Page 2 of The Bratva's Plus-Size Bride

If the facts were substantiated, and I really was on to something, then there was no telling what might happen.

Journalism was about taking risks and telling the stories that needed to be out there for the public to read, but something about putting myself in the ring opposite the Levovs didn't sit right with me.

Glancing at the clock, eight-thirty blinked back at me, and I found myself mulling over an idea.

It wasn't that late on a Friday night, and as far as I knew, the Levovs had several nightclubs around the city. Surely that meant at least someone representing the family might be around.

At the very least, I could offer them the chance to see the article for themselves and dispute the points made against them before it had the chance to hit the printers. That way, I was not only maintaining my journalistic integrity, but I'd also be covering my ass by letting the Levovs know of its existence ahead of time.

Surely that would count for something.

With resolve filling my system, I hit print on the document and forced myself to get to it.

Fixing up my hair and makeup, along with my pencil skirt and patterned blouse, I made my way out of my crummy apartment and set out on a mission before I could lose my nerve.

***

Music leaked on to the busy street outside the Levov club as I approached, weathering my slight anxiety as best as I could.

But even if the nerves were eating at me, I forced them down and reminded myself of what I was trying to achieve—of my dreams that were hanging in the balance.

Pulling in a deep breath, I took my place in line and waited until I reached the bouncer. He was a big, hulking man with piercing eyes as he gazed down at me.

"ID?"

Picking up my badge from where it hung around my neck, I presented it to him. "I'm Gemma Tyler, an intern writer for a paper here in the city, and I was hoping I might have a word with one of the owners."

As the bouncer analyzed my ID, he looked between me and the badge, then his eyes gave away his answer. "All right, head in. Someone will be by to see you."

Nodding, I gave him a curt smile before heading inside to be met with loud music and a full house. As the bass drowned out the click of my heels against the floor, I held the leather-bound folio against my chest and put on a brave face.

Even if I was doing it all for the future of my career, I was scared half to death of potentially meeting a Levov for myself.

Silently, I could only hope everything would go well, and that the initiative would pay off in the end.

Chapter 2 -Benedikt

Anticipation and smugness lingered in the air alongside the mingling notes of perfume, booze, and desperation that moved through the club.

Nestled in the reserved section, I leaned back against the leather behind me as I gripped my whiskey, glancing between the twins in front of me. To my left, Ari’s gaze was just as measuring, heavy with contemplation despite his relaxed grin.

“We have to commend you and the others in your family,” Alina murmured as lowered her glass after taking a drawn-out sip. “This whiskey’s clean. You must have a reputable brewer.”

Amusement tugged at Ari’s lips, and he nodded slowly. “Now you’re flattering us, Alina.”

“Flattery or not, one can’t ignore the evidence of its success,” Adrik added from his twin's right. He rested an arm against the back of the seat he sat on with a cool, natural air about him, holding his glass with familiar comfort. “Your family has done well. The blueprint of success is there.”

Despite the ease of their words, it belied their hidden meaning—intentions they wouldn’t allow to rise to the surface. In all their smugness, there was something they wanted, whether they voiced it outright or not.

It wasn’t our first time around the block with the Ivanov twins. Much like us, they hailed from Russia, and those dark brown eyes of theirs were keen.

Even if they seemed almost out of place in the club given their more formal attire, in a sense, they had earned a place here from the force with which they commanded their territory. Their rise had been quick yet measured due to our watchful eyes.

We weren’t allies by any means, but they weren’t our enemies, either. At least, not yet.

“That blueprint was forged from determination and taking what we needed to reach the top. We became pioneers of our world, in a sense,” Ari began, somewhat relaxed but still guarded. “That being said, we have reached these heights for a reason, and we mean to maintain that legacy.”

“Maintain it indeed,” Alina said with a hum, legs crossed as the top one just barely bounced. With her long black hair slicked back into a high ponytail, her features seemed even sharper than usual. “One can’t let an empire like that fall due to negligence.”

---