Page 50 of Fate and Family

“What the fucking hell?”

Nope, that didn’t work.

Dimitri points to the door. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“I’m working.”

Dimitri flinches and bites back, “So am I.”

I wave my arms around the office. “Here?”

God, what did I do? Did I expect him to wait for me? Did I expect him to be celibate for the rest of his life? Well, no, but I also didn’t think he would make it his profession either.

I’ve spent my free time trying to track him. I swear I was a day away from finding him. Fate just did it for me.

“I know the owner, and he didn’t require a background check.” Hmm, seems like that should be the first thing you do when you hire someone at a sex club. “And I have experience running a club.”

I huff. “Well, you under poured the drinks.”

He snaps, “No, you over poured.”

“You offend my honor, sir. I was the best fake bartender in St. Petersburg.” I cross my arms and stick up my chin.

This earns me the slightest smirk followed by the deepest frown I’ve ever seen. “We coat all the glasses with a chemical that reacts with Rohypnol. The liquid in the glass turns purple.”

I didn’t know the club had that sort of safety measure. Honestly, I’ve done the bare minimum research on the place. My intel from the team was subpar at best.

“I’ve got counteracting treatments on me at all times. I would’ve been fine.”

“How the fuck am I supposed to know that? The fucking creepiest guy shows up with you on his arm, drugs you, and tries to get you into the club. Not only would we never fucking allow you anywhere near the Playroom since you aren’t a member and didn’t go through the training, but shit like that could put the whole club out of business. God, Katya! Really?”

He grabs my arms and pulls me into his chest, nuzzling my head against his neck. His anger melts as I sink into him. And for a moment, we hold each other until our breaths sync up.

“How’s Ian?” I whisper.

“Miserable.”

“How’s Uri?”

“He’s healing.”

“How’s Markus?”

“Alive, and he works for Alana now.”

She’s taking care of my boys, and that’s the best I can ask for.

Dimitri’s strong hold on my body and his soft breath on my head makes me melt. “How about you?” he asks.

“I wake up every day questioning if I did the right thing by leaving you.”

His arms tighten around me. His lips press against my scalp. “I wonder the same thing.” His voice has a deep gravel to it, like the words hurt, and I’m sure they do. Doubt will kill you faster than hope ever will. “Are you safe?”

I try not to laugh. I’m a spy, deeply entrenched in an organization that has moles, who’s in love with a former Russian Mafia boss who also works in a sex club owned by one of the arms of the Four Families.

Wait, does Dimitri know that?

“I’m as safe as I can be. What about you? How are you staying safe?”

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