20. Luca
She shouldn’t be able to get under my skin like this. I’m not entirely sure what she’s trying to provoke, and I want to end her quickly for it, but my curiosity simply won’t allow it. I’ve fucked plenty of women, but I’ve never let one use me for her own pleasure. It was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.
Lorenzo opens the car door for me, and I step out. As expected on a Saturday night, Dmitri Volkov is housing up in one of his own clubs called Lev.
The security guard steps to the side, and a group of women in the long line snap a photo of me as I walk past. I wave to them, red spreading across all of their cheeks. Two of them begin whispering to one another, and the two remaining are eye-fucking me like they think I’d ever actually be interested.
Music begins pounding the moment we step into the red leather walled entrance. I sigh as I apply a mask, which is part of the dress code. Accordingly, the black mask I wear matches my all-black suit and dress shirt underneath.
Strobe lights cross the main floor, a few select booths with red leather walls giving them a little privacy. I note a few celebrities in the room as they scream at the DJ with their drinks forever flowing. Where some enjoy the privacy to let their carnal selves out without being identified, others still find ways to wear identifying items so everyone knows exactly who they are.
The music is pounding as I search the higher levels. A staircase flows on either side of the room and newcomers might be mistaken by the thought they have access. Lorenzo pushes people out of my way as I ascend the closest one to me. I ignore entry to the first level where small rooms are lit up in a red hue. Masked women and men offer their themed services. I watch as a couple are pulled in by a dominatrix. The red hue light diminishes, and visibility is limited due to the passersby.
The security guard avoids my gaze and says nothing as I continue to the second floor. Most would be denied entry. However, I’m not denied much these days—unless someone is willing to die for it.
When I reach the second level, an array of various staff are dressed up in lingerie with bunny ears and masks. Dmitri is seated dead center in a white booth, his arm slung over the shoulders of two women.
Unmasked patrons are doing lines of cocaine and shots around him. Despite the atmosphere, what I always find ironic is that I’ve never seen Dmitri drunk. I’ve never even seen him do drugs himself. A man in control with power over his own domain.
The moment he sees me approaching, his smile diminishes somewhat. He whispers something into the girls’ ears, and they giggle before excusing themselves. The others don’t even need to be given warning as they evacuate the booth accordingly and I take satisfaction in their frantic expressions.
Four security guards however stay, uncertain looks crossing their features. Although they seemed surprised by my visit, Dmitri does not.
He grabs the bottle of whisky and pours a glass. I remove my mask, and Lorenzo follows suit.
I sniff at the offered whisky, surprised it doesn’t smell all that horrible.
“An unusual visit. I usually see more of your brother in these parts of town,” Dmitri says, referring to the small part of town I don’t own.
“Well, I suppose some of us have to work.” I offer a sharp smile. One he reciprocates. We size one another up in equal measure. I’m still not entirely sure what Dmitri’s involvement in all of this is. However, as of late anything that involves my little viper has all of my attention.
“To what do I owe the pleasure for the King of the Underworld to visit me personally?”
This is the flamboyant part of him I don’t like. Because I know it’s fake. I know something very dark lies beneath because I instinctually recognize it against my own. A threat. Not so much toward me now, but it could be one day.
“You went to my woman’s place of work and gave her a singular red rose,” I begin. The mere thought forcing a tick in my jaw.
His eyebrows shoot up. “My woman? Interesting choice of words. Does Ara know about this?”
I don’t like his familiarity with her, and I definitely don’t like her name coming from his lips. He smiles. “There’s no threat from me. Our relationship is purely business.”
I take a mouthful of the whisky. It does nothing to soothe my irrational fury. She’s nothing but my plaything. And yet, the thought of a man—in any capacity—approaching her has me seeing red. My violent tendencies arise within seconds. As I swallow, I try to push it back down.
“What kind of business is that?” I question.
“If you and Ara are so close, shouldn’t you be asking her that?”
Lorenzo pulls out his gun and points it at Dmitri’s head. His security does the same surrounding us. Dmitri looks at him pointedly, almost unfazed, and a smile spreads across his face. There he is…unmasked. “The lack of etiquette is outstanding. Coming into my place of business and pointing a gun in my direction because you can’t communicate with your woman.”
“Quite frankly, I don’t think many will care if I die. It will however raise suspicion from my father. He doesn’t care about me, but he would if an Italian boss made a knock against his family name—one I particularly wish I wasn’t burdened with. Actually, maybe my mother will miss me, but she likes everyone.”
I lean over and grab one of the untouched cigars. At least he has decent taste.
“Do you have a lighter?” I ask him. He slides a lighter over to me. I light the cigar and take an inhale, savoring its taste. My mind immediately goes to a certain little stalker who I’d much rather savor. I indicate for Lorenzo to lower his gun.
Four men with guns have us surrounded, but the commotion is very casual.
“It’s okay boys.” Dmitri offers a charming smile. “We’re just sizing up each other’s cocks, right?”
