Page 14 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

So far, Dimitri’s wrath hadn’t reached me, and I was graciously given more days to live with all my fingers and the use of my legs still. I was glad that dreaded call hadn’t come through, but the anticipation still made me feel squeamish.

Even if we were cousins, and I worked alongside him, it didn’t exempt me from being wrung out beyond recognition.

Being married helped soften his edges, but I didn’t want to be the one to test how far.

“Listen, there’s still time to drop on one knee,” Elias said, reaching for his water. “I can just imagine how fat that rock would be.”

“You’re a jackass,” I fired back, standing up from the piece of equipment to grab my towel. I scrubbed it down my face to soak up the heavy sweat I garnered.

“That might be true, but at least I’m honest.”

“Whatever you say.”

Elias laughed to himself and wrapped his towel around the back of his neck. “Feel like hitting up one of the clubs before you become a married man?”

While part of me wanted to take a load off and not do anything, I didn’t feel ready to go home yet. I also didn’t want to bail on Elias when we had a rare day off.

My brain was still very much on the woman I had locked up in my condo, but I allowed myself to accept a new resolve.

“Fine. The first round is on you, though.”

Elias feigned offense and grabbed his gear. “Expensive date.”

Ignoring his sarcasm, I headed out and planned to forget about my less-than-ideal situation.

***

The club was as lively as usual, packed full of people with nothing better to do and too much money to spend. And yet, they were the perfect clientele.

They had their shit together enough to have their money in order, built with the innate desire to be seen and perceived as luxurious, but were just negligent enough to blow money on Levov-labeled booze.

My cousins knew exactly how to appeal to them, which worked in everyone’s favor.

Pushing through the crowd of patrons and hired dancers alike, I towered over most of them. Elias was in tow, letting his eyes scan over the beautiful women, just waiting for the right sucker to pounce on.

It didn’t take long for them to come out of the woodwork with their sensual smiles and tight clothes. Some achieved the bare minimum with the latter.

As we went, some faced me with recognition sparking in their eyes, only to try and drape an arm over mine, or search frantically for any way to strike up a conversation. They all looked the same, no matter what color they dyed their hair, or what dress they thought would help separate them from the crowd.

They sniffed me out immediately, as they tended to as a consequence of my name. Most would think of it as a benefit instead of a punishment, but I wasn’t interested in finding myself a vapid social climber.

When I was younger, I wouldn’t mind wasting a night with a woman I didn’t know the name of, but at that point in my life, it lost its shine. I didn’t care to waste my time on people incapable of going through life without constant validation.

Some of me wondered why I was even there, but Elias was my immediate reminder.

He whistled low and tilted his sunglasses down as we walked by a group of girls. “Remind me to only come here with you next time.”

Snickering at his comment, I pushed through until we reached the VIP lounge.

Elias wasted no time calling over some drinks as we took our seats.

I tried sipping mine slowly, but like clockwork, three young women strode over wearing equally tight dresses: two blondes and a brunette.

The brunette approached me with her siren eyes while the other two surrounded Elias. He welcomed them with open arms, a glass of whiskey in one hand while he marveled over them.

All three danced to the blaring music, moving their hips to the rhythm.

The drink entering my system helped ease me into it, and I allowed it. She started from a distance away before gradually coming closer, eyes young and locked on me with hunger. She trailed a hand up my arm as she approached, inches away from straddling me.

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