Hidden Monsters (Volkov Bratva #4)(4)

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before, Alex—and considering I know everybody—that begs the question, who the hell are you?”

Alex was so used to giving her full name, the only true power she had now that she wasn’t dancing anymore, but standing next to him in a place of iniquity, she rather wanted to keep her anonymity, just in case he knew her brother.

“Nobody special,” she replied when she noticed he was still, though patiently, waiting for her to answer. “Do you interrogate all the new people who come in here?”

“Maybe, maybe not, but I thought I would keep you company…unless you want me to leave you to the wolves out there.”

Wolves…how appropriate. “If you want to talk, it’s a little loud in here for that, don’t you think?”

His eyes trailed over her face, like he was trying to figure her out, but after a lengthy pause, he merely slung an arm around her shoulders—an act, she thought, to send a message since several pairs of eyes were turned in their direction—leading her away from the noise toward a back hallway where, even with doors shut, the sounds of slapping flesh and sharp moans could be heard.

Her heart never sped up when they reached the second to last bedroom at the end of the hall, nor did she bat an eyelash when he walked her inside, closing the door behind them with a firm click.

She took in her surroundings: the bed in one corner, a couple of pictures hanging on the walls, and on the rather massive desk was a shiny chrome nine millimeter that looked brand new. There was nothing really personal about the space, but Alex didn’t think that this was his home, only an available room where he brought women who he intended to keep for only a night.

One part of her, the part that grappled for reason, knew that being here was not a good idea, and that it would probably be for the best if she just left this place entirely. But where would she go? Back to an empty apartment that didn’t really feel like home? Maybe to Mishca’s though he was currently in the midst of taking his wife on a honeymoon?

Or maybe, to the lone person she would happily run to, but didn’t want her in return.

No, maybe she would stay because as she watched Snow move toward the bed, sitting on the edge, his gaze moving from her bare legs to the rather immodest dip at the front of her dress, she felt a stirring. It might have been forbidden or even a little dangerous, but she was willing and ready to chase it if it meant she could feel again.

“You—”

The door came crashing open before Snow could finish his thought, and if his darkening expression was anything to judge by, he was not happy with the interruption.

“What!”

The woman, whoever she was, eyed Alex for a second before turning to Snow, her smile sickeningly sweet. “Can you hook me up?”

“Get the f*ck out.”

She shook her head, her hands flying up to ward off an attack as Snow launched to his feet, looking like he intended to physically remove her.

“Boone said you owed him.”

He cursed, gaze skirting to Alex who was regarding this entire act with cool indifference, before he jerked his head in the direction of the bathroom. Once she was inside with him, he pushed the door up, but not far enough that the door closed, making Alex wonder if he’d done it on purpose so that she could see what was happening inside. She only had a limited view, so she missed the majority of what took place inside, but she didn’t miss the small baggie he handed over or that the woman hid it in her cleavage.

At the sight of it, her heart kicked up.

When they were alone again, after the woman had thanked him with a kiss on the cheek, it was clear Snow had one thing on his mind, but Alex’s attention was seized on what she had seen.

“What did you give her?”

A curious glint entered his eyes as he shrugged out of his cut, hanging it on the back of the chair. “What’s it to you?”

“Merely curious…”

“Nah, it’s a little more than that.”

In answer, she shrugged. “Are you a drug dealer? Is that why they call you Snow?”

His expression was unreadable as he said, “You ask a lot of questions for someone who’s just curious.”

“Maybe I want to buy from you.”

“Yeah? And what exactly do you think I’m selling?”

Alex trailed her fingers through her hair, knowing that he was watching the motion. “That’s why I’m asking.”

As the silence stretched between them, Alex thought maybe she was changing his mind, at least until he started laughing, which only made her cheeks turn rosy in embarrassment.

“You couldn’t handle it.”

Now, it was her turn to laugh though she did it without humor. “You have no idea what I can or cannot handle.”

Whether he believed her or not, he went back into his bathroom and came back out moments later, carrying another one of the baggies that he had passed off to the woman.

Inside were five pills, all emblazoned with a small smiley face. With an arm hooked around her waist, he tugged her deeper into him, smiling down at her.

“First one is free.”

“What is it?” Even as she asked the question, she reached for it, nimble fingers curling around hers as she tried to take it.

“Something that’ll take the edge off.”

That really wasn’t an answer, but as Alex opened the bag, popping one into her mouth, she didn’t really care.