I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me, carefully pinning her arms against my chest. “I love you. Thank you for being here for me.” I mumbled into her hair. “Tell me exactly what happened.” She demanded her voice muffled slightly by my shirt as I practically smothered her against me in fear of her wrath. I let out a loud sigh, resigning myself to the fact that I will have to relive the moment my heart shattered and my world came crashing down to the maniac that I call my sister. I pulled my shoulders back and braced myself for what was to come next as I told them everything that happened. Down to the last detail. Well, not about me just about busting a nut while I played peeping tom. But all of the other stuff. Every one sat in stone silence as I gave them a play by play. My heart shattering all over again, telling them the story.
“Where is the ring?” Tink demanded after I had finished. “What?” I asked startled. Why would Tink want the ring? “Where. Is. The. Ring?” Shaking my head I sighed in defeat. Katinka was already riled up and I most definitely did not want to end up looking like Tosha. I shifted Katinka off my lap as I reached into my pocked; pulling out the Princess cut solitaire. Katinka snatched it up from my hand. “What the hell Tink?” “Look at this ring! This is gorgeous! I am going to kill that bitch.” “Tink, leave it be. She just wanted me for my fame, not for me. She isn’t worth it. She isn’t the first and probably wouldn’t be the last.” Katinka shook her head in disagreement. “You are a world class idiot.” Taken aback I gaffed. “What do you mean, I’m an idiot?” Shaking her head she remained quiet. Pissed at her statement I pulled her against my chest roughly and cuddled her like Elmira cuddled those poor animals. With so much love, it HURT. Katinka didn’t flinch. She accepted her punishment. I loved her; I just didn’t like her right this second.
We rode the rest of the way to the bar in silence. I kept Katinka in my death grip of an embrace. I caught Tosha glancing over at her out of the corner of his eye. I know he loved her more than anything in the world, but I also knew he was deeply afraid of her. Any man in his right mind would be afraid of Katinka Von. The two had been married for just a few weeks. I hated that their biggest fight had been over me. “I love you. Thank you for standing up for me and being so willing to kill for me.” I whispered against her head. I felt her body relax slightly. “You know I would do anything in the world for you. It kills me that she did this. But I know that you will find someone so much more amazing than that two bit whore.” I smiled against her head. “I will let you pick out the next one. Though I’m pretty sure you kind of helped pick this one out.” I flinched as she elbowed me. A whoosh of air expelled from my lungs as her elbow connected with my ribs in a not so friendly jab.
I was relieved when we reached the bar. Being this close to Katinka when she was riled up was hazardous to my health. As much as I loved her, I couldn’t wait to put a little distance between us. As we all rolled out of the taxi, Ivan tossed the cabbie a generous tip then winked at me. Hopefully the tip would ensure that the cabbie wouldn’t turn us in to the tabloids. I planned on getting shit faced drunk and didn’t need pictures of it to surface all over TMZ in the morning.
I walked straight to the bar to order a drink with Damon and Ivan. Kiev, Tosha and Katinka went in search of a table large enough for all of us. The bar was dimly lit and filled to half capacity. Just enough people for us to blend in and still enough space to move around freely.
We ordered a round of beers and downed them before ordering another round to take to the table. Liquid fortification, cold and wet, just the way I liked it. We made our way to the table the other half of our group occupied and passed out the beers. I flopped into a chair that faced the small dance floor. A handful of women danced to the pop music coming from the jukebox. One of the women was wearing a tiara and pink feather boa. I could see the back of her sash. Bachelorette party, I would put money on it. Nothing is more entertaining to watch than a cluster of women getting drunk while half of them boasted about the grandeur of love while the other half openly opposed it. Eventually they would become so plastered they would start to make out. That was always my favorite part.
