9. Fuck Up
9
FUCK UP
TYLER
There was so much to say. A dense fog had clouded my mind with many thoughts ever since I walked out on her. Not last night. Several years ago. I wanted to come clean about some things but wasn’t sure if I was ready.
The need to protect her had only grown stronger. Admitting it was hard for me. In the past, I’d always been one to keep my feelings suppressed. But my family could see right through it even before I told a few of them.
Besides my own reasons, would Giovanna even want to be in my life since I was a single father? Would she be able to handle being with someone who had already started a family? It was something I couldn’t fault her for if she couldn’t handle it. After all, they weren’t even my biological kids, even though in my heart they were. If she chose not to stick around, I could never blame her for that decision because my kids weren’t her responsibility.
Club Euphoria’s ambient music was the only sound to fill the silence in the elevator as we descended into what I hoped wouldn’t turn out to be a disaster. Chance had gone ahead, using his celebrity influence to charm and schmooze with the Russians.
Amber, Jenna, and Lonnie were getting ready to dance in the Blue Lounge, while Declan set up a seductive room for Ekaterina. When they finished dancing, the girls and Chance would lead the men to the main showroom in VIP, keeping them distracted while Declan worked his magic on Ekaterina in a private room. Kirsten knew to stay clear so she wouldn’t be seen. Ivan would arrive at Luxe for his private dance, unaware of what was truly happening behind the scenes.
It was my job to watch Giovanna with Ivan, which I had no problem doing. I wanted to watch her. I knew if anyone in the club would keep her the safest, it was me. Though I wasn’t a Mafia boss, I had the capability to protect her. My childhood at a prestigious, private Catholic school was marked by frequent brawls with rich bullies and arrogant assholes, and back then, I fit right in among both.
The presence of Ivan and his family didn’t intimidate me. It was the thought of something happening to Giovanna that sent chills down my spine. That fear kept my senses sharp. Knowing he had been with her before, filled me with a boiling mix of hatred and… jealousy. Her dancing for other men never bothered me, until it involved someone she had been intimate with. Or, in Dr. Douche’s case, someone I suspected she might’ve been involved with.
Damnit . As soon as we crossed the threshold of Luxe, Victoria sauntered over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and planted a kiss on my cheek.
“Heyyy, Tylerrr.”
“No.” I firmly pried her hands off my shoulders, my eyes darting to Giovanna. “We need to keep things professional.”
Giovanna scoffed, her lips curling in disdain, as Victoria’s gaze swept over her, scrutinizing every inch. “Underdressed much?” Victoria sneered.
“You do know I’m your boss now too, right?” Giovanna snapped back, crossing her arms over her chest.
“What?!”
“Yes,” Giovanna replied harshly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “So, you need to focus on seducing your clients, not Tyler.”
“Sure,” Victoria laughed dismissively, sauntering away with an exaggerated sway of her hips.
I placed a hand on Giovanna’s lower back, leaning in close enough that my breath mingled with the fruity and floral aroma of her perfume. It was intoxicating; the same scent from that unforgettable night. Closing my eyes for a brief second, I inhaled deeply. Fuck . “You look so jealous whenever she’s around me,” I whispered into her ear.
She twisted toward me, our mouths mere inches apart, before she blinked rapidly and took a step back. Her gaze trailed down to my pants, then back up to my face, and she rolled her eyes. “I need to change.”
“Come on.” I took her hand in mine, guided her to the office, unlocked it, and pushed the door open for her.
She stepped inside, and I followed closely behind, closing and locking the door. She spun around to face me. “You’re going to watch me change?”
I smirked as I strode casually to the edge of my desk, perching on it with my hands nestled in my pockets. “Do you have a problem with me watching you all of a sudden?”
“Not at all,” she replied, crossing her arms over the hem of her shirt and slipping it over her head in one smooth motion. Then she unfastened her bra and let both garments drop to the floor.
My body was on fire as I watched her get dressed. The teal lace top clung to every curve of her body, leaving little to the imagination. Her panties were a perfect match, barely covering her mound with a teasing glimpse of skin peeking through. She sat in the chair in front of me, pulling on black thigh-high boots and tying them tightly around her slim legs. As she looked up at me, a naughty smile played across her lips.
“Did you enjoy my little show just now?” she purred.
Refusing to play her game, I ignored the question, asking, “How did you get to work tonight?”
She pinned her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Seriously, Gia?”
She shrugged. “What?”
“If you wanted me to take you home again, you just needed to say so,” I joked.
Standing, she took hold of my tie and began to loosen it, leaning in closer until our lips brushed together. “So, you can leave me handcuffed and naked again?”
Closing my eyes, I took a breath, then opened them again. “We really should talk. I know we don’t have much time right now, but I need to tell you something after work.”
