Page 65 of Marked By the Mob

On the dance floor, he pulls me close, his hands settling on my hips as we move together. The music is fast, energetic, and I let myself get lost in it. Eduard’s body moves with surprising grace, his gray eyes locked on mine as we dance.

Artur joins us moments later, pressing against my back so I’m caught between them. The position should feel overwhelming, but instead it feels safe. Protected. Like nothing can touch me as long as I’m with them.

Rurik watches from the VIP section, his pale eyes tracking our every movement. Even from here, I can feel the weight of his attention, possessive and heated.

The music shifts to something slower, more sensual, and the dancing changes with it. Eduard’s hands slide lower, gripping my ass as he pulls me flush against him. I can feel how hard heis through his pants, the evidence of his desire pressing against my stomach.

Artur’s mouth finds my neck, teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. “You’re fucking beautiful like this.”

I should tell them to stop. We’re in public, surrounded by people who work for them and probably report everything they see. But the alcohol has loosened my inhibitions, and the heat building between us is impossible to ignore.

My hands slide up Eduard’s chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt. His breathing quickens, his grip on me tightening. Behind me, Artur’s hands roam over my hips, my waist, everywhere he can reach.

“We should go back upstairs,” Eduard murmurs against my ear.

Before I can respond, someone calls my name.

“Emma!”

The voice cuts through the music, sharp and urgent. I turn, my heart stuttering when I see who’s pushing through the crowd toward us.

Krystal.

She’s wearing an emerald green dress that shows off her delicate frame, her honey-blonde hair falling in perfect waves down her back. But her hazel eyes are wide, almost frantic, as she reaches us.

“I need to talk to you,” she says breathlessly.

Eduard’s hands tighten on my hips, protective. Artur moves closer, his body tense. But I step away from them, moving toward my friend.

“What’s wrong?”

Krystal glances around nervously, then leans in close so only I can hear. “Not here. Somewhere private.”

I look back at the men. Rurik has appeared at the edge of the dance floor, his expression hard. He doesn’t trust this. Neither do I, really. But this is Krystal, and she looks genuinely scared.

“The bathroom,” I say quietly. “We can talk there.”

Krystal nods quickly and grabs my hand, pulling me through the crowd. The men follow at a distance, giving us space but staying close enough to intervene if needed.

The bathroom is empty when we enter, all sleek marble and expensive fixtures. Krystal checks each stall to make sure we’re alone, then she turns to face me.

“I want out,” she says, her voice shaking. “I want out of this life, Emma. But I have to be careful. I have to play the game or Volkov will know something’s wrong.”

29

EDUARD

Something about Krystal’s sudden appearance doesn’t sit right with me. The timing is too convenient, her desperation too perfectly calibrated. I’ve spent years reading people, learning to spot the difference between genuine fear and performance, and right now I can’t tell which one Krystal Donnovan is giving us.

Emma doesn’t notice my hesitation. She’s already moving toward the bathroom with Krystal, her eyes bright with hope and determination. Artur shifts beside me, his dark eyes tracking their movement through the crowd. Rurik appears at my shoulder, his pale gaze locked on the two women.

“This feels wrong,” I say quietly.

“Everything about tonight feels wrong,” Rurik replies, his voice flat. “But we let it play out.”

I nod once and start moving through the crowd, keeping enough distance that Emma won’t notice I’m following. The club is packed, bodies pressed together on the dance floor, and the music pounds through my chest with each step. I use the chaosas cover, slipping between groups of dancers and staying in the shadows near the walls.

The bathroom is at the back of the club, down a narrow hallway that leads to the private offices and storage areas. I watch Emma and Krystal disappear inside then position myself near the door. The music is quieter here, muffled by distance and thick walls, which means I can hear their voices if I press close enough.