Prologue
Click. Click. Click. Click.
I finally turned off the light, preferring the darkness. Even the goddamn moon coming in through the blinds was too fucking bright. Hissing, I shielded my eyes. The luminous shimmer creeping through my closed fingers was still annoying.
“Goddamn it.” When I struggled to stand, I stumbled forward, hitting the edge of the table. Down I went. A laugh bubbled to the surface. At least I hadn’t spilled a single drop of booze in my fall.
Maybe I wasn’t so fucked up after all.
Almost instantly, another wave of sorrow settled in and I crawled back to where I’d been sitting. Where I’d been hiding from the rest of the world. The floor was nice and cool. I threw one arm around my bended knees, taking another swig. The burn from the vodka felt good against my throat. How much had I consumed?
Too much, but who gave a shit. Not me.
Leaning my head against the wall, I took a deep breath and stared up at the ceiling. There were spots in colors. Wow. Look at that shit.
Another swig.
Another sigh.
Then utter gut-wrenching sadness. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” I held up the bottle, ready to pitch it across the room. I’d never been this angry or this volatile. Or this…
Tears streamed down my face and I smacked my head against the wall. Why hadn’t it been me? Why? Why? Goddamn it. Why?
Every muscle aching from exhaustion and agony, I rubbed my arm across my eyes, feeling a stream of liquid from the bottle. What the hell did I care at this point? I could get more. Any damn time I wanted. There was nothing wrong with me. Fuck, I was Sasha Dmitriyev. Proud member of a Bratva regime. I could handle any goddamn thing that fucking came my way.
Emotions were not my friend. They never had been. They were a weakness that the nephew of a powerful Pakhan couldn’t afford. Yet here I was sobbing like a baby.
“Everything will be okay, son.”
I heard my mother’s voice clearly inside my head, the soft whisper like the brush of kisses she used to give me as a young boy.
“I’m trying, Mama. I just can’t.”
My words were barely audible, strangled by my sadness and rage. I threw my fist in the air, staring at the ceiling as if some divine intervention would provide me with answers. Maybe the strength to carry on.
“We’ll get the son of a bitch if it’s the last thing we do.” Mikhail’s voice shoved aside my mother’s. His tone was full of defiance and the same anger I’d experienced for months. Months of searching. Months of turning over rocks finding nothing but cockroaches. Months of enduring sheer agony to the point I just couldn’t take it any longer. He’d be Pakhan soon. Leader of a powerful family, perhaps the most powerful in the United States. He needed to display confidence when the monster was still roaming the streets, laughing from destroying something so pure and innocent.
“Yeah, well, I don’t think that’s gonna happen, cuz. I know you’ve tried.” We all had. Every member of the family, but no one was talking. Talking to ghosts or figures who were just aspects of my tortured imagination weren’t helping anything.
Outside the family, no one even cared any longer. Another statistic. Another violent crime.
Another story to put to rest.
“Fuck. Fuck!” The goddamn stream of moonlight captured something on the table. I’d forgotten I’d even put it there. What, for protection? I laughed again. Maybe that was the answer. Maybe it was best if I didn’t need to worry my family any longer. Maybe…
I tossed the bottle aside, not caring if it had fallen on its side, and crawled toward the table. Every muscle ached as much as my heart. As soon as I wrapped my fingers around the cold, hard steel, I felt stronger.
More like myself.
More like the ruthless man I’d been.
Pulling the weapon into the stream of light, I took several deep breaths. This was the best choice for everyone. Everyone. Steadying my hand, I shoved the barrel into my mouth. It could all be so easy. Then I would find peace. Who knows. Maybe happiness.
Only she was in heaven and I’d go straight to hell, no get out of jail free card for me.
The pain excruciating, I closed my eyes, trying not to allow the memories to influence me.
I could do this.
I had the strength.
Waaaah…
The sharp wail drew my attention and my eyes flew open. What?
Now my hand was shaking as I jerked the gun free, trying to figure out what I’d heard. The sound occurred again. A wail. A cry. A little cry.