Her fingers stilled on my tie, and she searched my face with concern. “Is everything okay?”
I gripped her hips firmly with my hands. “Yeah, everything’s fine,” I half-lied. “But for now, let’s focus on our jobs.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out. “It’s Luke,” I said as I answered the call.
Yeah?
Hey, Ivan actually showed up drunk, and we don’t want him to get worse and end up causing a big scene , he muttered into the phone. I could tell his palm was cupped over his mouth. So, he’s on his way into Luxe now.
Shit, okay.
Giovanna heard him and sighed.
Ty, keep your cool, and call me if you need me.
He hung up and I slid the phone back in my pocket. I gripped her hips tighter, tugging her against me. She rested her palms on my shoulders. I could tell there was something deep she wanted to say. Instead, she only replied with, “I really hate Ivan.”
“I won’t let him hurt you.”
“I’m not scared of those people,” she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. “They just make me nervous because they’re not going to stop. I’m here now and I want to stay in Boston. They won’t give up until I leave with?—”
My lips collided with hers, cutting her sentence short. I couldn’t resist her and had to have her. Our tongues danced together flawlessly just like every time we kissed. It always felt like a gravitational pull, and… just perfect. She moaned into my mouth, her grasp tightening as her long nails traced a path around to the back of my neck, pulling me even closer.
My hand slipped between her legs, my fingers brushing against the soft lace of her panties. The intricate pattern felt delicate under my touch as I stroked the fabric covering her pussy. She pressed herself deeper into my hand, seeking more of the connection we both craved.
“I wish we had time,” she whispered against my lips.
With a gentle tug, I slid her lacy panties to the side and brushed my middle finger against her already soaked entrance. Her breath hitched, and she let out a soft moan while I teased her with light strokes. “I’ll make time.”
An evil smile curled on her lips, adding a wicked gleam to her eyes. “Nahhh.” Suddenly, she twisted away from me, breaking free from my hold and taking a step back. “You left me tied up with a belt around my neck,” she taunted. “I had to call Kirsten for help, who showed up with Declan, by the way, and he had to free me.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I let out a frustrated growl, yanking her back to my lips and kissing her fiercely.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Groaning, I broke the kiss. “I know you work for Luxe, but you better not fuck him.”
Another malicious grin crept across her face, and I didn’t like it. “And what if I do?” she taunted, turning away and sashaying to the door.
“I don’t give a fuck what Ian said about blood,” I countered when her hand touched the doorknob. “I’ll kill Ivan in front of you.”
She whipped back around, maintaining her audacious fa?ade. Her eyes flashed with vicious pleasure. “I’m a crazy bitch. That’ll only turn me on more,” she retorted provocatively before yanking the door open with dramatic elegance.
Roxy stood waiting in the hallway, her face lit up with a bright smile. “A man named Ivan is waiting for you in L2,” she announced cheerfully.
“Thank you, Roxy!” she replied sweetly, throwing a quick glance over her shoulder at me. “Are you coming?”
“Yeah.” Adjusting my attire and trying to tame my rock-hard erection, I followed her out of the room. I took the opposite turn into the private corridor as she made her way around to the other side of the hall.
My nerves were on edge. I paced back and forth in front of the window, hands fidgeting with anxiousness. It felt like I was trapped in a cage, like an animal on display for all to see. She was taking longer than usual to enter the room, making me feel even more helpless and angry. Ivan strolled around confidently, his eyes scanning over the different toys and furniture in the dimly lit room. He paused when he saw a purple and black leather paddle on the bedside table, and a sneer formed on his lips.
Glancing back at the window where I stood just on the other side, he marched over, coming to a stop directly in front of me. He crossed his arms, his agitation evident in his body language, as he spoke to the glass. Though the viewing area at Luxe was well known to those who visited, they couldn’t see inside. I wished we had installed a way to communicate so I could hear what he was saying.
Just as my frustration reached its peak, Giovanna entered the room with a fake smile plastered on her face. She hugged him, placing air kisses on each of his cheeks, before joining him in the center of the room. The red glow provided just enough light for me to see their every move. I kept my focus on them, studying their interactions.
While the music played in their room, she swayed her hips. He leaned against the black metal bedpost at the foot of the bed. Several times, she tried to get him to sit on the leather couch or the red throne, but he wasn’t budging. It was unusual for a client to resist the girls’ attempts at manipulation. Fuck , I sighed.
Twisting around, she glanced at the window, grinding her rear into his middle with a deliberate, provocative motion. His hands gripped her hips, and he moved against her with forceful persistence before grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back toward him. She leaned into him, her mouth tightly balled in anger, yet there was no fear in her eyes, only defiance. Sneering, he shook her head roughly, speaking into her ear. It didn’t take a lip reader to know he was seething.
