Page 98 of Savage Reign

My gaze drops to my lap, where my clutch sits, the ankle monitor visible beneath the hem of my dress. I smirk to myself. Only I could turn an accessory like this into part of an outfit.

Emil clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “Look, about what I said earlier, I was out of line.” He sighs, his hands tightening on the wheel. “Things are tense with the Azerbaijanis breathing down our necks. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

“It’s fine,” I say, not wanting to drag it out. “I understand. Things are complicated right now. I don’t want to see anyone hurt either.”

He glances at me in the rearview mirror. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Before he can say more, his phone rings. He puts an earbud in to keep the conversation private and answers with a clipped, “Yeah, she is.” A long pause. “Don’t worry. It’s all worked out.”

I frown, glancing at Emil, but his expression is unreadable. Is it Niko on the phone? Is he asking about me? My heart races—part excitement, part nerves. I have no idea what tonight is about, and that only makes my anticipation sharper.

A few minutes later, we pull up behind a low-rise building. As soon as we park, the passenger door swings open, and Nikolai stands there, looking devastatingly handsome. Fitted black pants cling to his muscular thighs, and his dress shirt is unbuttoned just enough to hint at the ink covering his chest. His hair is tousled like he’s been dragging his hands through it, and his jaw is dusted with stubble, but it’s his eyes—those piercing, deep-blue eyes—that steal my breath.

He holds out his hand, and I take it, stepping out of the car. His gaze sweeps over me.

“You’re beautiful, moya sladost,” he murmurs.

A spark shoots through me at his words, and I grin. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

I clear my throat and take a quick look around. We're in the back alley of what appears to be a club, music spilling from under the door. He offers me his arm, and I slip mine through his, as he leads me through the back entrance, down a long, dark hallway.

“Are you finally going to tell me where we are and what we’re doing here?”

He smiles, his hand warm on my back, leading me through the halls. “This is one of the nightclubs I own. Tonight we’re closed to the public for a birthday party for one of my men.”

My head snaps toward him. “Does that mean I’m going to meet your people?”

“That’s exactly what it means.” His hand twines with mine. “I think it’s time everyone meets the pakhan’s wife, don’t you? If anything should happen to me, my men need to know who to lay down their life for.”

I shake my head, at a loss for words. “Are you sure? With the way things are going?—”

In a flash, he has me pushed up against the wall, his thigh wedged between my legs. His gaze narrows as he tips my chin so I can’t look elsewhere. “You. Are. My. Wife.” He lifts my hand and drops a kiss onto his tattoo. “One day, I’d like it if you wore my ring. Not just my mark.”

My heart takes off at a gallop in my chest, but I can’t help giving him sass, anyhow. “Does that mean you plan on asking me like a proper gentleman? Not just a savage who takes what he wants?”

He smirks. “Both.”

Then he crashes my lips against his, sucking my bottom lip between his teeth. My hands grip his shoulders as I pull him into me, kissing him back. My body is on autopilot, moving on instinct, fingers tunneling into his hair as his tongue plunges into my mouth, practically eating me alive.

When he pulls away from me, I'm gasping for air like a fish out of water, and he seems perfectly composed. “Now, we better join the party,” he growls, “because if I have to spend another minute alone with you, I’m going to fuck you against this wall.”

I bite my lip because that doesn't sound like a terrible idea.

With a possessive hand on my back, Niko leads me down a long hallway and up a flight of stairs. We stop in front of a door that, from the sounds of it, leads to the actual club. He pauses, taking in the shawl wrapped tightly around my shoulders. “Are you cold?”

Nerves settle in my gut. If I knew I’d be meeting his men, I wouldn’t have worn this, but there’s no point in calling attention to it now. I wrap it tighter around me.

“Uh, a little. Who is this party for?” I ask to change the subject.

“Stanislav. One of my lieutenants. You’ll meet him soon.” He stares into my eyes. “I told Igor I’m out of the casino deal today. Tomorrow, I’ll reach out to Roman. Not that it’ll be easy.”

Warmth fills me, but it’s tinged with the slightest bit of guilt. I should tell him about the stolen phone and the call to Liza. I will tomorrow. He may not be happy about it, but I owe him the truth.

I nod, and he grasps my hand, threading his fingers through mine, and leads me through the door into the main club. Subtle electronic music and the heat of a crowd greet us. The party is in full swing.

As we move through the room, the sea of people parts for us. Well, for Niko. People greet him with nods and respectful gestures, but they keep their distance, giving him the space he clearly commands. Nikolai dips his chin, acknowledging the people we pass. Curious gazes follow us, particularly me, and I find myself grateful for the anchor of his hand in mine.

At the far end of the room, we approach a small table that appears to be reserved for a select few. Everyone stands, and I suddenly feel nervous with all eyes on me. Nikolai pulls me into his side. The only person I recognize is Vadim.

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