- 4 9 -

The moment I stepped out of my car, I was greeted by the chilly October wind that promised the coming winter.

I should've kept a coat or jacket.

"Thea." I heard Alex's concerned voice and turned to face him with a small smile as he reached inside his coat pocket and took out a small gun.

Perfect to be carried in a handbag for safety purposes and surprisingly, very efficient.

The smile from my face was instantly wiped away and replaced with a frown instead.

"What's this?" I asked, watching the small object on his hand warily and heard him sigh.

"I know you're not exactly very fond of guns but I need to know you'll be safe." He said, making my face drop a little more before I shook my head.

"Alex." I said looking at him reassuringly and hoped he'd understand.

"I'll be okay, I promise." I told him and wrapped my arms around his large frame.

He hummed in response although I knew he wasn't satisfied, but hugged me back nonetheless.

Pulling away after a few moments, I saw Zarina and Zephyr smiling at us and Anton watching us with satisfaction in his eyes.

"I'll be off now." I said quietly and turned once again towards the new club that my brother owned.

"Stay safe!" I heard Zarina's voice call before I entered the club and with a deep breath, I held my chin higher, scanning the area.

No potential threats as of now.

Nodding to myself once, I wore the same expression my brothers did - unapproachable and cold as I walked through the crowd that seemed to part for me almost automatically, and I could feel people staring for longer than necessary.

But something or someone in those stares stood out the most and I almost turned my head to look at the person, but knowing it wouldn't be the right decision, I walked towards the VIP section where the target was at the moment.

The music blasted on the dance floor and I watched people grinding and dancing against each other as I climbed up the staircase slowly, measuring my steps before my eyes fell on the desired person.

Yuri Pavlov.

My target. He was a man in his mid twenties, around Alex's age, with dirty blonde hair and dark eyes, and one of the most trusted men working for him.

I knew my family would be around here somewhere, but probably in the more exclusive side of the club where they wouldn't be seen until my mission was over, which had now begun.

Step one: Attract.

Reaching the VIP section, I made a mental note of my surroundings and walked over to the bar, purposely walking past Yuri in order for him to notice me.

I never needed to do anything extra for the target to follow me, because stupidly enough, they always did.

Idiots, I tell you.

Perching myself on a bar stool, I motioned for the bartender.

"Whisky, on the rocks, please." I ordered and saw as the bartender nodded and got to work before a drink was placed in front of me within moments.

The bartender gave me a firm nod before glancing at the blue ring that now adorned my finger, knowing full well who I was.

Taking a few sips, I felt myself relax as I became more comfortable and was now definitely more aware of my surroundings.

Enough to know that someone had now approached me and was sitting on the stool next to me.

"Scotch, neat." His voice spoke, making me smirk internally at how easy this was.

Too easy. It's like the male species never learns.

Ignoring the man next to me completely, I continued sipping onto my drink and looking over the bar when his voice caught my attention, a small smirk making its way to my face as I turned on my stool to face him.

"And what is a beautiful girl like you doing here?" He asked, trying to sound disinterested, but clearly failed as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his flirty tone.

"Can't a girl have fun once in a while?" I answered nonchalantly and saw him smirk, the sight sending a chill down my spine. And not a good one.

"Of course she can. Although I hope I can help out with your... fun." He answered, his smirk growing wider as he let his eyes roam my body shamelessly, making me cringe internally.

Step 2: Seduce.

"Hmm.. Depends on what that is and how much fun you're willing to have." I said in my most seductive voice, batting my eyelashes slightly because my tone clearly took an effect on him the way he bit his lip.

Disgusting, I tell you.

"As much as you want me to, baby girl." He said leaning closer, putting a hand on my bare thigh and I gave him one of my most seductive smiles as I leaned in a bit too, now able to smell the stench of alcohol coming out from him.

His touch didn't at all feel good and was sending me really bad vibes. Like, really bad.

But then I made the mistake of looking behind the man, at a higher level because my eyes seemed to wander away to the prickling feeling that stood out from everything else on my bare skin.

I couldn't help myself and like they say; curiosity killed the cat.

Utterly furious emerald greens staring back at me with such anger I thought I'd catch fire.

But I couldn't do anything right now. Forcing my eyes back on Yuri, I smiled once more as he downed his drink.

"You want to go somewhere more.. private?" He asked me and I pretended to think a moment before nodding.

He stood up at one and held his hand out to me. Reluctantly, I took it and followed as he climbed a higher level, where he was, making my heart beat erratically in my chest.

And I crossed him, his shoulders tense as he stood next to the balcony overlooking the club with his hands on the railing.

