TheBratvahaven’t exactly had the best track record regarding women’s rights. Or their autonomy.
Then again, I remember the last time aBratvaunderboss tried to traffic women into Chicago and how my father killed him with thePakhan’sseal of approval.
Hmm. Okay, so maybe these women weren’t smuggled in, but by the look on their faces, they’re not exactly ecstatic to be here either.
My thoughts are still on the women who work here when I hear a chair scrape across the floor beside me. Kirill swings a leg over it and straddles it backward, his arms draping casually across the chair’s backrest as he settles in, close enough for his dark, intoxicating cologne to invade my space.
“Two visits in one week,” he says smoothly. “I’m flattered.”
“Don’t be.”
“How can I not?” he smirks, resting his chin on his folded arms. “Ever since we met, we haven’t gone more than a few days without seeing each other. It’s enough to make any man start to hope.”
“Hope?” I laugh sarcastically. “What a strange word to use in a place like this.”
“You don’t like my club?” he asks, feigning offense.
“Do you?” I counter, turning to face him and instantly regretting it. His dark hair is slicked back, still damp from a shower, the scent of soap and sin wrapped around him.
He makes a show of looking around before locking eyes with me again.
“What can I say? Everything pales in comparison when you’re in the room.”
Ugh.
He really thinks I’m going to fall for that charm. I’d rather set it on fire.
“Spare me your compliments, Kill. You and I both know this place is a dump.”
“Maybe all it needs is a woman’s touch.”
“What it needs is a wrecking ball.” I scoff.
“Then where would I conduct business?” he smirks.
“Moscow, maybe?” I tease.
“Now,milaya, you know that’s impossible. That’s thePakhan’sterrain, not mine.”
“Does that mean you’re satisfied with ruling over this little neighborhood? Kind of small, isn’t it?”
“There’s nothing small about it,” he goads, lifting his head and batting those dark lashes at me. “Your family might rule Chicago, but this place—this corner of the city—is ours and far larger than you can possibly imagine.”
“If that’s supposed to impress me, I’m sorry to disappoint. I’m not impressed by so little.”
“That’s because you come from a world of plenty. Not all of us grew up with such riches.”
My brows furrow at that. “You make me sound spoiled.”
“Just a little,milaya.” He grins softly. “But I don’t fault you for it. You had no say in the life that was given to you. Just as I had no choice in the one bestowed upon me.”
My forehead wrinkles at the sincerity in his voice.
I hate that.
Him flirting with me I can deal with. Kirill being real with me? Yeah, that’s a whole other beast.
“I thought a man like you enjoyed all the power he was given.”