Oh, my God. What the hell was I doing? What the fuck was wrong with me?
Very carefully I placed the gun on the table and struggled to my feet, forced to grip the back of the chair to keep from falling. With another cry, I was suddenly sober, the ache and anger pushed aside.
All I could think about was getting to her.
To my baby daughter.
I stumbled up the stairs, rushing to her room, thanking God my father had insisted on installing baby monitors all throughout the house.
Throwing open the door to her room, I took a few seconds to catch my breath, staring at the spinning mobile over her bed providing sparkles of light.
With cautious steps, I walked closer, realizing she wasn’t crying. She was laughing, reaching up to the stars, her little eyes as bright as they were in the sky.
“Oh, my baby. My baby girl.” Scooping her up in my arms, I held her tightly, holding back sobs as she reached for the mobile. “You like that, huh?”
She giggled again and reached for my face, placing her tiny fingers against my cheek.
“Oh, Nina. You don’t have to worry. Daddy is going to get better. For you. For us. You’re my everything.” As soon as I began to hum a song my mother had sung to me a very long time before, she cocked her head. She was listening.
I moved to the rocking chair, the one that had taken us so long to find, testing at least two dozen before finding the right one. As I sat down, she laid her head against my chest and for the first time, I began to sing. Softly. Slowly.
Rocking.
Singing.
And soon, my little baby girl, my miracle angel and the breath of my life was fast asleep.
[divider]Chapter One
Six and a half years later…
Sasha
“Stop worrying, Halle. The party is going to go off without a hitch.” I backed against the wall as a rush of people flooded the corridor behind the stage. Reporters were everywhere, roadies trying to weave their way through the crowd so they could begin dismantling the set.
“Are you kidding me?” she snorted. “You put me in charge of this birthday party and everything must and will be perfect.”
Another memory brought me to a halt. Fuck. It was like clockwork although this year, the date had snuck up on me. I’d already walked several laps around my resort and the concert hall during the arduous day, acting like a tiger pacing his cage. I’d spent an hour in Dreamscape’s gym pumping iron and jumping rope. It had done nothing but put me in a foul mood given the conversations I’d overheard.
I’d been surrounded by happy people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. There’d even been one guy chatting with a stranger about his dozen ideas for proposing to his girlfriend of two years. It had taken every ounce of my control not to drop a hundred-pound weight on his head.
It went without saying I was in a nasty mood and crowds didn’t help.
“Sasha. Are you with me?” Halle chided.
I glanced at my watch, waiting until my vision had cleared. Goddamn, I loathed being chained to the past. “I’m here.”
Which was only partially correct. I hated the date on the calendar. I had for seven fucking years.
As the noise in the hallway overpowered everything else, I slipped away from the craziness into an adjunct office I used when spending any time in the concert space. While I adored my cousin’s wife, she was a type-A personality on steroids. But she was the perfect person to orchestrate my daughter Nina’s seventh birthday party since she had a daughter close in age.
With my rough business schedule, and long hours including working weekends the last few months, I’d needed help, or I’d throw the kind of party that would crash and burn. Nina was a harsh critic about everything her daddy did or didn’t do.
“What’s going wrong with the arrangements?” This time. Before it had been a crisis with balloons. Before that, the caterer had walked. At least I’d had another contact that could pick up the slack without hesitation. It paid to know people in Las Vegas.
With my eyes aching like a son of a bitch, I leaned against the wall, reminding myself this only occurred once a year. Thank God for that. I sucked at being a dad.
“The entertainment bagged. Poof. They’re gone.”
“Who did you hire again?”
“A world-renowned juggler and clowns. Plus, they were going to bring a bounce house with them.”
There were world-renowned jugglers? Really?
And a bounce house. I loathed them. In my mind they were terribly unsafe. And I thought I’d told Halle that Nina hated clowns. Who didn’t? They were creepy as shit. Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t be so elated that there was another failure with the party, but this one made me happy.
While I had no clue who I could hire on such short notice, I was bound and determined that this deadbeat dad was going to do something right. “I’ll take care of the entertainment.”
