27
Antonio
The night before the party…
I still can’t wrap my brain around the fact that Aleksandra is getting married, and it doesn’t sound the least bit consensual on her part.
Her bastard brother is selling her to one of his men.
At least that’s my take on the entire scenario.
Maybe I’m wrong. He could be looking out for his little sister, but forcing her to marry a man she doesn’t love and shipping their new family off to Russia sounds more like a present for Mikhail than for the new family.
Who is she marrying?
I want details. I still need to devise a plan, and I can’t do that without a little more knowledge of the engagement party.
That’s what she called it, but my gut tells me it’s more than just an engagement party. If I were the one forcing someone to wed, I’d use the engagement party as a cover and intend for the couple to marry at once.
Mikhail isn’t naïve. He must realize that she wants out, and the longer he waits, the more time she has to escape.
Everything I know from being a mafia boss tells me that the wedding is tomorrow. The party is a rouse to get Aleksandra to comply.
But I need more details. If it’s a wedding, it’s unlikely that the guests will be dressed in costume attire. I doubt her fiancé or Mikhail will go for that suggestion.
Ardian and I stumble into a seedy club across town. It’s on Russian turf, and it’s no secret that they do business at the strip club. It’s not the least bit upscale or frilly. The place looks like a front for money laundering, and it probably is amongst other illegal acts.
Not that I care.
Ardian has been healing, and while he isn’t up to the task of drinking tonight, he can help be my eyes and ears. Plus, I appreciate his company and watching my back.
And I’m sure he’s thrilled for a night out admiring the ladies dancing.
Waltzing into Russian territory is dangerous, but it seems the only choice if I plan on getting intel before the party. As I suspect, whether it’s an engagement party or a wedding, I need details.
The club is dark, and I pay the cover for both of us as we enter. I don’t recognize the bouncer or the bartender when we enter. Not that I come here that often.
I’m not a fan of throwing my money at the Russians and their associates. But the place serves decent drinks, and the women offer a nice view. Plus, there’s always an opportunity for a dance, and while I don’t need to pay for a woman’s attention, it’s nice to enjoy the entertainment occasionally.
The lighting is dim, which helps us look inconspicuous as we enter. No one pays us any attention, and why should they when there are plenty of women dancing to capture attention?
We head to a corner booth in the back and sit. The waitress comes over, offering to take our drink orders. I get a scotch on the rocks while Ardian requests a ginger ale.
Usually, he’d drink me under the table, but between the pain killers and him driving us back to the complex when we’re done, his ass will remain sober.
“I don’t recognize anyone yet,” Ardian says, taking a long look around the place.
“Does that include the girls?” I ask with a knowing smirk. I’ve heard that he’s dated one of the dancers. I’m not sure if it’s accurate, but rumors usually start with some merit of truth.
“Yes,” he says and laughs, glancing away. His ears redden.
Ardian has slept with one of the dancers. I’m guessing she’s not here, though, or his attention would be onherrather than on our mission.
“Anyway, how do you want to do this? Pay for a couple of lap dances and see if the girls talk? Or wait around for Mikhail’s cronies?”
“It’s still early. We can pay for a dance, but I wouldn’t expect the girls to know much.” I wave my hand dismissively. “Give it time.” I have good information that the bratva frequent this place, specifically several of Mikhail’s men. While I usually wouldn’t travel onto their turf to get information, I’m coming up against a wall and need a breakthrough.
I can’t show up to their complex without a plan in place to get Aleksandra and the twins out. The last thing in the world I want is to put their lives in further danger.