I placed my palm on my lower back, feeling the reassuring presence of my pistol holstered securely in place. These days, it was always within reach, along with a knife. I was prepared for any sign of trouble. But Giovanna seemed to have things under control. With an almost feline grace, she finally manipulated that asshole, coaxing him toward the couch with expert dancing.
He collapsed onto the cushions, his hands immediately sliding up to stroke her inner thighs while she faced me with a subtle, knowing smile. Slowly, she peeled off her top, letting it drop languidly to the floor. Then she slid her bottoms down with teasing slowness, playfully kicking them aside. Her gaze never wavered from mine as she rolled her tongue over her lips and glided her hands sensuously up her sides.
I was captivated by her beauty. She made it nearly impossible to focus on anything else. With effort, I pulled myself out of the trance she’d cast over me and flickered my gaze back to where his hands were wandering. In an instant, I saw him pull out his cock just as she spun to face him.
“Motherfucker,” I whispered through clenched teeth just as he reached up, grabbing her hair and forcing her down onto the couch toward his lap. Panic and rage surged through me like a tidal wave. “Oh shit,” I cursed under my breath, breaking into a sprint down the dimly lit corridor, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Bursting into the main hallway, I skidded around the corner and dashed toward where she was being held. My heart pounded in my chest as I pressed my finger to my earpiece, desperately calling for backup.
Assistance in L2, NOW!
Their scuffle was madness, with limbs flailing and crashing against furniture before they tumbled to the floor in a tangle. He was on top of her, his hands wrapped tightly around her neck, squeezing the life out of her. My heart leapt into my throat as I lunged forward, ready to intervene, but she was quick and cunning. She pulled a glimmering knife from the top of her boot and plunged it into the side of his neck with a violent thrust. He howled in pain and swatted her hand away.
“Gia!” I shouted, my voice strangled with fear for her safety and shock, just as he collapsed onto the ground. I grabbed her by the arm, pulling her away from danger in case he had more fight left in him. “What the hell?!” I demanded, my mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
“FUCK!” he finally bellowed, clutching at his neck.
“Move out of the way, Gia,” I commanded sternly, standing over Ivan’s writhing body. With one hand holding him back against the couch, I drew my gun with the other, delivering blow after blow to his face, using both my weapon and fists.
“Tyler!” Luke’s voice resonated through the commotion, followed quickly by Nico and Ice Man, who helped drag Ivan out of harm’s way. My gun clanked to the floor in the fight, sliding several feet.
“Ty, what the hell have you done?!” Ian barked. “Son of a bitch!”
Glaring in silence, I backed away, planting myself in front of Giovanna. She was holding her throat, panting. I glimpsed her to make sure she was stable, then turned my attention back to the scene. Luke, Nico, and Ice Man assisted in getting Ivan out the door.
“Get him medical, NOW!” Ian commanded after them before stomping toward me, coming to a stop just inches from my face. “You better hope he doesn’t die, or I’m going to fucking murder you!” He looked at Gia next, glaring at her with equal fury. “Both of you, go upstairs to my office and wait for me,” he ordered before turning on his heels and stalking away. He stormed out of the room, pressing a finger to his earpiece. Clean up in L2 ASAP.
Hearing the loudness of chatter blaring in my ear, I wrenched the earpiece out and hurled it across the room. Spinning around to face her, I saw her eyes wide and glistening with tears, bracing herself for an outburst. I lifted my hand toward her face. She flinched but then relaxed as I gently brushed her hair off her shoulder. Cupping her jaw tenderly, I examined her neck and face for any signs of injury.
“Are you okay?” I asked softly.
She nodded, her gaze locked on mine.
“Are you in pain?”
She shook her head. “No, but Mr. Knight’s going to kill me when he finds out what I’ve done.”
“He won’t know you did it,” I assured her.
“Ty,” she murmured, reaching for my hand, but I withdrew it before she could grasp it.
“Get dressed,” I whispered as two guys from our clean-up crew entered the room. Bending down, I retrieved my gun from the floor and slid it back into its rear holster.
She hurriedly slipped on her clothes, fumbling slightly in her haste. Once she was ready, I took her hand and led her out of Luxe. My eyes darted around watchfully while sentries patrolled the club. Ensuring we avoided any encounters with the Russians, we made our way up the stairs to the executive lobby. I released her hand the moment we were inside.
She let out a huff, just as my sister came out of the office with Beau following. “Tyler, what the hell is going on down there?” she gasped. “You’re both covered in blood! Are you okay?” She hurried over to us.
“It’s not ours,” I replied, running my fingers through my tousled hair.
Giovanna interjected, “I was dancing for Ivan Pivovarov and he?—”
“I didn’t like the way he touched her, so I stabbed him,” I said before she could tell Jenna what happened.
“Tyler!” Jenna gasped. “Ian’s going to flip his shit!”
