41. Vladimir
Vladimir
We all ride to my club together in a limo, per the women’s request.
Luna and Amani have blindfolded Raven, claiming she couldn’t see the surprise—even though she already knew where we were going.
I didn’t understand the logic behind it.
But then again, when do women ever do things logically?
I would have voiced my opinion, but watching Luna grin like a damn Cheshire cat as she helped tie the blindfold in place?
Yeah. I wasn’t going to ruin that.
However, that blindfold?
That’s giving me ideas.
Ideas I’ll be using later tonight.
The entire ride over, Luna, Amani, and Raven wouldn’t stop giggling and talking about nonsense.
I mean actual nonsense.
Something about some K-drama they were currently watching and why the stripper outfits in movies are never actually practical for real life.
And they had been downing shots like grown men on an empty stomach.
When I voiced my concern?
They all side-eyed me.
Like I was in the wrong.
Even Raven—who was blindfolded.
Which made me reasonably confident she was glaring at me through the damn thing.
So me, Dimitri, and Konstantin just sat back and whispered in low Russian about our shipments and Bratva dealings while letting the women exist in their own chaotic bubble.
By the time we finally pull up to the club, the women are already stumbling out the back, giggling and whispering like they’re up to something.
I double-checked security tonight.
Luna didn’t say it outright, but she didn’t have to.
Something happened within the EAO, and though the underground rumors were still vague, the word was spreading— Their base had been compromised.
And I wasn’t taking any chances with her safety.
Not now. Not ever.
So while Luna and Amani are guiding Raven inside, me and the rest of my men flank them, eyes scanning the club.
But—
What the fuck?
I stop short.
This is supposed to be my club.
The neon sign flashing MOONLIGHT INFERNO is still there.
But the inside?
Someone has turned my club into something straight out of a dark version of The Great Gatsby.
Red and black everywhere.
Velvet drapes, crystal chandeliers, black leather seating, and a grand stage at the far end of the room with a vintage mic sitting dead center.
The lighting is low and seductive, deep reds and golds flickering off the glossy black floors.
I recognize no one.
Except for my security?—
And the various elite members of the EAO standing along the balcony, watching like deadly, well-dressed specters.
I glance down at Luna, who smirks at my obvious shock.
"What the fuck is this?" I murmur.
She leans in, brushing her lips against my ear. "A surprise."
Before I can question further, the lights dim?—
Then—
"SURPRISE!"
Raven’s blindfold is ripped off, and the club erupts into cheers.
Raven blinks, her eyes adjusting, before her lips part in surprise.
She takes a full step back, looking around at the entire scene in front of her.
Raven stands frozen, completely speechless.
And that? That’s a fucking first.
Luna grins at her reaction, clearly pleased with herself.
“Luna, you psycho,” Raven mutters, still taking in the massive, Gatsby-meets-mafia spectacle in front of her.
Luna shrugs, smirking. “I accept that title.”
The crowd starts pushing in, various people coming up to greet Raven, and that’s when I spot them.
Isabella. Elizabeth. And Angel.
The three women are standing near the VIP section, watching the scene unfold with knowing expressions.
Then, as if this couldn’t get any more chaotic?—
A slim-built, average-sized Asian man steps forward, his posture stiff, but commanding.
His dark eyes scan the room, sharp and observant, before landing on one person.
Raven.
The second she sees him, her breath catches.
For the briefest moment, she doesn’t move—doesn’t even blink.
"Dad?"
She doesn’t wait for an answer.
In a blink, Raven launches herself forward, practically throwing herself into his arms.
The entire room stills as the cold, calculating assassin—the woman who could kill a man in under six seconds—turns into nothing more than a daughter hugging her father.
For a beat, he doesn’t move.
Then, slowly, his arms wrap around her, and I swear I see the ghost of a smile tug at the edges of his lips.
“Happy birthday, little tiger,” he murmurs, his voice calm, but warm.
Luna and Amani exchange looks before nudging each other like proud older sisters.
Dimitri, on the other hand, leans toward me and mutters, "Fuck, I should’ve been the one to call him first. That would've won me points."
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Dima, shut the fuck up."
Raven pulls back slightly, still holding onto her father’s arms. “What are you doing here? I thought?—”
“I thought it was time,” he says simply. His voice is controlled, but his eyes—there’s something there. Something unspoken.
Luna, ever the troublemaker, grins. “Surprise!”
Raven shoots her a look. “I swear to God, you’re the worst.”
Luna smirks. “You love me.”
Raven huffs. “Unfortunately.”
Amani, grinning, nudges Raven toward us. “Are you gonna introduce your dad or what?”
Raven rolls her eyes but turns toward us. “Alright, Dad, this is?—”
"Dimitri Petrov," Dimitri interrupts, stepping forward with way too much confidence.
