Page 41 of Disgraced (Russian Sinners 3)

“Agreed,” I added. “We should seal that with a tattoo.”

Dimitry looked at me exasperated. “Sergei-”

“I’m serious,” I cut him off. “What better reminder than a tattoo on our chest that represents our promise to protect. We’ll see it every day as we unclothe to go to bed. And every morning as we get dressed.”

“I’m scared to ask,” Dimitry replied with a ghost of a smile. He rarely smiled, so this was a huge accomplishment. “Do you have one in mind?”

I smiled. “I actually don’t but we could find one together. With meaning.”

Shifting my thoughts to now, I found myself rubbing my chest where the tattoo lay. Shit, this felt like such a disappointment and failure. I have disgraced my brothers and everything we stood for.

There was no sense in delaying this. I picked up the phone and dialed up Dimitry’s office phone.

The answer was quick. “Sergei. Thanks for sending it over so quickly.”

“No problem, brother.” Despite our slightly clashing tempers, I loved Dimitry. He was the big brother I would have wanted no matter what lifetime. I always looked up to him. Nikolai and Dimitry were the only family I had ever known. Without them, I would have perished in that orphanage.

Those fucking parents of mine.

Dimitry started talking, “There were three American women that went to the Russian Orchid two weeks ago. How did they get in?”

“Hmmm, that was the day I had some business to handle so I didn’t go into the club,” I replied and silently cursed myself for lying to my brothers. Sasha entered at that exact moment, and I dug my grave even deeper with my lies. “Let me ask Sasha if he remembers them.”

I moved the phone away from my ear, Sasha waiting patiently. “What’s up?” he asked.

“Do you remember American women visiting the club two weeks ago?” I gave him the exact date although there was no need. There weren’t women like that in our club for months before nor after that night.

“Yes, I remember them. Fucking gorgeous.” I wasn’t surprised that he remembered. Those three girls didn’t exactly blend in with the crowd, Americans or not.

“How did they get in?” I asked him.

“The doorman thought they were hot. They were smoking hot. You should have seen the ass on the girl that sang. Fucking men were drooling, and some women.”

I knew this response would piss off Nikolai. He was the scariest and most intimidating looking out of the three of us, but he was a big teddy bear when it came to ensuring women and children were protected.Fuck, he might be the one to kill me for this. Not Dimitry.

Nikolai hated when men thought with their dicks instead of their brains. Dimitry couldn’t stand most people, period.

“Did you see anything unusual?” I continued questioning him.

“Nothing more than usual. They danced pretty much all night. There was a guy with them and before the night was over, the girl that sang left on her own. The guy and two girls stayed a bit longer. He seemed pissed as he was leaving with the other two.”

“Thank you, Sasha,” I told him. “You may go.” As soon as he left the room, I spoke into my phone, “Did you hear that?”

“Yes, I heard it,” Dimitry retorted dryly. “He thinks they were smoking hot and doesn’t know much at all.”

“I wish I was in the club that night,” I told my brother and felt like even more of a dick. “Check out the footage I sent you. Maybe something helps.”

I knew the footage wouldn't tell them much. I have been staring at it for weeks, like some fucking teenage boy stalking his girl. Scarlett looked so beautiful in it, I couldn’t tear my eyes from it. I haven’t talked to her in two weeks and each day has been tortuous for me.

“Will do, brother,” Dimitry replied. “I’ll call if we need anything else. Thank you.”

I ended the call with a bitter taste in my mouth. His misplaced thanks didn’t sit well. Damn it, nothing sat well with me in the last two weeks. Ever since Boris’ men approached me, everything went down the toilet.

Scarlett was safe and comfortable but furious. I received updates from Michail daily and she already tried to escape twice, attacked a guard giving him a concussion, got one locked into a closet while trying to escape. Michail had stealth nerves but she was even wearing him down. Poor fucker!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I got the call from my brothers. I didn’t even ask them why they were looking into the three women. If they really thought about it, they would immediately think it to be odd. I always nagged with questions.

“Damn it!” And now, I've come into the habit of talking to myself quite frequently.

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