Page 46 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

The place was a trap for those with wealth who wanted to get their money’s worth without the shame of going to a lesser establishment, and I had the feeling that was the whole point.

With a hand against my back, Val escorted me through the place, easily commanding the space without needing to say a word.

He took us to a private section lined with high-backed couches and a glass table in the center. It was neatly and subtly decorated with small yet effective pieces, giving the area a more exclusive feel than the rest of the club.

At his gesture to sit, I did exactly that, unable to fully ignore the fact that there were dancers all over the place, along with their customers.

I wasn’t one to mind such a place…it didn’t really bother me, but given that I wasn’t feeling the best, the whole thing was harder to stomach.

“Want something to drink?” Val asked the moment a tray of bottles and glasses was delivered in front of us.

Grabbing the champagne, he offered it to me.

In other circumstances, I would’ve accepted it, but the thought alone was enough to turn my stomach.

I shook my head. “No, thanks…I’m not feeling up to it.”

A flicker of surprise moved through his gaze, but he shrugged and placed the glass down in front of himself. “If you change your mind, there’s more than enough here.”

I was glad he wasn’t pushing me, at least. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

Glancing around while the deep bass permeated the place, I couldn’t help but mull over the fact that Val had been investing his time and money here, and how he seemed to be incredibly efficient with it all.

“You said my dad has been helping you with this?” I asked, feeling more curious.

Val nodded simply and leaned back against the couch. “I did. He’s a partner, covering a lot of the bases I don’t otherwise have experience in.”

“Did you know him long before…everything?”

He seemed to consider that question for a moment longer before murmuring, “Long enough. He has a significant portfolio, especially in the city. It was the right choice.”

Nodding, I didn’t miss how vague his response was. Still, I didn’t want to make something out of nothing if that was the case.

As far as I knew, Val and my dad were associates, and while I didn’t know much about what my own husband did for work, I could only assume they operated in similar spaces.

When my curiosity got the better of me, I held his gaze. “Do you own a lot of other businesses?”

There was a faintly knowing gleam in his face, but he returned a measured, “Between my brothers and myself, we own quite a few.”

“And that’s all you do?”

He shrugged. “We have some significant investments as well that I keep an eye on.”

It didn’t entirely clear everything up for me, but at the same time, it was confirmation.

His eyes lingered on me for another moment before he hummed to himself. “Speaking of, I have something to take care of…I won’t be long.”

Despite myself, my stomach dropped slightly, but I didn’t argue. Instead, I watched while Val left the VIP area and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me with the driver standing just on the outside.

I let out a breath, feeling very much out of place in the club while the dancers meandered around or performed their routines on stage. Shifting in my seat, I waited for some time, taking in the thick aroma of perfume and smoke. It was enough to make my stomach clench, and after a moment, I sighed again and stood.

“I’m going to the washroom,” I told the driver, who only took a second to consider it before nodding.

“Don’t go far,” he said distractedly, not shy about the fact that he was watching the dancers.

With a nod, I wandered through the club feeling tense, taking a longer hallway towards the washrooms.

As the women’s room came into view, I went to reach for the handle, only to catch the sound of a man’s voice behind me.

---