Page 75 of Paved in Venom

“Seriously, Roman?” she asks, but I can tell she’s not really mad.

Roman shrugs and gives her a smile. “I love you and you’re pregnant, solnishka. I’m not leaving you here alone.”

She sighs and kisses him before turning to the men who are still waiting patiently for orders. “All right, Aleksandr, we’re showing Grigori how it’s done tonight.” She looks back up at her husband. “I’m beating your high score tonight. I just want you to know that.”

He laughs and picks her up before kissing her. “Give it your best shot, baby.”

She hugs him fiercely before letting go and heading downstairs. Roman tells the men something in Russian that has them both nodding and saying what I’m assuming is yes, sir in Russian. I make a mental note to try and remember that one so I can surprise Danil with it later.

“Okay, let’s do this,” Vitaly says with a big grin once the orders for Emily’s bodyguards have been given.

In the elevator, Vitaly says, “I see Danil made you choose a less slutty dress for tonight.”

“I did,” Danil says, pulling me closer to him. “They’ve stared at her enough.”

“I know that feeling,” Roman says. “It drove me fucking crazy to have them all staring at Emily.”

“You’re going to be the most overdressed woman at the club tonight,” Lev says with a laugh.

“Awesome,” I mutter, already dreading this night.

“Just take it off and walk around in your undies,” Vitaly says. “You’ll fit right in.”

Danil says something in Russian that has his brothers laughing while Vitaly shakes his head and says to me in English, “He has a real temper, you know? Everyone thinks he’s more of the quiet, computer genius guy, but he’s actually one of the meanest motherfuckers I know.”

I look up at Danil and smile. “He’s pretty sweet to me.”

“He’s pretty sweet to me, too,” Matvey says, and it’s the first time I’ve heard him crack a joke. He gives me a smile, and I happily return it. I can’t wait to see him with Alina. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s those two, and I’m so glad I’ll be here to see it.

“See?” Danil says as the elevator doors open. “I’m just a big sweetheart.”

Lev and Vitaly laugh. “Yeah, that’s you in a nutshell.”

Matvey rides with Roman while the rest of us get into the SUV. They follow us to the club, and as soon as I see how packed it is, I let out a low whistle.

“Damn, Vitaly, nice job.”

He looks back and smiles at me. “Thanks, Simona. I’m guessing you probably hate strip clubs, but I’m hoping you’ll like what I’ve done to this place.”

I look at the lit-up building, and he’s right, I do hate strip clubs, but this place looks nice. It’s not tacky with a giant pair of tits on the sign or anything. It’s just a neon pink sign that reads Pink all set against a black building. It could easily be an upscale nightclub. I’d never look at this place and think it was a sleazy strip club. It’s the kind of place that would make me want to stop in for a drink.

“It looks really nice,” I tell him.

Danil kisses the top of my head while Lev parks near the front. Taking my hand, he helps me out and then wraps an arm around me, keeping me close to his strong body.

“This is where you stay all night, sladkaya,” he tells me. “You’re not to leave my damn side. If you have to go to the bathroom, let me know, and I’ll walk you to and from it.” He cups my face and searches my eyes. “Promise me.”

“I promise,” I quickly say. “I won’t leave your side.”

He gives me a nod and a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I know he worries and hates me having to go out in public as his pet, but at least we get to go out together. It would kill me if he had to pretend with someone else.

When Roman and Matvey join us, we all walk towards the front together. Matvey runs a hand through his dark hair, and I’m guessing he’s wishing he was wearing one of his many hoodies right now. The line at the front door is long, and I’m not going to lie, bypassing it while being surrounded by five Melnikov brothers makes me feel like fucking royalty. The women in line can’t take their eyes off the wall of tattooed muscle passing them by, and when they look at me, I can see the confusion. I want to tell them I’m just as surprised by it as they are, but Danil stops me and cups my face, tilting me up to him.

“What were you just thinking?”

I dart my eyes to the crowd behind him.

“Don’t look at them, baby. Look at me. What were you thinking?”

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