Page 12 of Den of Thieves

“There’s an unconscious man to our left.”

“That’s a decent reason,” she conceded. Aksana shimmied down and all but dragged a willing Venchi to the exit.

“Where are we going now, boss?”

“My condo, its closer and my bed is more than big enough for some fun.”

3. “Testosterone is a Rare Poison,”

– GERMAINE GREER

Dimitri and Karina were silent for most of the ride to Ralph’s. But Dimitri’s mind whirled. He had so many questions he needed answered. He desperately wanted them from Aksana, but there was no guarantee he would get the truth without her casting blame, spinning her story, or crumbling into a crying mess because of her suppressed memories.

“You’re going to give yourself a heart attack staring that hard.” Karina piped up from the steering wheel of her dark blue Koenigsegg Agera RSN. She accompanied Vladimir to a track day at the Sochi Autodrom and she left with a need for speed.

Dimitri couldn’t blame her but he thought the super car would distract her from calling him out. His eyes burned and his mouth formed a thin line. He cursed himself for letting her see his weakness.

“Do you know why she did it?” he asked finally.

“I’m sorry, Dim. I don’t know. Honest to God. I’m not saying that out of loyalty.” Karina was quiet for a while until the stoplight turned green. “I found AK a day or so after the procedure. She was so… fragile. She has her reasons, but she also isn’t one to trudge up the past.”

Dimitri frowned. Her words didn’t make him feel better or worse. They simply were. Karina reached over and squeezed his hand.

“Give it time. Use this break to decide if you can have a future together without children. If so, great. If not, you’re doing what’s best for you and that is just as important.”

Dimitri looked out to the passing streetlights and took a deep breath. When he released it, he could physically feel the weight being lifted off his shoulders. Karina’s words were just what he needed.

Despite it being close to three am, Ralph’s was still filled with party goers when they arrived. He whistled at the mass of sweaty bodies dancing to the music and shook his head at the scantily clad women near the DJ, vying for his attention near the stage. Some things never changed.

“Do you see her?” Karina shouted over the music.

Dimitri shook his head and leaned down to talk in her ear. “Let’s try VIP.”

Karina nodded and the two of them made their way to the roped off staircase. The club manager, Tim, intercepted them there.

“I’m sorry you came all the way down here. Miss Kovalyova already left.”

“No worries, Tim.” Karina shrugged and headed for the back entrance.

“Wait, there’s more.”

“More?” Dimitri frowned.

Tim tilted his head and led them down different a side hallway, past the bathrooms and into the back of the club. He opened a door marked ‘Management’ with a flourish.

“What do we do about him?”

Dimitri and Karina traded glances before looking at the swollen, unconscious man on the small couch.

“Not it!” Karina backed away with her hands raised. “See you later, Dim!” she waved her hand as she disappeared into the front of the club.

Dimitri glared at her retreating form. He would deal with this like he always did. “Fucking Kovalyova’s are a pain in my assholes.”

“I don’t think—”

Dimitri’s gun was at Tim’s throat in an instant. “If you finish that sentence, you’ll get the same treatment as him,” he seethed.

Tim wisely shut up and got out of his way.

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