“Asher,” she says, offering him her hand which he kisses. “Do you own the club?”

I look surprised and look around the room because I don’t want to seem as though I’m staring at them or interfering. I scan the room and startle when a man meets my eyes. He’s sitting in another roped-off section. I give him a small smile and nod.

Chapter 3 - Kervyn

Arseny continues to talk my ear off, leaning near me as he plots what he wants to do with the woman of another family. I couldn’t be less bothered, to be honest. All the women in our type of life are the same.

I want someone unique, someone special. All three of my brothers and I are single at the moment, though Luka has a different woman every now and then just for fun. I don’t think he’ll ever seriously settle down.

At forty-six, I am the oldest of the brothers and leader of the Bratva Vegas empire. Danil is the second oldest at forty. Arseny is third in line at thirty-eight, and Luka the man-whore is thirty-five. Though vastly different from each other, we are family, and that matters most in this weird world that we inhabit.

I thought tonight was going to be a typical night, much like every other night. I’ve considered excusing myself from Arseny and going upstairs to the apartment above to sleep. It’s been a long week, and there isn’t much keeping me downstairs aside from my brothers.

They keep saying I need to live a little, well, at least that’s what my two younger brothers say, and they’re the ones with me now. Danil is more headstrong and down to Earth and often gives more practical advice than drinking whiskey and chasing tail.

Luka nudges me, and Arseny glances at him. “What?”

“Look over there, the girl in the blue dress. I love a confident, curvy girl.” He motions to the open dance floor. We all share light brown eyes, tall figures, and dark hair, but Luka and I share one more thing—our taste in women.

I follow his gesture. Two women are standing just outside the VIP section, and while I do see which girl in the blue dress he’s talking about, I am more drawn to the vivid red-haired woman next to her in the black number. I would strip her and fuck her but with the boots on.

I smirk at Luka. “Are you going to sit here all night gawking at them, or are you going to have them invited over?”

Luka motions for a bouncer, and Arseny sits back, knowing he’s lost my attention. Luka speaks to the bouncer in Russian, and the bouncer goes off. The women have moved to the bar. The bouncer first speaks to the bartender and then walks around the VIP section to go through the exit to get them.

“Free drinks with Luka Milov sounds like a great evening,” Arseny says sarcastically. “They must not have been here before, or they’d know to avoid you.”

“Even the girls who know to avoid me don’t avoid me. That’s how good I am.” Luka says, watching as the bouncer waits for the girls to place their order before he leads them into the VIP Section.

I watch as my brother gets up and walks over to the girls. Only Luka would introduce himself to a girl by kissing her hand. I see it’s only the hand of the blue-dress girl. Her friend glances around, and our eyes meet. I immediately sense a strong attraction to her.

She turns her attention back to my brother, who is addressing them both. She gives a smile and says something I can’t hear. He nods, and the three of them move onto the VIP dance floor. Luka signals for the bouncer—no doubt to bring the ladies their drinks.

The three of them dance happily together, but my eyes are only on the redhead. I need to know her name. I don’t know why, but I just need to. It’s not enough to watch her dance near my brother. A strange feeling rises inside me. It’s almost as though I’m jealous Luka is near the redhead. I watch them closely. I think I would prefer it if she came over to me.

I signal for my guard to come to me. “Tell Luka to bring the red-haired woman over here.”

“Yes, sir,” he says before going to the dance floor. He taps Luka on the shoulder and whispers my instructions to him.

The girl turns to meet my eyes again. One of the lights passes directly over her, and I notice how bright green they are. She’s curvy and sexy and confident, and I like that.

I watch as Luka leans in and speaks to the girls. The red-haired girl looks back at me again and gives me a small smile, almost hesitant. Perhaps she senses I’m a predator.

She would probably do well to leave with her friend now. I wouldn’t stop them, but she's mine if she comes this way.

I watch as they walk toward where I’m sitting, and the guards let them in. Luka brushes his hand against the friend and motions for her to talk to him in a private corner.

Her red-haired friend glances at her, and I speak. “I will keep you company, don’t worry.”

Arseny takes the hint and gets up. “I’m going to go get drinks.”

He leaves, and the woman sits down, crossing her legs.

“Kervyn,” I say, holding my hand out.

“Penny, but please don’t kiss my hand.” She blushes slightly, and I nod.

“Fair enough, I won’t.” I give her hand a light squeeze and turn a fraction, facing her to talk.

Drinks appear on the tables in front of us, and I tilt my head, resting it on my fist as I lean against the chair. “So, Penny, what brings you to my club tonight? I think I would know if you’ve been here before. You aren’t someone who blends in.”

“How do you know?” she asks quietly. “Maybe I don’t normally dress like this?”

She has a cheeky smile and smirk. “Well, if you don’t normally dress like this, then you should.”

She sips her drink, and I pick up my whiskey and sip it. “What do you do for a living, Penny?”

“Slave away for corporate America.” She tilts her head. Is that bitterness in her voice?

“Hard day at work?” I ask curiously.

“Have you ever wondered why you bother sometimes? Putting in all the effort when there’s no reward.” She looks at me with quizzical green eyes.

“Well, I never do anything if there’s no reward,” I say.

“That must be nice.” She smiles, and a waitress brings over shots of tequila.

“Keep the drinks coming. I don’t like waiting,” I say to the waitress. She’s new, I don’t know her name. She nods eagerly, though, and hurries away.

“What about you? You clearly run the club. Do you have other clubs or businesses, Kervyn?”

I don’t want to answer that question, so I divert the topic. “Hold on, we’re not done with you.”

She smiles. “Oh, sorry, are we still discussing rewards?” she asks, tucking her red hair behind her ear.

It’s almost endearing. I’d want to protect her if she were mine. I slip an arm around the back of her shoulders and move closer. “Exactly. Which is why I’m talking to you.”

“What reward do you get for speaking to little old me?” she asks, looking up at me and sipping her drink.

“You,” I breathe the word before Luka clears his throat to get my attention.

I sigh and turn to my brother. “What is it?”

“Her friend Asher wants to catch a cab home.” He inclines his head to Penny. “I’ve offered to drive them.”

The friends look at each other, and I look at Penny, stroking her hair. “Stay with me. Let’s get to know each other better, and if you want, I’ll have a driver drop you off later at your friend's house.”

Penny smiles, and I can see a burning excitement in her eyes. “Give me a moment to reassure her. I’ll be right back.”