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Her six-inch heels echoed loudly against the pavement, their pointed tips sharp enough to gouge out a man’s eye. Maybe that was another reason she chose this pair tonight—a deadly edge to complement the silver-plated Glock 43 strapped securely to her thigh.

Still, Valentina felt assured she wouldn’t need either weapon tonight. She was attending a Nikolai family gathering, after all. Nothing ever went wrong at events hosted by the powerful Bratva family—not with the sheer number of armed guards stationed around the compound, their eagle vision scanning every corner.

Yet, her father’s words never failed to echo in her mind, a constant reminder: “ Sempre preparata , tesoro . Mai dire mai .” Always be ready, Sweetheart. Never say never .

The obsidian sky loomed over the sprawling estate, its stone facade glowing under the soft luminescence of the moon. Valentina ascended the never-ending steps that led to the grand front door of the Nikolai mansion—each step more purposeful than the last—in an attempt to get out of the icy wind that bit at her exposed skin and the low hum of idling engines behind.

A line of sharply dressed guards flanked the grand entrance, their stone gazes unwavering and colder than the wind. Guests were required to step forward one at a time, surrendering weapons at a polished ebony table manned by Paolo, the stern-faced security chief.

As soon as Valentina approached, the most intimidating guard stepped forward.

“Name,” he demanded, his voice sharp as steel, drawing out the metal detector with a deliberate flick, like unsheathing a blade.

Valentina lifted her chin, leveling him with an equally stern gaze. “Valentina Romano.”

The guard’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her as though weighing the weight of her name. Valentina clenched her jaw—an attempt to fight a grin at the sight of him subtly checking her out.

He took a step closer, the faint hum of the detector filling the charged silence.

“Show me your hands,” he ordered, his tone low but firm.

Without wasting a second, Valentina extended her hands, palms up, steady as a rock. Then, with deliberate defiance, she curled her fingers back into her palms, leaving her middle fingers raised high.

Her blood-red acrylic nails gleamed under the sharp overhead lights, their sharp edges glinting like freshly honed blades.

The corner of her mouth lifted into a teasing smirk. “Satisfied?”

Kostya Nikolai broke character at her predictable stunt, his stoic facade cracking as his signature flirtatious smile slid into place. “You never disappoint, do you?” he teased, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he lowered the metal detector. “Do you practice that, or is it just natural talent?”

Valentina shrugged with a grin. “What can I say? I guess I’m full of surprises. But I’ll let you in on the secret after I put something in my stomach. If you haven’t noticed, I’m starving.”

“You didn’t eat before coming?” Kostya tsked, his Russian accent slipping through his words. “And here I was, thinking you’re different from everyone else who’s just here for the food—and, well, other things they can leech on.”

Valentina pointed at her stomach. “I couldn’t afford eating. Not if I wanted to fit in this dress.” She paused, her gaze sharpening. “But hey, at least I’m not the one forced to be on guard duty while the rest of my family wines and dines inside.”

Kostya chuckled, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “I’ll only let that slide because you look good in that dress. You’ve just given my brother another subject for his wet dreams, and you know which brother I’m talking about.”

The indirect reference to Ilya Nikolai made Valentina grimace. “Please. Don’t make me barf.”

One of the doors pushed open, interrupting their conversation, and then Irina Nikolai’s slim body smuggled through the tiny gap she created.

“There you are!” she exclaimed, eyes alight as soon as they landed on Valentina. “Rhi’s been waiting all night for you to show up. And God, do you look sexy in that dress. I’d definitely do you if I didn’t get wet for the other gender.”

Kostya sighed, stepping aside for his sister to pass through. “Can you at least pretend to have a little decorum outside?”

Irina cinched her arm around Valentina’s and led her forward. “Don’t act like you haven’t got a dirtier mouth than mine.” She turned to her friend with a wolfish grin. “He’s been pretending to be sad about being on duty tonight, but he’d lowkey happy to be here so he can stare at every woman’s tits before they go in.”

“I can stare at any tits I want whether I’m inside or not.”

Valentina shook her head and chuckled. “Just when I think men can’t get any more disgusting, you go ahead and do that.”

A sarcastic smile touched Irina’s lips. “And people ask why I turned out like this when I have three more of his type as brothers. Speaking of brothers, Fedya and Viktor have been waiting for you.” One of the guards pulled the doors open for them to go in. “Viktor mentioned some kind of bet you have going on with them?”

