He shrugs. “Maybe both of us, then. Either way, we’ll keep an eye on him.”
I nod, already sure I won’t be able to get my attention fully away from him now. Not while knowing he’s within reach, meaning Yuri won’t be far either. As much as I want to trust Sergey’s abilities, the thought still leaves me feeling uneasy.
He glances at the man, then back to me again, and this time, his gaze is full of something harder. It’s a kind of concern and anger that gives away how serious he is about the very thing he promised to do for me. How he’s hellbent on keeping me safe, regardless of my previous doubts.
After a moment, his eyes reveal a subtle gratitude, and maybe even a touch of hope.
“You did the right thing telling me.”
I find myself nodding again, not trusting myself to say more.
While it doesn’t necessarily feel wrong to divulge that information to Sergey, the man I’m legally bound to, part of me loathes choosing to take his side. To offer my loyalty despite everything.
There’s a subtle squeeze in my stomach at the thought of not running the second I had the chance.
Regardless of the man looming in the background, we work on our drinks and try to ignore the tension hanging in the air. Even if he doesn’t say it, I can tell Sergey is somewhatannoyed by the damper it places over our night. How his efforts have been overshadowed by my brother.
Eventually, the two of us move deeper into the casino while Sergey keeps a protective hand against the small of my back like he’s letting everyone know that I’m with him. That if they tried anything, he wouldn’t hesitate to unleash everything he’s been holding back for some time.
People watch us go by, sometimes nodding respectfully to Sergey if they know him, or they eye me with something caught between curiosity and suspicion. I do my best not to think about it.
“Try to relax,” Sergey says with a subtle grin that just barely hides his caution. He leans in while we’re surrounded by various tables. “I brought you here to blow off steam, not pile on more.”
Forcing myself to breathe, I nod.
Right…I should be more present, even if I’m in this strange limbo of not entirely hating Sergey while knowing I probably should.
Still, curiosity tugs at my mind as I look up at him. “And why did you bring me here, of all places? If you wanted me to blow off steam, you could’ve done that a dozen different ways.”
“Sure, I could’ve. But I wanted you to see this part of it,” he murmurs, subtly gesturing to the casino floor around us. “Not the blood, the violence, or the calculated moves. Just what we built. And what it looks like when it’s not falling apart.”
Glancing around, it’s easy to see what he means. The place emanates pure power and wealth, and given how busy the place is, that wealth only multiplies with every passing night.
Money has always been a strange part of my life, and while I don’t live to obtain it, even I can admit that what the Lukovs have accomplished is impressive. Not many can say they’ve reached similar heights.
“It’s still a facade,” I comment, unwilling to entirely stroke his ego tonight.
“It is to some capacity, but it’s a damn good one,” Sergey says, handing me a chip while he smiles at me with a touch of mischief in his eyes. “Pick a table, wife…we’ll see if luck is on your side tonight.”
My eyes narrow at the way he so casually throws the word around, but I don’t press. Instead, I take the chip and remind myself that there are some perks to being married to a Lukov.
If he wants me to have fun, then I’ll have fun. And if it’s on him, then I won’t complain.
Chapter 21 - Sergey
Even if Kat doesn’t want to admit it just yet, she had fun back at the casino.
It took some convincing to get her to truly unwind and let go of everything else for a while, but once she did, her eyes lit up with the possibilities.
While she isn’t much of a gambler, she certainly had a lucky streak anyway. And when that luck ebbed, we kept going until it returned all the same.
Whenever the tide turned in her favor, her face shifted to one of elation, and despite herself, she pulled me into the excitement with her.
I watched while she took charge of the place, walking from table to table like she owned it. And in truth, that statement isn’t too far off. It has taken some time for Kat to even remotely open up to the idea of embracing her place at my side, and to savor the good that comes with the bad. But seeing those glimpses of her acting like a Bratva wife has felt like nothing short of a privilege.
And of course, it makes my blood run hot every time.
Once the buzz of the night started to wind down, we decided to call it a night and head home. At the very least, we were on the same page about that.
