Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Matteo opens the door. “I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.” I enter his office. Matteo doesn't hang around his clubs at night anymore. He’ll come in early and handle anything he needs to. The only time he does come here at night is if he needs to do some kind of clean-up, which is handled in the basement.
“Nikolai.”
“Fuck, I know.” I run my fingers through my hair, giving it a small tug. Matteo’s brows lift.
“I don’t like when my wife gets upset.”
“She knows?”
“No.” Matteo leans up against his desk. “I’m not going to worry her if I don’t need to.” He pauses. The silence in the room is deafening.
I know he’s waiting for some sort of explanation from me. If it were anyone else, I’d tell them to mind their own fucking business. But not Matteo. I know he’s not trying to be nosy. He’s concerned on many different levels.
“There is nothing to worry about. I’ll stay away from her.” The second the words leave me, I know they're bullshit.
“Right.” Matteo barks out a surprised laugh.
“I don’t know what you want me to say.” I drop down into one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“I want you to say you’re not going to toy with her.”
“It’s not a game,” I grit out. “The last thing I want to do is hurt Riley.” I’ve never uttered truer words than those.
“Is that why you’re an asshole to her then?” I flinch because he’s not wrong. I am a dick to her. I do it to protect her from me.
“That shit’s for her own good. So she’ll stay away from me.”
"It appears to me that you don't stay away from her. Riley very much keeps to herself.” I drop my head. I have never had to deal with anything like this before. It kills me that I can’t get a handle on it. I’d never say this out loud, but it scares me. The way that I lose control of myself and my actions when I’m around her.
“She’s not going to be a quick fuck.”
I snap my head up. “I wouldn’t—”
Matteo holds his hand up, signaling for me to shut the fuck up. “That’s all I want to make clear. The rest is for you to work through.”
“Work through?” What the hell does that mean?
“We all got our shit.” Matteo’s hand comes down on my shoulder, giving me a squeeze. “Even Riley.” I nod. “Now.” He claps his hands together. “I have a few things I need to handle here, but you should know Mona and Riley are in one of the VIP sections.”
“What?” I spring to my feet. “Why are they here?” I don’t like that. Not one fucking bit. I'm sure a swarm of men are eyeing Riley right now. Her innocence can’t be missed. It’s not only alluring, it's addictive.
“My wife wanted to come with me, and she wasn’t going to let her sister hang around alone at home on a Friday night.” I walk over to the glass window, which looks out over the entire club. It only takes me two seconds to spot Riley. Of course, Sal is lingering close to her.
That bastard. I’m going to end up killing his ass by the end of the night. It’s long overdue.
6
RILEY
Itry not to fidget, but it’s hard not to. I’m not used to being so dressed up. It makes me feel kind of awkward. I couldn’t stop my sister from dolling me up, as she called it. Mona has always had a love for fashion. She calls it art. Now that she’s married to Matteo, she has free rein to buy and wear whatever she wants. Our father and brother are no longer around to control us.
“Hey, ladies.” A beautiful woman walks into our section. She has on a dress that fits her like a second skin. All of the women who work here are stunning. It’s no wonder Nikolai spends so much time here. I push those thoughts to the back of my mind. I don’t want to ruin my sister’s night by being miserable. “I brought you over a bottle of champs.”
“Thanks, Abby,” Mona says.
“And a Coke.” Abby winks at my sister. She must know that she is pregnant. Her small bump is starting to show, but Matteo also talks about my sister's pregnancy any chance he gets. It’s adorable how proud and excited he is that he knocked her up. “Can I pour you a drink, Riley?” She gives me a warm smile.
“I, ah—” I didn’t think she knew who I was.
“She’ll have a glass,” Mona cuts in for me. Abby pours it for me.
“Thank you.” I take it from her and try a sip. It’s bubbly and burns my nose a little, but it tastes good.
“If you need anything else, let me know.” She gives us another wink before she’s off.