Page 26 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

"I'm on my way," I reply.

Dima hangs up without another word.

I return to Anoushka, taking both her hands in mine. "I have to go check on one of my other clubs, Pass Code. Dima says there’s a situation."

Her eyes flash with disappointment, but she jumps off the table in search of her panties. I watch as she bends over and avert my gaze when she proceeds to put it on.

“I’ll just go back home then,” she says, standing up, her hair a beautiful mess falling down her shoulders.

I frown. We came here together, and my security detail would need to come with me in case there is trouble at the club. I can’t have her take a cab.

“No,” I say, deciding already. “You’re coming with me. It’s safer that way.”

She looks like she’s about to protest, but after everything that happened today, she decides to go along with my plans.

***

I arrive at the club to find Dima and some of our club security waiting, grim expressions on their faces. I notice Dima frown when he sees Anoushka by my side.

“What’s she doing here?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

“Who? My wife?” I say rather fiercely, daring him to say more.

Dima barely changes his expression but says no more. “Follow me,” he guides me to my office, but I notice how he didn’t look at Anoushka. I take her hand, bringing her along.

Once inside, I turn to face Dima. “What’s all this about?”

"The Smirnovs were here," Dima says. "Demanding to speak with me."

"How many?" I ask.

"Five. They came to burn the place down, Nikolai. Something about how you banned Yuri from all our clubs. They said they’d show us, but we managed to fight them off. Tell me, this can’t be true.”

My hands curl into fists. Yuri always had a small ego, and clearly, today, he’s shown me just how fragile that is.

“That coward,” I clench my jaw. “Sent his men here instead of to La Fantasia? Picking a brawl with you when his fight stands with me?”

“He’s a powerful man, Nikolai,” Dima stares right at me with steel-grey eyes. “He’s threatened to ruin all the businesses we invest in. You must call him and explain it’s a misunderstanding. We can’t afford to anger him.”

"He was disrespecting my staff and customers," I reply evenly. "He had to go."

"Did he now?" Damien tilts his head, looking at me with skepticism. "We’ve had difficult clients before, but I don’t recall you blacklisting them before.”

Beside me, Anoushka shuffles on her feet, and I reach out to grab her hand to help her remain calm. Whatever happened is my responsibility, and I will keep it as that. I keep my expression blank. "I built this business, Dima. He is dangerous, and my decision stands."

Dima crosses his arms. “And what exactly did he do?”

I’m about to give him a bullshit story when I hear Anoushka’s voice ramble by my side. She speaks so fast that there’s no time to cover for her.

“It was my fault,” she says. “I was walking around, and he tried to be inappropriate with me. He cornered me when Nikolai came around.”

“Anoushka,” I sigh, shaking my head. She doesn’t understand that Dima’s not married. He’d never understand the fierce protectiveness I feel toward her.

And I’m proven right when Dima's expression turns cold. He crosses his arms and stares right at me. "You're risking all our connections, Nikolai. You're acting without thinking of the consequences."

"This is about more than business," I say sternly. "Yuri was a threat to my wife.”

"Brother," he says, prowling closer until we're nose to nose. "Don't tell me you've lost your head over this Zolotov princess."

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