by Bianca Cole
I would give anything to feel normal for five minutes.
My heart rate picks up as I notice a man staring right at me intensely. His bright blue eyes almost glow as the lights flash around the club. He looks like he wants to come up here, but he hasn’t approached the bouncer.
The heat in his gaze is unmistakable, sending a shiver down my spine. I’m not sure whether it is a good shiver or a bad one. He has a dangerous aura about him with the signature bratva ink snaking up the front of his neck and down his muscled forearms.
He is probably one of my dad’s men, but I don’t recognize him. I can’t understand why he fixes his attention solely on me—maybe I imagine it.
I shift and turn toward Kate, who is now being hit on by Yuri unashamedly. He has been hitting on her all night, and my warnings to keep away from him are going unheeded. When I glance back, the man who had been staring at me is gone.
I can’t understand why a part of me is disappointed. He was attractive, one of the most attractive men who has paid attention to me for a while.
With Pavel following me everywhere, men tend to stay away. He’s six foot eight and pure muscle, despite being only slightly younger than my dad, he isn’t the kind of guy most men want to cross.
“What’s got your panties in a twist?” Alex asks, talking across Kate.
I shrug. “Nothing.” I grab another shot of vodka and down it. My head swims as I sway to the music in my seat, knowing I’ve drunk more than I should.
He shifts from his seat and comes to sit by me, glancing briefly at Pavel. Pavel’s eyes narrow as he watches Alex with hawk-like intensity. The guy needs to chill out. He knows Alex is one of my friends. I’ve got a feeling my dad has ordered him not to let any guys near me.
One thing my father insists on is that I’m going to be married into the bratva. He can try and make me, but I’d rather fucking die than being tied to this world. I hate how much he wants to control my life.
Alex notices me watching Pavel and laughs. “Let him glare at me. I’m not doing anything wrong other than talking to my friend.”
I smile at that and nod, taking my eyes off of my bodyguard. “True.”
He holds another shot of vodka out to me, and I take it. “Thanks.” We clink glasses and knockback another drink.
A shout from the back of the VIP area of the club makes me jump. I glance over to the commotion and notice smoke clouding the area.
My dad’s men dash into the back to check it out, and even Pavel takes his eyes off of me for once. He joins them to check for any threat.
It may seem to most that some idiot has set of a smoke bomb, but since this club is bratva owned, it could be something more sinister—an attempted attack on my dad’s outfit.
The thick smoke swirls closer and closer to us. “Come on, let’s go down into the main club,” I shout to Kate and Alex.
Kate looks a little reluctant as she glances into the back, searching for Yuri. “Fine.” She gets to her feet and follows me down onto the dance floor.
My heart hammers hard as I set eyes on the man from before. He’s watching me intently, or at least, I think he’s watching me.
A pulse of heat races through my veins at his attention. Thank God this club is dark. Otherwise, he’d be able to see that I’m turning redder by the second. I can feel the blood rushing to my face.
Even as my body temperature rises, I can’t seem to bring myself to turn away from him. His eyes have mesmerized me, fixing me to the spot.
Is he staring at me?
I glance behind and only see Alex. Either he is watching me, or he is into guys. Knowing my luck, he’s probably into Alex.
I glance back, and he is smiling at me. It’s a smile that sends a thrill through me. A flood of hope fills me as I realize he is watching me.
Kate grabs my arm and swings me around, forcing me to dance with her. It’s a welcome reprieve from the intense staring competition we’d been having. I try to forget about the inked up man watching me, swaying to the beat and letting the alcohol take away my inhibitions.
There’s no way a man like him would want me. I’m a young girl with hardly any experience in that department. Even as that thought crosses my mind, I let myself go, dancing in front of him.
I twirl around and make eye contact with him again. He’s still standing there, watching me. The smile has disappeared, and his eyes are dark as he watches every move I make like a hawk.
My tummy flutters and body heats at the way he watches me. His gaze is predatory. As if he is getting ready to pounce on his prey. The thought alone makes me hot, or maybe it’s just hot in here. The alcohol I’ve drunk tonight has gone straight to my head.
I have to look away, struggling to keep his gaze any longer. Kate is dancing close by, so I twirl toward her and grab her hands.
“Thank God you’ve got rid of that damn bodyguard for five minutes,” she shouts over the loud music.
I nod my head, swaying my hips to the beat. I know the reason I’m dancing like this, and it’s ridiculous. As if I have a sixth sense, I can still feel his eyes on me. I want to give him the best show I can, even though he’s dangerous and bratva—two things I try to keep away from.
Alex dances toward us, and his eyes alight with mischief as he’s about to grab my hand. I know Alex has had a crush on me since we started university, but Pavel makes sure he can’t make any moves. His face drops as he looks behind me, and suddenly a pair of rough hands grip my hips.
The possessiveness of his touch is spellbinding, and I feel his breath teasing against my ear. It looks like my dancing drew him over, but is that a good thing?
3
Lyov
The scent of alcohol is overwhelming. I try not to let it get to me. I haven’t touched any for ten years, and I don’t intend to start now. Many of my brotherhood rely on alcohol to deaden the guilt. After ruining my life with it, I gave it up.
