“Fair enough. But I can promise you that I’m not like Alexei. I’m always on Nikolai’s side. My dad is a good friend of his as well. They’ve been working together long before I joined.”
“Who’s your dad?”
“Gregor,” that’s all Maksim says. Clearly, his dad is a high ranking Bratva man, otherwise he wouldn’t be so cryptic.
It’s all connected, I realize. Just how much power these men have. It’s still terrifying but I’d rather be on Nikolai’s side than against him.
Nikolai drapes his arm around my shoulders and I find myself leaning into him. It feels good – his touch.
A woman approaches the private VIP area. Her red hair is practically shining in the lights. There’s a sultry way to her walk. Her little black dress doesn’t leave anything to the imagination.
“Nikolai?” she asks, sounding surprised. “I didn’t know you were here tonight.”
“Simone. Nice to see you again.”
Simone doesn’t hesitate to sit on his other side. Sitting a littletooclose I notice. “I’ve missed you. You haven’t been around the club in a few weeks.”
“I’ve been busy with other work. You get it.”
“Of course.” Her eyes flick to me and narrow. “Who’s this?” She sounds almost…possessiveof Nikolai. But that doesn’t make any sense. I’m his wife, not her.
“My wife, Irina.”
“Your wife?” Her eyes practically bulge out of her head. “I didn’t know you had gotten married.”
“You’re my ex-girlfriend, Simone. I didn’t think it was pertinent knowledge for you to have.”
I study Simone harder. She’s Nikolai’s ex. I’m not sure how to feel about that. Of course I’m not naïve. I assumed Nikolai had past relationships. A man as handsome and powerful as him would. But it’s different meeting one of those past relationships in the real world.
Simone huffs. “It still would have been nice to know you were married. I don’t even know this girl. And she’s clearly a girl, Nik. I mean, she looks so young.”
I shift around in my seat. Suddenly, the sheer dress Nikolai had me wear feels cheap, like I’m a little girl playing dress up in my mom’s closet.
“Irina is not your concern.”
“Why did you get married? I mean, I was waiting for you,” she whines just a little bit. It doesn’t take away from her beauty. Her striking beauty that makes me feel less pretty.
“We were over. And this isn’t a conversation to have here. If you want to talk, let’s go somewhere else. But don’t make a scene.”
“Then let’s go talk.” She stands up and offers him her hand.
Nikolai sighs, turning to me. “I’m going to talk with her but I’ll be right back. Maksim, keep an eye on Irina.
“Got it,” he says.
A flare of annoyance hits me. Why is Nikolai leaving me to talk to his ex? But it doesn’t feel like my place to object.
“I’ll be right back,” Nikolai offers but he still gets up and follows Simone.
“Don’t worry,” Maksim says into my ear, making me jump. “Nikolai doesn’t have feelings for Simone anymore. She was always too clingy. He’s just reminding her that they’re over and they have been for a while.”
That doesn’t reassure me. It only makes me more annoyed. After what I’ve been through, Nikolai should be focused on me and not his ex. Who cares what she wants? What she needs? What about what I want and need?
I was kidnapped only a couple of days ago. I was beaten. I was sold off by my own father. And now, the only man I can trust – that I’m allowing myself to trust – just left me alone in a nightclub where I could get hurt. The bruises on my stomach still ache.
The urge to cry hits me so strong that I know I can’t stay here. The last thing I want is to cry in front of Maksim.
“Where’s the bathroom?” I ask.