Page 52 of Daddy Brigadier

There was a time when I cared about what she thought of me. Was she proud of me? Have I done enough to earn her love?

But that was back when I was Alexis. That girl no longer exists.

I raise my head and turn away from her because, contrary to what she believes, I no longer need her.

I quietly descend the stairs, noticing the door where loud voices resonate from within. As I carefully navigate the creakywooden floor, my body tenses, each muscle urging me to remain silent as I walk past Valentin’s office.

Finally, I reach the bottom of the stairs and stand before the vast expanse of the warehouse, eagerly looking for an exit door.

The sound of approaching boots hits my ears, and my eyes catch sight of a door. I attempt to open it, but it resists my efforts. With determination, I unlock it and push hard, finally bursting into the open air of the warehouse district.

The crisp morning air jolts my senses as I slip on my heels. I hasten my steps, eager to escape Valentin’s place quickly, determined to put distance between the Coalition and me.

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 glassestriumphantly, 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.