Page 2

Chapter

Two

DIMITRI

M y club is transformed from a place where people get drunk and high to a place where even the most expensive, elegant woman would step into eagerly.

I made sure the decorator included fancy curtains over the windows and line draped tables and candles for mood lighting. I personally think it all looks a little frilly, but this party isn’t for me. It’s to attract all the other Bratva woman who’ll be coming tonight.

Hopefully, one of them will spark my interest, and I can quickly marry her. There’s a risk Tatiana and Abram will show up, but I doubt Abram will set fire to my club when it’s full of people. I just have to keep him at bay long enough to marry someone else’s daughter, and then he’ll leave me alone.

Katya’s words ring in my ear: I just think you’re going to get yourself killed by Abram . What does she know? I’ve kept Katya from this world. She’s remained a spoiled, sheltered princess in our mansion. That’s what our father wanted, and I intend to honor his wish. Besides, I can use Katya someday to make a political ally by marrying her off.

But right now, I have all the political allies I need .

I made sure the decorator included a throne at the back of the room on a raised platform. It’s a little gaudy, but sue me—I want to sit on a fucking throne as I look at my potential mates.

I turn to the staff I hired for the evening. My usual staff, which includes male and female dancers who spin around poles all night long, didn’t seem suited for this event. I’m trying to be fucking classy. So, I’ve hired new people. They’re a bunch of less attractive men and women so there’s no competition for me. I need the women tonight to be looking only at me.

I need one of them to attract me enough to tempt me into marriage.

I clap my hands together. “Let the ball commence.”

They open the doors and in comes a string of Bratva women in elegant gowns that probably cost them a fucking fortune. Katya and I never have to worry about money. Not with how well my club is doing and how well my other ventures are going.

But I know not every Bratva member is rich. Some of these women are looking to score me as their husband. That’s fine by me. As long as they’re not fucking annoying like Tatiana is, I’ll take anyone who interests me.

I sit down on my throne, feeling kind of giddy. Being presented women like they’re on a buffet has always been a dream of mine. I feel like a fucking king.

The women rush in and soon, the club is filled with women of all shapes and sizes in all different styles of dresses. Some know how to wear a dress. Others … don’t. The ones I consider ugly are out. I’m not sorry. I refuse to marry an ugly woman. I’ll have to stare at her face every day. Might as well stare at a pretty face.

Hell, if that’s the case, then I might as well marry Tatiana. She’s annoying, but she’s hot.

One at a time, the women approach me to introduce themselves. There’s multiple Annas and Karinas and one Katerina. The more women I meet, the more they all blend into each other.

“What can you do for me?” I ask one of the women—Sasha.

She blushes and flutters her eyes. Good. I like a little bit of flattery. I’ve fucked plenty of women who battered their eyelashes at me. What can I say? I’m helpless when it comes to women.

“I can do a lot of things for you,” she responds, running her fingers down my arm.

“That’s surprising. I thought all Bratva women were virgins until marriage.”

She giggles, and the sound reminds me of Tatiana, softening my semi-hard-on instantly. “We’re not all good girls.”

I gently remove her hand from my arm. “Sorry, Sasha. You’re hot. I like that. But your laugh …” I shrug. “It’s annoying.” I look behind her to the woman next in line waiting to speak to me. “Next.”

Sasha huffs and walks away.

The room is also sprinkled with Bratva men—the fathers of the women invited. I should really be considering them, too. Not for marriage but for advantage. Some of those men are more powerful than others. Like Abram. He holds a lot of sway among some of the more traditional Bratva men.

But I hate him, and I hate Tatiana, so there you go.

The next women to approach me is another Anna. This has got to be my fifth Anna of the night.

“Would you make a good wife?” I ask her. Not that I really care. Wifely duties like cooking and cleaning don’t matter to me. That’s why I have a housekeeper. And Katya, if she ever lifted a finger to cook and clean (which she hasn’t). I just want a woman who interests me enough to make me want to marry her.

