“Vasily,” Colin says, standing and offering me his hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
I shake his hand and sit down, ordering a vodka when the waitress comes over. Colin looks much the same as the last time I saw him. He’s in his mid-forties, but he’s kept himself trim and aside from a few lines around his eyes, he could easily pass for younger.
“So how’s the Devil from Moscow enjoying life in America so far?”
I laugh at the nickname and nod a thanks to the waitress when she brings me my drink. “So far I like it. The ocean is beautiful. My men and I introduced ourselves to a few people last night, and I think we’ve come to an agreement about things.”
Colin smiles, but before he can respond, the waitress hands us a couple of menus. We place our order, and when she’s far enough away, he asks, “So what are your plans?”
I keep it vague and tell him about the two strip clubs that I hope to have open soon. He laughs and takes a drink of his whiskey.
“Always a sound business venture. I have one open on the south side, and it’s been nothing but profit, even with Ruby’s Lounge.”
“What’s Ruby’s Lounge?”
He leans a bit closer, even though the other tables are too far away to hear. Colin’s been in America since he was young, but in his excitement, a slight brogue slips through. “It’s a brothel in the heart of downtown, but only a select few know that. Most people think it’s a small bar, and not a very good one at that, but that’s all done on purpose to discourage outsiders from coming in. Upstairs is where all the action happens.”
“Who runs it?”
We pause the conversation while our food is laid out. The shrimp pasta I ordered looks delicious, and I quickly take a bite while Colin says, “Everyone just calls her Ruby.” He laughs and says, “If the rumors are true, she’s a real ball buster, tougher than any man on my payroll. Apparently, she knows every damn thing that takes place under her roof, and if your name isn’t on her list, then your ass isn’t getting in.” He takes a bite and chews before raising a brow at me. “I could put in a good word for you, if that’s your kind of thing.”
“No, thanks,” I tell him, not having the slightest desire to fuck a woman in a brothel. Something about it just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s all the shit I’ve seen with sex traffickers, or maybe it’s just the depressing idea of an assembly-line fuck. Either way, I want no part of it. I’m all about a quick, anonymous fuck when my need grows too strong to ignore, but I’m not paying for pussy.
Colin shrugs his shoulders and takes another bite. “If you change your mind, let me know. From what I hear, they’re very talented women. I’ve never been in, but that’s only because I’ve got my hands full enough trying to juggle a wife and a mistress.”
“How is your family?” I ask, and he laughs, not looking the slightest bit guilty about jumping topics from his mistress to his wife and three kids.
“They’re doing great. Our youngest, Sean, just turned six, and Maggie’s thrilled to be at the point where she can finally have some time to herself with him starting school. Liam’s taken up surfing and Katie, god help her, is starting to show an interest in boys.”
I laugh at the look of horror on his face. “Sounds like they’re keeping you busy.”
The rest of the lunch goes well, and even though neither one of us would hesitate to retaliate if one of us crosses the line, I’m fairly confident that things won’t come to that with Colin. I know his type well. He’s established, sitting on nothing but profit, and all he wants is to know the northern half of his city is being taken care of by someone who has no desire to dip into the south. It’s the perfect arrangement, and when it’s time to say our goodbyes, he smacks me on the back and tells me to call him if I need anything. I tell him I will, and when I’m back in my Porsche, I take a few minutes to drive through the neutral area of downtown. The traffic is bad, but nothing compared to Moscow. The streets are crowded with locals and tourists, and I’m so preoccupied with people watching that I almost miss the discreet building on the corner with the small sign that readsRuby’s Loungeacross the top of the door. A man in a suit is leaving as I drive past, and if Colin hadn’t told me about the place, there’s no way in hell I would’ve ever guessed that the man had just paid for a quickie on his lunch break. Ruby is definitely discreet with her business, making me wonder what else she’s hiding in there.
It’s neutral territory, so I push the thought aside and head back to the house. Even with the positive start to this American venture, there’s still a shit ton of work to be done, and I’m eager to get everything up and running as quickly and as smoothly as possible. It’s time to let everyone know that the Medvedev Bratva is in control now.
Chapter 3
Nina
When I hear my door being unlocked, I’m expecting Mindy’s shy smile, but the door opens, and it’s Ruby standing there with my breakfast tray, her face lit up in a cruel grin. She sets the tray on top of the dresser hard enough to jostle the silverware and make my orange juice spill over.
“I knew I’d get one hell of a response for you, but even I wasn’t expecting the bid to go so high.”
As disgusted as I am, there’s also a small spark of hope. If she’s getting that much for me, then maybe I’ll just have to suffer through one night and be done with all this. One night of hell to be free. I tell myself I can do that. I’ll get a kick-ass therapist after I walk out these doors and cut all ties with my family.
“Then my debt will be paid?” I ask, trying not to sound as hopeful as I feel.
She laughs and swats my question away like I’m an idiot for even thinking it. “Of course not. I get 75% of everything you make, and then you have the fees for your room and food. It’s going to take you a very long time to work off your daddy’s debt.”
“What? I didn’t agree to that. That big of a cut is ridiculous.”
“Your parents agreed to it, sweetheart. Now, stop being such a delicate little flower and eat your breakfast. You need to look healthy tonight.”
“It’s happening tonight?”
She gives me a wink and starts to leave. “It is, and I’ll give you one last piece of advice. If you’re thinking about trying anything, don’t. The man who won the auction is not a gentle man. I wouldn’t anger him if I were you.”
“Please don’t do this,” I beg, running after her and grabbing onto one of her arms. She roughly jerks it away and pushes me hard enough to send me sprawling onto my ass. The sharp pain as my tailbone meets the hard floor shocks me into silence.