“How? How are you going to do that on short notice? I’ve checked around. There is nobody available.”
Hearing noise just outside the door that included singing, several girls doing their best to sound like Lainey Rose, a strange and perhaps impossible idea popped into my mind.
Lainey Rose had just finished her phenomenal residency, the wildly popular musician topping every chart with every album she released. She’d been the best decision I’d made for our entertainment venue since I’d taken over management.
Our numbers had soared for months, every resort fully booked, our casinos, restaurants, and nightclubs at max every day and night.
As I opened the door, I was able to see Lainey coming down the hallway, signing autographs along the way. People adored her. She was sweet, funny, smart, and one of the hottest women I’d ever met in my life.
She was also my daughter’s favorite singer, Nina memorizing every word of every song. How many months had I been forced to listen to the sappy love songs that drove both young girls and women wild?
Too many.
However…
“Just leave it to me, Halle. I promise you I won’t let you down.” Every once in a while, I could be pretty damn persuasive. I bit back a smile. I had no clue how Alexsey controlled the feisty woman. She was a handful, but certainly good for my cousin.
He’d stopped being a brooding asshole and had found a personality.
“If you do, you know what will happen,” Halle barked at me.
“Yes, I do. I promise I’ll be a very good boy. Now, I need to attend to a few things.”
She growled into the phone and hung up on me. I slipped mine into my pocket, pounding the back of my head against the wall.
Being a single father wasn’t the easiest thing in the world.
At least my little girl seemed happy. She loved school, her friends, and her family. What more could I ask? She had no understanding of the family legacy she’d been born into and that was fine by me. In some people’s eyes, she was a Bratva princess, a tool to be used later in life. To me, she was my perfect princess and the only thing left of a life I’d once enjoyed. I would do anything for her.
Including using every technique I’d mastered in convincing women to do what I wanted with Lainey Rose if necessary. A slight smile crossed my face. Although she wasn’t a typical girl. She was a combination of innocence and wild kitty all wrapped up into a lovely package. In the months of limited conversations, I’d learned she had a fiery personality, squelched by a team of idiots who’d created a perfect, marketable package.
Maybe my enjoyment of women was jaded or at least had been over the last few years. I had my reasons that in my mind were acceptable. However, seeing how her team had manipulated her had pissed me off. Sadly, I wasn’t in control of her. If I was… Filthy thoughts drifted into my mind, completely inappropriate.
Then again, maybe she needed a change in direction. Or at least a day spent away from the norm.
All she could do was say no, which I anticipated she would do. Private gigs weren’t in her contracts.
“Trouble in paradise, boss?” Jaxon asked. He was my right-hand man. Not only considered security but also a good friend.
“Just my cousin’s wife freaking out about entertainment for Nina’s party.”
He laughed. “Let me guess. You’re going to ask our resident superstar if she’ll consider attending the party. Nina does adore her.”
“You know me too well.”
“How tight do you want security with or without a special guest?”
“Tight. We have guests coming, people I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll be vetted.”
I gave him a look, chuckling as we walked. “Don’t make my house look like a police state.”
He threw up his hands. “Yes, sir.”
“Make sure we don’t have any incidents out here in the hallway. I can tell the reporters are itching for yet another story.” I headed into my office.
Once inside, I took a deep breath and headed to the window. The last few months had been exhausting, but extremely profitable.
A few minutes later, I checked my emails and waited until the commotion died down before leaving the office. At this point she was decompressing in her dressing room, most reporters scampering away to provide their soundbites for the late evening news.
As I headed down the hall, I buttoned my suit jacket. Stopping short, I noticed a man who’d been thrown out of the concert venue before, fighting with Jaxon.
“Let me go. I need to see Lainey!”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. While it wasn’t unusual for a groupie to try to avoid our security measures, I had to admit that my patience had vanished. The slight scuffle ensuing was it. I’d had enough.
Jaxon had him by the arm and with two long strides, I was in front of the man’s face, barely two inches away. Given my height and bulk, I used my size as a deterrent. At this point, he was lucky my anger hadn’t kicked in. I took another step and his eyes opened wide.
