Pride I had no business feeling swept through me.
So, sue me.
Leokovs knew how to run a club.
I took Anika’s hand, she clasped Cora’s, Cora entwined her fingers in Mina’s, and I led them to the left of the dance floor. I let him know we were coming, and as expected, he was waiting for us at the entrance of the VIP section.
Nikolai Leokov, my cousin and owner of The White Rabbit, smiled widely at the sight of me, and the second I spotted those trademark Leokov dimples, I picked up my pace, my walk turning into a jog. The moment I was close enough, he opened his arms, and I threw myself into them, laughing happily.
I didn’t care if I seemed eager. I did not get to see my cousins often. We all had businesses to run, and in the case of Nik, he played the role of doting father to a growing family during the day.
His gruff chuckle warmed my ear, and he rocked me side-to-side, then kissed my hair. I closed my eyes, breathing him in. His scent was uniquely Nik. Expensive leather and sandalwood.
There was something about him. Whether it was his height, or build, or honey-warm gaze, he had the ability to make me you feel safe, untouchable.
I wasn’t bullshitting my brother. I would never put my friends or family in harm’s way. And with Nik watching out for us, The White Rabbit was a safe place. We were protected within these walls. No one was going to mess with ex-members of the firm.
Music blaring, Nik pulled back to look me over, his eyes crinkled in the corners. “Damn. I still can’t believe you went from knobby-kneed to catwalk model.”
Firstly… aw, how sweet.
Secondly…
“Hey!” I punched his arm, feigning outrage, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “I was never knobby-kneed, thank you very much.”
From behind Nik came, “Yeah, you were. I never met someone who had to grow into their knees before.” A grinning Max Leokov, Nik’s brother, came into view, and my heart was so full to bursting. With a happy squeak, I jumped, and he caught me, chuckling. He squeezed me tight, holding the back of my head with a gentle hand. “You look good, sweetheart.”
When Max set me down, I pressed a long, noisy kiss to his cheek, then used my thumb to wipe away the lipstick stain I left there. “I missed you guys.” Looking around, I asked, “Where are your women?”
It had been a while since I’d seen the girls. Tina, Nik’s wife, was the sweetest thing you’d ever meet. She reminded me of Anika. Helena, Max’s wife, was so darn cute and hilarious. Nat was the fiery redhead married to Asher, Nik and Max’s adopted brother. She and I were so alike it was scary. Then came Lola, the small brunette with a contagious smile. Her husband was Diego, better known as Trick, Nik and Max’s cousin from their mom’s side. And, finally, there was Mimi, all-around badass who just happened to prefer a taco over a hot dog.
Nik’s expression turned soft. “They’re not here tonight.” And when my face fell, he put up his hands in a placating gesture. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. Blame ’em for becoming moms.”
“Someone’s gotta wrangle the little terrors,” agreed Max, who then added with a light chuckle, “and I sure as fuck ain’t qualified for the job.”
Yeah. I got it. It sucked, but they were mommas and had different priorities now. “Well,” I allowed with a smile, “at least I got to see you guys.”
“You know you don’t need an invitation, Nas,” Max chided.
Nik quickly agreed. “You’re welcome to come by whenever you want. Tina and the girls would love to see you.”
God, they were sweet. Genuinely thankful for the offer, I uttered, “I’d really like that.”
You could definitely tell Nik and Max were brothers. They had the same olive-toned skin courtesy of their mom, dark hair, and they both bore the Leokov whisky-gold eyes. But more than that, their smiles were identical. And while Nik had a single dimple tugging at his cheek, Max had two.
Undoubtedly, many a woman found themselves head over heels for these men, and don’t get me wrong, I got it. My cousins were kind of gorgeous, and their sisters? Whoa. Stunners.
Max spotted the girls behind me. “Oh, shit,” he said teasingly. “There’s more of ’em.”
Both men greeted the girls with hugs and kisses, leaving them breathless, and for some unknown reason, when Max kissed Mina’s cheek and called her “baby cuz,” her cheeks turned red, and she giggled. Loudly.
They escorted us upstairs to the exclusive, closed-off section of the club, and when a white rabbit approached wearing sheer white tights and heels, whiskers and all, Nik told her, “Carrie, these girls are family.”
Carrie seemed to understand what that meant, because she smiled, then inclined her head. “Yes, Mr. Leokov.”