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“Bigger things to worry about than our little sister? She’s unconscious and God only knows when she’ll wake up and if she’s going to be okay. And yet you want to stand here and say that there are more important things to worry about.”
James nods, his frown deepening. “You don’t understand because Dad always thought that you were too weak to take on the responsibilities of the family. There is business to take care of. The very same business that the Orlov bastard is trying to destroy. I don’t have time to waste in a hospital. Lily will either be fine, or she won’t, but that is not my problem right now.”
“How can you be so cold? She didn’t want this. She is too young to be involved with Dad's shit.”
“The family business. Which you would do well to remember has paid for your upbringing and your education.” James glowers at me, his upper lip curling. “Orlov is dangerousand stronger than us. Whatever you think should be done, forget it.”
“You’re just going to let this go?” I shake my head, my hands balling into fists. “Someone tries to kill Dad, puts our sister in the hospital, and you’re just going to let it go?”
“There is nothing to be done. Forget it and move on, Sophia. That’s a fucking order.”
With a nod, he walks out of the hospital room and closes the frosted glass door behind him. For a moment I wonder if I should run after him and demand that he shows our sister some damn respect.
I know that’s never going to happen though. He’s just like our father. The only thing he cares about is the business.
I sigh and take my hair down from my bun to massage my scalp. A headache is starting to build in the back of my head.
I don’t have time for headaches now. If my father and brother don’t take care of Lily, I will. I have to figure out what to do about the bastard who nearly killed my sister. Whatever I decide, he'll pay for hurting her.
Chapter 2 - Ivan
As I lean back in the leather wing chair at the gleaming marble table, my brother returns with a woman embracing him. I sigh and glance over at Roman, my right-hand man, who is also too preoccupied with another woman’s fake breasts to pay attention to what’s going on around him.
The Quartz isn’t where I want to be tonight, but it’s one of the best places to conduct business. The rich flock to the swanky club, looking to make business deals that the police would definitely have a problem with.
Dark purple and pink lights light up the club, and brighter orange spots swirl around randomly, illuminating the people dancing in the middle of the room.
Crystal chandeliers hang above the tables that line the back of the club opposite the bar. I scan the room and watch as bartenders juggle bottles of alcohol costing hundreds of dollars before pouring a line of shots to a group of women in tight mini-dresses.
Another group of women comes through the door, and a few men in dark suits follow them. I turn my gaze away from them and lean forward to take my whiskey on the rocks from the table. My fingers clasp the cool glass as the women we've brought with us get up and start dancing. Nik and Roman wave them away, their eyes glued to the women’s asses as they swing to the music.
“Now that I have your attention,” I say, glaring between the two men as I bring my drink to my mouth. I take a long sip before setting the glass back down. “How is business?”
My brother Nikita, or Nik, shrugs as his gaze bounces around the room. “It’s been good. With Charlie Fletcher’s trading ring shut down, we have doubled our profits.”
Roman scoffs and crosses one leg over the other, his ankle resting on his knee. “Until he started showing off. We found out that he was running around behind your back, trying to rebuild his business.”
“What’s been done about it?” I cross my arms and close my eyes. All I need is one more problem from Charlie. He’s been a thorn in my side for far too long. Sooner or later, he’s going to die.
“I chased him today and shot at him while he was driving. His car crashed into a barrier, and it rolled. Had a girl with him. Might teach him not to cross you again.” Roman smirks and looks around the club. “Suspect the woman might have been one of his daughters, but it also could have been one of his women of the week.”
“Speaking of women of the week,” Nik says as I open my eyes to glare at him. He chuckles and reaches for his drink, swirling the amber liquid around in the glass. “You’re forty-three. Have you given thought to finding a wife and settling down yet? You know that it’s what’s expected of you at this age.”
I snort and run a hand through my dark hair, wondering if any of the gray strands are starting to show through yet. I know that I’m getting older—my reflection tells me every single morning. Fine wrinkles bracket the corners of my eyes. My age isstarting to show, and I know that I’m going to have to find a wife eventually.
But settling down isn’t for me. It never has been. While I love women, the idea of being attached to one for the rest of my life doesn’t appeal to me at all.
“There is no reason for me to find a wife right now,” I say as a blonde woman with a tight red dress sits in Nik’s lap. She runs her hands through his dark blonde hair before nipping at his earlobe.
I roll my eyes as I look at her. She looks like she’s more plastic than flesh; with breasts sitting too high on her chest and lips that are too full. Nik glances over at me and arches an eyebrow as if he’s trying to prove his point.
“We came here to talk about business.” I grab my drink and finish it before motioning to the bottle service girl to come pour another. “I don’t have time to think about a wife, right now, Bratva is my priority.”
Roman chuckles and winks at the service girl as she tops up our drinks. She blushes and leans in to whisper something in his ear. He nods, gets up, and follows her to a door on the left side of the bar. They disappear behind it, while the woman on Nik’s lap gets up and joins the others on the dance floor.
“I know you’re the boss and your focus is the Bratva, but sooner or later you’re going to need to take a wife. It’s time to settle down. Show the men what they should be aspiring for. I might be your younger brother, but I think you should take my advice for once.” Nik lifts his glass and takes a sip of his drink.
Of course, Nik would be the one to recommend settling down. He’s always wanted that life. A family to come home toat night. A wife to sleep beside him. Even if he says that he doesn’t have the time to settle down, I know he wants it.
