Page 64 of Devious Madness

“I’m going to have a doctor meet us at the house. Youneed to be checked over. All those months barely eating, and the stress…you need to have a full once over.”

“No. I don’t need a doctor. It was probably from having the cops show up at your place last night. It was a lot. I’m fine now, I swear.”

There’s an overcast sky today, blocking out the sun and making the day even more dreary.

“What is this place?” We drive past massive iron gates and down a winding road that leads to a foreboding mansion of dark brick with arched wooden doors. It’s giving medieval gothic vibes.

“This is Obsidian. A club Alexander and his brothers own.”

“I’ve heard of almost every club in this city, but never this one? Is it a nightclub or something?”

He raises a brow as he opens my door for me. “No, not a nightclub.”

“So, what? A men’s club where they all get together and tell each other how manly they are?” I climb out of the car, fixing the strap of my purse.

Rurik’s mouth kicks up, amusement playing in his gaze. “Something like that, but with a lot more money and power and secrets at stake. You shouldn’t see any of the members while we’re here, but if for some reason you do, you didn’t.”

“If I did? I didn’t.” I laugh.

A man dressed in a well-tailored suit opens the door just as we approach, nodding a greeting to Rurik. He averts his eyes when I smile at him as I pass through.

“That was rude,” I mutter under my breath as I walk instep with Rurik down a hallway that looks like it should be in a castle nestled inside the Black Forest, not in our little city.

Soft gold lighting from the sconces along the stone walls illuminate the narrow hallway as it winds into a small foyer. In the middle of a dark mahogany round table sits a gold painted skull with a glass vase set inside. A dozen blood red roses fill the vase, making it look as though the skull has a halo of roses.

I stop short at the table.

“Is...that’s not real, is it?” I point.

Rurik glances at it and nods. “Yes. The Volkov’s have a habit of keeping the skulls of their enemies. That one used to sit in Alexander’s office at his home. I’m not sure why it’s here.”

“You can tell the difference between skulls?” I draw up short. “How many have you seen?”

He shrugs, like I’ve asked him how many fruit flies he’s seen in his life.

“A lot.” He grabs my hand. “Alexander’s expecting us, let’s go.”

“What exactly happens in this place?” I question as he tugs me down another winding hallway. “Are we underground?”

“We are.”

“You didn’t answer my first question.”

“I know.” He squeezes my hand as we get to a closed door. “Behave today, Mira.”

It’s a warning much like others, with an underliningpromise of punishment if I don’t. But this one is slightly different. There’s a softness to his command today.

Maybe I’ll give behaving a try.

Inside, several men sit around the room. I recognize Alexander sitting behind the desk from yesterday, Megan standing behind him. As soon as she sees me, she rushes up to me. Rurik leaves my side to join the men huddling around the desk. It appears they’ve been waiting for us.

“You’re all right.” Megan grasps my arms. “He scared the shit out of me last night.”

“Yeah. He’s good at that. I wanted to call you back, but he wouldn’t give me a phone to use. Mine’s no good.” I frown. “Can’t use it anymore.”

“I heard Alexander talking to Ivan about it this morning. The police showed up at his place?”

“The same detective. He won’t let up.” I glance over to where Rurik is talking with the others. “Who are all these people?”

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