I’ve met and fucked a ton of women who interest me in the past. I’m a sucker for a pretty face. But I never married any of them. They were just used for sex. That doesn’t make me an asshole. Those women knew what they were getting into with me.

Even Tatiana knew, despite her claiming otherwise.

I always make my intentions clear.

My intentions now are to find a wife just so I don’t have to marry Tatiana and listen to her grating voice for the rest of my life until I go insane .

Anna smiles wide. Good teeth. Nice smile. Not a bad start. “I know how to sew and dance and cook and?—”

I hold up my hand. “I’m not looking for a wife from the 1800s. I’m looking for a wife who can make me happy. Can you make me happy?”

Her lips form into an “O” shape. “Well … yes. I can try to make you happy.”

I sigh and slump back in my seat then wave my hand at her. “Next.”

That’s the problem with meeting women this way. It’s not organic. Usually, I would meet women in my club, and we’d flirt, and then we’d go fuck. I wouldn’t meet them at a fucking ball I put together to find a wife.

I’m still slumped in my seat when the next women approaches. “I’m Irina.”

“Good name,” I tell her. “Sexy.” And Irina is sexy, I’ll give her that.

Little black number that cinches in at her small waist. Long red hair. Plump red lips. My cock stirs at the sight of her. “So, Irina, why are you here? You look like you could get any man you wanted.”

“I could. But I only want the best. That’s why my father hasn’t married me off yet. You’re the best, Dimitri.”

I lean forward, more interested than I’ve been in anyone all night. “So, you’re a gold digger. Is that it?”

She giggles. It’s not grating like Sasha’s laugh. We’re off to a good start. “You could say that. Or you could say I’m a businesswoman. I’m looking to grow my assets. And you, Dimitri, are the best asset any girl could have.”

“Well, I do have a good ass.” I flash her my panty-dropping smile, and she makes a demure expression. Good. She knows how to flirt and how to play the game. “I think you’re trouble, Irina.”

“I can be trouble.”

“How so?”

She leans in close and whispers in my ear. “I’m not innocent like these other girls. Unlike them, I know how to work a cock.” She stands back, smiling down at me like she’s won.

My cock is fully erect now. God, I love a woman who knows what she’s doing in the bedroom. Irina is perfect. She’s sexy, she presumably knows how to fuck, and her voice is a little raspy. It’s pleasing to listen to.

I think I know who my wife will be.

Tatiana, goodbye. Hello, Iri?—

I stop.

My eyes spot two women who enter the club. One of them is a cute brunette. The other is …

My sister.

What the fuck is Katya doing here?

I huff and stand up. “Excuse me, Irina.” I walk past her and head straight for my sister.

EVIE

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask as Katya and I get out of the taxi she paid for and stand before her brother’s club.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Uh, because you’ve told me yourself your brother is very controlling and he doesn’t want you going anywhere. Are we even allowed in there? We’re only twenty. We’re not old enough to drink.”

Katya rolls her eyes. “Evie, love, when I invited you out tonight, I didn’t think you’d be such a Debby Downer. Of course, we’re not old enough to legally drink, but that’s why we have fake IDs.” She hands me my own fake ID.

“Katya, this doesn’t even look like me!” The woman in the picture has gray hair and wrinkly skin. “I’m not seventy!”

She shrugs. “No one really ever pays any of the any attention. Besides, my brother owns this club. I’m allowed in here.” She grabs my shoulders. “Evie, you came out with me tonight when you rarely ever do. I’m so grateful for that. Now, get that stick out of your ass, and let’s have some fun! ”

I think back to right before I left when I told Juno I was heading out for the night. She gave me such a long, cold look that I doubted everything. But then she spoke: “No man will mess with you. You’re not pretty enough. So, go out. I’m not worried. Just don’t get yourself killed.”

That solidified my decision to leave. Juno was constantly making jabs at me. I couldn’t take it any longer.

