Page 24 of One of Them

“Hey,” I greeted him with a kiss on both cheeks and signaled the bartender for my usual. One thing I never had to worry about was my alcohol tolerance.

I faced the room, turning on the back of my heel. “What did I miss? Any good action?” I asked Enzo.

“It’s been surprisingly uneventful.”

My face scrunched at his words. With a group of gangsters with big egos in the same room, something was bound to happen eventually. With alcohol involved, the chances increased. Somehow, we always managed to resolve conflicts without serious consequences. So far. After the first few times, it quickly became more of a laughing matter.

Fine, we occasionally bet on the chances.

“Maybe they’re saving it for the wedding,” Enzo teased.

“I hope not. I’ll be in the direct line of fire.”

A slight gasp escaped him. “He didn’t.”

I turned to him, amused by the reaction. After-work Enzo was in full swing, and I was here for it.

“You’re looking at the maid of honor.” I twirled for dramatic effect, not caring about the childish display.

“Who else?” Enzo asked, spinning his glass in his hand.

“Maxim Galkin,” I said, speaking his name for the first time.

Enzo narrowed his gaze at the man in question, now seated on the couch, chatting with his younger brother Luka.

His legs spread wide, his dress shirt unbuttoned. I had yet to see him in a suit jacket, and though he had the missing piece around, it was never on.

A drink occupied his hand, the transparent liquid invisible in the glass, making the chunky rings on his fingers stand out. He made the rough look appealing in the most delicious way. A thick silver chain hung from his neck. For a brief moment, I imagined what it would feel like to wrap my hand around it and pull, or to hold onto the cold metal.

His eyes followed the thoughts, and he sported a knowing smile when they registered. Pissed at him for catching me, or at myself for not resisting him, I stuck out my tongue. I wasn’t one to back down, and neither was he, since he returned it right back.

Cocky bastard.

When I zoned back in on Enzo, he wore a strange look.

I pointed to his face, circling my finger. “What’s that look?”

“I had a quick chat with him at the bar,” Enzo said, tilting his head toward Maxim. “He seemed… interested.”

“Interested in what?”

“You,” Enzo breathed out the word.

I let out an unhitched laugh. Shared thoughts. They all led to the same resolution.

But I played it cool. “No thank you,” I whistled. “After Malek’s antics, I’m swearing off gangsters for the foreseeable future. They’re all clingy and possessive.”

I shrugged, but Enzo was quick to call me out, nudging me in the shoulder. “Stop lying. You love that shit.”

Did I enjoy giving up control and being possessed in bed? Hell yeah.

Outside? In front of other people? Not so much.

“Maybe,” I admitted. “Ilya certainly didn’t enjoy it. Not a good first impression.”

“What crawled up his ass?” Enzo glanced at Ilya, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“I wish I knew,” I puffed out a breath. “He completely shut me out.” Very unlike him, which worried me about what was coming our way.

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