Page 40 of King’s Promise

“I think I need to go out tonight, let’s meet Konstantin and some of the men at the club, get a read on them.”

“Sure, might build morale,” he agrees.

“Have Konstantin meet up with us in an hour.”

“Got it.”

I go upstairs to find something to wear that reflects my bachelor status. I’m a free man and women are flowing like alcohol in London’s finest clubs. Pavel drives me, but I wish I was driving my sleek Porsche. I waste too much time thinking about the most beautiful blue eyes I fell in love with years ago. I can’t love, but how can these feelings still be here years later?

We pull up in front of the club and a valet Pavel recognizes parks the SUV.Anya texts she’s on her way home. I ignore her. She’ll learn submission one way or another.

The sex club we run is in an upscale neighborhood populated by the circle of elites who spend most of their lives jet-setting to trendy party locations. Our club memberships are sold for a steep price and it’s a lucrative business. Russian girls looking to escape Russia know we have a reputation for not selling them, and we’re never at a loss for fresh faces for the men.

As we make our way up the steps, we can already hear the music and feel the bass vibrating from the speakers inside. We wind through the crowd, men who know who I am nod and move out of the way as a sign of respect. Dancers and staff know me as the businessman who owns the club. The women, dancers and guests look lustfully in my direction, but I don’t give them the time of day.

We arrive at my personal VIP section on the top floor. A bottle of Cristal is chilled and waiting in a bucket of ice. Konstantin has done a great job with the place. From this vantage point, we can see the dance floor where naked girls work the poles and twerk for the clientele.

“Maybe you should bring Anya here,” Pavel suggests.

This is not the place for the future mother of my children; however, he gives me an idea. Perhaps Anya needs more attention, like a night out. She’s been cooped up at home or at school since her father’s death. She’s the only reason I want to go home, so why not give her a taste of a skyline dinner for two?

“Taking a woman tonight?” Pavel interrupts my thoughts. There is nothing stopping me. He gets the attention of a hot waitress and orders a bottle of the best vodka and the most expensive cognac in the building.

“Don’t know yet.” I’m still weighing my options. I’m haunted by Anya and the taste of her is still on my lips. My eyes search the room for someone to take my mind off Anya. I’m less than impressed, even though I know we have the most beautiful women in London. They are gorgeous, all ages, and sizes. Some have dark hair, others red, plenty of hot bodies to fill my bed and suck my cock. And yet oddly, my dick remains lifeless in my trousers.

Fuck.

Anya texts. She’s home. I know she must be curious as to my whereabouts. I don’t respond. However, I yearn to see her. I missed her this morning and I’ve been working my schedule around hers so we can bump into each other in the kitchen in the mornings.

Konstantin arrives, we greet each other and talk about the club before he informs me the family will is being read next week. Anya hasn’t mentioned it; she might not know. I assume everything goes to her mother with the exception of trust funds.

“George notices an increase of Irish at the racetrack, he’s worried they might be scouting it.” He’s a handsome man and he leans against a pillar, which has thick red velvet curtains used for privacy.

“For what?”

“A weakness, possibly. I’m not sure. They are giving us push back in areas where we move fentanyl. We’re expecting more coke to arrive. Igor insisted we invest with the Italians to bring it into the United Kingdom. We also have channels to distribute it into other European countries.”

“We help with that as well. I noticed from the flow of money to South America we’re invested heavily,” I reply.

I motion for him to sit, deciding there’s no reason to not be friendly. His face relaxes when he sinks into the plush sofa sectional. The furniture can be made into a bed for recreational activities. The kind which alludes me tonight.

“Yes, we’ll get deliveries this week with a steady stream from our Russian and Italian friends in the States. I’ll make sure it all gets past customs. It’s amazing what can be packed inside cans of fruit and vegetables.”

“Isn’t it though?” I muse. I like the man; he can’t be a traitor. It makes sense as Igor’s right-hand man to want my position, but my family’s money and connections, along with Igor’s reputation and investments, make us a formidable opponent, combined with our power after we marry, I’d say we’re untouchable. All we need to do is make it there with no more surprises.

“Picking up women tonight or just watching?”

“Probably just watching, seeing as how I’m about to be married, no sense in pissing Anya off before the wedding.” I run a hand over my mouth and chin as I make an excuse for my lack of enthusiasm for the scantily clad women gyrating around.

The club is entertaining even to connoisseurs. The wild clothing on the patrons, the array of fetishes, alcohol and drugs provides a good cover to discuss business.

I glance at Pavel, who is hitting on our bottle service waitress. After she leaves, he opens the vodka and pours our shots into chilled glasses.

We toast in Russian, clink our glasses, and toss back the liquor. As the vodka warms my belly, I lean back and extend my long legs in front of me.

A woman approaches, long blond hair and blue eyes, high cheekbones.

“Hi, I’m Cherry, would you like to spend the evening with me?”

---