But when we were crossing him, he turned a bit so that our fingers would brush slightly, sending jolts of electricity through my body.

"This way." His hand slid to my lower back and I resisted the urge to kill him on the spot, planning my next move as I smiled at him.

We reached a set of doors but before he could open them, I pushed him against the wall, earning a chuckle from him.

"Feisty, I like it." He hummed before grabbing my waist and pulling me closer while I tried to maintain my distance as best as I could, his other hand sliding up my bare thigh.

Step 3: Mark your prey.

"You're going to love what comes next even more." I said seductively in his ear as I turned my head and made eye contact with green eyes, leaning towards Yuri's collar, I landed a kiss on the collar of his white dress shirt and left the mark of my red lipstick there.

"And she's wild too." He said, his eyes never once leaving my chest as I cringed in disgust but managed a flirty smile his way.

"I just like leaving my mark." I said, hoping he'd believe me as I grabbed the collar of his coat jacket lightly and discreetly reached for the cold metal against my skin and with one final smile, I spoke in his ear.

Step 4: Kill.

"Anton sends his best." I whispered and saw as my words registered in his mind, his eyes widening slightly but before he could do anything, the dagger was firmly planted at a certain point in his stomach where he'd bleed, but not die anytime soon.

"You bitch." He wheezed out pathetically as I let him drop to the floor like the pathetic idiot he was.

I rolled my eyes at him and stepped over him as Viktor, our head of security walked towards us with two men trailing behind him.

"That's your lesson. Don't mess with an Elias, darling. I'll let my brothers deal with you now. Have fun." I waved at him with a satisfied smile on my face and walked away from the scene, feeling content with myself.

Just like old times.

- R O M A N - A N G E L O -

I fucking saw it all and no, I was not pleased at all.

All I wanted to do now was put a bullet in that fucker's head the moment I saw his breath hitting her.

I was fucking livid.

And then he touched her. I thought her brothers said the rule was that no one would touch her. Looks like she's blurred the lines.

The moment she walked in the club, my eyes were on her, following all her movements.

The confidence with which she walked, the power and grace she exuded and the chaotic air around her, it draws me in like nothing else.

And that fucking dress.

Goddammit.

She looks like a little devil in it, and yet an angel. The way it hugs her curves in all the right places and ends on her mid thighs, all I want is to run my hands over her silky bare skin.

And she saw me too. I know she faltered because she didn't expect to see me until after she was done, but there was no fucking way I wasn't keeping an eye on her in case something went wrong.

And then she passed right by me, with that fucker's hands on her. When her fingers brushed mine, it was like my body was set on fire and now all I want is more.

More of her.

So damn much.

But the way she lured him into her trap, it was mesmerizing to watch her work with such confidence and it was as if she was seducing me instead.

Fuck, I've gone soft.

Her eyes were on mine the whole time she had him pinned against the wall, and I almost didn't notice her reaching for the small glinting metal in her dress.

And then she leaned forward and kissed his collar. Why did she do that? Does she do that to every man?

But when she whispered something in his ear, I was about to walk up to them and shove him away from her and kill him myself, forgetting about the guards with him that were currently being intercepted.

But then I saw the fear flash across his face before she had stabbed him, quite strategically might I add.

Good enough that he wouldn't be able to escape but wouldn't die either.

I guess she's leaving him for her brothers' experiments. I'll have to tell them to give me a few minutes with the guy too, so I can give him a little gift for touching what's mine.

My angel.

All mine.

"Having fun, angel?" I spoke when I saw her leaving the scene and she stopped in her tracks, not daring to move.

I moved behind her and I knew she felt me behind her the way I saw goosebumps rising on her arms and neck, making me smirk.

I pressed my front to her back, hearing the small gasp that escaped her red lips.

I trailed my fingers up her arm slowly, sensually and felt her shiver against me as my other hand grabbed her waist.

My hand stopped at her shoulder and I took the strap of her dress in my fingers, pulling it down just a bit and placed a kiss on her bare shoulder.

I glanced at the way her eyes closed when my lips trailed up even further along her neck, sucking her earlobe gently, I pulled her flush against me.

So soft.

"You look so fucking sexy angel, makes me want to take you to my private room and have my way you, again, and again, and again, and again." I whispered in her ear, watching as a blush made its way to her face and words failed to come out of her mouth before she moved away from me suddenly.

Why did she move away?

I watched as she walked ahead, her step faltering momentarily and saw the reason for her moving away coming towards us with a cold glare directed towards me.

"Anton." She spoke in her sweet voice and all I wanted was her to say my name on repeat, all day long.

"Darling. Are you okay?" He asked, finally tearing his eyes away from me and she nodded, glancing at me worriedly before looking back at her other glaring brother staring holes in my head.

