Page 19 of Room Nine: For Their Eyes Only

I think it’s time to introduce ourselves.

Chapter13

Istare, fixated, my eyes growing wide as I take in the sight of Vivienne Volkov in the flesh. I didn’t believe she’d surpass the image that appeared on my computer screen two nights in a row, but that version doesn’t compare to the real thing. She’s stunning. There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe her beauty.

I’ve never wanted anyone more, yet there is only a slim chance she’ll want anything to do with us. What are the odds her feelings were sincere? The girl has three million subscribers and devoted fans who worship her. We shared a few hours, and she played her part to a tee. Of course, I was swept off my feet. She’s good at what she does, which means making every man feel like a king.

That’s what she did to me. Meeting her has been the best wake-up call. I know what I want out of life. If we can’t win her heart, if she only wants one of us, I know we’ll keep trying. Feelings this big won’t be contained. Whether this happens now, next year, or five years down the road, I know this is meant to be.

Andrei and I follow Vivi and her friend, watching their movements from the back of the streetcar, standing on opposite corners to avoid drawing any attention to ourselves. Viktor wanted nothing to do with this. He’s checked out, preferring to stay at the Four Seasons binge-watching a show he’s already seen a thousand times. He’s never had a problem sharing a woman. In fact, he was the one who first initiated a foursome five years ago. We’ve always been attracted to the same women, and in the past, our selfish needs overrode our fraternal loyalty.

We quickly realized some patterns would never be broken. Sharing makes things easier. It keeps us sane and makes us better partners. But Viktor believes Vivi changes everything. We’ve had relationships, but none of us can honestly attest we’ve ever been in love.

“Where is she headed? We’re almost at the end of the line.” Andrei takes a seat near where I’m standing, facing forward while he asks.

“There’s a mall a few blocks from Bienville Station. I have a hunch she’ll hop off there. You said she wanted to buy a new dress, and there's a place near there with upscale shopping,” I explain.

He lifts his wrist to check the time on his watch and then points to the street ahead. “Let’s get off at the station and return to the hotel. I don’t plan on creeping around while she shops. There are a few things I need to take care of before we meet her at Club Sin. And if things go the way I hope, I’ll need some rest.”

I drop my gaze and stare at him, bewildered beyond belief. “We can’t meet her at Club Sin without talking to her first. I think we need to find a way to let her know that we found her and state our intentions in a way that doesn't make her feel vulnerable or unsafe. If we show up to a sex club unannounced and half-cocked, she'll run for the hills, screaming, fearing for her life.

Andrei shakes his head and looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “All members of Club Sin receive thorough background checks. That may be the safest place in New Orleans.” He doesn’t understand the mind of a woman.

I feel like I’ve hardly scratched the surface, but I’m trying to put myself in her shoes. Andrei spent too many years as an apex predator and can’t put himself in the place of a twenty-two-year-old virgin stepping into a club that caters to sex.

“Head back to the hotel, and I’ll find a way to tell her. I’ve left her a message on the app, but she hasn’t answered. I’m hoping she sees it before she heads home. I’d rather not approach her near her house. I don’t want her to feel like she’s in danger.” As the car slows, I step onto the landing and wait for the tram to come to a complete stop. Andrei follows but turns away, keeping the façade that we’re not together.

“Fucking Viktor spent forty-five minutes with her last night, listening to her read, asking pointless questions, then cut out early, claiming he had an early meeting. He continues to feign indifference because he’s too chicken to admit he’s developed feelings for her.

I don’t even think he told her he was our brother. If he wants no part of this, I won’t spend an ounce of energy persuading him.” Andrei hisses, visibly rattled by our brother’s lack of cooperation.

He has a habit of needing to control every situation. He can’t help himself. He’s the oldest son. The responsible one assigned to watch over us by our parents. He took us under his wing when we followed in his footsteps and began working for Boris Volkov. When we wanted out, he took the reins and used the bulk of his savings to fund Balakov Security. We wouldn’t be where we are today without his discipline, but he has his faults. He’s a fucking dictator.

“I’ll see you in a while. Send Vivi a message on the app and let me know if you have any luck,” I say as we hop off the streetcar and head toward Canal Street. Fifteen feet in front of us, Vivienne and Elsa giggle as they walk, sharing secrets I can’t hear.

Andrei catches me, straining to eavesdrop, and quickly enlightens me. He's still wearing a listening device. “She just asked her friend what constitutes appropriate attire for a sex club and asks if she needs to buy something easy to clean, like rubber.”

My eyes narrow with concern, and there’s no way to blame my worried expression on the harsh Louisiana sunlight. A storm is brewing overhead, and the sky is turning gray. A sudden thunderclap forces the girls to pick up the pace, and we match their speed until we part ways on Iberville Street.

Andrei waves as he walks away, but his grim expression quickly betrays him. Despite wanting to be the first to meet her, he’s aware he must sometimes relinquish control.

A heavy downpour begins seconds after we cross the threshold into an upscale mall on Canal. Unlike my brother, I’m not wearing a hat to hide my face, so I keep my distance, concealing myself behind a heavyset giant hitting the shops with his wife. They tease one another, gossiping about a couple they’ve invited to dinner who sadly appears to be on the verge of divorce and how much they hope it never happens to them. They’re obviously in love, and their easygoing rapport gives me hope for the future.

Would Vivi ever want to marry? And if she does, who would she choose? Would she choose one or all?

I shake my head to clear that thought out of my brain and return my focus to Vivienne. This is the first time I’ve seen her fully dressed, and clothes do not diminish an ounce of her sex appeal. She’s lovely. Sensual. And so fucking adorable.

Her tight black leggings accentuate her shapely legs and the sweet swell of her round ass. I follow, mesmerized by the sway of her hips, wishing I could feel them crashing into mine, rocking to the steady beat of my thrusting cock. She stops in front of a mirror, removes a hair tie from her wrist, and pulls her long dark hair into a high ponytail, making her look like a high school cheerleader on the hunt for the perfect prom dress.

My heart flutters. The steel pipe in my jeans feels seconds from bursting through the seams. While she continues to shop, I retrieve my phone from my coat pocket and pull up the Cam Life app.

VB731: Hey, Beautiful. Can I see you tonight?

I don’t expect Vivi to answer. She’s too consumed, wandering from store to store, selecting dresses she quickly discards, unsatisfied with each one. An unfamiliar sting of jealousy surprises me when Vivi lifts a black dress and holds it against her body. Why is she interested in dressing up for strange men? Who does she plan to meet there?

I’m not an indiscriminate voyeur. Andrei loves to watch. Viktor would never admit it, but he’s a peeping Tom. When we were growing up, he frequently spied on us with our girlfriends. I’m unsure I ever understood this proclivity until Vivi came into our lives.

I love watching Vivienne. She intrigues me. Fascinates me. I’d follow her without hesitation to the ends of the earth, happily enslaved for nothing more than a third of her heart.

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