The girl I’m looking for could be anywhere. Her text alluded to the fact she is here, so I’ve got to scour every inch of this place. It would make sense since her father owns this club. It’s only a matter of time until someone discovers Harriet bound and gagged, which means I need to work quickly to ensure Milana isn’t alerted.
Digging my phone out of my pocket, I bring up the photo. It’s a few years old and not the best. Not to mention, the club is dark. It will be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
I move through the room, keeping to the edges and searching the writhing bodies on the dance floor. A platform near the back catches my eye. It’s a VIP area, where I’d expect the daughter of Veselov to be.
Stepping backward and leaning against the wall, I scan the security. The VIP area has one bouncer guarding the only entrance. It’s too dark for me to tell whether the woman I’m looking for is there.
Bodies are dancing in that area, but the difficulty will be getting in. My bratva ink is impossible to hide, but these men won’t know me. I’m a trespasser in their territory — a man who intends to steal something precious from their asshole of a pakhan.
I move toward the center of the dancefloor, ignoring a woman’s attempt to draw me toward her. She tries again, and I give her a severe glance. Her face pales, and she backs away from me.
I move as close as I can to the VIP area and look into it, trying to see who is in there. More brava members guard the entrance on the platform and there are lots of men inside. If she’s in there, I’m going to need to draw her out somehow.
One girl rushes past the entrance and takes a seat right opposite me on a round table. My heart hammers hard and fast.
Milana.
She’s unmistakable if not all grown-up compared to the photo. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my stomach tightens at the sight of her. Beautiful is the only way to describe her.
I bite my lip and watch as her friends join her at the table. One guy and a girl. The guy sits down close to her, too close for my liking.
It makes no sense that I feel so protec
tive over a woman I’m supposed to kidnap. “Hey, big boy, want to dance?” I turn around to find a blonde woman fluttering her eyelashes at me.
If I want to fit in, then dancing may be a good idea. I grunt in response, grabbing the woman’s waist and spinning her so I can keep my eyes on Milana. I can’t deny that Milana has piqued my interest. She is stunning.
The woman I’m dancing with tries to grind against me, but I keep her at arm’s length. Otherwise, she will block my view of the target.
She turns around and tries to kiss me. I back away from her. “Sorry.” I leave her gaping after me and step closer to the VIP section.
A moment ticks by, and then Milana’s eyes meet mine. I should look away, but I can’t. She mesmerizes me with her gaze, holding it without flinching.
Most would be intimidated by my gaze, but she doesn’t appear to be. I can feel my balls tingling with interest, which is a bad fucking sign. I’m not here to fuck her, I’m here to kidnap her.
Finally, she glances away, breaking the electric eye contact between us. I move to the edge of the dancefloor out of her sight, but keep my eyes on her. My lips quirk up as she glances back to where I’d been standing. She doesn’t mask her disappointment that I’m no longer there.
Her attraction to me is my way in. She’s intrigued by me. If I can get her to dance with me, then I should be able to get her out of this club. The guy at her table moves closer to her, making jealousy clench at my chest. It makes no sense since I don’t know her.
Then, I see a huge bratva man with peppered gray hair step forward. His eyes focus on Milana with such intensity that I know he’s her bodyguard.
It makes sense that she would have security. She is the daughter of a pakhan. It is going to make my task more difficult. I’ll need to make a distraction to ensure he doesn’t get in the way. I notice an area where I can get access to the back of the VIP platform.
I slip my hand into my jacket’s inside pocket and fumble for the smoke bomb I keep with me. It’s the best option to cause a commotion and get the bodyguard away from her. I scan the area before slipping under the mezzanine. With careful steps, I creep beneath the platform toward the back.
Once I make it to the back, I find a perfect spot to throw the bomb up. I pull the cord and chuck it quickly, walking back toward the main dance floor. A few shouts sound above me, but I manage to slip out unseen.
Milana is standing with her back toward me, watching the commotion. Her bodyguard is nowhere in sight. The plan has worked to get him away from her.
I walk toward the VIP platform, but stop when Milana turns to walk down the stairs onto the main dancefloor. I move quickly to ensure she doesn’t notice me watching her. If she gets suspicious, then this will be impossible. The only way to pull this off is to seduce her. My cock thickens in my pants at the thought.
Fuck.
This girl has got under my skin already. I move quickly toward the edge of the dance floor and turn to search for my target. Milana has stepped onto the dance floor, and our eyes meet instantly.
We stare at each other for what feels like hours. The electricity pulsing between us is undeniable. This is a complication I didn’t need. Milana is my target and will be my captive. I can’t be having these kinds of thoughts about her.
She glances behind her as if searching for who I’m looking at it. I can’t help but smile at how oblivious she is to her beauty. It makes me want her more. Her body is perfection — full breasts, wide hips and thick thighs that I’d love to sink my fingers into.
She turns back, and our eyes meet again. I keep smiling at her, but before she can smile back, her friend whisks her around to dance.
She has her back to me now and sways her hips to the music. I watch her, feeling the need for her increase. The way she moves her curvy body to the beat makes me harder.