The first thing that reached Val’s ears as soon as they stepped into the grand ballroom was the soft waltz of a string quartet. They were at the corner of the room, their bows dancing gracefully across their instruments.

The air buzzed with low murmurs and clinks of crystal glasses as guests and other members of the family gathered together. The room was alive with conversations mingling, polished but guarded. Servants moved like ghosts, refilling champagne glasses and clearing plates without uttering a word.

Women were dressed in their best gowns, and men in their tailored suits. The sight at Valentina’s left distracted her from answering Irina’s question. As soon as she saw that long table groaning under the weight of delicacies, the churning in her stomach grew worse.

Still, she couldn’t let herself go straight for the food. Everyone here—Business partners, allies, and extended family—including herself, was here to officially celebrate the newest addition to the Nikolai family.

Her best friend in the entire world—Rhiannon Nikolai.

So, food would have to wait. Besides, few were actually interested in the food. Instead, eyes darted toward the head of the room, where Pakhan Mikhail Nikolai sat in a throne-like chair, his presence commanding and unyielding.

Beside him, his consigliere whispered in his ears, occasionally gesturing discreetly toward someone in the room.

Val’s eyes locked with those of Mikhail’s, and she dipped her head low in greeting. He nodded, the familiarity in his eyes appearing for a brief second before vanishing as he returned his focus to his consigliere.

Mikhail Nikolai was always a mystery to Val, but she could understand why. He was the head of the Nikolai family, after all. He had too much responsibility on his shoulders to bare his teeth at her in laughter like Kostya and any of his cousins would.

He was constantly cold and calculated, only ever genuinely smiling when Mira—his wife—or his twins were next to him.

A wolf whistle from behind made Val turn. Fedya and Viktor walked towards her, identical smirks on their faces as they grabbed champagne glasses in sync.

“If it isn’t the twins,” Val grinned. They weren’t actually twins, considering they were one full year apart. But their synchronized mannerisms would make anyone believe they were.

Oddly enough, some of the men in the Nikolai family shared similar traits. Fedya was reserved and quiet, sort of like Adrian was. Kostya was like Ivan, even a much more ruthless flirt than Ivan was before he got married to Amy.

Viktor was like a burst of sunshine among the men. He was the most carefree bird Val had ever seen, seemingly unserious even in the tensest situations. He had an air of ease about him that set him apart. But Val knew better; beneath his light-hearted facade was a dangerous streak he kept hidden from most.

And then there was Ilya. End of story .

Viktor—the whistler—approached her first, clapping his hands in mock applause as he took in her appearance, completely unbothered by the attention it drew to their little group.

“The fit makes me want to bark,” Viktor said grinning as Val burst into laughter and Irina rolled her eyes. “Come on, do a quick 360 for me, will you?”

Fedya slapped his brother’s arm, a mix of amusement and annoyance in his expression. “Behave.” To Valentina, he said, “You look stunning, Val.”

Val smirked, tilting her head. “Thanks, Fedya. How’s our little bet coming along? I’m not sure about you, but it’s looking great for me,” she said. “I always win. You and Viktor should know that by now.”

Fedya scoffed. “You wish.”

Irina frowned, her gaze shifting between them. “Can someone tell me what this bet is about?”

“It’s about you, actually,” Viktor chimed in, not missing a beat. “We’re betting on who’s going to get cuffed next—you or Kostya.”

Irina’s smile was sarcastic. “Funny. Even a child would know that it’s going to be Kostya. Not that I’m getting married anytime soon anyway. How many times do I have to tell you guys that marriage isn’t in the cards for me?”

“I actually put my money on you, Babe.”

Irina gaped at her best friend. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Viktor waggled a finger in his sister’s face. “Val is a firm believer in the saying that things are not always what they seem—the most obvious outcome rarely turns out to be the truth. In this case, Kostya—ladies’ man and playboy extraordinaire—won’t actually find the woman of his dreams before you, who’s always anti-commitment. The saying makes sense, but in this case, I beg to differ.”

“Or you just want my money,” Val added.

“Yeah,” he grinned. “That too. And Fedya always does what I do.”

“Wrong,” the brother in question denied. “I just think it’s common sense to put my money on Kostya. Irina’s never felt the touch of a man, talk more of getting married.”

Irina’s cheeks burned in embarrassment. “I could shoot you for saying that.”

