We were all here for a good time. Even the dancers. Heavy paycheck and a good fuck once in a while.
But I guessed I had no fucking interest. I knew before that I was obsessed, but it was in this moment that I realized how deeply Valerie had sunk under my skin and coiled herself around my heart. My feelings for her were wild and untamed. Tainted and beautiful.
“It is nice to see you again, Viktor.”
A sultry voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I stared at the girl. She smiled, sexy and seductive.
Handing me a glass of whiskey, she winked, and her fingers lingered on my hand. I found myself snatching my hand away quickly.
“Maybe, if you’re up for it…” Her eyes went to my crotch before coming back to my face again. Her eyes held a teasing glint. “We can meet in one of the rooms. Last time…”
“…was one time only,” I interrupted before she could finish. Fuck, I didn’t remember her or the time we spent together, but the suggestion was clear.
My fucking conquests were all faceless and nameless to me. None of them mattered. I liked to conquer things. After I had won a battle, there was no interest left. So I’d move on to a new one. A new fuck and a different pussy.
Men like me, we didn’t have time for a relationship. Too dangerous and too many emotions.
Then Ayla changed that. The whole fucking game.
Alessio had to go and fall in love. Fuck him.
And fuck me—for also falling into this trap.
Shaking my head, I nodded at the door. “If you’re done, you can get back to your work. Alessio and I have a guest coming, and we would like some privacy.”
She looked surprised, blinking once, then twice. When I snapped my fingers impatiently at her, she seemed to finally come out of the trance. The girl walked away silently, without another word. I figured her ego was slightly bruised right now.
From the corner of my eyes, I watched Alessio raise an eyebrow. There was no question. He just studied and observed the show. Alessio was a calculated motherfucker who did everything deliberately. He leaned back into the couch comfortably and then crossed his ankle over his opposite knee. The whole laid-back attitude was actually scary on him.
Throwing the rest of the drink down my throat, I felt the burn and enjoyed it. I snatched the bottle from the table and poured more into my glass, forcing that down my throat too. Damn, it felt good to freely loosen up sometimes.
The door opened again, and this time, Nikolay walked in. Stoic and deadly, dressed in his perfect suit like the rest of us. Clean cut. To the world, we were some wealthy businessmen, attending a meeting to maybe close a deal or a contract.
Oh, if they only knew the truth.
Gentlemen liked to wear suits.
But bad boys wore them better.
And we were the type who liked to kill while wearing our nicest suits.
Evil burned in the fires of hell, but apparently, we liked to look slick and hot before going down into the hotter side.
My thoughts came to a halt when I saw someone else walking in behind Nikolay.
Oh, fuck no.
My head snapped toward Alessio, and he looked so fucking arrogant in this moment, I wanted to punch his face.
But damn, he sure liked to play his games. And I finally understood what was happening.
This was the perfect ploy and the perfect revenge.
“Our guest is here,” Nikolay announced, as expressionless as ever.
Abram.
The bastard walked forward. No, he sauntered forward like he owned the room. Little shit was nothing. He thought he could cross us, show us loyalty, but then stick a knife into our backs.
Nikolay stayed by the door, while Abram continued inside. He joined us and sat on the opposite couch. His attention stayed on the King, though. He hadn’t given me another look…yet.
“I’m surprised you wanted to see me in person,” he started. Alessio had still not uttered a single word.
The last time I had seen him in Russia, he was nervous and almost scared of me. Men like him were weak opponents. Useless and helpless. A few weeks ago, the same man would have been cowering at Alessio’s feet at the mere sight of him. Now, Abram looked way too confident.
The day Ayla risked her life and her unborn baby, right along with Valentin, they thought they won a jackpot.
Not so fast.
“You are one of my partners, Abram. You provide me with the best shit, and I happen to like what you offer. Thought it would be nice to get more acquainted, build a stronger friendship,” Alessio said smoothly.
Abram laughed, extending his legs in front of him. He leaned back comfortably in his seat, his eyes glimmering and all kinds of fucked up. He grinned like a fool, and I knew the bastard was already really fucking high. No wonder he hadn’t realize the trap…yet. Fool.