Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Anya sneers at the back of the person she just so “kindly” welcomed into her home. “Disgusting choice in shoes,” she says when her husband steps out beside her.
“Eli?” River says, surprised to see me. He steps up to us and takes my hand. His father and mine have been doing business for many years now. River is known for shipping high-quality weapons into the city. I don’t know much about his and Anya’s marriage, but from what the twins told me, he blackmailed her into doing business with him; she tried to kill him multiple times, and then they somehow fell crazily in love. “I wish I knew you were coming tonight.”
“I was hoping you could make room last minute for me and my fiancée,” I say, motioning to Jewel.
“Fiancée?” Anya says over River’s shoulder, basically pushing him out of the way to get a better look at Jewel. “I haven’t heard this.” She sweeps her gaze over Jewel, and to her testament, Jewel isn’t intimidated. And then Anya zeroes in on the ring and necklace. Anya is known for her love of jewels. “Well, it would appear the boy has good taste at the very least,” she notes, taking my fiancée’s hand and peering closely at the ring.
“I wish she looked at the ring I tried to hand to her all those years ago in the same way,” River jokes from behind her. She gives him a pointed glare.
“You were lucky I married you,” she’s quick to remark.
“This is Anya Ivanov. She runs the auctions with her brother, Alek. She’s also Hawke and Ford’s mother.”
“Adoptive mother,” she corrects. “Those little shits would have more manners if I’d trained them from the very start.” But her tone has softened. As terrifying as this woman is, she would kill anyone who spoke poorly of them. Except for herself.
“I think they learned most of their poor behavior after meeting you,” River jests.
The corner of her lips tilt into a smile. “Are my thugs of sons with you tonight?” she asks, looking over my shoulder and dropping Jewel’s hands.
“Not tonight. I wanted to have some alone time with my fiancée. She has a fondness for guns, so I was hoping to treat her to some gifts this evening.”
Anya’s gaze slides back over to Jewel, mischief glittering in her expression. “A woman who can handle herself is always welcome through these doors. As long as you promise me the moment Mr. Monti makes you feel less than, you’ll put a bullet in his brain.”
Jewel actually laughs at that. “I can absolutely promise you that. The still-healing knife wound to his leg can attest to it.”
Anya’s expression breaks into a wicked smile as she turns to me. “I like her.”
River pulls her back by the shoulders. “Please don’t give my wife any more ideas.”
“There might be hope for the new generation yet,” she says over her shoulder. “Come. I’ll personally escort you to the auction. Be a good husband and greet our guests, River.”
Jewel leans into me and whispers, “She’s kind of terrifying, but I love it.”
“Of course you do,” I reply, not at all surprised.
“And you don’t have to treat me to guns. Just give me my father’s back.”
I pat her hand. “You know I won’t do that. But it doesn’t mean I can’t treat you until then.”
“Does your father know you’re here tonight?” Anya asks casually. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Crue. Is he halfway into the grave yet?”
I bite my tongue. There are only a few people who get away with speaking about my father dying. Anya is one of those few.
“No, but he’ll be retiring soon. After our marriage.”
“Oh, yes.” She stops at a barrier of red curtains. “I forgot about the archaic marriage rule you have in your family. I’m lucky my sons choose to simply fuck like rabbits and not bring anyone home. I definitely don’t want to deal with little wet blankets as sons.”
Jewel tries to hold in her laughter, and I try not to let it infect me the same. Anya pulls back the curtains, and her twin, Alek, stands there, watching the night’s crowd. He adjusts his gloves as he glances over at us. His expression doesn’t change when he notices me.
“Mr. Monti and his fiancée, Jewel, are here to bid on some guns. Give them our table for this evening since we don’t have any available space,” she tells him.
He nods and starts walking. We follow in silence. Alek is known for his lack of communication, and the gloves he always wears have been a mystery to many. The only people he will touch or let touch him are his wife, Lena Love, who is a famous singer, and his daughter, Hope.
Jewel’s eyes widen as she looks around the room, taking in the tables, each with a single candle in the middle to illuminate them. A main stage is positioned at the front of the room. I’ve been to a few of these auctions. I also supported Dutton when he conducted his first virginity auction a few years ago after taking over the majority of Dawson’s more lucrative businesses.