“A hundred bucks says I can get the Bachelorette to sow her wild oats tonight.” Kiev said over my shoulder. I smirked, a fools bet. “A hundred bucks says you can’t get her to bring a friend along with her.” I turned to him, knowing he would accept the challenge. Sometimes he was too easy. Cocking an eyebrow he gave me a cocky smirk. “Challenge accepted.” I shook my head, bringing my beer up to my lips. The bachelorette would be a challenge, yet doable, the friend… that would take some work. No woman wants to compete for another man’s affection. Especially when it is supposed to be their ‘special day’. I felt Kiev stir as he got up out of his seat. I watched his back as he walked toward the bar. Typical move, buying the ladies a round of shots. The universally accepted icebreaker. Let the game begin.
Shaking my head I turned back to the table. Katinka was curled up in Tosha’s lap; her arms snaked around his neck as she buried her head in the crook of his neck. I watched as they silently whispered to one another. My lip tilted up at the sides, watching the two of them make up was relieving. When Tosha first expressed interest in Katinka as more than a sister and a friend I knew without a doubt that he would be perfect for her.
Most guys get mad when their best friend wants to date their sister. Not me, I knew that he would always take care of her and that his love for her was pure. I knew he would not sacrifice his friendship with me or the other guys over something that wasn’t serious with her. No one was stupid enough to risk their life for something that wasn’t serious and that is exactly what he would have been doing. I also knew that if anyone could handle her it would be him. They have always had a close bond and he had always taken her shit and smiled and vice/versa.
She was a tough cookie but he was made of steel. Everything she threw at him he had the ability to let it bounce off, his love for her never wavering. I also knew that any man that was able to break down her walls was going to be the one for her. Katinka had always played her cards close and kept crazy high walls. I think the fact that Tosh already had an in helped. In 28 years I had never even known Katinka to have a boyfriend. I knew she wasn’t a saint. I was just surprised that she never kept anyone around long enough to label as hers.
Watching them, I knew that that was what I wanted. Watching Tink and Tosh together just drilled in to me that what I thought I had with Elena wasn’t true love. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t make it hurt less. My heart still feels like it was ripped out of my chest and stomped on. It just puts things into prospective. It would have never worked, because as much as I loved her, she didn’t love me. A relationship can’t work if it’s only one sided. The reality of it all crashed back down on me, parching my throat. I needed another drink.
Before I could stand, a waitress showed up at the table. She must have been a mind reader. My eyes taking her in, she was wearing a pair of black combat boots, her tight jeans hugged her curves and her white top was tight enough to show off her ample breast, my cock stiffened as my eyes worked their way up her body. Her pouty lips were pressed in a scrawl, her sharp blue eyes piercing me in place, disapprovingly. I gave her a wide cocky smile, busted. The damage was done; there is no taking back the fact that I was ogling her and liked what I saw. “What can I get you guys to drink?” She asked, her focus shifting to the rest of the table, careful to avoid my gaze. Everyone placed their order, a round of beers for everyone and a water. I didn’t even look up to see who the odd guy out was, ordering a beer while we were at a bar. I ordered for a shot of whisky and a beer to chase it with. The waitress turned and walked away, as if I didn’t exist. I chuckled and shrugged it off. Can’t please them all.
Katinka pulled Tosha out of his seat and lead him to the dance floor. I watched as he followed like a lost puppy. “Quit looking so damn glum, you’re depressing me.” Damon scolded, tossing a wadded up straw wrapper at me. I batted the offending scrap away with my hand and look
ed up attempting to glower at him, but failing. I ended up chuckling and flipping him the bird. I ran my hands across my face, in attempt to wipe away all thoughts of Elena and her residual hold on me. Damon sat across from me, his eyes accessing. I glowered at him, and rolled my eyes. True to his form, he began making funny faces at me, always the joker, the carefree kid. The asshole sure knows how to cheer me up and make light of a horrid situation without saying a word. It had always been his gift. “Fuck off.” I chortled. Damon, flipping me the bird in response, rolled his eyes. I shook my head at him as a glass of beer was dropped down in front of me, with a loud clang; the beer sloshed out of the glass and ran down the sides, a shot of whisky followed. I couldn’t help but smirk up at the irked waitress, as she gently placed everyone else’s beers down before pivoting and walking away. I turned to watch her ass for a brief moment. It wasn’t a bad view.
