Chapter 2. Calculated Plan

Alan

“How do you like the bride?” a voice called from the driver’s seat, pulling me away from the contract Levin and I had been going over all evening.

“Ordinary,” I said flatly, trying to picture the girl he’d praised so enthusiastically earlier, as if he were selling something far more valuable than his usual worthless offers. Which wasn’t surprising. This was just a deal. One that would save Philip’s business. “It’s obvious they think very highly of their daughter. That makes her perfect for what I need.”

“You still haven’t changed your mind?”

My friend let out a quiet sigh and looked at me in the rearview mirror. He didn’t need an answer. It was written all over my face.

Over the years, my need for revenge had only grown stronger, and now that everything was finally in motion, nothing was going to stop it.

What made it even worse was that Levin remembered nothing.

He’d greeted me with that same bright, sickening smile, like we were old friends.

And now he was more than willing to hand over his daughter to the man whose life he had once ruined—without realizing he was sending his own child straight into the lion’s den.

Children shouldn’t pay for their parents’ sins.

No matter how many times I reminded myself of that, every time I looked at that pretty little thing, I felt a flicker of contempt.

And something darker.

I wasn’t going to hurt her.

But that was where my mercy ended.

“He has two daughters, doesn’t he?” I asked, remembering I was supposed to have a choice tonight, even though only one of them had shown up.

“Yes. Two.” Rinat glanced down at the tablet in his hands, then passed it to me. The screen showed nothing but a blurry photo of a girl from behind. “That’s all we’ve got. I have to admit, he’s been careful about keeping the second daughter out of sight. There are only two possible explanations. Either there’s something wrong with her... or she matters more to him than the first one. Want me to look into it?”

“No. Don’t bother.” I handed the useless thing back and leaned my head against the seat.

It didn’t matter which daughter Levin gave me. Either way, it would end with his downfall.

“Work on the new contract instead. Since we’re not family yet, he’ll go over every line. Make sure there’s nothing he can pick apart.”

“It’ll be ready by Monday.”

The car stopped in front of a nightclub.

The second I saw the bright neon crown above the entrance, the tie around my neck suddenly felt too tight. I loosened it with one sharp tug and stepped out of the car, leaving behind responsibility, control, and everything else that came with them.

I needed a break.

It had been far too long since I’d let myself have one.

This was one of the few places where the city’s elite came to unwind. The service was flawless, the alcohol expensive, and there were always beautiful women around to make the night more interesting.

Expecting nothing more than a few quiet drinks, I headed down the hallway.

Then someone slammed right into me.

A clumsy little thing appeared out of nowhere and spilled her drink all over me.

Dark liquid splashed across my shirt and jacket, and for the first time in years, my irritation was directed at someone other than my worst enemy.

The girl looked up at me, eyes wide, one hand pressed to her mouth.

There was nothing fake about the expression on her face. None of that practiced sweetness escorts usually wore.

Just real shock.

And real regret.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

The blonde finally looked up at me properly.

She was beautiful.

And in that brief second, I noticed every detail—the curve of her body, the long bare legs, the ridiculously short dress that showed far too much and somehow still made me want more.

“Everything okay, Al?” Rinat stepped up beside me, immediately noticing the stain on my jacket.

It wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t care about things like that. I’d throw the jacket away without a second thought.

But those wide, frightened eyes...

I suddenly wanted to push her a little. Just to see what she would do.

“No,” I said, keeping my eyes on her. “It’s not. How exactly are you planning to make this up to me?”

Girls like her usually only had one thing to offer.

I expected the usual reaction.

Instead, she changed right in front of me.

The frightened little thing disappeared.

In her place was a tigress.

Her eyes sharpened, suddenly full of confidence and challenge, like she knew she had the upper hand. Without looking away, the blonde reached into her purse, pulled out a few bills, and slipped them into the breast pocket of my jacket.

Her fingers brushed the fabric.

A slow, satisfied smile curved her lips.

“There’s a dry cleaner around the corner,” she said coolly. “They’ll make it look like nothing ever happened. That should cover it. Keep the change.”

Then she turned and walked away, hips swaying with every step.

For one brief second, I wanted to go after her.

To stop her.

To put her back in her place.

But I pushed the thought aside just as quickly.

“You seriously let her walk away?” Rinat asked, sounding genuinely surprised as he watched her disappear into the crowd.

I pulled the money from my pocket and looked down at it.

It was more than enough.

Way more.

She’d probably just handed me half of everything she’d earned in the last few weeks.

“I know that look, Al,” Rinat said with a grin. “Want me to arrange something?”

“If it’s not too much trouble.” I tightened my fingers around the bills. “I need to give this back to her. Maybe throw in a little extra. For being brave.”

Rinat smirked and headed toward the group the blonde had been standing with.

Within minutes, the redhead in the group was already laughing at something he’d said.

I stayed where I was, slowly sipping my whiskey and watching from a distance.

The club wasn’t very crowded tonight.

I didn’t see anyone I knew, though there were a few familiar faces.

Like Tikhonov, the TV anchor, scanning the room with the cold, calculating look of a predator.

He wasn’t here to have fun.

He was hunting.

And whoever became his story tonight was in for a very bad time.

“Half an hour. Second room,” Rinat said when he came back and dropped into the chair across from me.

“Perfect. What are you going to do until then?”

“I’m thinking about joining that group over there.” He nodded toward three slim girls standing by the bar. “I like the brunette.”

“Fine. But keep an eye on Tikhonov while you’re at it,” I said. “I have no desire to end up on camera. Especially not the one he’s probably hiding under that ridiculous lace collar.”

“Of course,” Rinat said with a grin. “Enjoy yourself.”