Chapter 12: Vlad

"Well, hello," Kostya said, whistling low and flashing a flirtatious grin at a female stripper walking by.

She smiled back and wiggled her fingers at him as she continued down the steps away from the lounge where we were seated.

His light blue eyes trailed her until she was out of sight, blending with the crowd downstairs, where the DJ's lively beats filled the air and dancers moved to the rhythm.

I leaned back in the plush chair, with a glass of whiskey in my hand; Fyodor and Simon, who were beside me, exchanged glances and smirked as Kostya silently roamed his eyes downstairs, searching for her.

"What?" He turned to face us. "I like beautiful things. And she is beautiful."

I smirked and slipped my whisky.

Kostya was my cousin: a dashing, tall young man with dark hair and a chiseled physique that always got the ladies' attention. He was charming and witty, with a great sense of humor. However, once crossed, his demeanor would change in an instant, revealing a very dark and ruthless side. Everyone in the mafia world knew not to mess with him; he was, by the way, a Wolkov.

Kostya had recently moved from Mexico to New York on Maksim's command to take care of business here, just like me. Being the type that loved being around beautiful women, it had been his idea to chill and enjoy the evening in this high-class club.

I was still dealing with the Sienna situation, and this was a perfect distraction. The last time we'd been out, a couple of days ago, it didn't necessarily help much, but it wasn't bad either.

Kostya sipped his vodka and crossed his legs, relaxing in his seat. "You've only been here a couple of weeks, but I see how the business is already booming. Well done, cousin," he said to me.

"And it will be even better now that you're here," I replied. "With our combined efforts, our profits will be off the charts."

"Cheers to that," he said, nursing his glass. "I guess Pakhan always knows what to do when it comes to business." He had a sly grin on his face.

I nodded.

"I've seen the numbers, Vlad. The Bratva is in good condition here, and we must ensure it stays that way," he said, sipping his vodka.

"I've met with a couple of our associates in the city. Trust me, it will stay that way," I replied.

A smile played on his lips.

"Mr. Wolkov," a voice called softly.

I raised my eyes to see the man standing in front of me in a blue suit and a flashy red tie.

"Oh, come on; be more specific next time. There are two Wolkovs here tonight," Kostya quipped, realizing the man was referring to me, not him.

"Apologies," the man said to Kostya and faced me. "Nice to see you again."

My eyes narrowed at him as he sounded like we'd met before, but he was a complete stranger to me.

"You don't recognize me, do you?" he asked, his expression blank.

Indeed, I didn't.

He stretched out his hand. "My name is Andy. We met back in Russia some time ago."

My gaze flickered to his hand, then back to his face. He didn't look remotely familiar in any way. "Don't recall." I shook his hand.

"It's okay," he said. "Wasn't expecting you to."

There was a look in his eyes that I couldn't quite place, a familiar expression that I was yet to understand—like a memory that was out of reach.

We stared at each other for a moment before Andy broke the silence. "Well, I just wanted to say hello. Have a wonderful evening." He adjusted his tie and walked away.

"What was that about?" Simon asked.

I turned to him, casually shrugging my shoulders. I was used to being known, recognized by men I'd never seen. So, maybe this Andy man was someone who fancied my work. But the aura that emanated from him was rather mysterious.

He took one last look at me before walking down the steps, and he had that unreadable expression etched on his face again. I hadn't even given much thought when I was interrupted by Lily's voice.

"Hey, handsome." She slid into the seat between Simon and me, her eyes glued to mine in a sultry gaze. "You look absolutely ravishing tonight—I could devour you!" She flashed her manicured nails at me with a flirtatious grin, her voice laced with playfulness and her eyes sparking with mischief as those lashes battered at me.

Lily was my escort, and she'd been going a little beyond her boundaries these days. Simon had told me she was definitely into me, and I could see that in her every move. It was glaring ‘cause she wasn't hiding it. Lily was charming and attractive, lovely to hang around, and I was sure most guys would want to get between her legs. Not me, though. She wasn't even close to being as attractive as Sienna was.

