Page 41 of My Ex’s Billionaire Brothers (Forbidden Hearts #5)

ANYA

Five months ago, I never would have imagined spending New Year’s Eve at a kink club—let alone one decorated like a dark fairy-tale forest, complete with body-painted “flowers” dancing under flashing lights.

Yet here I am, standing at the center of Sins, directing staff like a maestro waving a baton.

And you know what? I’m actually excited about it.

The transformation from smoldering, moody club to a lush, bohemian wonderland was no small feat. During the day, the entire main floor of Sins became unrecognizable as Vivian’s assistant, Dirt, carefully placed the potted black orchids, painted brambles, and dozens of velvet drapes.

Yes, Dirt —a man who goes by that name and dresses the part too, clad in a hooded gimp suit that only shows his eyes.

He’s quiet, exceedingly polite, and possibly the best assistant I’ve ever seen.

He fetches coffee like it’s a sacred mission.

He handles day-of logistics like he runs the best event planning agency on the East Coast. And he can rock spike-studded boots better than I ever could.

Still, I can’t say I’m fully at ease with everything at Sins. There are pockets of extreme kink everywhere you turn, and to be honest, it’s taken me time to get used to it. But every month, I grow a little more comfortable in this strange, liberating atmosphere.

Now, on New Year’s Eve, I’m proudly displaying a sparkly midnight-blue dress, high heels, and a sultry smile I never knew I had. Because despite all my anxieties, this is my life now, and I love it.

I glance across the floor where Vivian is shooing staff into their positions. She’s in her element, wearing a black latex dress that shows off her tattooed shoulders, hair pinned back in a twist. She gives me a discreet thumbs-up.

So far, the place looks amazing. The lights are low, tinted violet, and a faint haze of smoke catches the beams in midair. Bodysuit-wearing acrobats and nude models painted to look like dark ferns and moonlit flowers move about in slow, graceful arcs. It’s sexy and eerie, exactly the vibe I wanted.

My phone buzzes in my hand with a message from Gage: We’re outside, waiting for the grand reveal. Hunter’s about to pop a blood vessel with excitement.

A laugh bubbles up in my chest. I shoot back a text telling them to give me ten more minutes.

They’ve been banned from the club all day so they don’t see the decorations too soon.

It’s half tradition, half superstition. Since I’ve become their entertainment coordinator , surprising them with elaborate plans has become one of my favorite pastimes.

I still can’t believe they let me take over tonight, though.

The DJ booth is set, the bar is stocked, and the staff is ready to welcome members for the year’s biggest party. The music is a low, pulsing bass line right now, set to ramp up once the doors officially open. Dirt stands near the entrance, waiting to unbolt the locks when I give the signal.

“Alright,” I call over the mild thump of the speakers, “showtime in three…two… one !”

Dirt’s gloved hand slides the bolt, and he pulls open the double doors.

Immediately, a rush of cold December air gusts into the lobby, followed by the excited chatter of guests.

They surge in—a mix of curious new members and the club’s regulars.

A wave of murmurs ripples through the crowd as they catch sight of the decor.

Some look entranced, others mildly amused.

One or two are already checking out the body-painted living “floral arrangements.” I spot a senator’s aide in a see-through tailored suit, scanning the place with wide eyes framed by a mask that hides almost nothing.

I step aside to let the line flow, then slip out through a side exit so I can greet my guys personally.

On the sidewalk, I spot Gage’s towering frame first, with Hunter bouncing on the balls of his feet, and Theo adjusting the collar of his coat.

My heart does a silly somersault, like it always does when I see them.

“Finally,” Hunter groans, dragging out the word. “We’ve been freezing our balls off.”

I grin, linking my arm through his. “It’s not that cold, Mr. ‘I wrestled in the snow with a judo sensei for a week straight.’”

“I was young and dumb and didn’t feel the cold the way I do now as an old man.” He laughs before he pulls me close for a quick kiss.

Then Gage nudges my shoulder with the gentleness of a giant. He’s wearing a black coat that makes his broad shoulders look even broader, if that’s possible. “Hey.”

I beam up at him. “Hey.”

Theo leans in, pressing a warm kiss to my temple. “So this is the big night?”

I nod. “Get ready to see Sins like never before.”

We slip inside, weaving through the small corridor that leads into the main chamber. As soon as we step through, the guys freeze.

