Page 37 of Scarred Hearts

“Ekaterina and her team are in town, and she’s making things a little difficult for me.”

The mere mention of Ekaterina’s name caused a lump to form in my throat, like a heavy weight pressing down on me. I shot Luke a piercing glare, but his anger mirrored Tyler’s. Turning my attention back to Mr. Knight, I dipped my head in a show of respect. “Yes, sir.”

“None of us are happy about it either,” he said with a sigh, “but she’s trying to take you back to L.A., and I feel this is the easiest way to get her out of my club without causing a scene, if you catch my drift.”

My heart sank at the realization that there was nothing I could do or say to change the situation. Even if I were to quit my job and move away, that bitch would find me. She was obsessed with me, and I couldn’t understand why, other than the fact that I made her money.

Her family had controlled me for so long, manipulating me with their power. And even though I prided myself on being a fearless woman, they knew exactly how to push my buttons and keep me under their control. But now, things were different. I was no longer living with them, and I hoped that the men in the room would have my back just as much as I had theirs.

“I understand,” I replied. “Whatever it takes to get her to leave peacefully, I’ll do it.”

“Good,” he leaned up in his chair, folding his hands together in front of him on the desk, “because her brother is demanding a private dance from you and?—”

“No!” I barked before gasping at my boldness. That was a fucking curveball I didn’t see coming. Last I knew, he was back in Russia, beating the shit out of people for fun. He loved to torture innocent people, especially women. “I mean, Mr. Knight, I… Ivan’s not a good person.”

“Neither am I,” he snapped, “but we need to get them the fuck away as soon as possible. I don’t like the way they run their business. I’ve dealt with them in the past. We had no bad blood between us before and I don’t want it now.”

“Fine,” I shook my head. “I mean, yes, sir. What do I have to do exactly?”

“Just give that asshole the best fucking lap dance you’ve ever given anyone.” Reaching into a drawer, he took out a cigarette, placing it to his lips. After lighting it, he drew in a deep breath and exhaled a cloud of smoke, shaking the cigarette at me. “Make that mother fucker cum all over himself.”

What he didn’t know was that Ivan had a deeply unsettling nature. He wasn’t the kind of dominant man who played by any semblance of rules or respected boundaries; words like “no” and “safe word” held no meaning for him. Ivan took what he wanted, be it a simple touch or something far more invasive.

“Mr. Knight,” I sighed, struggling to voice my concerns without inciting his anger, “Ivan doesn’t follow any rules and?—”

“I know,” he replied, “so just remember who you work for and follow my club’s rules.”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded, deciding to suppress my worries and comply with his directives. He needed me to regain his trust, and I would do whatever it took to achieve that.

“Ian,” Tyler interjected from the side of the room, drawing our attention toward him, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

Mr. Knight’s jaw tightened. “I just want them out of my damn club.”

“She’s not going to leave you guys alone,” came Declan’s voice from behind me. I turned to find him standing there, concern etched on his face. “Kat has some kinda of plan. Gia needs to be watched closely.”

“Alright,” Mr. Knight commanded our focus back to him. “Ty, she’ll perform in one of the Luxe rooms. You keep an eye on things from the private hall.”

Tyler and I exchanged a brief glance before redirecting our attention back to Mr. Knight.

“Declan,” he continued with his eyes narrowed as he took a long drag from his cigarette, “since you and Ekaterina seem far too well acquainted for my tastes, I need you to keep her busy somewhere else in Luxe. Unless, of course, you and Kirsten are officially together?”

“You want me to fuck Kat?” he asked.

“I want you to do whatever it takes to keep that bitch distracted and away from Gia until I can get one of the guards to give you a signal.” His smirk was almost sinister. “Tie her up, torture her, I don’t care. Just make sure she forgets we even exist in the moment.”

“That, I can do,” Declan replied confidently.

“Chance,” Mr. Knight called out.

“Hmm?” Chance hummed as he lazily shifted his position.

“Keep—”

“An eye on the boobs, I know.” A rustling came from behind me, and he appeared at my side, laying a palm on my shoulder. “I have a better plan,” he waved a hand lazily, “before this all goes down, I mean.”

Mr. Knight shifted in his chair, leaning back, smoking. “I’m going to regret asking this, but, what?”

“Clearly, I’m great at mixing drinks.” His grin beamed down at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just ask her.”

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