Page 9 of Den of Thieves

“Why are you calling me so late?” Dimitri huffed from his cigar. He knew where Aksana was, despite his futile efforts to remain aloof about their breakup. But he would not cave to Aksana’s dramatics. Not this time.

“It is Miss Kovalyova. The boss’s sister is out of control.”

“Is she hurt?” Dimitri’s voice hardened.

“No, she—”

“Give me the phone, you fool. Hello, moya lyubov’. Guess how many big, strong men I have in front of me waiting to fuck me into oblivion?”

“That sounds nice. Don’t let me distract you.” He hung up without further notice and tossed the phone on the couch, content to enjoy his expensive cigar by the fire.

Dimitri stewed in silence until the soft echo of high heels echoed down the front hall. Vladimir’s new home rivaled the grandeur of his childhood home. For one, it was an actual fucking castle that Karina spent a fortune renovating to meet the family’s needs. It had more than enough space to house an entire soccer team, if they wanted.

The front rooms were all connected to the main hallway that led to the impressive dining room that overlooked the small lake out back. Dimitri sat in the sitting room closest to Vladimir’s office on the main floor. It was more masculine than some of the other living areas and far away from the children, so no one bugged him about the smoke. That didn’t stop him from lowering the stogey, just in case.

Karina came into view, buttoning a long, gray, and white fur coat over a short black dress. “You’re up late,” she called out, not at all surprised to find him there.

Dimitri checked his watch, even though he knew it was well after midnight. “I see you were next on the call list,” he raised his glass in greeting.

“Nah, Tim called me two hours ago to warn me of our favorite redhead’s latest antics.”

“And Vladimir let you out of bed. Dressed like that?”

Karina threw him a look. “I look fantastic. Also, Vladimir isn’t here. He’s staying in the penthouse tonight. I’ll stop by after I spring your girlfriend.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” Dimitri grumbled.

He waited for surprise or anger to register on her face, but there was nothing but understanding.

“So, you found out. About time,” she clipped, turning on her heel.

Dimitri rushed to her side, snatching his coat out of the closet. “I’m coming with you.”

“Suit yourself.”

**

‘Party AK’ was in full swing. Vanya left a while ago, but the Princess of Moscow was in no mood to go home alone. Nor was she excited about the thought of bedding someone new. That ploy to get Dimitri to come groveling back to her perfectly waxed pussy fell flat on its face.

“Hey baby.” An aggressive hand snaked around her waist.

“No,” she replied, shoving his hand off.

“Don’t be like that. We could have much fun together.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Aksana walked away, but her unwanted suitor jerked her back against his frame. The slap was quick and loud. So loud, other patrons heard it over the thumping from the speakers.

“You bitch—ah!” the man screamed out in surprise, when a much taller Venchi yanked him off the ground.

“You want me to take out the trash, boss?”

Aksana finally spared a glance at the man, struggling in Venchi’s vice grip. He was dressed in too tight dark jeans and had way too much hair gel in his thinning strands. She was close to telling her guard to let the weasel go when another thought popped into her head.

“No, bring him to the back.”

Weaving through the dance floor, Aksana made a beeline for the manager’s office. She didn’t check to see if the men were behind her. Once they made it to the quieter hallway, she heard him continue to struggle. She threw the door open to Tim’s office with a smile.

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