Page 5 of Solemn Vow

“Ah, but her defiance is so pretty.” I can feel the tug on my lips just remembering how red her cheeks bloomed when I threatened to take my belt off in that alley.

It wasn’t a bluff, but she wasn’t entirely sure. Thankfully for her, she didn’t test it, and she climbed into the car, cursing me under her breath.

Sergei rolls his eyes and frowns. “Is there something you needed, Andrei? A reason I’m missing out on a night with Naomi?” Sergei swings his legs off the couch and leans his elbows on his knees.

“Ah, at least this one has a name,” I counter him. Sergei buries himself in a new woman each week. Too many times he’s forgotten their names before they leave his apartment.

“They all have names. And I don’t have to chase or threaten any of them into my bed.”

“All right.” Andrei stops the storm before it erupts.

“What is it you needed us for?” I turn my attention to Andrei. Sergei’s in a mood. It’s no fun talking to him when he’s being a grump.

“Last night, two cars were broken into at Kraze,” Andrei tells us.

“So? We don’t offer security to the parking lots around the club. They’re not owned by us,” Sergei points out with a bite.

He’s wanted to purchase the surrounding lots, but we’ve not made any moves in that direction. The Agosti family keeps their wallets fat with the parking lots in this part of the city; not touching anything in that realm keeps peace between us.

“They weren’t parked in the lot across the street. They were parked in our VIP garage, beneath the club.” Andrei’s jaw tenses. “Someone broke into the garage and broke into two cars.”

“Only two?” The VIP garage is kept for those that don’t want to chance their luxury cars on the street or in an unarmed lot. They’re usually carrying more than passengers.

“Security got down there within minutes,” Andrei explains.

“Security camera?” Sergei prompts.

“Feed showed nothing at first. They noticed a tremor on the screen, didn’t look right, so they went down there. Whoever it was was gone already, but the two cars had already been wiped. Everything they could take that was worth anything was gone, including a package one of our guests was holding.”

“How much?” Car radios could be replaced. Other things could not.

“Hundred grand.” Andrei presses his forearms into the desk. “I already repaid it and had the cars taken to our guy to be repaired. The guests were well compensated. There shouldn’t be blow back from that end, but it remains. Someone broke into our fucking VIP garage and ripped off people in our club.” His eyes harden. “We need to find out who the fuck is responsible.”

“You think they’ll come back?” Sergei questions, already moving to his feet.

“I don’t think anyone’s dumb enough, but if word gets out that we don’t protect what’s ours, there will be other issues.”

“I’ll ask around,” Sergei promises. “Could be just some asshole kids getting their feet wet in the car game.”

“You think kids could get into our garage?” I ask.

“Like I said, I’ll ask around.” He checks his watch. “Anything else?”

Andrei narrows his eyes. “No.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Sergei grabs his jacket from the arm of the couch and marches to the door.

“Tell Naomi we said hello!” I yell after him.

“Fuck off, Viktor,” he calls back before shutting the door.

“Why do you mess with him when he’s in a mood?” Andrei shakes his head.

“He’s just being an ass. Leave him be.” I head to the bar in the corner and bring a bottle of vodka back to the desk.

“What did you threaten Marlena with to get her in the car?” he asks.

“Same you threaten Izzy with every time she makes you chase her.” I shrug. “I’m hungry. Let’s find food.”

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