The guest slammed his back against the wall out of fear, darting his eyes to Jaxon then back to me. Thankfully, the man was nervous instead of engaging in some level of arrogance. That would bode well for him walking out without a broken arm or nose. The stench of whiskey assaulted my senses. The man was intoxicated. Another reason I couldn’t express the full extent of my anger.
“Now, I’m going to tell you this once. I’m going to have Jaxon escort you out and ensure you get to your destination safely. However, given my act of kindness, you’re going to promise me you will never set foot in this establishment again. Yes?”
He acted as if he wasn’t going to honor my request, so I inched closer. The odor was suffocating. I cocked my head, remaining silent. If looks could kill, the guy would be engulfed in quicksand.
At least he still had enough faculties he didn’t try to argue with me.
“Sure. Whatever you say. I was just going to give her a gift.”
“Not tonight.” I stood over him for a few seconds before moving away. Jaxon was grinning. He knew I had a short fuse.
“I’ll take care of him, boss.” Jaxon jerked the man down the hall and I stood watching until they were out of sight.
There were days I felt like a bouncer in a wild club. Back to business.
Lainey’s security team smiled as soon as I approached.
“I like your method of doing business,” Bernie complimented, his grin almost as wide as his face.
“Sometimes finesse works perfectly fine, the act of intimidation all that’s necessary.”
“And other times?”
I liked the guy. He genuinely cared about Lainey. “Other times something more… substantial is needed. Never hesitate. Bullies will always try and take advantage.”
“I’ll remember that,” he said, smirking. “Full house again tonight.”
“She has that effect on people.”
“Yes, she does. So, I heard Nina’s birthday is in a couple days. I hope you don’t mind, but I bought her a present.”
I’d be damned if the hulking mass of a man didn’t look sheepish as if I’d be angry with him that he adored my daughter. So did almost everyone else. She had them all fooled. I grinned inwardly at the thought. My daughter would be a heartbreaker when she grew up. “That’s very sweet of you. You should come to her birthday party.”
“Really?” His eyes lit up.
I laughed and patted him on the arm. “Yes, really. I’ll send you the details.”
“Thank you so much for the invite. If we’re still in town, I’d love to come.”
“You will if I have anything to do about it. Cross your fingers for me. Will ya? I need an entertainer for my daughter’s party or the woman handling the festivities will cut my balls off.”
It took him a minute to understand. Then his grin turned into a smirk. “I’ll see if I can help make that happen.”
“You’re a good man, Bernie.”
“Maybe wait until Attila the Hun leaves.”
He meant her manager, a surly guy who’d made the mistake of getting in my face. Not good for anyone to do. Scott Jameson was a typical show business prick. The more successful Lainey became, the more money lined his pockets. I’d seen him manhandling her before. That wasn’t going to happen again.
I honestly had no clue how she suffered dealing with an entire pack of pricks. Public relations. Social media gurus. Hairstylists. Fashion coordinators. I’d often wondered if she had any time for herself.
“Thanks for the heads up.” My anger just below the surface, I knocked on her door, trying to curtail my irritation.
“Come in.” Her voice sounded tense.
As soon as I opened the door, every muscle tensed. She was obviously infuriated about something Scott had said to her. As per usual.
“What is it?” Scott asked, way too surly for my liking. His glance was quick, a clear indication I was nothing but an annoyance to him.
His brazen attitude added fuel to the fire.
“It would seem you need to learn some manners, Mr. Jameson. If you don’t have time to find them, I’ll be happy to help.” I allowed the words to sink in, daring him to challenge me. Thankfully, he chose not to pick a fight. “Now, I need a few moments with your… client. She does employ you. Right? Not the other way around?”
He had the nerve to fist his hand, even puffing up. Maybe he could tell by my expression today wasn’t the day to fuck with me since he backed down.
When he started to object, his eyes telling me this could become an issue, Lainey stepped in.