The giant overhead chandelier has been draped in swaths of dark, mossy fabric, with glimmering crystals catching the low light.

The dance floor is lined with more of those living-bloom models, and the bar area sports a rotating floral sculpture that seems to spin slowly like a lazy carousel of vines.

“Whoa,” Hunter breathes, turning a slow circle. “This is…whoa.”

Gage sounds genuinely awed. “ Damn , Anya.”

Theo nods, approval gleaming in his eyes. “You outdid yourself.”

There’s a moment where I feel genuinely bashful about all of it—like I’ve exposed a bit of my soul here, orchestrating this entire environment. I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Vivian and I worked like crazy on the design. It’s a dark boho floral vibe. I wanted something fresh for the new year.”

Hunter slides his arm around my waist, drawing me in to kiss my cheek. “Mission accomplished, babe. You did good. Real good.”

Even five months in, it still feels surreal how comfortable we’ve all become with each other—especially after years of me walking on eggshells around Calvin. But these men? They welcome me in, let me shine, and never once complain that I’m pushing them to relax more than they used to.

As their entertainment coordinator, I’ve planned everything from a spontaneous trip to an Italian villa to a simple afternoon break where they had to put away their phones and watch a sitcom marathon. It’s that level of micromanaging they’ve given me permission for—and to be honest, they needed it.

I think I did too. I can’t deny taking a little glee in bossing them around sometimes.

The music ramps as more guests filter in, the lights ramping up in intensity. The four of us wander into the crowd. Now and then, people wave or nod with respectful recognition—everyone knows Gage, Hunter, and Theo run the place, and by association, they know me as well.

We dance a bit, swirling under the flickering lights, my heels clicking against the polished floor. Before long, adrenaline surges in my veins, and laughter tumbles out of me. I’m dancing with all three of them, rotating between their arms, the heat between us making my face flush.

I realize we’re drawing an audience. A few club members circle around, ogling or cheering.

Some slip away to the corners where private scenes are set up.

Eventually, the entire club descends into a swirling carnival of bodies, and I notice more than a few couples, trios, and possibly quartets, slinking into dark corners for more intimate pursuits.

That’s when I hear the collective whoop from behind me—someone’s started an orgy on the dance floor. Typical Sins.

I grin, catching Theo’s eye, and jerk my chin toward the upstairs office. “Maybe we should get out of the splash zone?”

Gage chuckles, glancing at the rapidly disrobing patrons. “Yeah, I’ll pass on dancing next to that.”

Hunter, as usual, cracks a joke. “Aw, Gagey, afraid you’ll get jealous?” He dodges Gage’s playful swat and snickers, leading the way upstairs.

Inside the office, the music is muted. It’s not a huge room, but it’s got plush carpets, a sturdy desk, and a couch. I shut the door behind us, my heart still thumping from the dancing, the adrenaline, and…well, my secret.

The men settle in with the ease of people who’ve done this many times—Theo leans against the desk, Gage claims the couch, and Hunter hovers near the door to let me pass by him.

They’re all looking at me with that familiar heat in their eyes, and for a second, I can’t help the flush spreading across my cheeks.

There’s a comfortable sense of humor in how we approach these intimate moments now.

No shame, no panic. Still, the edges of my nerves prickle, because I have something I need to say—a revelation that’s been sitting in my chest for days.

I swallow hard. “I hope I’m not violating company policy,” I tease, letting my hands rest at my hips. “I mean, sleeping with my bosses? Scandalous.”

Hunter bursts out laughing, crossing his arms. “We all know who the real boss is here, Anya. Don’t pretend.”

“Exactly,” Gage rumbles, his green eyes sparking with amusement. “You’ve been bossing us around for months now. Seems only fair we get some perks in return.”

I smirk, locking eyes with Theo. “Well, I’ll try not to work you too hard.”

Theo’s grin is unusually playful. “Isn’t that your job? To make sure we don’t overwork ourselves?”

The banter loosens some of my tension, which I needed.

But as the four of us move closer, I reach out to trace my fingers over Gage’s broad shoulder, feeling the familiar sense of belonging.

The music outside thrums in time with my heartbeat.

One glance at each of their faces reminds me how much we’ve built in the past five months—trust, love, shared responsibilities, jokes, tears…

everything that defines a real relationship.

A glance over their shoulders reminds me that we can do whatever we want up here, and no one will care.