Page 40 of Stolen Vows

I didn’t think too much about it after we walked inside. Much to my surprise, another security guard approached us and guided us to one of the VIP booths. I sighed happily, the seductive atmosphere familiar enough to feel like a sort of normal. The interior had the same low lighting that I remembered, the soft pink and red hues casting the whole place in a dark and mysterious glow. There were a number of crystal chandeliers that made the lights glitter across the floor. The plush, red velvet booths were always pristine, and I sighed happily as I sat down.

These heels really weren’t meant for much walking. My feet were already sore.

Within an hour, the booth was full. Chloe had done exactly what she’d said she would. She’d invited all the girls we used to party with during our freshman and sophomore years, along with anyone from the current year we met that fit in well enough with the rest of us. We toasted our path as rising seniors, and she stole the show, congratulating me on my recent marriage.

The alcohol flowed freely that night. There were bottles of champagne, cosmos, lemon drop martinis, top shelf margaritas, the works. There was dancing long into the night. I had the best time, feeling the steady buzz of the alcohol under my skin. It was nice to have this slice of normal in my life once again. I’d been thrust into a whole new world, one that was far more Sergei’s than mine. This was a nice change of pace.

When the bar closed, we all groaned as the lights turned brighter. Victor collected Chloe and I and led us out to the car. When I stumbled, he caught my arm, and I shyly thanked him. I noticed that his suit was mussed, and I stared at his collar, noticing a dried spot of blood. Had that been there before?

I quickly forgot about it as I focused on each step, trying to walk like a sober person when I knew I was probably slightly tipsier than I had intended.

We dropped Chloe off first and Victor saw to it that she made it up safely to her apartment. There was a red print of lipstick on his cheek when he returned, and I fell into a fit of giggles as we drove back home.

Victor mumbled something into his phone. Not really caring enough to listen, I closed my eyes and decided to nap.

I woke up when we pulled into the driveway, suddenly remembering my sole mission for the night.

I was going to get Sergei to fuck me.

CHAPTER12

Sergei

I’d been pacing my study all night. Victor had kept me informed the whole time, but I was having difficulty knowing that my Natasha was out there dancing in this tight little dress with her girlfriends and that there were other men in the vicinity that might be looking at her. He sent me a picture to verify that she was safe, and I’d thrown my glass against the wall in an immediate volley of anger before I got myself under control.

He’d stood guard outside of her friend’s apartment all night. When they’d left, he’d accompanied them personally. Their choice of bar was slightly problematic because of where it was situated. It was straight in the middle of the territory of the Juarez cartel. They were rivals with many of the Russian bratvas in the area, which also meant that they were my enemy too. Since coming to Chicago, I’d clashed with them several times and come out victorious, but that didn’t mean that they weren’t still a concern, especially when Natasha was thrown into the mix.

Victor’s face was recognizable enough, and it hadn’t taken long for the word to spread that my men were there to guard a specific someone.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist for them to figure out that she was important to me.

I’d sent more men. I wanted to go there myself, but that would have only brought more attention to her and I didn’t dare risk her life for my sake.

In the late hours of the night when the drinks were flowing and the DJ took over the music, everything I had feared had come to pass. Victor had kept Natasha unawares of the dangers, but he had caught a man sneaking up on her with a knife while Yuri had stopped another on the balcony. That one had a handgun complete with a silencer.

I’d called in everyone after that, knowing this had to be handled delicately. All I wanted was for Natasha and her friends to be extracted safely. Only after she was back home and entirely free from danger would I take steps to deal with those responsible. I wouldn’t do it alone either. I would call on Nikolai Lenkov’s help. This move against me was unforgiveable, and I would demand an end to them, no questions asked.

Victor and Yuri directed my men quietly. They made their way through the place, silently taking out those who posed a danger to my wife. My men were trained in multiple styles of combat. They could do some serious damage with a gun or a blade, but they were most lethal with nothing more than their bare hands. They documented each face for my records, gathering all the data I needed so that I could take it to the Lenkovs when the time was right.

I spent every waking minute by my phone. As soon as Victor was able, he directed Natasha and her friends out of the club and into the car. I only breathed a little easier, anxiously waiting for them to return home.

I’d kept my eyes on the camera for every minute of that drive. When I’d seen them pull through the entryway gates, I raced downstairs to meet them, needing to make sure she was alright with my own eyes.

The moment she climbed out of the car, my heart leapt.

My babygirl. My Natasha.

Victor politely took her arm and led her up the porchway steps. I quickly took over for him, and he respectfully bowed his head, stepping away as he deferred to me.

“Thank you for keeping her safe for me, Victor,” I said softly.

“She is your family now, boss. That means she’s part of mine too,” he replied.

“Make sure there’s extra eyes on the compound tonight and then get some sleep. You’ve earned it,” I dictated. I nodded and he walked off. Yuri followed with a respectful nod of his own, leaving me alone with my woman. I couldn’t help but sigh in relief at knowing she was finally safe with me.

I couldn’t go through that again.

She swayed in my arms, and I looked down, realizing that there was a very distinct, glassy glow to her returning gaze.

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