodding to a white powder on the table. He has a straw in his hand. I’ve seen enough movies to know what this is and there’s no way I’m taking drugs, especially in Dante’s territory.

“I’m good,” I say politely.

“Suit yourself.” He takes a big sniff of the cocaine. Connor joins in on the action.

“Come on, Rachel,” he says. “Try it.”

“I’m good. I’m actually just going to leave now. But thank you for inviting me up here.” I stand up but Connor grabs my arm and forces me to sit back down.

“Do you even know who I am?” he asks.

“No. I’m sorry.”

“I’m Connor Barry.”

I wait for the name to sound familiar but it doesn’t. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are.”

He leans in close to my ear and says, “I work for the Irish mob. You would do well to listen to me. I could make your life a lot harder if you don’t. So, why don’t you be a good girl and take a bump.” He practically forces the straw into my hand.

If this man finds out who I really am, I’m in danger. The Irish don’t exactly get along with the Russians.

“I don’t want to do this,” I speak as plainly as I can. “Thank you for the offer but I am leaving.” I try to stand up again but Connor forces me back down. This time, it hurts a little.

“I want you to stay. What do you think?” he asks the group. “Do you want her to stay?”

The group cheers, making it clear they’re on Connor’s side.

“Just let her go,” the girl next to me grumbles. “She wants to leave and if she’s gone, that leaves more time for us.”

Connor levels her with an annoyed look. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“I am,” I say, standing back up and practically running away from the booth before Connor can grab me again. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” I head for the stairs but Connor just follows me.

“Wait, Rachel.” He grabs my arm when I’m on the first step. I glance down, realizing that if Connor were to push me, I’d fall down a flight of stairs. “I want you to stay. Stay for me. Please. I’ll stop pressuring you. Just come back.”

“No thank you.” I try to pull my arm away but he’s not letting go.

“She told you no,” a familiar voice says. When I look down, I see Matteo a few steps below me.

He’s actually here.