19. Lexi
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LEXI
“Damn it,” I whisper, dragging my hand down my arm as a suffocating wave of loneliness washes over me on what should be my happiest day. My eyes are fixed on the door, anticipating Valentin’s arrival to claim what is rightfully his.
The door swings open, and security stops a guy in khaki shorts and a polo shirt to check his ID.
I foolishly allowed Elise to manipulate my thoughts, and in doing so, I walked away from Valentin—the one person who has brought me genuine happiness. Dang it! I let her win again.
It’s been three weeks since I left Valentin’s warehouse. Honestly, I expected him to come after me, to declare that I was his. Instead, each day has passed in silence, with no sign or word from him.
My longing for him has transformed into an ever-present ache, weaving itself into my daily life with thoughts so intense that I can almost feel his hands on me. There’s not a moment of the day—or night—when I do not think of him.
I take a deep breath and turn away from the entrance to admire my accomplishment.
“We did it!” Lacey screams, excitement shining in her eyes as she hands me a glass of champagne. We lift our glasses triumphantly, toasting to our success, and then happily down the bubbly drink.
As I scan the bustling room, pride surges in my chest. We made it!
Five years ago, we were just eighteen, hustling at a strip club and dreaming big. Today, those dreams have become a reality as we proudly own our own casino.
The girls and I were quick to spend $3 million on the cardroom and devoted ourselves to transforming it so that we could celebrate opening night tonight.
Keeping busy was the only thing saving me from running back to Valentin and begging to be with him again, like a silly schoolgirl with a helpless crush.
The Vegas-like cardroom is packed for its opening, thanks to Lacey for telling all her clients about tonight.
She’s responsible for managing the staff and ensuring none of our employees steal from us.
Our card dealers are all former strippers, young and stunning, wearing short dresses that leave little to the imagination.
Tonight, it’s clear that the bigger the tits, the more the men will be tipping.
Robyn monitors the card tables, tracking each transaction with keen attention as significant amounts of money change hands. I’ve designated her the casino’s Financial Officer, so she can effectively manage our illicit funds within the operation.
It appears that opening night will be a success.
The front door swings open once more, capturing my attention.
A man in a tailored black suit strides in, his striking blonde hair and piercing blue eyes hinting at a troubled past. It’s clear he’s confronted the darker corners of life—definitely a bad guy.
Just as I brace myself for the next arrival, I hold my breath, but it’s only a cheerful fellow with his arms around his wife—or maybe a mistress.
I don’t know why I keep looking for him, clinging to the hope that he’ll appear and show me that I belong to him. It feels like I’m just a young girl again, dreaming that my dad would arrive and rescue me. He never did, and I realize now that I shouldn’t expect Valentin to either.
With a sigh of disappointment, I turn to find Lacey observing me intently.
“Have you found anything on Petrov?” Lacey’s enthusiasm is clearly fading.
“I’m working on it,” I reply, trying to calm her. Unfortunately, every lead I have had has gone cold. It feels like he’s vanished without a trace. Valentin may have been my only hope in finding him.
“Work harder,” she presses me. What the fuck does she think I’m doing?
Robyn and Lacey haven’t uttered a word about Valentin, but I can feel their anxiety when I hesitate to discuss him. They’ve kept their thoughts to themselves, but it’s clear that fear holds them back. And honestly, they have every reason to be scared.
We kidnapped a Bratva Brigadier, and now our lives are in his hands.
What if I were just a good fuck for him? Now that I’m not sleeping with him, will he still keep his promise to kill me?
Cheers erupt from a table nearby—someone has a winning hand. As the dealer counts his chips and slides them across the table, I take a moment to congratulate him. I then gather the empty glasses from the wool felt cloth, feeling the excitement in the air, and make my way toward the bar.
A few ladies are gathered in the chic pink and white lounge, adorned with sparkling diamonds and a stunning diamond chandelier. “How are the drinks?” I ask them, noticing the enticing drink specials generously poured into their cups.
“They’re delicious,” one of the ladies chuckles, clearly having already enjoyed a few.
“I’m glad to hear that,” I reply, smiling.
I place the empty cups on the bar, where a bartender in tight leather quickly collects them and wipes down the surface, her jiggling boobies drawing the attention of every guy sitting at the bar.
At the end of the bar sits Ruby, her dress daringly short, her smile infectious, and a shot glass poised before her.
