CHAPTER 19
OAKLYNN
Kirill’s hand on the small of my back as he guides me into the inner sanctum of Second Circle is the only thing grounding me in the moment.
I’m sure if my men were to listen hard enough then they would be able to hear the pounding of my heart, even over the deep bass of the music pumping through the building.
The converted warehouse is huge and I’m sure there are hidden secrets in this building, but I don’t care about them right now.
I’m only capable of focusing on what is right in front of me at the moment.
And that’s the broad back of Romeo, Angelo’s brother and second.
He met us at the front door of Second Circle, which most people wouldn’t look twice at from the outside.
They certainly wouldn’t believe some of the depravity I’m currently being assaulted by.
Everything in the main area of the warehouse is dark but dripping with luxurious touches.
There are rich textures on the wall and the lighting makes it seem like you really have walked into the second circle of hell.
The air is warm but not stifling.
Then there are the sounds.
So many moans and groans.
I’m pretty sure I can even hear a scream in the distance.
Every sound is punctuated by grunts and slapping of skin.
It’s a cacophony, one I don’t know whether I should ignore or revel in.
I’ve never been to a place like this before and I’m not sure if I ever want to be again.
Honestly, I was expecting more things to be happening behind closed doors.
But that’s not the case here.
It’s like an assault, a tease, a temptation, of the flesh.
Keeping my eyes trained on Romeo’s back instead of taking in everything going on around me is proving to be more difficult with every step.
Not only am I a little bit curious about what is going on, but I’m jealous.
Since I’m not looking around, I have no idea if my men are checking out what is going on around us or if they’re ignoring it.
The thought of them watching other women come has me clenching my fists and then shaking them out to try and find even a shred of control to hold onto.
It’s not easy.
The moment we’re led into the VIP section, it feels like I can breathe a little easier.
But I’m certainly still on edge since it’s not a completely private area.
When Romeo moves to the side, I’m able to see a man sitting at a table like he owns the world.
He has broad shoulders which are encased in a clearly expensive suit and his black hair is slicked back and styled perfectly.
His eyes light up when he sees me and he stands immediately.
“Good evening,” he greets me before his eyes slide over to Kirill, “I appreciate you coming in and meeting with me.” His lips curl into a sly smile as his eyes find me again.
“I’m glad you brought the woman who is at the center of all the whispers hitting my ears at the moment.”
Maxim steps around Kirill and pulls a chair out for me.
When I slide into it, he pushes it a little closer to the table, but not all the way under it.
It makes me wonder if he thinks I’ll have to make a hasty retreat.
Am I not safe here?
I feel safe.
But that may just be because I’m surrounded by my men.
I know, without a doubt, they’ll make sure nothing happens to me.
As my men settle around me, I can feel the threat they pose.
I wrap that feeling around me and let it settle my heart.
“Oaklynn,” Kirill’s voice borders on cold, but I know it’s more for the man across the table from us than for me, “this is Angelo Amato.”
I give a slight nod of my head, but I don’t offer him my hand.
With the way my men are on edge, I don’t think touching another man would go over very well right now.
Not when we’re on his turf, and not our own.
Angelo leans back in his chair as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.
How is it that men who hold so much power can do so effortlessly?
“I can see that at least some of the rumors are true,” Angelo muses, his eyes taking me in.
While I’ve been looked at with leering eyes before, Angelo’s are just assessing.
He’s taking my measure to find out if I’m worthy.
I don’t move or buckle under the weight of his gaze.
There’s no way I will embarrass my men in that way.
“Why are we meeting here, Angelo?” Kirill sounds downright bored.
When I glance at Maxim and Huck out of the corner of my eye, since they’re the ones who could have a view of what is happening outside of the VIP area.
Their focus is on Angelo, completely ignoring everything else.
That settles something inside my chest.
As if sensing my uncertainty, Kirill reaches over and rests his hand on my thigh, grounding me in the moment and making me feel settled even in this situation.
Angelo smirks and looks beyond us into the main room of Second Circle.
“This is a space to be seen and not heard. From what I’ve been told, you want to be seen. Especially with your woman in order to make a proper claim.”
“What have you been hearing?” The question is gritted out between Kirill’s teeth.
His control is fraying.
I can practically taste it in the air.
Then there’s the way his fingers tighten on my thigh, as if that touch is enough to ground him as well.
I can only hope it is.
“Little whispers,” Angelo murmurs before he flashes a wide smile.
He leans forward over the table, his strong forearms resting there and his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone as if he’s telling us his secrets.
“I heard that you’ve brought a rat’s daughter into your home.”
Even though it takes effort, I keep my face neutral.
Angelo is watching me closely, looking for cracks.
I’m not going to give him any.
“My father is scum,” I state it like its fact, my tone holding zero emotion, only cold indifference.
Angelo lets out a low whistle.
