Page 23 of Nikola

I took a step forward, my hands balled into fists, and the fucker’s eyes filled with fear.

“I didn’t pick her,” he cried, jerking against his binds. “I swear. I was told to kiss her.”

I paused. “By whom?”

“A woman. She gave me a thousand bucks to seduce her, then take her into one of those private rooms.”

“Who’s this woman?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know her name.”

My lips curled, my words dripping with sarcasm. “How convenient.”

“She goes byThe Duchess.” My brow furrowed, but he must’ve taken my silence as a sign to plow forward. “She was going to let me fuck the mute bitch, but if you want her… I won’t. I like them better when they’re screaming anyhow.”

Fury shot through me and I fished out a lighter from my pocket, then lit it up.

“Who are you calling a mute?” I gritted, bringing the fire so close to his eyes that I could smell his flesh burn. “You’ll fucking pay for that. Youandthis fucking Duchess.”

“Please, you have to believe me.” He blinked, staring cross-eyed at the fire. “She was waiting for us in one of the private rooms. Maybe the club has her name?” He was dripping with sweat, fighting against the restraints I’d bound him with.

I sighed and stored the information away, making a mental note to follow up. With the recent resurfacing of the Belles and Mobsters Agreements and organ trafficking, I had to track every potential threat.

“Time to pay,” I declared.

“Spare me.” As if I’d ever let any fucker get away with putting a finger—never mind his lips—on Skye.

My fist flew into his face, connecting with his cheekbone. He let out a pathetic scream and I circled him. His eyes tried to follow my movement, but they were unfocused.

“Please, I don’t do well with pain,” he cried, his body shaking with fear and his cheek already purpling. Blood mixed with drool dripped from his mouth.

“Tsk, tsk,” I started, my voice calm while my rage simmered. “Should have thought of thatbeforeyou touched my girl.”

Another punch.

“I’m sorry, man.”

I grinned at the screaming bastard; it was only the beginning of my lesson.

By the time I was done, his black beady eyes would never see or hurt another woman.

“I’m sorry, sir, but that information is confidential.”

The woman stared at me with a fearful gaze, her fingers trembling above a red panic button.

I’d really tried to appear non-threatening, but clearly I was failing.

“Can you contact the manager? Owner?” Fucking anyone else besides this woman who was ready to piss herself just standing here next to me.

“What seems to be the problem here?” A British-accented voice had me turning around. “I’m Maxim Baldwin, the owner.”

He extended his hand, and my attention was immediately drawn to his Tom Ford suit.

“Nikola Nikolaev.” We shook hands. “I need the name of a woman who tried to have my girlfriend abducted.”

Okay, maybe I was inflating the situation, but I needed results.

“Our screening policy is strict and very efficient. None of our members or visiting patrons fit that description.”