“I don’t think she will have you.” Ivan said, breaking the silence and pulling my glaze away. I shrugged. “I wasn’t really interested. She is cute and all, but not really my type.” “Well I’m glad to see your at least watching ass.” I flashed him a bright, reassuring smile and raised my beer in salute. “To always watching ass.” The guys raised their glasses, toasting in agreement. “Now go get you some ass.” Damon interjected. I nodded my head in agreement. As they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone new. Though I knew it wasn’t that simple.
I caught Ivan’s glaze as he looked away and seemed to be focusing on something out on the dance floor. I turned in my seat and followed his gaze. There was Kiev, a woman on each arm, one of them being the Bachelorette. I watched as he walked our way, leading them to our table, the rest of the bachelorette party in tow behind them. I shook my head in amazement. How in the hell did the guy do it?
“Ladies, these are my friends, Nik, Ivan and Damon. You met our other friends, Tosh and Tink out on the dance floor. Tink is Nik’s sister.” The pride in his voice as he introduced us lessoned the loss of the hundred dollars I had wagered. Kiev winked at me as he took a seat, both of the women on his lap. I couldn’t help but to shake my head and laugh, my head bent down in defeat. I looked over when I heard the scraping of chair beside me being pulled out. My eyes trailed up the long silky legs until they reached the hem of a frayed denim skirt that started mid-thigh. I took a deep gulp. My eyes trailing up the narrow waist, along the lacy, pink camisole, which clung to her like a second skin, the top was edged in lace that framed the tops of the most drool worth rack I had ever seen. My eyes, traveling up farther, nearly fell out of their sockets at the grace and elegance of her swan like neck. I practically drooled right there in response to the taught flesh, begging for my lips. Her soft plump lips pleaded to be kissed. I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly dry as I watched her bite at her bottom lip. Her perfect white teeth sinking into the pillow of her lip, the corners of her mouth turned up on the sides. My gaze wondered up to meet her eyes, pale blue framed in long dark lashes. Her golden blonde hair fell in waves down her back.
“Have you looked your fill?” I startled, caught in my worship of this god like creature beside me. “Huh?” She gave a soft laugh as she sat down. My eyes instantly zoning in on her thighs, as I watched the material of her skirt ride up even higher. “Careful, I see a little drool there on your lip.” My eyes shot up to meet hers. I absentmindedly wipes away at my mouth with the back of my hand. Shaking myself, I tried to focus on her face. She was breathtakingly beautiful. The things I wanted to do to this woman.
“’Nother round?” The waitress snarled from behind me, shaking me out of my elicit thoughts. “Yeah, and whatever the ladies want.” I said, not turning to face her. The beauty in front of me placed her delicate hand on my shoulder and leaned across me, towards the waitress, as if she were revealing a secret, thus giving me a better view of her luscious breast as they pressed against my arm, my eyes dropped down taking advantage of the position. The top of them already threatening to spill out of her shirt. “Please forgive my brother, he is mentally handicap. We just picked him up from the center and brought him out for the night to celebrate. We are so proud of our Little Nicky; our little dendraphiliac has gone a week without raping a single tree. I can’t tell you how excited we are for him.” She gushed to the waitress, her voice dripping with sincerity, and pride. I almost thanked her.
My chest burned with the breath I was trying to hold in to avoid cracking up in hysterics. I liked this girl. “Yeah, we are so proud of him. I can’t remember a time when we didn’t find him with his pants around his ankles just going to town on the trees in the yard, at school, and even at church.” Katinka piped in. I heard the waitress take in a startled breath and swear before turning and stomping off. I chanced a glance at Katinka standing over the blondes shoulder and I lost it. Grabbing my stomach I gaffed. The whole table erupted in laughs. “Seriously? Tree raper?” I asked between fits of laughter. Giggling the blonde just shrugged and smiled. Struggling to get a hold of myself, I held out my hand to her. “Nikolia Von.” She placed her delicate hand in mine. “Evie Brook.” She smiled up at me, her eyes alit with mischief. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She winked at me. “Likewise.”