“For a man like your father, who has been dancing with danger for a long time, those words are heavy. He would probably say he’s been selling his soul all these years to provide for you.”
I scoff and shake my head.
“Greed doesn’t keep a child warm or cared for.”
Angelo’s eyebrows hit his hairline, but then pride seems to overtake his surprise.
“You are a formidable woman, Oaklynn.”
It’s not a question; he states it as fact.
Even though it shouldn’t, warmth fills my chest.
Having a powerful man, even though he’s not mine and will never be, gives me a sense of confidence.
It’s unavoidable.
“Don’t flirt with my woman, my soon to be wife, Amato,” the threat in Kirill’s command is easy to hear.
Angelo turns his attention towards Kirill and gives a single nod of understanding.
“I’ve also been hearing about Mikhail Morozov gaining some control of the streets with drugs and promises of power,” he throws the words out there.
“We are aware of both issues,” Kirill states, a certainty and a promise unsaid.
“Both fronts are being monitored and will be taken care of when the time is right.”
“Fighting a war on two fronts can determine the outcome,” Angelo’s words are cryptic, but hold weight.
“If you find that you need someone at your back, don’t hesitate to call me. Nothing good can happen from Mikhail gaining a following in this city.” His face turns cold, “We will not go back to a Morozov being in power.”
“Agreed.”
Kirill delivers that one word like a vow; one I know he will uphold.
Angelo turns his attention to me and flashes a knowing smile, but there’s nothing smarmy about it.
“It is good to see that these men have such a strong woman at their sides.”
I try to prevent myself from reacting, but I can feel my eyes widen slightly.
It’s not like we were hiding it, but we certainly weren’t advertising the fact that these men, all four of them, are mine.
Hopefully, my father doesn’t find out, not because I care about his opinion, but it would mean he’d try and use it to his advantage.
There is power in secrets.
“If you’re interested in sticking around, I’d be happy to give you space on the floor for a show,” Angelo offers, his tone casual.
“Or you can utilize one of our girls, on me, of course.”
My lip curls up in a snarl before I can stop myself.
“That’s a generous offer,” my voice is sickly sweet and completely fake, “but we will have to pass on both.”
Angelo holds his hands up in supplication.
“Of course, Oaklynn. I figured that would be the answer, but it would be rude of me to not make it available to you.”
I give a nod as Kirill stands and holds his hand out for me.
After I slide my hand into his, he helps me stand and starts to lead me away from the table.
“I’ll let you know if there’s anything you need to get involved in,” Kirill throws over his shoulder.
The walk back through Second Circle is just as assaulting as the one inside.
At least this time, I know I don’t want to see anything that is going on.
My curiosity is completely gone and the only thing I want is to get out of here.
Romeo is, again, a constant presence as he leads us back to the entrance.
I’m grateful because it means I have something to focus on and it’s easier to ignore all the sounds being made around us.
Once we’re back in the car, it feels like I can finally breathe again.
I’m sitting between Maxim and Kirill in the back with Baker driving and Huck in the passenger seat, the same as we were when we were driving toward Second Circle.
The difference this time is the butterflies in my stomach now aren’t about fear and uncertainty, but anticipation.
Maxim’s hand is on one of my thighs and Kirill’s is on the other.
Kirill tugs and uncrosses my legs as his hand slides up the slit.
His palm is warm as his grip turns punishing.
“Knowing my brother,” his voice is a low rumble, “I bet he didn’t get you panties to wear with this gorgeous dress.”
A chocked moan works its way up my throat as I lean back against the seat and my legs fall open.
Kirill takes full advantage.
His touch isn’t teasing, it’s determined.
The moment his fingers find my bare pussy; he lets out a growl that has my clit throbbing.
Before I can take a breath, he plunges two fingers inside of me, hooking them to find that spongy spot inside of me.
It’s almost too much because I was already on edge, but I let go as pleasure washes over me.
I can feel Huck’s gaze on me from the front seat along with Maxim whose fingers are also tightening on my thigh.
When I look up into Kirill’s eyes, they’re hooded and filled with hunger.
“Show me who you belong to, Solnishko , and come all over my fingers,” he growls.
Like my body is not my own, as he presses his thumb down on my clit, I explode.
My moans and whimpers fill the space around us, echoing and reverberating my pleasure until it reaches me again to amplify how much bliss is flowing through my body.
I’m a panting mess as Kirill pulls his fingers from my body and licks my arousal from them.
My eyes widen, as he lets out a low groan, the sound filled with approval.
That should not be as hot as it is.
Maxim kisses my temple, pulling my focus away from his brother, and murmurs, “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed, Oaklynn.” I look up at him, a shy smile on my face even though I know my cheeks are flushed, both from embarrassment and being turned on.
“We haven’t spent enough time alone. Can I take you out tomorrow night?”
Warmth blooms in my chest as I enthusiastically nod like a fool.
A date?
With Maxim?
Sign me up.