Shit! I quickly make my way to her.
“What are you drinking?” I ask, positioning myself between her barstool and the man next to her.
“It’s just a shot,” she responds, exhaling in exasperation and rolling her eyes.
I glance back at the bartender, who nonchalantly raises three fingers.
I slide the empty shot glass toward the bartender. “Can I get some water, please?”
“It’s opening night! Let’s have some fun,” Ruby snorts, clearly dismissive.
“Ruby, you know your pills and alcohol don’t mix,” I remind her.
“Come on, I’ll watch her,” a man behind me insists, leaning in closer than necessary, his rancid breath brushing against me, almost making me heave.
I feel a surge of irritation. “Stay the hell out of this,” I growl, narrowing my eyes to deliver a firm warning that I won’t allow any interference.
“We’re just having a good time,” he insists with a grin.
I glance at him from head to toe. He’s cute, but he looks too young and isn’t intimidating enough.
“Lexi, you’re embarrassing me,” Ruby whines.
I thought we had learned our lesson by now.
When I roll my eyes, she smirks. “Don’t you have better things to do?” she chuckles, casting a sly glance around me to make sure he’s still captivated by her.
“I think you should head home now,” I say, gently taking hold of her arm.
“Let her stay,” the man asserts, grabbing my forearm as he attempts to prevent me from yanking Ruby out of her seat.
The feeling of his hand on me makes my blood boil. How dare he touch me? From that night when Petrov pinned me down, I vowed that no man would touch me without my consent. I turn my head to the side, my fist poised to strike, but then something unexpected on my right diverts my focus.
Just then, a massive hand intercedes and clamps down on his wrist, forcing him back with a sudden, violent motion. The sharp crack of his finger breaking resonates as it’s pulled the wrong way, his hand then slamming down hard against a marble countertop.
The sound cleaves through the tension in the air, searing and nauseatingly brutal.
My burning chest drowns out the horrifying sounds of the man screaming, and my heart beats heavily in my ears. “Valentin!”
The chatter of the crowd and the man beside me cursing fades into silence, overshadowed by the intensity of a man’s gaze. He’s here.
“Lexi!” Lacey rushes over, her voice snapping me back to reality, and I swallow hard before intentionally looking away.
Curious glances are exchanged among the gathering of onlookers. Even the guys tucked away at a blackjack table in the back corner pause to watch the show.
Valentin strides forward with a commanding confidence and undeniable arrogance, qualities that come naturally to the Brigadier. Brandishing a thick stack of cash, he raises it high and hands it to the bartender. “Drinks are on me for the rest of the evening!”
The crowd burst into cheers, quickly pushing aside any lingering tension as they flock to the bar, eager to order the most expensive drinks.
I pull Ruby into a tight embrace, my hand gently resting on the back of her neck. “You should go home now.”
She swallows hard, nodding as she wraps her arms around me, holding on tightly, her gaze fixed on Valentin. “Okay.”
One of the bartenders guides Ruby by the arm. “I’ll take her home.”
“Thank you.” My eyes follow them as they exit through the back door.
As Ruby fades from view and the crowd resumes their drinking and gambling, I redirect my attention to Valentin. “What are you doing here?” I hate how seeing him again makes my pulse race.
He pauses before responding, then gestures to his security guard, who strides over with a beautiful bouquet of red roses in hand.
I take the flowers from Valentin, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
“You know you could have had these delivered,” I whisper, wanting to keep our exchange just between us.
“And miss my girl’s big night?” he says, flashing a smile that leaves me both excited and breathless.
I guide him into my office, away from the bustling casino floor. His men fan out around the building, skillfully keeping watch on the Brigadier without following.
As the door closes behind us, my heart races with anticipation. I stand before him, fully aware that he’s probably pissed at me.
Valentin strides past me, his gaze fixed on the cardroom through the one-way mirror.
The look of admiration on his face brings me a sense of joy that’s oddly satisfying, like a father beaming with pride for his daughter. “Congratulations,” he says with interest, moving to my desk to check the surveillance monitors.
I place the flowers on the table. “Thank you. It’s small, but it’s a start.”
“Everyone starts somewhere.”
Valentin tilts his head toward me, his nostrils flaring as he struggles to maintain his composure for just a moment. His fingers twitch before he suddenly grips me, pinning me against the desk. His gaze is piercing, like cold steel. “Did you think you could run from me, Krasotka?”