“Why do you need me to ask him?” I know Vadim. Show the man enough money, and he’ll do it, so there’s no reason why they should need me to act as a go-between.
“He has a history with this family, and there’s some bad blood between them. I don’t know the details,” Mikhail says, waving his hand as if it doesn’t matter. “Something about money, I think.”
“And if I can’t get him to agree?”
Mikhail doesn’t say anything, and the silence feels like it’s stretching on forever. Finally, he looks at me and says, “You may find this hard to believe, but I am not my uncle. I know Dima is married with a baby, and we both know I could take that away from him very easily, but, lucky for you, that’s not how I do things. If you tell me to fuck off, then I’ll leave and try and find a different lawyer.”
I look at him, wondering if he’s going to start laughing, but he doesn’t. He just gives me that same tired look, waiting for my answer. He taps on his steering wheel absentmindedly. “I’m going to be spending a lot of time in this country, and the last thing I want or need is trouble, especially if it’s from the past. And don’t worry, I have no desire to move my business to your city. After today, I very much doubt I’ll ever see you again.”
“I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you. I’ll text you the details.” He gives me a small smile that actually seems authentic. “Please add me to your damn contacts. I really hate being ignored.”
I tell him I will, wondering what in the fuck just happened and just how worried I should be. The last thing I fucking need is to be worried about the Bratva showing up. I’m naturally suspicious—a lifetime of being treated like shit will do that to a person—but I feel like I can trust him, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because he came here alone, maybe it’s because of the worn-out demeanor of the man, like he just wants to be rid of the burden he carries around or at least to be free of it for a time, or maybe it’s just the fact that I’m still sitting here breathing, unscratched and unscathed as he drives me back to the club.
He drops me off and looks over at the two clubs. “He’s done well for himself,” he says before turning those hard eyes on me. “You both have. It’s nice to know some people get happy endings in this world.”
Without another word, I get out, and he drives off, leaving me feeling completely untethered. I’m still not sure what the fuck to make of all this, but I push it all aside and send a quick text to Vadim, asking him if we can meet sometime in the next few days, before walking into the club. This is my own mess to figure out, and I’m not about to burden anyone else with it, especially not Dima. The man deserves the peace and happiness he’s found. No way in fuck am I going to be the one who takes it from him.
Chapter5
Moira
I’ve just climbed up the ladder to paint the space above the front door when my phone starts ringing. I think about ignoring it, but curiosity gets the better of me, so I climb down and answer it right before it cuts off.
“Hey, Moira. This is Gina.”
“Oh, hey, how’s it going?”
Gina had come in for a visit a couple of days ago, and as much as I didn’t want to like any of the Russian group, I found myself liking her immediately.
“Things are good. Seryozha’s keeping me busy,” she says with a laugh, and I smile when I hear him coo in the background. “Anyway, I don’t want to keep you, but I forgot to mention the other day that Dima said you could use the gym anytime you wanted since yours isn’t up yet. You know, if you’re missing your workouts or whatever.”
“Really? Are you sure? I mean, I could pay a monthly due or whatever.”
“Not on your life,” she quickly says. “Just go in whenever. I’ll call Dima and let him know you’ll be in at some point.”
“Wow, Gina, thanks. I have really been missing my workouts, and this place is still such a mess.”
I push aside any worries I have about possibly running into Nikolai. My body has been itching for a good workout, and I’m not going to let him stand in the way of it.
“No worries at all. I’m glad we can help. We’re still on for Friday night, right? Jamie is so excited to meet you.”
I smile and say, “Definitely. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Awesome. See you then, and let me know if you need anything at all.”
I thank her and say goodbye before grabbing the paint brush again. As soon as I finish this wall, I’m going to the gym. I went for a run the other day, but it’s not the same as hitting the bag, and that’s really what I’m dying to do. With Duran Duran blaring in the background, I run the paintbrush over the last few feet, covering up the old, yellowed wall and turning it bright white again.
Standing on the ladder, I survey the gleaming, still-wet walls that I’ve spent all day painting, and even though I’m sore and my shoulders feel stiff as hell, I’m still eager to check out Dmitri’s gym. I admit that part of it is pure curiosity from a rival standpoint. I want my gym to be a success, and I’d like to see what I’m up against. Aside from a surprisingly vague website, there’s not much to go on. The place seems to be booming from purely word of mouth.
Putting the paintbrushes in a bucket to soak, I don’t even bother with a shower, knowing I’m just going to get sweaty and filthy again. I throw on a sports bra and shorts and toss a white, long-sleeve tee on top before pulling on my sneakers and grabbing my gym bag. Once the place is all locked up and secure, I hop in my Jeep and make the drive across town. The sun is setting, and I have to turn the heat up to full blast and aim it at my bare legs to stop from shivering. October is right around the corner, and the temperature is already starting to drop.
The small lot next to the Red Wolf only has two cars parked there, so I take a gamble and slide in next to the fancy Porsches instead of going across the street to the parking garage. My dirty Jeep looks so pretty parked next to the sleek, polished, black cars. I think I recognize one as the car Nikolai was driving when he paid me a visit. I hope like hell he’s busy somewhere else and that I can somehow manage to avoid him. God, just the thought of running into him has me equal parts pissed, humiliated, and turned on.
When I step inside the gym, I have to make a real effort to not gawk or drool. The place is fucking immense and impressive as hell. All the equipment is new and there’s a shit ton of it, plus a couple of full-size rings to spar in. There are a handful of guys working out on machines and one punching a bag, but everyone ignores me as I head toward a room in the back with an open door, hoping to find Dmitri.
Stepping closer, I peek in and see Dmitri sitting behind a desk. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and take a quick glance around to make sure Nikolai isn’t brooding in one of the corners. When I’m sure it’s clear, I step further in and then wonder if I should’ve knocked. I’ve met the guy’s wife, but Dmitri and I have never actually met before.