She gently placed her palm on my chest, running her fingertip over my undershirt and biting her lower lip very seductively.

I seized her hand, clutching it in mine. "Behave."

Disappointed, she withdrew with a silent hiss.

She wasn't Sienna, and her touch was repulsive—the exact opposite of the reaction it should have had on me.

What have you done to me, Sienna? Why can't I look at another woman without comparing them to you?

It was hopeless, holding on to a forbidden passion that would most likely never be. Yet, I was still harboring thoughts of her every now and then. She was all that I thought about at the slightest opportunity.

I knew that I had hurt her; I hadn't wanted to, but I had to. It was a necessary evil. If I truly believed that it was a necessary evil, why, then, was I still being haunted by the look of disappointment in her eyes when I'd said those words. She must have felt so stupid, thinking that I'd taken advantage of her. I wouldn't blame her.

Sienna was the one person who'd somehow managed to make me see things from a different perspective, and I truly believed that she had the potential to bring out the best in me. Her light was so powerful that it shone in my deepest darkness.

I had tried so many times to reach out to her, to tell her that I hadn't meant to treat her the way that I had. But if I did that, then I'd be reopening a door I was trying so hard to keep shut. I was used to physical pain—it meant nothing to me. But this type of pain, the one that constantly stabbed my heart…. I was yet to get used to it.

She must hate me now; she must probably be regretting everything, saying her parents had been right about me all along. Maybe they had been. Maybe she should hate me.

Can you deal with that? I asked myself. Can you handle it when you see her and realize that she despises you?

I shoved my whiskey down my throat and ruffled my hair lightly.

We'd come out here to have a good time, and it seemed like the others were having some fun while I was sulking about Sienna. I wanted to loosen up, but no woman there intrigued me.

My heart leaped in my chest when I smelt that familiar perfume. Of course, I'd recognize it anytime, anywhere; the scent was registered in my head, plastered over my sheets. I had lost my composure because of it, so how would I forget?

I jerked my eyes, and there she was: the most intriguing and attractive woman I'd seen all week. I swallowed, suddenly feeling hot inside.

She was so gorgeous, and time seemed to stand still so I could savor her divine beauty. Her wavy black hair whipped sideways to reveal her face, lit up with an amazing smile that made my cock flinch in my pants. Her friend was with her, and they were both climbing up the stairs.

Kostya whistled, his eyes fixed on them. "My God, what a beauty!"

He better not be talking about Sienna. I'd forget we're family and knock his teeth out. I traced his eyes to the other woman, the friend.

Sienna's glittering purple dress was so tight that it hugged her skin, revealing her perfect curves and contours. There was a slit that ran along it all the way to the hem, exposing her alluring thigh.

Fuck! She's smoking hot.

On those heels, she walked so elegantly to a corner with her friend, where they slid into a couch, chatting and laughing.

I was taken aback both by her beauty and by the fact she was here in this club. Why was she here? What was she up to? And why was she dressed so hot? Who did she want to impress? Was she here, waiting for some guy?

I balled a fist, feeling a rush of anger at the thought of another man having his way with her.

I'll kill the bastard.

My teeth gritted, accentuating my fury.

"Hey, check out those two," Kostya said to me and Fyodor, pointing in their direction.

Simon was engrossed in a conversation with some random chick beside him. He had that horny look in his eyes, and I knew he'd definitely fuck her before the night would end. He was too focused to care about these two.

"Isn't she just lovely?" Kostya asked, relaxed with his legs crossed, his gaze fixed on the girls.

"Which of them?" Fyodor asked without taking his eyes off the girls.

"The one with the green eyes," he replied with a smile.

"They both have green eyes," Fyodor said.

"Well, I'm talking about the shorter one, the one with the light brown hair. She's magnificent," Kostya clarified.

That was Sienna's friend.

"Well, I find the other one more attractive…sexy," Fyodor said.

"Keep your fucking attraction to yourself," I snarled at him, frowning. The only reason he hadn't taken a punch yet was because he wasn't just anybody.

