Page 91 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"You'll break his hands. You've told me three times already." I reach over and squeeze his hand. "I'll be fine."

The club is packed, the bass thumping so loud I can feel it in my chest. Colored lights strobe across the dance floor where bodies move together in the darkness. The air smells like sweat, alcohol, and expensive colognes and perfumes.

Emil keeps his hand on the small of my back as we make our way to the VIP section. Apparently, he knows the owner. Of course he does. We're given a private booth with a perfect view of the entire club.

"Drink?" Emil asks, signaling a waitress.

"Vodka tonic."

He orders for both of us, and when the drinks arrive, I take a long sip, letting the alcohol calm my nerves. My eyes scan the crowd, looking for Arnie's familiar face.

"Relax," Emil murmurs in my ear. "Dance with me."

He pulls me onto the dance floor, and I let myself get lost in the music. His hands are on my hips, pulling me back against him as we move together. The heat of his body against mine, the way his fingers dig into my flesh, for a moment, it all makes me forget why we're here.

We dance through two songs before I see him.

Arnie is standing near the bar, scanning the crowd. He's wearing jeans and a button-down shirt, his hair styled the way he always wore it—neat and not a hair out of place. When his eyes land on me, his expression shifts from searching to shocked.

I feel Emil tense behind me. "I see him."

"Give me a minute," I say, turning in his arms. "Let me finish this dance. Make him wait."

Emil's eyes darken with approval. "You're learning."

We dance through one more song, and I can feel Arnie's eyes on me the entire time. When the song ends, I lean up and kiss Emil, making sure Arnie can see. Then I pull back and head toward the bathroom.

The hallway leading to the restrooms is dimmer and quieter. I can still hear the music thumping through the walls, but it's muffled here. I know Emil is somewhere behind me, staying out of sight but close enough to intervene if needed.

I'm almost to the bathroom door when Arnie steps out from a side corridor, blocking my path.

"Kiera." His voice is tight, angry. "We need to talk."

"No, we don't." I try to step around him, but he moves to block me again. "There's a restraining order, Arnie. You're not supposed to be near me."

"You had someone shoot at me." The accusation comes out harsh and desperate. "You tried to have me killed."

I stare at him, genuinely confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Someone shot at me outside your apartment." His eyes are wild, paranoid. "It was your new boyfriend, wasn't it? That criminal you're shacking up with?"

"No one shot at you. They shot at me, and for all I know, you're behind that." I keep my voice calm, even though my heart is racing.

He takes a step closer, and I instinctively step back. "I loved you. I gave you everything. And you threw it away for some thug with money."

"You cracked my rib, Arnie. You stalked and harassed me." My voice rises despite my efforts to stay calm. "And now you're going around telling people I'm a con woman? That I stole from you? Why?"

"Because you disappeared." His hands clench into fists at his sides. "You're not at your apartment anymore. Your job said you wouldn't be back for a month. How else was I supposed to find you?"

"You're not supposed to find me. That's the point of the restraining order." I take a breath, forcing myself to stay steady. "Stop spreading lies about me. Stop looking for me. Just leave me alone."

"I can't." The desperation in his voice would be pathetic if it weren't so terrifying. "I love you, Kiera. We belong together. Once you get away from that criminal, you'll see⁠—"

"She's not going anywhere."

Emil's voice cuts through the hallway like a blade. I turn to see him standing a few feet away, flanked by two of his captains. Both men are large, intimidating, and clearly armed based on the bulges under their jackets.

Arnie's face goes pale. "You."