Page 15 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

“Capone? Like Al Capone, the mobster?” I ask, looking at him wide-eyed. “He’s dead. No, that can’t be right. What are you talking about?”

“You really are a naive little girl,” he says with glee. “Maybe he’ll give you to us when he’s done with you.”

Chapter 6 - Luka

“So, you don’t know who shot up your casino, Mr. Milov? You have no known enemies in the underworld?” Detective Harper asks for the millionth time.

I look at her lazily. “Where are your friends? Is it just you here?”

“Please, answer the questions,” she snaps.

“I’ve answered your questions a thousand times. What do you want from me? No one was shot. No one was hurt. This is clearly some intimidation technique. Now run along and figure out who is trying to intimidate me.” I incline my head to the left, looking at her as though this made the most logical sense.

“You’re not being honest. You and I both know you have a video of what happened last night that you don’t want to share, and we both know you have enemies.” She clicks her pen and puts it back in her pocket. “Perhaps you don’t have enemies. Perhaps it’s your brother’s enemies.”

“Everyone has enemies, I suppose, but I doubt my brother has enemies that want to kill his adorable baby brother.” I smile at her, mustering up some charm. “You should come look over my penthouse apartment. Alone. You’ll probably find something you like.”

She pulls a face and brushes past me. “When you decide to cooperate, give me a call.”

“Thanks, Detective. I respectfully decline your offer.”

She turns back to me. “Don’t go metering out your own justice, please. We don’t need Vegas shot up by a bunch of mobsters.”

“I resent that remark,” I say with a smile. “I’m hardly a mobster. I own a casino and a few hotels. That’s all.”

“And run the drag races out in the Nevada desert,” she snorts. “Don’t think we don’t know it’s you.”

“I have no idea what you could possibly mean,” I smirk.

She rolls her eyes and leaves. I turn to Monty. “Cute, but a bit too uptight for my liking.”

“I prefer the redhead from this morning,” Monty agrees.

“Rather,” I say, “She was much nicer and cooperative. I wonder if she’ll give me a call. What do you think?”

“No one’s been able to deny your charms yet—except for the detective,” Monty chuckles.

“She’ll come around,” I tease. I sigh and look around at the damage. “Get everyone in to do repairs. I want this place open again by tomorrow.”

“I think that’s a little soon,” Monty says quietly. “Will the cops open up a crime scene that soon?”

“I’m sure you can make them see reason,” I say quietly as I look around. “What a fucking mess. I want to know who did this, and I want them punished.”

“Your brother, Arseny, might be able to give us some information. He keeps tabs on who is attacking who.”

“He’ll be at the laundromat by now. Let’s go pay him a visit. I’ll leave my car and go in the sedan with you.”

I walk out of the casino and see some of my staff milling about. I go over to them. “No one was hurt.” I hold my hands up as they all start speaking. “We’ll try to have everything open by tomorrow. Go home. You’ll be paid for today, of course.”

They all start to thank me before they move away. I like my staff to be happy, then they don’t try to screw me. I look at Monty. “Let’s get to Arseny.”

We walk to where Monty has parked the sedan. The press tries to close around me and shout questions, but a stern look from Monty makes them back off.

I climb into the back and settle down. Monty climbs into the driver's side, and we leave. I watch out the windows as we travel, wondering if it’s the Pacheco brothers making a move. They fucked with my brother Danil so that I wouldn’t be surprised. Fucking Italian mafia.

We pull up to the laundromat, and I walk down the side to the back entrance. I knock, and they open the door a fraction before seeing I’m there and letting me in. I go downstairs and see Arseny talking to Wynter and Clyde. Monty stays with the guards upstairs so I can speak to them privately.

“How’s the casino?” Arseny asks when he’s done with Wynter.

---