MIKHAIL
Catalina was sittingbeside me as we pulled up to the huge mansion just on the outskirts of Sin City.
We had men stationed around the property in case something went wrong, and what was more, we had men inside, infiltrating the catering staff.
Damien and Nikolay had already arrived and were waiting for me to sneak them in.
Everything was set in place, and everyone knew, in case there were any signs of trouble, that Catalina would be their priority. Still, I hated taking her with us.
But the alternative was to leave her alone in the hotel, in Bianchi territory.
If their don was anything like us, then he would have eyes everywhere, and he should have already known the moment we stepped foot in Las Vegas.
The three Heads of the Vasiliev coming into another organization’s territory would surely garner some attention.
But Bianchi was being quiet about the whole thing.
We weren’t going to let Catalina get out of our sight until we had her safely away from here.
I pulled the car up to the side of the house, and the door on Catalina’s side was opened by one of Ricci’s men.
My eyes hardened as I took in the man who dared hold out his hand to her.
“I got it,” I said, stepping out of the car and coming to her side. I threw my keys at him and helped her out of the car.
She was wearing the same black dress she wore to Gabriel’s club opening, and, like that night, the very sight of her simply took my breath away.
Her hair was tied in a half ponytail, and she had very little makeup on. She always shined the brightest, especially in places filled with depravity, and this mansion was it.
She offered me a small smile and let me pull her in close.
I leaned down and kissed the side of her head, whispering, “Just stay close to me.”
She nodded and hooked her arm around mine. We went up to the front door.
This was an invitation-only party, but they weren’t checking invitations at the door, considering not many people knew it was happening.
I didn't know how Nikolay got a hold of this information, but I was fucking glad. I blended in with the guests, rough men dressed in expensive suits and women with greed in their eyes, shining as brightly as the jewels they wore.
A house filled with vices.
It felt sacrilegious to even bring Catalina here.
I glanced sideways at her. She smiled when she caught my eye.
My hand tightened around her, leading her further into the house, even when everything in me said to get her out of there.
Leo caught my eye from across the room.
He was in the white uniform of the catering staff, currently serving drinks to a boisterous man whose laugh carried through the room.
I took in my surroundings.
I didn’t see Ricci yet, but I would soon, considering the birthday girl had just come down the stairs, wearing a dress worthy of a Disney princess.
There was a sparkling tiara crowning her head.
She smiled.