"Alex?" She called out to him and his eyes snapped to her, softening slightly when he smiled at her.

"Good job darling. We'll take it from here." He said, patting her arm and Ivan strolled in from behind them, flashing her a small smile and kissing the top of her head.

"Kotenok, everything good?" He asked her, glancing at me briefly with a small smirk playing on his lips as he looked back at her.

Son of bitch.

I watched as she beamed at him and nodded quickly.

"Everything is good, don't worry." She reassured him and he nodded once at her.

"Viktor's taken him." She gestured to where she stabbed the guy and they all nodded.

"Good. We'll deal with him later. For now, Zarina's waiting for you downstairs with your friends." Anton told her.

"My friends?" She looked at them confused.

"I told Zarina to invite your friends. Go have fun while you can before I change my mind." Alex said, swatting her away and I saw as she squealed and hugged him.

"Thank you so much!" She said and ran off in the other direction.

"They look like they're going to kill you. What's you do now?" Enzo came up from behind me.

"They always want to kill me." I relied lazily, putting my hands in my pants pockets.

My eyes automatically drifted off downstairs, where Heather was busy hugging all her friends, smiling from ear to ear.

I narrowed my eyes when I saw her hugging the guy she tutors and another guy with him.

What does she have to be so friendly to everyone?

My jaw clenched when the new guy pulled her towards the bar and they started downing shots, joined by their other friends, his hand going around her shoulders.

If I could cut that off…

"Oh I see, that's why." Enzo said and I glanced at him briefly only to see him looking at the group of friends downstairs too.

"What's with that guy clinging to her?" Gabriel came out of nowhere and pointed to another guy who was holding on to Heather's waist.

"That's her trainer, apparently." I scoffed, glaring daggers at the man from earlier today whom she was training with today.

"Huh." Was all Gabriel said as the Elias brothers walked up to us.

"Roman." Anton nodded to me and then the two men beside me.

"Gabriel Angelo." Gabriel shook hands with Anton, already sizing him up.

"Lorenzo Salvatore." Enzo introduced himself as well, assessing the man.

"Anton Elias." He said and a look of surprise flashed by both their faces before they nodded in understanding, before both looked at me.

"Long story." I mumbled and turned away from them as they began chatting, my eyes looking for my girl.

My girl.

Has a nice ring to it.

"Roman, we're going to the VIP Lounge, you coming?" Enzo's voice brought me out of my search for her and I nodded once, taking my eyes off the rowdy crowd dancing to the music and following the men.

We walked up to another part of the club, this one seeming more exclusive than the normal VIP one and I guessed it was only reserved for family or important people as such.

Thankfully, the glass window gave a full view of the whole club, so that's where I sat.

To my surprise, Anton sat right in front of me, also looking out as a waiter came and set our drinks in front of us.

Sipping on to my drink slowly, I barely listened to the conversation that was going on around me and my eyes seemed to wander to wherever she was.

So much for staying away from her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Anton's voice broke me out of my chain of thoughts as I looked at him, a small smile playing on his lips and he knew full well what I was thinking about.

"Nothing important." I said leaning back in my seat and trying my very best not to look outside. He hummed in response and joined the conversation, just when the door was opened and in came Heather's cousin, Zephyr, I think.

"What are you doing here?" Alex asked him. He shrugged and looked towards Anton.

"Just came to drop the girls' purses here so they don't get lost." He said putting down two bags on a table in the corner.

"Where are the girls? Are they safe?" Alex asked him again as he stood up and walked towards the window and looked out.

"Yeah they're fine. Heather however…" He trailed with a mischievous smirk on his face as Anton and Ivan both got up from their seats and headed to look down as well.

"What's wrong with her?" Alex asked, narrowing his eyes at him and Zephyr glanced at me briefly, his smirk widening even more before he looked at the other three worried men.

"She found Jason." He finished, making my eyebrows furrow and the men's faces become one of amusement.

Who the fuck is Jason?

"Jason? The dancer?" Ivan asked to which he nodded.

"Look for yourself." He said pointing to the window and sure enough, a crowd had formed around two people who were dancing rather… passionately.

"God, what is she doing?" Ivan grimaced and my own frown deepened.

"She's reunited with her dirty dancing partner." Zephyr answered, his smirk directed my way as the cogs in my head began turning.

Before I knew it, I was out of my seat and walking out towards the balcony where sure enough, my blood started to boil at the sight in front of me.

"No fucking way." Enzo spoke catching up to me, his eyes widening like saucers as the people cheered on for the dancers who danced enthusiastically and intimately to the song.

No fucking way indeed.