But now that I’m here, staring up at the club and hearing the music from within, all I can think is: What have I gotten myself into?

Katya is with me, though, and this is her brother’s club. We’ll be safe.

We approach the bouncer.

“Invitations,” he grunts.

We don’t have any invitations. “I thought this was a club,” I say quietly to Katya.

“It is, but my brother is hosting a special event.” She flashes her perfect smile at the bouncer. “I’m Dimitri Ivanov’s sister, Katya. I’m welcome inside.”

“If you say so. But she”—he nods at me— “needs an invitation.”

Katya links her arm through mine. “She’s with me, so she doesn’t. And Dimitri can throw us out if he wants to, so you won’t get into trouble. Let us inside.”

With a deep sigh, the bouncer nods and steps aside, allowing us to enter.

Katya lets out a little squeal. “I can’t believe he actually let us in!”

Now that we’re inside, my mind is a little blown. The club doesn’t look anything like I imagined a club to look like. Everything is so elegant and refined and beautiful. The club is filled with women in ballgowns. I feel a little out of place in my summer dress, but it’s all I had. Even Katya is underdressed in a tight blue number that ends above her knees.

We stand out and not in the good way.

“Shoot,” she mumbles. “He did say it was a ball. Sorry. I should’ve told you.”

“Katya, we’re not dressed for a place like this. I mean … look at me .” I motion toward my dress, which has simple straps and flares out around my thighs. It’s no ballgown. “Maybe we shouldn’t be here.”

“Evie, we’re going to have fun. That’s what tonight is about. Besides, this is my brother’s club. If we’re going to be safe anywhere, it would be here. Don’t worry. Now, let’s grab a drink and start dancing.”

“With our fake IDs.”

“Yes!”

Katya leads us to the bar, but before we can make it, a man marches right toward us.

A very intimidatingly handsome man.

“Katya!” he barks, making us both jump.

“Shoot,” she mutters.

“Do you know him?” I ask.

By the way she looks chagrined, I have my answer. “It’s my brother, Dimitri.”

I look at Dimitri with more curiosity. I’m finally going to meet a family member of Katya’s.

“Katya,” he growls once he reaches us. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“It’s a party!” She throws her arms out wide and smiles dazzlingly.

“It’s my party, and you’re not invited. You’re supposed to be at home. Safe.”

“And this place isn’t safe? You’re here.”

He huffs and crosses his arms. “I know I’m here, but I’m kind of busy trying to find a fucking wife. And you just interrupted my time with a very sexy woman.”

Katya shudders. “Ugh, you’re disgusting. And I don’t care that you’re trying to find a wife. I’m here with Evie, and we’re going to dance the night away. So, just leave us be.” She waves her hand at him in a shooing motion.

Except it doesn’t make Dimitri leave. It does the opposite.

He turns the full force of his handsome face onto me. “Evie? I think I’ve heard your name before. You’re Katya’s friend? ”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. I’ve never been tongue-tied in the presence of a man before.

But then again, I don’t really spend much time talking to men, especially handsome ones. The people who work at the library are mostly women except for a few older men, but those men are like family.

Dimitri … isn’t.

“Yes, she is,” Katya says, throwing her arm around my shoulders. “I’ve talked about her before, Dimitri. Don’t you ever pay attention?”

“No,” he says flatly. “I kind of zone out when you talk. It’s easier that way.”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, this is Evie, my best friend. So leave her alone. We’re going to dance.”

Dimitri turns his eyes back onto me. “Katya never told me her friend was so attractive.”

“Gag me,” she says.

I can’t help it. I blush. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” I say.

His lips quirk. “So polite. But there’s got to be a wild side to you, isn’t there?”

“Wild side?” I quickly shake my head. “No, I mostly just spend my days working at the library and going to school and …” I trail off as I realize I’m rambling.

“The library? I thought only old ugly people went there.”