"Ooh, temper," Kostya teased.

Fyodor threw his hands in the air, an indication that he had backed down from any plans of making further moves at the damsel.

I had my eyes fixed on her with only one thought in my head. How should I approach her?

She turned in my direction, and our eyes locked in that moment. She didn't flinch, nor did she acknowledge my presence. I guess her hatred for me ran deeper than I thought.

A tall, lanky guy approached the girls, focusing on Sienna as he slid in by her side. She smiled at him and looked me dead in the eyes as if to say, watch this .

I did watch her, and my fists clenched as she pulled him to herself and kissed him, allowing his hands to traverse her body. My hold over the glass in my hand tightened, and soon, it shattered, pieces of the broken glass stinging my palm.

I sprang to my feet and headed over there, fuming profusely. She'd done that on purpose, but it still hurt. I pulled the boy away from her.

"What the hell, man?" he exclaimed right before my fist connected with his face.

The force was so strong that it knocked him down to the floor.

"What is wrong with you?" Sienna snapped, pushing me away, her hands feeling light against my chest.

"I think he broke my nose," the boy whined, his nostrils bleeding.

I'd created a scene for everyone to watch, and I didn't give a fuck.

"Why did you do that?!" She raised her voice, but I didn't respond.

I simply grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me.

"Where're you taking me? Let go!" She struggled to squirm her hand out of my hold, but my grip was firm.

I took her to a room I'd booked and locked the door behind us.

She glared at me. "What is the meaning of this, Vlad?"

I grabbed her neck and pushed her to the wall, but despite my anger, I was careful enough not to hurt her.

Her back connected with it, and a soft, sexy sigh escaped her lush lips.

"Your little game won't work on me," I said, my voice low and husky.

"Are you sure about that?" She flashed me a sweet smile, desire flickering in her eyes. "Because I think it's already working."

I looked at her; her heart was racing at our proximity. It was obvious. Her lips were trembling, and her body was tensing at my touch.

I wasn't sure how she'd react, but I dared to slide a hand down her panties, and a light moan came forth.

She wants it.

Her breathing was heavy, and her lashes were battering at me.

"Aren't you gonna ask me to stop?"

She looked at me and just bit her lower lip with a mischievous grin etched on her face.

I rushed at her lips, kissing them so fervently as she responded with the same energy. I shifted her panties to the side and slipped in my finger.

"Naughty little girl. You're wet already," I said softly, pushing deep inside her.

She moaned, wrapping her arms around me in pleasure. I yanked off her panties and lifted her leg as she quickly undid my zipper and withdrew my cock.

We could feel the tension brewing, the sexual flame burning so brightly. I'd missed her more than I thought, and it made my heart race. With the way she was all over me, it was clear that she'd missed me as well. She let out a pleasurable sigh as I penetrated her mound.

I grabbed both her hands in one of mine, pinning them over her head, and with the other hand, I raised her leg while fucking her vigorously. Each thrust was harder than the previous one as my anger seemed to take control.

Sienna didn't mind the rough sex; in fact, her reaction—her moans and writhing body—was proof that she was enjoying it. She was unable to use her hands, but with her tone and the look on her face, she expressed the sensation coursing through her.

It felt so good being inside her again, and I wasn't ready to share her with anyone. "You're mine, you hear me? You're fucking mine ."

She was too carried away to reply, so overwhelmed that her eyes were turning white as her breasts bounced to the rhythm of my thrusts.

I let go of her hands and spun her around so her front was pressed against the wall. Pulling on her hair, I rammed her hard from the back, my groin slapping against her butt cheeks.

Her sounds were music to my ears, and I was overcome by the feeling of ecstasy. "I fucking own you," I declared, and her response was a sweet moan.

Her body was jerking, and I wouldn't stop fucking her. Faster and faster, I plunged into her until I started to run out of gas.

With a deep groan, I shot my load, emptying it inside her. Our voices quieted, and I struggled to catch my breath.

It felt really good being intimate with her again; it was as if I'd been starving all this while.