Silence ensued as she blinked, trying to regain her composure.
“Please don’t make me repeat myself,” I emphasized, my tone softer but still firm. “Answer my question.”
Understanding flickered in her gaze, her disappointment mingling with a reluctant acceptance. She stood and took a step back, resigning herself to the situation.
“No, Sir. I don’t need a review. I’ll leave you to whatever it is that has you so worked up,” she murmured, her voice tinged with dismay and a hint of brattiness. “Come on, Jenna. Let’s go dance. Catch you later.”
Nik barely waited for them to walk away before he started in on me. “Well, this is a first,” he chimed in, a hint of smugness in his voice. “I’ve never seen you so caught up in someone you barely know. The mighty Reaper, brought to his knees by a mere girl.”
I shot a glance at him and then at Marcus as he pretended not to be invested in our brotherly exchange. “Don’t start, Crow. This is a serious matter we’re dealing with.”
Nik smirked. “Oh, of course…serious business. I’m a bit confused though, is the investigation the serious matter? Or is it your preoccupation with a woman who seems to have you wrapped around her finger in the span of only a few days?”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. I’m doing my part. What—”
“I can see the laser focus, Reap,” Nik interrupted me, feigning a serious expression and furrowing his brow.
His words filled me with the urge to punch him in the face. My jaw tightened as amusement flickered in my brother’s eyes. Damn, it was a good thing I loved him.
“You find this hilarious, don’t you?” I took another sip of my drink.
Nik’s grin widened as he nodded, his playful banter unabated. “Absolutely. It’s not every day I get to witness my brother squirming over a woman. You’ve got it bad, and I can’t wait to let Bash know all about it.”
My annoyance briefly gave way to a wry smile as Nik’s teasing nudged a small crack in my guarded facade. “You’re enjoying this way too much. But you’re wrong on all ends. I’d just like to solve this case already.”
Nik clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Mm-hmm, keep telling yourself that. But don’t worry, I’ll be here to keep you grounded. Do you want me to intervene if it looks like your heart is starting to wander into uncharted territory?”
“Fuck you,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes.
“Not tonight. I’ve got a headache,” Nik said, rubbing his temples as Marcus erupted in laughter.
I joined in. Nikolai’s playful jabs were exactly what I needed to refocus. As usual, he knew the way to help me clear my head.
I glanced down at my phone and grinned, feeling strong. “It looks like the little sparrow has finally decided to grace us with her presence. It’s game time, gentlemen.”
She was on fire, actively arguing with Thomas, shoving her ID in his face. I told him to give her a hard time since she looked younger than twenty-one. I glanced once more at them and realized Thomas had reached his limit and stepped to the side to allow her in.
Having just finished my drink, I nearly choked. That clear head I’d achieved was completely gone with one look at her.
“Holy Mother of God, is that the same girl from the picture? No fucking way,” Nikolai exclaimed in awe, pushing past me to get a better glance.
Thomas was having a hard time not gazing at her breasts. Her dress made me feel equally savage and like I needed to cover her. Never mind that we owned this damn strip club and there were literally tits everywhere. What the fuck was she thinking? I dialed him.
“If your fucking eyes look at anything other than her face, I swear I’ll kill you myself. Bring her to me now,” I growled.
Nikolai and Marcus chuckled loudly. I flipped them off.
Her dress was a long black maxi with two slits up the sides, and as she walked toward us, it separated, showing the creamy expanse of her legs and thick thighs. If that wasn’t bad enough, the damn V-neckline went clear down to her navel.
She was wearing a choker that had a long, braided whip that hung down between her very exposed cleavage. Her black heels gave her a little more height, but she still looked short.
For the first time since I learned of her, she wore her hair down, and I was completely mesmerized. It was long and thick, with rich brown curls. Red and gold highlights weaved throughout her tresses that flowed past her waist and bounced as she walked toward us.
Something inside me snapped. I had intended to greet her nonchalantly, but the kiss we shared earlier, and all that exposed skin, made that impossible.Holy fuck, she looks hot.
I could only stare in awe. She had practically every man in the club’s attention. Hell, even Nik was drooling. She couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate dress—it was as if she chose it specifically for him.
Our eyes met, and there it was. The distinct twin connection we shared. We were both imagining pulling her around by that whip and unchaining it from the choker. Bending her over the flogging bench and bringing it down across her bare ass. The sensitive skin would go from alabaster, to pink and then red.
