“Never take it off,” I add, right before Liam pulls up to the door, and the valet steps forward to take the keys. I step out, buttoning my suit jacket before walking around the SUV to let Briar out.
As I open the door for her, the look on her face tells me she tried and failed to open it herself, and she sure as hell knows why. It’s work to hide the smirk on my face when I offer her my hand.
She thinks about refusing, but when my gaze hardens, she sighs, reluctantly placing her palm in mine, yanking it away the second her feet are on the pavement. I give her a look but allow it, placing my hand on the small of her back instead, to guide her the rest of the way to the door.
When we reach the main floor, Briar visibly stiffens and I feel a slight tremble ripple through her body, not missing when she inches closer to me. The first floor of The Sovereign is just a strip club: tables, stages, a bar. As we weave our way through to theback, I don’t miss the attention Briar attracts… how men lean back in their seats as she passes to steal an extra look at her ass.
My jaw tightens when I catch her lagging behind. Reaching out, I snatch hold of her hand and pull her in close. Her body is stiff in my grip while I lead her toward the elevator.
“Relax,” I hiss into her ear as we wait for the doors to open. She’s going to blow this whole thing with how tense she is. Her reaction is odd—doesn’t she do this every night? At least here, she won’t have to take her clothes off.
Eyes follow us through the club. First, looking to me, then taking an interest in her. I make sure my hand stays on her at all times, keeping her close. Liam trails closely behind.
The host brings us to the table, the men I’m looking to meet are already waiting. I slide into the booth, setting Briar down on my knee, my hand moving to her lower abdomen to steady her.
The eyes of all three men flash with interest at the sight of the girl I’ve got with me.
“I didn’t know you were bringing company?” Filip smiles, leaning in while licking his lips. He gives her an appreciative once-over, and my fingers tighten on Briar’s side when I feel her stiffen.
The way he’s looking at her makes me want to reach for my knife and gouge his eyes out but instead, I lean back in my seat, forcing my expression to stay lazy, indifferent.
The waitress automatically places a glass of whiskey in front of me. My hand grips it but I don’t take a drink, wanting to keep my wits sharp tonight. “Thought we were here to talk shipments,” I say, redirecting the conversation.
Dominick speaks up, nodding to my brother seated on my right. “Liam here said you wanted to meet to discuss changing up the routes.” The Polish mafia may be small, but they do control several key ports and ships along the East Coast.
“Aye. We’ve encountered a few snags in operations over the past few weeks. I may be looking to expand my horizons, test out some new waters.”
“That so?” Dominick’s eyes gleam with interest. He’s got a terrible poker face.
“She really is exquisite.” Filip hasn’t taken his eyes off Briar, and he’s staring at her chest. “Where’d you get one like that?”
My mouth pinches, irritation growing at his continued interest in the girl on my lap.
“Giovanni,” I clip out and watch their brows rise.
“Fuck.” Filip smiles, looking away from Briar, and finally to his boss. “I might have to change my mind about attending that auction next month.”
“I didn’t know the Irish were involved in all that,” Aleksander, the oldest of the three, says, speaking for the first time.
“Like I said,” I say smoothly, slowly tracing a finger up and down Briar’s side. A wave of delight goes through me when she shivers. “We’re looking to try new things.” My gaze moves back to Dominick. “The trade routes?”
The business talk circles, we go back and forth on various ports and shipments we need to land. Liam wants reassurance that the Polish still have no deals with the Russians.
“You’d sooner see me dead than striking a deal with a fucking kacap!” Dominick hisses angrily, snatching his glass off of the table and draining what’s left in it.
I believe him.
“Heard your brother snatched the Bratva’s little angel right out from under Kostalov’s nose,” Aleksander says casually, swirling his glass but keeping a keen eye on me.
My jaw tightens.
Filip laughs at that. “I wouldn’t want to be her. Ace ain’t known for his soft side,” he says, winking at me. “Word is he’smaking their little angel pay for what her family did.” He lifts his glass to me. “My condolences on your father by the way.” I grit my teeth but he continues, “I admit, I’m jealous. You can’t buy premium virgin ass like that on the street, that’s for sure. She must’ve been fun to break.” His eyes slide back over to Briar, who’s trembling now on my knee. “The Irish do seem to have good taste when it comes to their pets.”
Every muscle in my body goes tight, and I feel Liam shift beside me. He looks my way and I give him a small, nearly imperceptible shake of my head. Liam looks pissed but he stays seated, though I’m certain, like me, he’s resisting the urge to launch across the table at Filip for the way he’s talking about Rory.
My brother didn’ttakethe Bratva Princess; hesavedher. Married her to keep her safe from the arranged marriage her father had set up with the monster that was Matteo Carozza. Anotherproblemwe’d seen to.
I don’t correct them. If we’re to get into the upcoming auction, rumors like that can only help us.
