Page 53 of Tarnished Tyrant (Zhukova Bratva 1)

"Stop fidgeting and stand tall. Act like your body is a gift, not a burden.”

She huffs and straightens her shoulders. Immediately, her chest looks fuller and her waist looks smaller. Carrying herself with a little confidence makes a huge difference.

“Now, smile.”

Her frown deepens. “I’m not your show pony.”

I stop, turn, and get in her face. “Do you want to get through that door and find your sister?” I growl.

She glares for a second and then her face splits into a wide, glittering smile. I know it’s fake, but that doesn’t lessen the impact. The woman is gorgeous.

“Good girl.”

“Fuck off,” she says, the smile still plastered on her face.

I bury a smirk. Then I grab her hand and lead her towards the door.

The bouncer is a massive wall of a man with a bald head and a braided gray beard that hangs to the middle of his chest. He has one beefy hand on the velvet rope. “Sorry, sir. There’s a private party here tonight. We’re at capacity. You'll have to wait your turn in line."

Belle sashays around me and bats her long lashes at the man. Even though his expression doesn’t change, I watch his eyes sweep over her. He’s obviously appreciating the view.

I fight the urge to move in front of her like a shield. Also, the urge to break his fucking neck.

“We promise not to cause any trouble,” she says in a delicate, flirty voice I’ve never heard from her before. She bites her lower lip and smiles. “Well, not unless you ask nicely.”

The man’s pierced eyebrow jumps. “You’re causing enough trouble as it is in that dress.”

Belle giggles and lifts my arm up to spin herself in a circle. “He gave it to me. You like?”

“I like.” The bouncer glances up at me while he talks to Belle. “Is he your boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Then I think we have room inside for one more,” the bouncer says. He leans over the rope. “And my shift ends in an hour. What if you and I—”

“What if I let you keep your eyes in your fucking head?” I growl.

He stands tall again. “I thought you weren’t her boyfriend.”

Belle laughs and presses her back against my front, draping my arm over her shoulder. “He’s protective, that’s all. All bark, no bite.”

I hold back a smile. Belle has no idea just how wrong that is.

“Well, we don’t want any trouble inside,” the bouncer says. “If you want to go in alone, honey, you can. But your not-a-boyfriend has to stay out here.”

I feel Belle pull away from me slightly, but I tighten my arm around her and hug her against my chest. She gave it her best effort, and I applaud her for that.

But I’ll take things from here.

“If you don’t want any trouble, then I suggest you let me inside.”

“Alright, man. It’s time for you to go,” the bouncer says. “I hear more than enough threats from guys looking to play tough, and—”

“I don’t make threats,” I say. “I make promises. And if you don’t let us inside, I promise you won’t be alive to see your shift end in an hour.”

Fear flickers across the man’s features. He opens his mouth to respond, but Belle whines. She pets my hand, wrapping her hand around each of my fingers in turn and pulling. Between that and her ass fitted against me, I’m struggling to stay focused.

The bouncer is watching her motions, too.

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