Page 58 of Dark Consequences

“A simple misunderstanding,” Dimitri replies in his usual cryptic style.

Michael crosses his arms over his chest, leveling the Russian with an unamused look. “Yeah. A misunderstanding.”

Rolling my eyes with a hard sigh, I turn toward Connor. The blond Irish watches the exchange with intrigue. He must feel the same way I do. That they’re both fucking lying through their teeth.

“What did you want to talk about?” I ask him before I put my brother in a headlock and force whatever bullshit he’s hiding free.

“Not me,” Connor admits. “Dimitri wanted to talk—”

“What?” Michael barks.

“—and he knew you wouldn’t agree to it if he had asked,” Connor finishes.

“He’s right,” Michael says.

The Russian closes his eyes slowly and his chest expands, like he’s trying hard to stay calm.

Connor sighs. “Will you just listen to him, please?”

Michael meets my eyes, and I give him an exasperated look. I’m done with today and just want to spend the rest of it with Lily.

Grumbling under his breath, Michael leans against a bookcase and nods begrudgingly.

“I’ve noticed something strange happening in our sex clubs the past few weeks. People have been disappearing,” Dimitri explains.

“There’s nothing strange about that, Dimitri,” Michael points out. “Your line of business doesn’t really scream long-term career.”

“True. But it’s not just the employees. It’s the patrons too.”

I frown. Now, that’s not normal. As different as the Russian sex clubs are, they’re still considered safe for those who enter their dens of inequity. The employees are there by choice and not force. “Are you sure?”

Dimitri nods. “Yes. Whoever it is, they’re only taking a few at a time. And I’ve identified a pattern. They usually look physically the same. All brunettes one time, and then all blonds the next.”

“And you think they’re being kidnapped?” Connor guesses.

“It’s not a wild guess to assume so,” Dimitri says. “Because they literally disappear, fall off the earth. No sign of them anywhere.”

“Have you told Sergei?”

Dimitri’s dark expression tells me he has, and it didn’t go well. “He knows, but he doesn’t believe me.”

“Then why should we believe you?” Michael asks in an accusing tone.

Dimitri snaps his piercing blue gaze on my older brother. “Because I believe they’re being kidnapped to be trafficked into the same ring responsible for Rose and Lily.”

28

Lily

As I slowly drift toward consciousness, the warmth of a hand against my bare skin pulls me gently from the depths of slumber. At first, it’s a distant feeling, barely registering amid the soft haze of sleep and the lull of dreams. The tender caress of a hand traces patterns down my side and thigh, reaching my knee before moving back up.

I shift toward the touch, seeking more of the feeling, upset when it fades.

A deep laugh echoes through the air, vibrating in my chest. A moment later, a mouth falls on my neck, soft yet firm lips kissing their way up to my ear. One suck, followed by a small nip, drags me further to the surface.

“Do you want to feel good, Lily pad?” Raphael asks, the warmth of his voice sending chills down my spine.

Moaning my consent, he laughs again. “Guess that means yes.”

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