I counter his smile. It’s very rare I find someone who’s not afraid of me. Although I’m not impressed by four guns pointed in my direction, I am at his audacity. “It’s strange we haven’t been more acquainted before now.”
“I don’t think it’s strange at all. You know me by my fathers’ name and keep tabs on me. That’s all you need from me, isn’t that so? To make sure I don’t step out of place?”
Perceptive. “Need I remind you that you’re only allowed to run your business because I allow it?”
He casually shrugs. “This is why people can’t have nice things.” He takes a cigar himself and lights it. “Ara and I have a platonic business relationship. There’s a particular company I want partial ownership of, but it’s difficult with her father involved. So, I assist at times with wisdom and council as she manages the company to impress her father.”
It’s the truth, but something feels off. He’s not telling me everything. “It seems strange to me you have a partnership after her only being here for six months. I found her in my mansion only a few weeks ago trying to find something. Wig and all.”
I often refuse to divulge such information, but, at worst, if he’s honest about his dealings, he’ll stop seeing her. At best, he’ll tell me more.
He considers this. “I’ll make you a deal, Luca. I will give you a piece of information about Arabella Barone if you permit me to challenge your champion in your next fight in the ring.”
This does catch me by surprise as I try to see through to his real intention. I’ve heard he’s a good fighter, word of mouth gets around, but it makes no sense. Why does he want in my ring? Especially when my champion is renowned for snapping necks. If the fucker dies, what do I care? All I give a shit about currently is unfurling the mystery that is Ara.
I hold out my hand. “If I don’t find the information pleasing enough there’s no deal.” He grabs my hand and shakes it.
“Fair enough,” he says. Despite whatever his ulterior motives are, I’ll keep an eye on him anyway. If he can give me something valuable, this visit has served its purpose.
“Ara and I met at one of her father’s parties in Boston. It was obvious she desperately wanted out. So, I offered her an out, if she could assist me with something. Or should I say, a particular company. When she’s fixated on a task, she has a knack for being…resourceful.” He considers the word carefully.
“I would know because she tried to hack into my companies’ data, which is why I cornered her in the first place. We both have some personal objectives, and I was in a position to assist her. Ara’s been here for longer than six months. She had two hits before her current target.”
The “current target” being me.
I keep my composure as I consider this, curious as to who her previous two hits were. My little viper seems to get more interesting by the second and this has spiraled far deeper than I realized.
“No, I don’t know what her exact motive toward your family is. What I do know is she efficiently took out my opposition within two months.”
“Mr. Dalian?” I ask.
He nods, impressed. I wondered what his sudden downfall was before Dmitri bought the business out. It was suspicious but no one was the wiser to question it. When big typhoons suddenly drop to their knees there’s always someone else behind it.
“The second hit was the former CFO, Timothy Lanser of her daddy dearest’s company. She needed an opening to stay here permanently. With his reins so tight, she was able to tear him down in a matter of weeks. That hit; However, she got a little more personal with that hit. Can you believe how shocking it is he didn’t even know the woman he thought he was secretly seeing was actually his boss’s daughter. She got dirt on him and publicly shamed him—although anonymously—to the point of having no choice but to resign and swept right in.”
The glass almost shatters under my grip. The thought of Ara with any other man makes me want to burn the city to the ground. Memories of pinning her against the table, licking the cake off of her body. That was something for only me to know. Her moans and cries were something only ever designed for me and the thought of any other man… I cut the thought off, doing all I can to keep my temperament in check.
“Now she’s targeting me.” I say point-blank. “Why?”
He shrugs. “Who knows really. You should know better than anyone that most aren’t transparent with their motives in business dealings.”
“As much as I don’t believe you are with yours.”
Dmitri offers a tight smile. “I have my reasons. I also have no interest in picking a fight with you, Luca. Not one I can’t win, anyway.”
Despite Dmitri’s lean frame, I believe him. There’s a killer in his gaze. Sharp and purposeful. I’m intrigued by what he might be able to do.
I’m impressed at a time when not much catches me off guard. My phone buzzes, and a text message comes through from one of my men I have following Ara.
She’s just left her apartment building with a group of women.
I throw back the rest of my whisky. I warned her not to attend girls’ night, but it seems as if she needs to be taught a lesson once again.
I stand, adjusting my suit jacket. “Next Friday night the fight begins at ten. One of my men will be in touch. I look forward to watching the match.”
Dmitri smiles and offers his hand. I wouldn’t care to shake most men’s hands, but he’s left an impression on me. I don’t feel tempted to immediately shoot him; that must count for something. It could work in my favor to have the Lion’s son in my inner workings.
“If I can offer one piece of advice,” Dmitri says, standing and adjusting his navy suit jacket. “Ara is not the type of woman to be kept. She serves only herself.”
A cruel smile spreads across my face because although I came to him seeking out information about Ara, I realize now I know her far better that he does. That offers me a male pride.
“That’s where you’re wrong. All defiant things can be broken,” I say matter-of-fact. “And breaking things is one of my favorite things to do.”