I groan, as it’s impossible not to admire her figure from behind. My cock thickens at the sight of her firm, round ass framed in a tight black dress.
I shake my head, trying to clear my head. I hate that her friend broke our eye contact; a sudden possessiveness of the girl is clouding my judgment.
I keep my eyes on her, but the floor is getting busy. I have to move through the dancing bodies, keeping up with her.
She turns back toward me, and our eyes meet. A flicker of mischief ignites in her gaze, and she continues to dance, putting on a show for me. The girl knows what she is doing.
My cock responds to her dirty dancing as she sways her hips and traces her hands over her hips. The exact place my hands should be.
She twirls around again, grabbing her friend. Thank god her friend is a chick, or I would have decked the guy dancing with her by now.
I shake my head. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m here to capture her, not fuck her.
This is my chance. I walk toward her and slide my hands either side of her waist and lean down to whisper in her ear, “Would you like to dance?”
She turns around and stares up at me, letting me keep my hands on her hips. Her eyes widen, and her lips part ever so slightly. It takes a full minute for her to pull away from my grip and shake her head.
I feel my stomach dipping at her refusal.
“No way, you’re not backing out of that, Milana.” Her friend pushes her back toward me. “Go on, dance with him.” She gets closer and says something to her too quietly for me to catch. I notice the blush spread over Milana’s cheeks.
Up this close, it’s impossible not to be bowled over by her pure beauty. She’s a masterpiece — the most tempting woman I’ve ever set eyes on.
I wait for her answer, hoping she accepts before her bodyguard comes down here and finds us. My hope isn’t solely rooted in fulfilling my mission to kidnap Milana. I want to dance with her—touch her.
She nods in response. “Okay, one dance.” Her voice is as beautiful as the rest of her.
I feel my lips curve into a smile, which isn’t all together genuine. A mix of emotions twisting together at once, as I take her hand and lead her away from safety. I’m leading this stunning woman into the evil clutches of my brotherhood. I’m torn between my duty to my brothers and my urges.
4
Milana
I twist around to face the man holding me. Alex has taken a step away, clearly sensing that this guy is interested in me.
“Would you like to dance?” he asks, bright blue eyes full of sparking danger.
I swallow hard, glancing between him, Alex, and Kate. I start to shake my head and take a step away, feeling too shy to dance with him. He’s way out of my league.
“No way, you’re not backing out of that, Milana.” Kate pushes me back into his arms. “Go on, dance with him,” she shouts, moving closer to me. “He is hot as hell,” she whispers in my ear.
She’s right. The guy is hands down the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. I swallow hard, before nodding in response. “Okay, one dance.”
His lips curve into a smile that I wouldn’t call friendly—it’s almost cruel. It makes my stomach twist. For a brief moment, I wonder whether I’m making a mistake dancing with him. He could be a creep for all I know. The way he watched me in the VIP area, and then again down here.
He takes my hand before I can change my mind. His large, rough hands slip onto my hips the moment we’re in the center of the dance floor. I gaze into his brilliant blue eyes, feeling hypnotized by them. The man is a masterpiece — the kind of guy you only see in magazines or on TV.
I glance nervously toward the VIP area, thankful I can’t see Pavel. For once, I’ve given him the slip. The smoke bomb and commotion is still keeping him occupied.
The guy, whose name I don’t yet know, pulls me close. He sways us to the beat of the music. I let go of my inhibitions and wrap my arms around his neck. Our bodies meld together perfectly, as he holds me tightly. His eyes hold my gaze with a promise of something explosive.
I can feel my core reacting to him. His body is hard against my soft curves. His bright blue
eyes flicker with a fire that makes my panties damp. I gasp as he spins me around quickly, pressing his hard body flush against my back. His lips tease at my ear lobe, sending shivers down my spine.
My instincts tell me this man is bad news, but I can’t bring myself to break away from him. The hard press of his steel-rod against my buttocks makes me ache with need. He is as worked up as I am, responding to my body against his. It’s almost impossible to believe a man this hot would be attracted to a girl like me.
You expect this kind of guy to be dancing with a skinny fitness model, and I’m definitely not that. He digs his fingers into my curvy hips and licks a path up the column of my neck.
There’s only one way this is going, and that is us ending up between the sheets later tonight. I arch my back, pressing myself into him harder.
I’ve never been turned on by dancing with a man before. The chemistry between us is off the charts. I moan, thankful the sound is masked by the loud music.
He grinds his cock into my ass, making me so hot it feels like I’ll burst into flames any moment. I’m grateful the loud music masks the sounds I’m making. I can feel my panties soaking between my thighs.
I gasp as he bites down on my neck gently, sending a thrilling pain through me. It’s electric and erotic, and all we are doing is dancing.
It’s as if his touch is a match lighting me on fire. His lips press against the back of my neck, and he kisses and nips at the skin. “So fucking beautiful,” he groans into my ear.
I arch my back, pressing my ass harder into the thick outline of his cock.
“Naughty girl.” He spanks my ass, making me moan in both surprise and pleasure.
I glance nervously toward the VIP booth, searching for Pavel. If he caught me now, I’d been in serious fucking trouble.
“Why so tense?” he purrs into my ear.