Dangerous Liaisons (Crimson Legion MC #1)

8. CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

C rimson Bar and Winery was a mere two weeks away from opening. Isabella slid the sunglasses from her face and glanced around the bar, impressed by how much work the MC had already put into the renovations. Several club members were working inside. She spotted Hunter. She knew if he was there, it wouldn’t be long before Ava appeared. It was amusing how devoted the brunette was to the biker. She still couldn’t help but wonder how much the woman kept from her husband. She would not question it; she had enough on her plate.

Her gaze lingered on Eddie helping Hunter with the backsplash of the bar. He seemed to be a decent guy. He appeared happy and relaxed, laughing at something Hunter was saying even though Kira had entered moments earlier and ignored him. Her mood swings were legendary, but he didn’t seem phased by them. He would need as much patience as he could muster to handle her. Something shifted in her chest as she observed Xavier moving through the bar, carrying a box of liquor bottles. The way he interacted with the brunette bartender was casual, easy, and it stung more than she expected. She tried to dismiss it, telling herself it was just part of the camaraderie that came with being in the club.

The laughter that echoed from the pair felt inviting, and Xavier leaned in, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. The woman pushed him away, her laughter ringing through the air. It was a stark contrast to the intensity of their previous interactions, and she couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy. She averted her gaze, scanning the rest of the bar to regain her composure. The renovations were impressive—new wooden beams, polished floors, and the walls adorned with a rustic decor that gave the place a warm, inviting feel.

Ava breezed in from the stockroom, her energy infectious as she approached Hunter, and they exchanged playful banter. Their connection was undeniable, and it made her think of the potential bond she could have with Xavier, if only things were different.

Forcing herself to shake off the earlier feelings, she made her way toward them. “You have exceeded my expectations.”

“Hunter’s been a slave driver,” Ava teased, nudging him playfully.

“Someone has to keep everyone on task,” he shot back. “We’re on a tight schedule with the opening just around the corner.”

“Speaking of which,” Isabella said, her gaze drifting back to Xavier, who was now talking to the other woman. “Do you think we’ll be ready on time?”

“With the way everyone’s working, there’s no way we won’t be.”

Xavier turned, catching her eye for a moment. The air seemed to thicken between them, and there was a spark of connection. Before she could dwell on it, he was back to joking with the surrounding women, laughter spilling from his lips.

She looked away, spotting Kira coming out of the entrance to the winery. “Should you need anything…”

“We have it covered.” Hunter glanced toward the winery. “Business meeting? ”

“We won’t be long.”

“Do you need some backup?”

She didn’t miss the sharp look Ava sent in his direction and shook her head. “We will be fine.”

“Take Xavier with you.”

Isabella wanted to argue, but too many people were looking at her, the man in question included. Kira frowned at the suggestion, but she nodded. “Fine.”

She proceeded into the winery, unable to ignore that he was following closely behind her. Kira opened the door, her gaze not moving from him as they passed by her into the room. Inside, to the left of the entrance, Alexander Volkov was sitting in the tasting room, a bodyguard standing behind him. He was a man Nikolai had dealt with many times before his death, a staunch ally that had grown up similar to her husband. They were generational Russians with their business, their great grandfathers having been friends and part of the first true syndicates to come out of Russia. When Nikolai died, Alexander had been the first to offer them sanctuary and support when Sergei had been ready to strike.

He didn’t stand when she approached. Not bothered by his lack of decorum, she took a seat across from him. Xavier echoed the stance of Volkov’s bodyguard over her right shoulder, Kira moving to stand to her left. His gaze lingered on the biker, the taller man staring right back. He chuckled and refocused his attention on Isabella.

“You have something for me?”

“Diego Martinez hasn’t taken kindly to the change in arrangements.”

“I’m not surprised. Has he approached you in a way I should know?”

“No, but rumor has it he’s reached out to a motorcycle group that’s near the border. With your recent change in affiliations, I thought it important you were informed.”

“Are you referring to the Spartan Warriors? They no longer work for Diego; they work for me.” She knew Xavier looked her way at that moment, but she continued to focus on Alexander.

“My contacts tell me there’s another club he contacted that has moved from the coast, one that originated from Washington. I don’t have a name yet, but they’re not your typical MC.”

“Not typical how?” Xavier questioned. “We haven’t heard of another group coming into our area. If this was true, we would know about it, even if it was from the Spartans themselves.”

Alexander cocked an eyebrow. “I promise my information is quite solid. Perhaps you are preoccupied, da?”

Isabella knew without a doubt that his information wouldn’t be misleading. He understood the consequences of treason. Clearing her throat, she brought his attention back to her. “Answer the question.”