I stand up straighter, feeling a flare of annoyance shoot through me. “Well, first, that’s a rude thing to say.” His eyebrows raise, but he doesn’t say anything. “Second, all kinds of people work at the library. All kinds of people go to the library. It’s a beautiful place that’s welcoming to everyone. There’s no discrimination.”

He raises his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I didn’t realize I struck a chord.”

Katya is looking at me with a wide-eyed expression. “Well, that’s Evie for you. She’s very passionate about the library.”

“So, you work there?” he asks me.

“I do. Part time. But I hope to be an actual librarian one day once I finish my degree. ”

“Sexy and smart. So, you wear hot, little librarian outfits? Pull off the glasses and let your hair down?”

My face is on fire, but I don’t let him embarrass me. No wonder Katya never introduced me to him before. He’s incredibly rude. “No. I wear normal clothes because the library is not a porn fantasy. It’s a place for people to read and do research and escape the world for a little bit of time.”

He whistles. “You’re something else. Feisty. Most women don’t call me out.” He pauses. “Well, no women ever do.”

“Well, maybe they should. I’ve been friends with Katya for years, and this is our first time meeting. You should be a little bit more polite.”

“And lecturing me, too. You really are a librarian.” He sidles in closer to me. “You’re not afraid of me?”

“Why should I be?”

His eyes narrow, and a smirk plasters itself across his face. My body is on fire, and I don’t even quite know why.

Katya gets between us and gently pushes Dimitri back a step. “Leave my friend alone. And she has a good point. You need to be nice to her.”

He turns his eyes to Katya. “She’s not a Bratva woman?”

Bratva? I’ve only ever heard that in relation to … the mob.

“No, she’s not,” Katya hisses. “And she doesn’t need to be. So, leave her alone. We just came to dance, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Dimitri grabs his sister’s arm and bends his head down to hers. “Then you should get her out of here. The women here are protected by their fathers. You’re protected by me, but Evie doesn’t have anyone to protect her. So, leave.”

“What’s going to happen?” Katya responds. “Some mad man is going to come in here and start blowing things up?”

“What the hell is happening here?” A man’s voice rings out over the soft, classical music.

We all turn to see a middle-aged man with a scowl on his face and gun in his hand. The sight of the gun makes me tense. Beside him is a younger, blonde woman. Pretty, but the scowl on her face hurts her appearance.

“Abram!” Dimitri says, placing himself between Katya and the man. By extension, he’s also shielding me. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“What’s the meaning of this party, Dimitri?” Abram barks. “I was told it was a ball for you to meet women. To find a potential wife. But need I remind you, you have a future wife.” He wraps his arm around the young woman. “My daughter.”

“Right. But listen, Tatiana and I?—”

“We’re getting married,” the young woman screeches. Tatiana, I presume.

“Are we, though?” Dimitri shrugs, acting way more nonchalant than I’d expect from someone facing down a gun.

“Yes, you are,” Abram says. His gun is still resting at his side, but that doesn’t remove the tension from my body.

“Katya,” I whisper. “We should get out of here.”

“Good idea. There’s a back entrance. Come on.” We start slowly walking away from Dimitri and Abram and his gun.

I’m amazed no one else is trying to leave. Is this their normal? Is this what it’s like to be a part of the Bratva?

We reach the back door, but we don’t leave.

“Katya, what aren’t you telling me?”

She sighs and drops her head. “Fine. My brother … he works for the mob. The Russian Mafia. Well, he’s someone in charge. Not the only one with high-ranking power, but he’s up there.”

I stare at her for a long moment, trying to find my voice. “I’m sorry. Your family is part of the Russian Mafia!?”

“I know, I know. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Your reaction. I knew you wouldn’t take it well. But listen, Evie, I didn’t tell you because it’s not safe. This is a dangerous world.”

“So, then, why bring me to your brother’s club?”

“Because I know he’ll protect me. How was I supposed to know some old man would come in with a freaking gun?”