“Don’t mind him, Mr. Dmitriyev. He takes being an asshole seriously,” she said and turned her head toward me. As soon as she did, a spark of electricity went through me like rocket fuel. Her smile was slight, but provocative as hell, and while this wasn’t the first time, I sensed she could feel the building connection between us.
How strange since I hadn’t felt anything for another woman since my wife had died seven years before. But admittedly, it was not the first time since Lainey’s arrival in Las Vegas. The first meeting, while somewhat contemptuous even though not by her doing had done that. She’d sized me up in an entirely different way than I was used to. Most women did so with the intent of bettering themselves in one of several methods.
Money. Influence. Power.
Lainey was different. Her skeptical looks were exactly the opposite. She was wondering what scheme I’d try to pull on her.
The entire role reversal had spurred the desire now furrowing through me like a constant stream of fireworks.
Scott wasn’t too pleased with her reaction, giving me another hateful look before facing her. “It’s time you start taking your career seriously, Lainey. You have the world in the palm of your hand if you’ll accept what you need to do.”
“You mean marrying some asshole? I don’t think so, Scott. I’m tired of being led around by a leash. Some things are going to change.”
Marrying some asshole. While I hadn’t seen Damien Kane during her residency, pictures of the two of them together had been all over the internet. Until they weren’t. Interesting.
“He’s good for you,” Scott growled. “The perfect match. The dream couple. Do you know how many fucking albums you sold when the engagement was announced?”
“All to line your pockets. Jesus Christ. I can’t believe you’re saying that. Just go.” Lainey pointed to the door.
Ouch.
When he didn’t move a muscle, I took a step forward. Today must be asshole day.
No, I didn’t like the guy. In fact, he had a target on his face exactly where my fist was about to go.
“He’s just on his asshole pills today,” she finished, winking at me when she did. She’d obviously sensed I was about ready to toss him out.
“You can be such a bitch, Lainey. You know that?” His huff was not nearly as irritating as what he’d just said to her.
“Hey. You. Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to treat a woman with disrespect? If you were one of my men, you’d be fired. Now, why don’t you find a hole to crawl into.”
I wasn’t asking him.
I was telling him he was about to face my wrath and thankfully for the little weasel, he knew it.
She stifled a laugh while I glared at him. I’d had it with his nastiness and bullshit and didn’t need to take it any longer. The residency was complete.
She’d be returning to her life in LA.
When my cock stirred, I was surprised. Didn’t that give me an ache I didn’t need?
He kept a glare on his face but left like a good little boy, throwing a tantrum by slamming the door behind him.
I’d heard all the stories about Lainey from the beginning of her rise to fame. Once considered a diva, word on the street was she’d been tamed by a long-term relationship with a fly-by-night actor. Was I jealous? Perhaps. The truth was she’d been good for his career, bringing him back to being considered an A-list actor after years of drugs and booze. I was still surprised the two were together. I was also suspicious of the ‘romance,’ but it wasn’t my place to give a damn.
Obviously, there was a rift between them. None of my business.
Or at least it shouldn’t be.
Lainey was unable to hold back laughter any longer. “You are something else, Mr. Dmitriyev. Very… formidable.”
“Is that what they call it these days?”
She brushed hair behind her ear casually, but I could tell she was nervous around me. There was no reason to be. “I could call it being chivalrous. That’s what my mother would say.”
I pressed my hand against my heart. “A great compliment. You’d make my mother happy.”
“The way you are with everyone in your employ is why I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending a few months in your employ. You remind me there are decent employers. I’m sorry about Scott. Part of his job is to pressure me into doing things I don’t appreciate.”
“Then don’t do them. I have a feeling you also don’t mind egging on his mood swings.”
She pressed her fingers against her lips as if I’d just discovered her greatest secret. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“You secret is safe with me.” The banter with her was easy, almost as easy as her voluptuous figure and warm, wet lips were on the eyes. How many times had I reminded myself that making advances on an artist under contract was never a good idea? Also, there was the reprehensible concept of poaching another man’s girl. That wasn’t like me. But I’d thought about it more than once.
