“Will he make trouble?”
“What do you mean?”
“Will he call the police?”
“No.” Alexei’s fingers caress my side, sending a shiver through me. His frame is so big, his arms can completely enclose me. It feels good right now. Safe.
“How can you be sure?”
“Because they don’t involve the police in things.”
“Never? You are sure?”
“I’m sure.”
After a moment, I glance at the table. Except for Alexei’s rough-looking brother, they are all young and beautiful, like models. I didn’t think they were dangerous and powerful like people in the Russian Mafia, but before we came here, Alexei said Egorov would be afraid to interfere with us while we were at this wedding.
I study Alexei’s brother Sasha for a moment. And then his two friends that came and stood outside. I think about the way they were, not upset or excited over the fight, just very calm and watchful. More calm than the people who watch fights in the Bloodsport club or than a family when there is trouble. And even though Alexei is very big and clearly great at fighting, he doesn’t seem to be able to intimidate them.
“These men, what is their business?”
When he doesn’t answer, I know the reason. These men are not lawyers or CEOs. They’re not entrepreneurs, heirs to fortunes, or normal businessmen at all.
They’re criminals.
CHAPTER11
Alexei
We stay until the end of the party, but I keep Natalia close and mostly away from the others in the group. Callahan doesn’t come near us, which suits me, but I also wonder what he knows. It should have only been Russians who got the emails about the recent fight at Bloodsport, but Callahan mentioned that he’d heard I’d been fighting. Had he heard too that a girl was part of the prize? Had he even seen a copy of the email with Natalia’s picture? If so, do they suspect she was forced into the arrangement? Is that why Trick asked all the questions?
The other thing I hadn’t considered is whether Egorov and Callahan are associated. Even before Egorov had the Serb under contract, he never missed a Bloodsport fight and often talked to winning fighters.
When we get to the elevators, the C Crue families get on first, except Stroviak. He hands his little daughter to his wife and gestures for them to go up.
I stop walking, holding onto Natalia’s arm, keeping her a few feet away from where he stands. When the elevator car returns, he holds the door open for us to get in with him. Natalia doesn’t speak. All her bubbly chatter has been replaced by a somber, thoughtful expression.
On our floor, Stroviak exits the elevator with us. This is not his floor.
I frown, wondering what he intends. I’m not going to allow Natalia to be interrogated again by anyone from C Crue, not even him. Under normal circumstances, Stroviak and I would be evenly matched in a fight, but I’ve fought twice in two days and he clearly hasn’t, so he’s got the advantage. Is he armed on his wedding night, too? I have a gun, but I left it in the room. After learning I was the groom’s half-brother, I didn’t expect to need it.
At the door to my room, I take out the key. It’s rare to be in a place with an old-fashioned lock. I thought it was charming at first, but now I’d rather have a card to tap.
When the door’s open, Natalia steps inside.
“Good night, Natalia.” Stroviak nods at her and then he looks at me. “Let’s talk.”
Her steps falter, and she turns and looks up at me, hesitant to leave me alone with him.
“It’s all right. Go inside,kiska.”
After a moment’s pause, Natalia says good night and withdraws farther into the room. I pull the antique wooden door closed.
“What’s the story on the girl?”
My gaze rests on his face for a beat, letting my silence send a message. Then I answer. “No story.”
He makes an unsatisfied sound. “How old?”
