Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27953 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I check the mirror to make sure I don’t have any blood on my face. It’s always easier to come to my club's basement to clean up. If I don't have to, there is no point in tracking blood home. I don’t need Emma to start getting after me about bringing my work home. She is the only one who can get away with giving me a hard time. Most grown men piss themselves if I ask to meet with them.
“I’ll be in my office.”
“I’ll come with you.” Sergio falls behind me. He’s more on edge than I am.
“They might be stupid, but not enough to come here,” I remind him. My men are all over this place. It is one of a handful of clubs I own. This one is right in the heart of the city. That's why I keep my office here. “Check on Nikolai.” I haven’t seen or heard from him in a few hours. That is never a good thing. The kid tends to get himself into trouble without even trying.
“He’s around.”
“Of course he is.” Where else would an eighteen-year-old kid be on a Saturday night but at a club he could get himself into?
The second I open the door from the basement, the thump of music hits me. My headache is getting worse.
People move out of my way as I make my way toward my office, passing the main bar. I need a shot of whiskey. It's the only thing that will relieve the tension. Then I need to find out when this fucking wedding is going to be. I'm guessing my invitation got lost in the mail. Not as if that will be stopping me from attending.
A flash of red catches my attention, making me pause for some reason. I turn, wanting to find it, but it finds me first. A soft body collides with mine. I grab hold to shove it back, but instead my fingers lock around a set of delicate shoulders, not letting go.
The woman tilts her head back, making her wavy red locks fall to the side to uncover her face. Two bright, innocent green eyes stare up into mine, knocking the air out of me. For a long moment, I swear I forgot how to fucking breathe. It’s like I've taken a punch to the gut. Her shiny, plump lips form an O shape. I can see the faint trail of freckles she tried to conceal across her round, full cheeks and nose. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. I’m mesmerized by her.
“Hi,” she chirps, breaking me out of my momentary trance. Where the hell did she come from, and how did she get in here? “It’s kinda crowded in here, and heels aren’t my thing. You saved me. I would have face-planted if you didn’t have such good reflexes.” She lets out a small, adorable giggle. When the fuck did I ever think a laugh was adorable? What is happening to me?
Does she not know the danger she is in right now? I suppose not. It’s not as though I pluck girls out of my club to ravish. With her innocence, it wouldn't be ravishing, it would be ruining. Yes, that’s what I want to do to her.
“Well, ah—” She licks her lips, her eyes darting around. Oh, little rabbit, it’s too late now. Your destiny has already been decided.
“I’ll get you a drink.” I trail my fingers down her bare arms, wanting to feel more of her softness. When I reach her hand, I take it. “Come,” I order, not waiting for a response. I don’t need one. This is my club, hell, my fucking city.
“Heels!” she squeaks, almost falling again. I grab ahold of her, pulling her to my side.
“Champagne,” I bark at one of the bartenders and nod toward my upstairs office, which overlooks the whole club, before I practically drag the small thing toward it. I ignore the quick, hidden glances I receive from a few of my men. I can’t blame them; this isn’t something they’ve ever seen me do.
It’s not till we’re in my office that I release my hold on her. The door closes behind us. I’m finally able to relax a little, knowing she’s trapped now.
“Whoa.” I watch as she does a small spin. The dress she's wearing, which hits mid-thigh, flares out, exposing more of her to me. The small peek of more skin is more erotic than it should be. I bet she has on more clothes than any other female inside this club, but she’s the only one that grabbed my attention.
“This is pretty cool.” The little temptress peeks around my office with curiosity. “Do you like own this place or something?” she innocently asks.
If this were any other girl, I’d call her a fucking liar, but I can tell she really has no clue who I am. Good. It must be my lucky day because I’m sure that information would surely send this little rabbit running. I enjoy striking fear into most people, but I don’t want her to feel that when she’s near me. And I definitely don’t want her to go anywhere.