Raven glares at him, but he ignores her, taking her father’s hand and shaking it firmly.
"Your daughter's future husband."
The entire room goes silent.
I close my eyes, exhaling slowly.
Fucking hell.
Konstantin groans. “Jesus Christ.”
Luna snorts, barely containing her laughter.
Mr. Yang, to my absolute shock, busts out laughing. Like full-bodied, genuine laughter.
Raven, on the other hand, looks like she wants to murder Dimitri on the spot.
She whirls around and hisses, "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
Dimitri shrugs, completely unbothered. “Manifesting, Malishka. Ever heard of it?”
I rub my temple, feeling an impending migraine.
I turn to Mr. Yang, my voice low but resigned. "I apologize for my brother, Mr. Yang. He's...insufferable."
To my surprise, the man waves me off. “No need. It’s entertaining.”
Raven snaps her head back toward her father. “Don’t encourage him!”
Dimitri winks at her. “He likes me.”
Raven throws up her hands. “He doesn’t even know you!”
Dimitri grins. “Yet.”
Luna and Amani are now completely losing it.
I sigh, downing the rest of my drink.
I love my wife.
But if I have to deal with this level of stupidity for the rest of my life?
I’m going to need a stronger drink.
I watch in mild horror as Dimitri keeps digging himself deeper into the grave he seems delighted to lie in.
Raven crosses her arms, glaring at him like she’s trying to set him on fire with her mind.
“Listen here, Petrov,” she hisses, stepping forward until she’s practically chest-to-chest with my brother. “You are not, and will never be, my future husband.”
Dimitri, the absolute menace that he is, grins.
“Yet,” he repeats, voices smug as hell.
Raven makes a sound between a growl and an exasperated sigh, looking moments away from decking him in the face.
Konstantin, who has been watching this entire thing unfold while sipping his whiskey, finally steps in. “Dima, shut the fuck up before she actually stabs you like Luna did to Vladimir.”
Dimitri places a dramatic hand over his heart. "You think I'd let my future wife harm me?"
Raven snaps. “I AM NOT YOUR FUTURE WIFE!”
Mr. Yang just chuckles, shaking his head. “You two remind me of an old married couple already.”
Raven gasps, betrayed. “Dad, NO.”
Dimitri nods in agreement, looking way too pleased. “See? Even your father sees it.”
Raven throws her hands up in defeat. “I give up.”
Luna, meanwhile, is laughing so hard she’s leaning into me for support.
Amani, wiping tears from her eyes, claps Dimitri on the back. “Damn, Petrov, I gotta give it to you. You’ve got persistence.”
“And patience,” Konstantin mutters. “A dangerous combination.”
Dimitri smirks, completely unbothered by the entire ordeal. “Patience, my friend, is a virtue.”
“You don’t have a single virtuous bone in your body,” I deadpan, tossing back another drink.
Dimitri winks. “That’s debatable.”
The club is alive, pulsing with music and the low hum of conversation. Everywhere I look, people are drinking, dancing, and celebrating.
For Raven’s birthday, Luna spared no expense.
VIP sections are filled with high-profile guests from our world and the underground networks we do business with. Security is doubled, and my men are posted at every entrance, watching everything.
Luna, Amani, and Raven are in their element, soaking in the attention, drinks in hand as they sway to the music.
And I?
I’m standing by the bar, watching my wife like a fucking lunatic.
She’s glowing.
Her crimson dress hugs her curves like it was made for her, and her hair—straight and sleek—spills down her back in a way that has my hands itching to tangle in it.
The way her golden skin catches the light, the way she moves, the way she fucking laughs?—
I want to drag her away from all these people and remind her exactly who she belongs to.
My thoughts must be written all over my face, because Konstantin smirks, nudging me. "You look like you're ready to throw her over your shoulder again."
I grunt. "Not in public."
Konstantin laughs. "That sounds like a 'later' problem."
"It is."
Just then, Luna glances over at me, locking eyes from across the room.
She tilts her head, raising her drink in a silent toast before turning back to Amani and Raven—completely dismissing me.
That’s not happening.
I push off the bar and approach her, ignoring Dimitri and Konstantin’s amused glances as I weave through the crowd.
Luna notices, of course.
She pretends not to.
But when I reach her, placing a possessive hand on her hip, pulling her back against me?—
She gasps.
"Dracula," she breathes.
I lower my mouth to her ear, my grip tightening. "Enjoying yourself?"
She smirks. "Immensely."
I press a slow, teasing kiss to the bare skin of her shoulder. "Good. Because the moment this party is over, I will ruin you."
She shudders, then leans back into me.
"Promises, promises," she whispers, her voice full of wicked amusement.