Page 88 of The Pakhans’ Curvy Prize

"Just curious. He's been acting different too. More distracted." She smiles. "I thought maybe he'd finally found someone worth his time."

I take a drink of vodka and avoid answering. Arina is fishing, and I'm not about to give her anything she can use. It's obvious, at least to me, that she has the hots for Alex. What she doesn't know is that Alex would never give her two seconds' thought.

"Speaking of distractions," she continues, her tone turning gossipy, "have you heard the rumors about Mayor Tom's son? I believe his name is Zach?"

My attention sharpens immediately. "What rumors?"

"Apparently he's obsessed with some redheaded girl around town. He's been asking questions, offering money for information." She laughs lightly. "It's all very dramatic. People are saying he's completely unhinged over her."

My blood runs cold. Arina doesn't know the redheaded girl is Marla, so that's good news. But the fact that she's heard anything is very worrisome. She's talking about it like it's entertaining gossip, completely unaware of how dangerous the situation actually is.

"Where did you hear this?" I ask, keeping my voice neutral.

Arina shrugs carelessly. "Around. You know how people talk." She waves a hand dismissively. "Powerful men get dangerous when they're rejected. It's always the same story."

The fact that this gossip is spreading outside Bratva circles means Marla's life is in even more danger than I'd first thought. If Arina knows, then half the city probably knows. That means Marla's situation is leaking far beyond our control.

My patience snaps.

"Stay away from the mayor's family," I say coldly. "Entirely."

Arina's smile fades. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Don't talk to them. Don't meet with them. Don't even acknowledge them if you see them in public."

Her eyes narrow dangerously. "Why would you care who I talk to?"

"Because I'm telling you to stay away," I say flatly. "That's reason enough." I level my gaze on her. "I'm telling this as your pakhan, not your brother. Do not disobey me."

She leans back in her chair, her expression calculating. "You're protecting someone. Who is she, Nikita?"

I stand abruptly, throwing cash on the table. "Lunch is over."

"You just made this much more interesting," Arina calls after me as I walk away.

Fuck. I just made things worse. Now Arina is suspicious, and she won't let this go. She'll dig until she finds out exactly who Marla is and why I'm protecting her.

I drive straight to the Ivory Wolf, intending to review security footage to see Zach for myself. I want to know exactly who he is talking to and see the little prick in action. The club is quieter in the afternoon, with only a few staff members preparing for the evening crowd. I head toward the back office, but a loud voice near the bar stops me.

"I'm telling you, that mayor's kid is losing his shit over some girl," a bartender says, laughing. "He's offering serious cash to anyone who knows where she is, and he keeps telling us all how powerful his father is."

I recognize the bartender. Young, cocky, and drinks too much on his breaks. He's talking to two customers who look equally drunk.

"What girl?" one of them asks.

"Some redhead. Apparently she dumped him and disappeared. Now he's obsessed."

My vision goes red. I cross the room in three strides, grab the bartender by the collar, and drag him toward the back office. He yelps in surprise, stumbling as I shove him through the door and slam it behind us.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I demand.

His face goes pale. "Boss, I didn't⁠—"

"Since when has it been okay to spread rumors here?" I demand through clenched teeth.

“I—I..."

"You're fired," I say coldly. "Get out. If I see you in here again, you won't walk out on your own two feet. Do I make myself clear?"