I felt the weight of a heavy stare and looked up to see Katinka, still standing over Evie. She nodded her head toward Evie and mouther Her I smiled up at my baby sister and softly shook my head in disbelief. If I had not broken up with my girlfriend, that I was head over heels in love with, less than 24 hours ago I would totally have pounced on the idea of taking Evie out. That being said, I didn’t feel as though I was in the head space to be in a relationship right now. Evie didn’t look like the kind of girl you hit it and quit it, and that was the type of girl I needed right now.
We spent the entire night drinking and chatting. Kiev had disappeared with the two girls he had on his lap an hour ago. I didn’t expect to see him back at the bar. Slowly everyone began to beg off. Tosh and Tink were the next to leave. I knew she had some serious making up to do with Tosha. Soon Ivan, Damon and I were the only ones left with a handful of ladies, Evie included. She was absolutely charming and funny. She worked as a freelance writer, mostly in the entertainment field. “You going to write about us drunken’ slobs, are you?” Damon asked with a wink. “No.” She laughed. “I prefer my pieces to be Entertaining.” She ribbed. Damon threw himself back against his chair and grabbed at his chest in mock horror. “You wound me woman!” he cried, throwing Evie into a fit of laughter.
“I write about things celebrities do that are entertaining, not the tabloid crap.” She chastised. “What was your last piece on?” Ivan asked, stealing my thoughts before I could ask. “Well, my last piece was on Dark Tide’s benefit concert. They did a show donating all of the proceeds to cancer research and outreach programs. I was able to interview the guys and the crowd. Thus gaining insight from both ends of the spectrum. What drove the guys to do the show and how their fans felt about it? It was really phenomenal.” I quirked an eyebrow up at Ivan, he gave me a knowing look. “What did they say their inspiration was?” She flashed a dazzling smile. “The lead singer Kevin Knight said that a good friend of his was a cancer survivor and it opened his eyes. Knowing someone with cancer made him realize the true severity of it and the effects it take not only of the victim but also on their family and friends, so he and his band wanted to bring awareness and also generate funds to help in research. “Her eyes glazed over in admiration of Kevin’s words. I smiled to myself. Dark Tide was made up of really great guys who were becoming more like brothers than they were friends. I had no idea they were doing benefit concerts. I would have to thank Kevin when I saw him next.
The waitress came over and dropped down another round of drinks and shot for me. My buzz was swiftly becoming more of a drunken’ stupor. Ignoring the fog in my head and gradually spinning room I downed the shot in front of me, setting the empty glass down a little harder than I meant to. I felt Evie’s eyes fall on me, her eyes questioning. I just shook my head and lifted my b
eer to my lips. Ivan’s arm came across my shoulder as he leaned in. “It’s about that time Bro.” I nodded my agreeance, we needed to leave soon, I have definitely had my fill of drinks and I knew that once I stood up I would definitely feel it. “So what brings you guys to London?” Evie’s friend asked, Kelly was her name, if my memory served me correct. Damon perked up at her question, I watched as he angled his body in her direction.
Over the night his chair had slowly made its way closer and closer to hers. “We have a show here in a couple of days. Thought we would come over early and beat the jet lag, have a few drinks, and meet the locals.” Damon winked at her. She was cute. Her hair was cut in a chic bob. Her attire screamed lawyer, but she had a kind disposition that made me think otherwise. She wasn’t really my type but I apparently wasn’t hers either. She looked at Damon as though he were a meal to feast upon. It’s funny how the most professional woman in the group had a thing for the one guy in the group that looked like a bad boy. Damon was the only one in our group covered in tattoos. He lived up to the Rocker stereo type when it came to his ink but that’s as far as it went.
Rock Harder: A Heavy Metal Romance (Slava Pasha Series Book 2) Page 3