“This MC does not live by the so-called rules of your club. They are interested in the old world and way of rule. What they covet, they will take it by bloodshed or deception.”

“So, they’re a gang.”

“It matters not,” he shrugged.

“You will keep me updated.”

“Of course, Moya Koroleva.”

“I do not care for that nickname.”

“You would prefer malen’kiy zayka?”

She chuckled, but flicked a hand nonchalantly in the air. “If that is all?”

He rose to his feet and buttoned the jacket of his business suit. “I’m headed to Vegas for a few days. If you find yourself in need of a break from your surroundings,” he shot Xavier a quick look, “I will fit you into my busy schedule. I’m sure Katarina would enjoy seeing you.”

“I am not so sure of that,” she grunted. “Last time she saw me, she attempted to stab me with a fork.”

“An unfortunate misunderstanding. She has a flair for the dramatic.”

“Her drama will get her in trouble one of these days.”

Grinning, he motioned for his bodyguard to start for the door. “It is her drama that made me want to marry her. I will send your regards.”

“Please do.” She remained seated as he left, his exit on the other side of the winery to avoid any unnecessary issues. She motioned at Kira. “Find out what you can about this MC.”

“Yes, Moya Koroleva.”

“Stop that.” She rose to her feet. “Please have Viktor bring the car around. I’d like to head home.”

Kira snuck a look at Xavier and nodded. “We will be out front when you are ready.”

Isabella kept her attention on him, Kira disappearing back through the door leading into the bar. He was frowning, not moving, as he stared at her. “You have something you wish to say to me?”

“What does that mean? What they called you?”

“Moya Koroleva means my queen.”

“Is that what you are to them?”

“You’re aware of who I am, Xavier,” she sighed. “I cannot change that, nor do I wish to do so. It is my responsibility to uphold the Romanov name and sometimes that requires me to do things I would rather not. These other families look to me to be strong; any sign of weakness would have them challenging my place at their table.”

“Is that why you wanted our help, and why you recruited the Spartans? Were you not going to tell us about that?”

“I don’t have to tell you or Hunter anything. That is my business and mine alone. My dealings with them have no impact on your club or your goal of a legitimate business. ”

“You know the history between our clubs. Everyone’s playing nice now, but if shit was to go south again…”

“I would suggest you make sure that does not happen.”

He sighed, rubbing a hand against his black beanie. “This Alexander guy…”

“He is an old friend of Nikolai's and the family. He has been very supportive of us and has continued to be useful. Until he proves otherwise, I will take him at his word.” She hesitated. “I don’t want to fight. Please understand what I must do.”

He glanced toward the door before taking a step closer to her. “And the other thing he called you?”

“Malen’kiy zayka?”

“You didn’t like it.”

“It means little bunny. It is a nickname Nikolai gave me when we first met.”

Xavier felt the electricity in the air as he leaned closer to her. The way she looked up at him, wide-eyed and breathless, sent his heart racing. He couldn’t remember the last time he was this drawn to someone, and it both thrilled and terrified him.

“Little bunny.” It suited her in a way he couldn’t quite put into words—innocent yet full of strength. But as he brushed his fingers along the curve of her elbow, the heat radiated between them, and the world around them faded into the background.

“Xavier…” Her voice was soft, almost pleading, and it stirred something protective within him. He wanted to shield her from whatever burdens weighed on her mind, to offer her a moment of escape.

The words spilling out before he could filter them. “I want to see you again.” He didn’t want a fleeting connection; he wanted to dive deeper, to understand who she was beyond the business facade she wore.

She hesitated, her gaze flickering away. “We shouldn’t do this,” she whispered.

“Tonight, Isa,” he urged, stepping closer, wanting to close the distance between them. Her breath hitched, and the conflict shown in her eyes as she battled with her instincts.

When she nodded, a rush of triumph surged through him, but he was careful not to overwhelm her. He had to take things slowly to gain her trust. As he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, her warmth enveloped him, and it was everything he’d been craving. She chased after him, a soft smile breaking across his face as he pulled back. It was a game, playful yet loaded with tension, and he enjoyed every moment.

“Soon as I can get away, I’ll be there.” He wanted to make it happen, to carve out a space in his chaotic life for her. The club, the fights, the unpredictability — it was all there, but she was different. She was a breath of fresh air, a way to escape the darkness that sometimes loomed over his past.

As he stepped back, he watched her for a moment, taking in her beauty and the spark of something more in her eyes. The world around them buzzed with life, but in that moment, it was the two of them, connected by something undeniable. He let the weight of his gaze linger on her for a heartbeat longer before he turned to join the others, his mind still buzzing with the possibilities.