“He knows.” I paced back and forth, waiting for him to appear but he didn’t.
“Damnit,” she sighed, her eyes then meeting Giovanna. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m okay.”
“Come with me,” Jenna said, grabbing her hand. “I’m taking her to get cleaned up.”
“Stay with my sister,” I called out to Giovanna as they disappeared with Beau into my sister’s office. Giovanna glanced back at me just before they entered. I averted my gaze.
“Fuck,” I murmured, marching to Ian’s office and pushing the door open.
Roaming the room, I took turns running my fingers through my hair and pressing them to my temples. For Giovanna’s sake, I hoped Ivan didn’t succumb to his injuries. I wasn’t even sure how much I fucked his face up. All I saw was red as he was attempting to rape her when I walked in.
Over an hour passed and Ian stormed through the door. Chance, Declan, Luke, Ice Man, and Nico followed. From the looks on their faces, I couldn’t tell if Ivan was still breathing, but from the expression on Ian’s face, I doubted I would be much longer.
Ian marched over to me and grabbed my shirt, pulling me close. His eyes bore into mine as he seethed, “What the fuck was that, Tyler?!” I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off with a sharp command. “Do not speak!” He pushed me away and paced back and forth, arms crossed tightly over his chest. After a moment, he stopped again and took a deep breath. “Ekaterina is one thing, but her brother is a whole other story. You think whatever shit your family has had since the prohibition is bad? Fucking with the Pivovarov family is a fucking death sentence for all our children and theirs as well! You just started a whole new generational war that’ll never?—”
“I was protecting her from him!” I finally shouted, my own anger boiling to the surface.
“Protecting her?!” he scoffed. “She was dancing for him!”
“He tried to rape her, Ian!” I spat, and he froze, his jaw clenching tightly. “We’re supposed to be protecting all the women here, not just the family. I warned you I had a bad feeling, and you didn’t listen to me! I knew from the beginning Ivan was going to be a problem.”
“You don’t know shit!”
“He threatened my life a long time ago!” I yelled.
Luke stepped forward and asked, “What are you talking about?”
I let out a frustrated sigh before reluctantly admitting, “Damnit, I haven’t even told Gia this yet.”
Ian snarled. “I suggest you hurry the fuck up and tell me what’s going on before I murder you for this. I don’t give a fuck you’re my wife’s brother,” he said. “I’ll take your ass out right now if you don’t tell me because you just put our entire family in another really bad place.”
“The night I was with Gia, she and I had a real connection.” I waved a hand. “I don’t mean the damn connection men think they have when a woman like that gives them attention. I mean, we had a real connection.” I ran my hand over my face before continuing, “After I left, I couldn’t get her out of my head. She seemed like she didn’t belong there. The atmosphere, yeah, but something about the place felt off. It was like I was the only part of her night that was happy. She looked controlled.”
“I noticed that too when we were alone,” Luke agreed, and I turned to him. It was his nonchalant way of defending me, and while I appreciated it, I needed to handle my own right now. “She was their puppet,” he continued, “and I know what he’s saying.”
I nodded, twisting back to Ian. “Yes, that. But I wanted to go back and get her and leave with her. Whatever it took to get her away from there. I know I told you guys before that it was just sex, but it was so much more. Call me crazy, but I knew what it felt like at the time.”
“Get to the point,” Ian growled.
“Anyway,” I said, pressing my fingers to my temple then lowered my hand. “The bouncer let me back into the building. He didn’t give a shit. But when I got upstairs and asked to see her, the girls at the front told me to wait a minute. Ivan appeared with four other guys, took me into a room, then threatened to have me killed if I ever showed back up again.”
“Damnit, Ty.” Ian roamed to his desk, then perched on the edge, gripping it.
“But I went back.”
“Of course you did,” he mumbled, shaking his head in disbelief.
“They didn’t see me,” I resumed. “I just watched the building for her to leave and be alone so I could talk to her. This went on for about a week, but I never saw her after that and had to come back here for a court hearing.”
“So, what’s she to you now?” Luke cocked a brow.
I shrugged. “I don’t know yet, but I know I want to protect her and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
Ian laughed ominously. “Well, you better figure that out because I’m either going to throw her perfect little ass to the wolves for what just happened, or?—”
The door swung open, and Giovanna appeared in the room. “Mr. Knight!” she panted, with Beau appearing behind her, grabbing his dick and wincing. “I did it! Don’t let Tyler take the blame for me. I stabbed Ivan!”
Ian’s eyes swelled in anger, and he shot a glare at Beau.
“That little bitch kicked me in the nuts when I tried to keep her out of here,” Beau grunted.
“Gia, stay,” Ian ordered. “Luke and Ty, wait just outside the door. Everyone else, get the fuck out of my office!”