Page 29 of The Pakhans’ Curvy Prize

And then I spot Russ up at the bar, talking to Sharon, the bartender and Marla's friend.

I stop, my instincts immediately on alert. Russ doesn't come to the Ivory Wolf often, and when he does, it's usually for business meetings in the back office. He certainly doesn't sit at the bar chatting with bartenders.

I watch them for a moment, staying back far enough that Russ won't immediately notice me.

Sharon looks nervous, her body language tense and defensive.

Russ looks intent, like he's asking questions and not getting the answers he wants.

After a few minutes, I see Sharon gesture vaguely and then move away to serve another customer, clearly uncomfortable with whatever conversation they were having.

I make my way over, sliding onto the barstool next to Russ with a casual ease that belies the curiosity burning in my mind. "Russ," I say, keeping my tone light. "Didn't expect to see you here tonight."

He turns to look at me, and I catch the flash of irritation in his eyes before he masks it with a neutral expression. "Could say the same about you," he replies, his voice carefully controlled.

Russ finishes his drink and stands up. "I should get going," he says, his tone making it clear he's done with this conversation. "I'll see you around." He leaves without another word, and I watch him go, my mind already working through the implications of what I just witnessed.

Russ was asking Sharon about something. Or someone. And given that Sharon was Marla's friend, it's not hard to figure out who Russ was asking about.

He's interested in her. More than interested, if he's willing to come here and question her friend in public.

That's a level of investment that goes beyond casual curiosity, beyond the kind of interest you'd have in a one-night stand you're trying to forget about.

This complicates things significantly.

Because I can't get Marla out of my mind either, and if Russ is feeling the same way...

I wait several minutes after Russ leaves, giving him time to get to his car and pull out of the parking lot.

Then I make my way outside, moving casually so as not to draw attention.

The night air is cool, a relief after the heat and noise of the club. I scan the parking lot and spot Russ's black SUV pulling out onto the street.

I watch which direction he turns, and my suspicion deepens. He's not heading toward the city center, where his penthouse is located.

He's not heading toward any of the warehouses or businesses we operate.

He's heading toward the highway that leads out of town, toward the woods and the scattered properties that dot the countryside beyond the city limits.

Why would Russ be heading out of town at this time of night? What's out there that would draw his attention?

The answer comes to me immediately, and I feel a cold certainty settle in my chest.

Marla's cottage. Sharon mentioned she lives outside of town, in the woods. And Russ is heading in that direction.

I get into my car, my mind already racing. If Russ is going to see Marla, that changes the dynamic between the three of us significantly.

It means he's not willing to let this go, not willing to treat her as a potential threat or a complication to be avoided.

It means he's pursuing her, and that makes her more than just a woman who happened to sleep with all three of us.

I start the engine and pull out of the parking lot, keeping my distance but maintaining visual contact with Russ's taillights ahead of me.

10

NICK

The warehouse smells like salt water, diesel fuel, and the faint metallic tang of rust from the shipping containers stacked three high along the far wall.