“I meant what I said,” she stated clearly, a shadow of something very personal and upsetting crossing her face.
I tried to shove aside my untimely desire as I walked closer. Almost instantly the scent of her perfume hit me in a way that wasn’t good for standing in front of her. My cock was almost fully aroused. My only hope was that my suit jacket was hiding my condition. Even now, I wouldn’t want her to think of me as a lecherous son of a bitch.
I pressed my hand against my chest for a second time. “I’m honored.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s just me you’re talking to. I’m so glad things went well these past few months.” When she slapped her hand over her mouth, I cocked my head. “That was presumptuous of me. It did go well. Didn’t it?”
“You brought the house down. You are one incredible star, lady. Beautiful to boot.”
Another awkward moment. I wasn’t winning any points today. I wasn’t used to needing to give compliments and not because I didn’t appreciate or value women. I did very much. I simply had held no interest in getting close to anyone. Fulfilling carnal needs was something else altogether.
She gave me a little mischievous look. “I’m going to miss being here.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
What the hell. I had promised Halle I’d find an entertainer. “I couldn’t convince you to stay a little longer. Could I?” Why did my voice sound more possessive than I’d intended?
Lainey narrowed her eyes and I’d be damned if she didn’t give me a hard, hot, and sinful onceover. “It depends on what you have in mind.”
“Well,” I said as I took a step closer. “You see, there’s this party.”
“I like the sound of it already.”
“Don’t say that yet. It’s my daughter’s birthday party and you happen to be the next best thing to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”
“Hey, don’t knock peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I lived off them for years,” she said, laughing. “You’re inviting me to your daughter’s birthday party? That adorable little Nina?”
“That wild child of a daughter Nina and yes, but there’s a catch.” I tried to give her puppy dog eyes. I might as well forget about trying. Something else I could check off as sucking at. Boy, I was on a roll.
“Hmmm…What’s the catch?”
“Well… That maybe you’d sing a couple songs. For Nina. And just a few guests.” I tried to act nonchalant, but after the last few months of engaging with Lainey at least once a day, the request felt way too personal. She had a life and introducing her to mine wasn’t necessarily a good idea.
I had no idea what she was thinking, her expression unreadable. Then her eyes lit up. “I’d love to.”
“I’ll understand if you couldn’t do it. You have other commitments. That’s fine. I hadn’t mentioned something like this to my daughter since I thought it would make her birthday extremely special, but…” I suddenly realized I’d been talking over her and what she’d said. “You’ll do it?”
She laughed, reaching out and touching my arm. The moment she did, another bolt of white-hot electricity flowed back and forth. She could feel it, her breath skipping. I expected her to pull away, yet she didn’t, instead licking her bottom lip. “You seem so surprised.”
“Well, we are from two different worlds.”
“My mother used to tell me that when two worlds collide, they create a new galaxy, a magical place full of joy and opportunities. I like to think she was right.”
Being around her was too easy. I’d heard the rumors that she was a prima donna and difficult to work with. I’d seen anything but. She was kind to everyone from her roadies to her fans, making the time to sign autographs when I could tell she’d been dog tired. I admired her tenacity and professionalism even while sensing she was hiding something behind her shimmering light green eyes.
“I have a feeling I’d like your mother.”
“You would. She’s as close to being an angel as there is. Just tell me when and where, but you might want to keep it a little secret between us. You know how Scott can be.”
“Yes, I do. I hope you don’t mind me saying, but your assessment of him was right. He’s a complete asshole.”
Every laugh created a wave of deep vibrations all throughout my body. “You’re one of the first people to tell me that. If there’s one thing I value in another person, it’s the truth. I hate bullshitters.”
“You won’t find that with me.”
“That’s why I like you so much.”
We’d bordered on flirting more than once without crossing the line. That didn’t mean I hadn’t indulged in impure thoughts. What the hell was I trying to do, lie to myself? I’d undressed her in my mind enough times my lurid thoughts could be considered a total sin.
“I will admit I might have mentioned the possibility to Bernie, including extending an invitation.”
