Page 7 of Den of Thieves

“What are you saying?” she asked.

“I’m saying enjoy your expensive gifts while they last.”

Vladimir’s hold tightened as their guests stood up. Volkov buttoned his jacket and stalked away like he owned the ground he walked on. His timid wife trailed after him, but not before shooting Karina an apologetic glance.

Vladimir tilted his head towards a guard at the door and the man followed Volkov out of sight.

Karina whistled. “That was calm for a threat.”

“That fool fancies himself a politician now. He forgets that blood money made him. No matter how many times he washes his hands, he will never be clean,” Vladimir growled with clenched fists.

Dimitri and Nikolai slid into the newly vacated seats.

“Get people on Volkov.”

“Already done,” Dimitri said, putting up his phone.

“Good, when he’s alone—”

“Vlad, we can’t kill him,” Karina interjected.

“She’s right. We don’t need any heat from the media right now,” Nikolai added.

“What are you, my fucking publicist?”

“He’s right and you know it, grumpy bear.” Karina stood and reached out her hand. “Dance with me.”

Vladimir sighed, but reluctantly got to his feet. You owe me one. She mouthed to Nikolai and Dimitri with a wink before he twirled her away.

“We’ll get Volkov, baby. Just not today.” She wound her arms around his neck when they made it to the dancefloor.

“You are running the show now, wife?” he asked, amused.

“Get used to it, baby,” she said as he dipped her low. “No, I’m not, but it would be foolish to fight a war on two fronts. Let’s deal with the current enemy and save Volkov’s punishment as a dish best served cold.”

Vladimir’s eyes darkened. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Sometimes I think I married an evil mastermind.”

His lips tickled her flesh and caused a shiver to run down her spine. Vladimir groaned, pulling her tight against his front. Close enough to feel his lengthening desire.

Karina placed her hands on his chest, steadying his advances. “We have all night, grumpy bear.”

“I don’t know if I like this new nickname.” He frowned.

“Then you really won’t like what I have on under this.” She spun away, ignoring his thirsty eyes undressing her.

Karina made it to the edge of the dancefloor before two brawny arms scooped her off the ground, princess-style.

“I fill find out now.” Vladimir marched out of the ballroom, like a man on a mission.

“Vlad! We have guests!” she laughed.

“They can find their own way out. No kids, Solynchnka. No kids!”

The hooting and clapping drowned out the rest of her half-hearted attempts to stop him. The look on Vladimir’s face when he saw the blue thong with tiny grumpy bears printed on them was the icing on the cake to an amazing birthday.

2. “If Not Now, When?”

-ECKHART TOLLE

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