Viktor laughed. “It’s the truth, though. Have you even been kissed before?”

Val feigned annoyance. “Hey. Take it easy on my best friend. She doesn’t have to be hos like both of you.”

“She’d better not,” Fedya grinned, but there was a hint of venom coating his words. “I can’t promise not to forget my bullet in the skull of the bastard who tried to touch her.”

Viktor raised his glass. “Amen to that.”

Irina exchanged a glance with Val as if to say, ‘ See what I have to go through every day? ’

“Why is no one betting on Val?” A familiar voice asked, breaking their circle. Rhiannon waltzed in with a full grin, her black dress hugging her tall, lean body. It was hard to tell she just had a kid. “Val and I always do our things in sync. Now that I’m married, she’s next.”

Viktor snorted. “Valentina hates men.”

“Not all men,” Irina defended. “Just Ilya.”

“Can we not mention his name?” Val frowned as she tackled her best friend in a bear hug. “My night is already going great.”

The siblings snickered as they dispersed, giving Rhi and Val the privacy they needed.

“Ugh,” Rhi groaned as she pulled back and grasped Val’s shoulders. “I could devour you in that dress, but Adrian would kill you first.”

Val laughed. “Twenty-five is quite a young age to die, and we don’t want my father raising a coup, do we?”

Rhi shook her head, laughing. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Val grinned. “I’m so happy for you, Rhi. I’m happy that I finally get to see you glow like the sun you are. I’m happy you don’t have to be crushed under your father’s heel anymore. I’m happy you’ve found someone you can live up to your full potential with. Someone who is as obsessed with you as you are with him. But most of all, I’m happy you’ve given me a kid. You may have birthed her, but we both know Cora has two mothers now.”

Rhi’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, sparkling under the glittery sheen of her makeup.

She dabbed her face softly with a napkin. “Don’t make me cry. I know this is all I’ve ever wished for, and I love it. I really do. But sometimes, being here feels overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Nikolais, and they love me. And I don’t know if it’s because of how hard I had to work to prove myself back at home just to be disregarded, but sometimes being the wife of a Nikolai brother feels like I’ve got these massive shoes to fill.

“Adrian constantly tells me not to worry, and I pretend I don’t, but a few times, I feel like I may not be living up to what is expected of me here. Things are different here than at home. Everyone has a responsibility, and no one is left out. I’ve always wanted to be a part of something, and it’s finally happening. But it’s still so new to me. And with Cora recently coming along, my hormones are still all over the place.”

Valentina cupped Rhi’s cheeks. “You’re perfect, Rhi. And trust me, I completely understand your struggles. But I need you to remember that you’re not alone. You’re never alone here, Rhi. You have me and the entire Nikolai family ready to defend you in case anything comes up. You’re loved and cherished here. And with the way Adrian looks at you, I know you’re the best thing that has ever happened to him.

“You don’t need to worry about anything. You’ll be a great wife and a great mother to Cora. You’re the best thing that has happened to this family in a while, and I want you to own up to it.”

Rhi blushed. “Don’t flatter me.”

“I’m serious,” Val continued. “You’re a rare gem. Adrian knows that, and that’s why he knew never to let you go. Always remember that, okay?”

Rhi nodded, the uncertainty in her eyes dissolving into the confidence Val was used to. Rhiannon always went around with a tough exterior, but Val knew that she was as soft as goo on the inside.

“Mrs. Nikolai,” a voice called from behind them, firm but cautious. “My apologies for interrupting, but there’s a matter that requires your attention.”

Rhi nodded, turning to her best friend with a regretful smile. “I hate to leave you right now, but duty calls.”

Val shook her head. “It’s okay, Babe. I understand. Go do your thing.”

They exchanged air kisses on the cheek before Rhi confidently strutted off.

Now that the greetings were over, Val’s eyes narrowed on the food table at the other end of the room. But just as she was about to take her first step forward, a tall figure completely obscured the table from her view.

She looked up, muscles stiffening and eyes hardening as they landed on the six-foot-something man striding towards her with a champagne glass in one hand and an infuriating smirk on his pink, full lips.

Ilya Nikolai . The grade A asshole and absolute bane of her existence. The one Nikolai man she actually detested.

He made sure to ruin whatever good time she was having whenever they bumped into each other. And with the knowing smirk on his mouth as he approached her, she knew this night wouldn’t be any different.