“Because your brother works for the Russian mob! ”

She pauses then nods. “Ok. Fair point. Let’s just get out of here. We can head back to my house.”

“Fine,” I mutter. It hurts that my best friend has kept something huge from me for years. It’s also surreal that I know someone who’s part of the mob. I’m just a woman who works part time at the library. I’m not cut out for this.

Katya and I turn back to the door but stop when we see a man standing in our way.

“Hello, girls,” he says. He’s wiry and skinny, but there’s a strength to his stance. It’s almost … predatory.

“Hi,” Katya says warily. “If you could kindly move out of the way …”

He shifts, blocking the door even more.

I glance behind me. Everyone is watching Dimitri and Abram. No one’s watching us. Except for this man.

“Now, why would I do that?” he asks in a low voice that sends chills down my spine. “You’re right where I want you. Well, not you.” He turns his eyes from Katya to me. “But you. You’re exactly what I’m looking for.”

I gasp and take a step back. Katya gets in front of me, her hands out. “I have stiletto shoes that will blind you if you come close,” she warns.

The man laughs. There’s no humor to it. “I don’t think so.” In a quick motion, he raises his hand and karate-chops Katya in the neck. She stumbles to the ground, and he wraps his arms around her neck, holding on tight until she goes still.

“Oh my god,” I whisper. “Katya.” I look back at the man. He lets Katya go, and she slumps to the ground. I think I see a pulse in her neck, but I can’t be sure.

“You,” he says. “You’re coming with me.” So fast, he grabs me around the waist. I let out a scream before he covers my mouth and drags me out the back door .

DIMITRI

“You’re supposed to marry my daughter,” Abram warns.

“Well, I decided against that. That’s why I’m throwing this party. To find myself a wife I actually want.” There’s no point in lying now. Both Abram and Tatiana are here. The cat is out of the fucking bag.

Tatiana gasps. It sounds like she’s sucking helium out of a balloon. “You don’t want me? But you …”

“Took your virginity, I know.”

Multiple men and women gasp at his knowledge. Shit. This will only put me in more hot water with the other Bratva father’s.

“But listen,” I say. “We can still be friends.” An utter fucking lie.

Tatiana scrunches up her face, and it’s not attractive on her even though I’m sure she thinks it’s a good look. “I don’t want to be friends. I want you to be my husband!”

“You will marry her, Dimitri,” Abram says.

I cross my arms. “Or?”

“Or?”

“Or what? You’re not going to blow my club up with everyone inside. That’s not becoming of you Abram. So … or what? What are you going to do?”

He gets closer to me and shoves his finger against my chest. “I’ll be back, Dimitri. I’ll be back to make you regret this decision. If you don’t marry Tatiana, then I’ll bring war to you.”

The selfless thing to do would be to marry Tatiana. But it’s not an easy decision. Not when there’s Irina, who’s sexy and knows how to suck a cock. She would make a fun wife.

And then there’s Evie.

No one has ever spoken to me the way she did. So factual. So polite. Yet so reassured of herself. She’s not a Bratva woman, and she’s Katya’s best friend, so that makes her off limits. But I felt an excitement course through me when I spoke to her that I haven’t felt … ever.

Either way, I can’t marry Tatiana. So, I decide to be honest with Abram.

“Then let there be war. ”

His eyes practically bug out of his head. “You will regret this.”

“We’ll see.”

And then I hear the scream.

Turning around, I spy Evie getting dragged out the back door by a man I know. Dima. He’s a little shit who likes to cause trouble.

Katya is on the floor.

I run right for her.

“Where are you going?” Abram shouts. “Come back here!”

I ignore him and reach Katya’s side. I shake her, but she doesn’t wake up.

It dawns on me how stupid this fucking ball is. Did I seriously think I’d find a wife in this mess? And now my sister is hurt, and Abram wants to start a war.

It’s kind of miraculous how badly I fucked things up even more.