Her smile lit up her face. “That’s perfect. I can use him as an excuse to keep me protected.”
“I assure you that you won’t need to worry about security. The family is very tight.”
“So I understand, Mr. Dmitriyev.” She made the statement in a knowing way, likely hearing all about my family and what others called a regime. At least there’d be no surprise.
“Would you like me to go through your assistant with details?”
“Give me your phone.” Lainey held out her hand.
I did as she asked, unlocking the screen. While constantly darting me looks, she typed in her contact information, hitting save. “I like to handle personal aspects of my life with no one else interfering. What I do in my private life is nobody’s business and the lovely birthday party is very personal and very private.”
Our fingers touched again as she handed it back to me. My hand lingered a little too long, my index finger caressing her soft skin. I was such a bad boy teasing her, but soon she’d disappear, heading back to her fabulous celebrity life while I’d be grinding away here in Vegas.
Oh, poor me. One of the wealthiest men in the world and I was complaining.
“I’ll let you get back to relaxing. Let me know if you need anything.”
She tilted her head, studying me as intently as I’d done with her dozens of times. “I will and thank you for being so kind.”
“I’m not kind, Lainey. Trust me.” Laughing, I headed for the door. As soon as I threw it open, a bouquet of red roses was suddenly in my face, the flower bearer trying to barrel inside. “Whoa. Hold on.”
“Shit, I’m sorry, man.” The man’s voice was one I couldn’t place.
I tipped my head toward Lainey, ready to toss the guy out and I could tell instantly she recognized whoever the gift giver was. Only her face had hardened. He lowered the flowers, peering around me as if I was nothing but a fly on the wall.
Bernie was right there, more than eager to toss the man to the curb. That meant I was as well. “Ms. Rose. I’m sorry. I’d gone to the restroom. I was only gone a couple minutes.”
His voice was full of fury. That made me curious.
“Lainey,” the rose bearer said in a way that also bothered me. All too familiar. All too controlling. Where had I seen his face before?
Ah, shit. It finally came to me. Her alleged boyfriend.
“It’s okay, Bernie. I’ve got this. What are you doing here, Damien?” Her body language indicated she wasn’t happy to see the stranger.
Damien Kane.
“I came to see you since you’ve been avoiding my calls.” He was certainly insistent. Now I was on edge.
“Are you sure, Ms. Rose? I’m happy to escort him back to whatever hole he crawled out of.” Bernie was as well. Whatever was going on, there was bad blood between them. While some would say this wasn’t any of my business, this was my club. No one fucked with the entertainment.
She opened her mouth, then her lips twisted and she glanced in my direction.
“I’ll reiterate Bernie’s offer. Do you want me to escort him to the exit, Ms. Rose?” I asked, the sound of my voice stating clearly I’d be happy to toss him out. Bernie was beside himself, uncertain what to do.
I wouldn’t hesitate to do what was necessary.
The asshole bristled. He had no idea tangling with me wasn’t in his best interest. Especially today.
“No, Sasha. I’ll be fine. I can handle Damien. Trust me.” She looked at me, offering a slight smile. The air of familiarity she was using was a push against him. Good girl.
I sensed utter discord between them. I’d glanced at the tabloids. I’d seen their photographs. She’d never appeared happy, her expression blank. His reputation? A man used to women falling at his feet. He was considered to be the hottest action movie star in the world.
He also happened to be under contract with our movie production company, the contracts already signed with him playing the male lead.
I didn’t like the guy or his attitude; however, it wasn’t my place to interfere.
Unless the bastard pushed my hand.
Something in the back of my mind reminded me I’d also seen the two of them together a year or so before. The celebrity couple, expected to get married. All glitz and glamor.
But what I knew was that while she’d been here, he hadn’t appeared even once.
What I also knew was that she wanted no part of being around him.
But again, it wasn’t my place to interfere.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t hang around to ensure their meeting was cordial.
I didn’t like other men touching anything special to me.
As I walked away, I gave her another look and it was the same as the one she offered to me.
A deep, intense, and soulful desire that if not kept in check could become uncontrollable.
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