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VEN Page 23


  Dangling a carrot for Vika is exhausting. She wants more from me, but I don’t have it to give. I’m hoping Yuri will grant her wish for a divorce, but it’s highly unlikely.

  “Come on, Vas, let’s just slip off somewhere,” she pleads. “No one will notice.”

  The last thing I want to do is sneak off to sate her need for cock. My eyes search the crowds of people for someone in particular, and once my eyes latch onto her, I can’t pull them away.

  “Why can you never give me your attention,” Vika huffs. “You’re always so distracted.”

  I’m so fucking bored with her mundane existence. I can’t even fake it right now. My back stiffens when I notice Veniamin tear away from my sister Diana and rip through the gathering of people like a knife through butter. The crowd parts like the fucking Red Sea—all but her.

  My damaged little star.

  I start forward, but I’m not going to get to her in time. He mows straight through her, sending her toppling to the floor. The tray she was holding crashes on top of her, glass going everywhere. Ven shoulder barges me as he keeps moving toward his target—something behind me.

  “Darya,” I breathe, taking a knee to clear the fucking mess all over her. She hisses and moves her hand from her stomach. Crimson stains litter the white shirt she’s wearing. It’s the first and only time I’ve seen her allowed to wear anything. Yuri likes her naked and compliant.

  Fuck, she’s bleeding everywhere.

  I search her body for injury, ignoring the roaring going on behind me.

  “It’s okay, Vas,” Darya whispers. I can’t help but notice all the bruises on her thighs—bruises that motherfucker put on her one of the many times he raped her. She wears her collar, but not the leash today. My blood boils at the fact that she’s kept this way. One day, I’m going to kill him for it. “I swear, I’m okay,” she urges. Her golden eyes the color of honey dart up past me and fear glimmers in them.

  I follow her worried stare to Yuri standing behind me.

  “What the fuck, boy?” he snarls, then turns to bark at his son. “Vlad. Why is Veniamin throttling your sister? And why the hell is this Volkov bastard fretting over my fucking pet?”

  Vlad moves to deal with the ruckus behind me. I turn to see him pulling Ven from Vika.

  Shit, what the hell is happening?

  Vika gasps at the air. “What the hell?” she screeches, her voice hoarse.

  “Everyone out!” Yuri barks. Feet scurry over the tiled floors to the exits.

  What is it with Vasiliev gatherings?

  When they’re just Volkovs, Vasilievs, and Vetrovs in the room, Yuri lights a cigarette.

  Ven is bright red, and Ruslan has joined Vlad, struggling to keep him at bay. Diana is talking to him in hushed tones, and Vika is glaring at me with Darya in my arms.

  “Someone better start talking,” Yuri demands as he blows out a plume of smoke.

  “This animal tried to kill me and you didn’t stop him!” Vika screeches at her father.

  “Veniamin?” Yuri asks.

  “She killed Niko.” Ven’s tone is deadly.

  Vika pales and puts her hand to the bruises forming on her throat from Ven choking the life from her.

  “Veniamin, it’s unfortunate that Vika’s ambitions and ego got out of hand. What is it going to take for me to make this right?” Yuri asks, and everyone in the room but Ruslan has slack jaws.

  “Daddy?” Vika gasps.

  “Shut the fuck up,” he snaps. “You’ve been a burden on this family.”

  “This is what I was going to tell you,” Ruslan states as he pulls some papers from his jacket and hands them to Ven. “Father and Yuri made a deal months ago. You and Vlad own the shares to The V Games, equally so. You’re partners. It’s all yours.”

  Ven and Vlad both become rigid, and Diana stumbles away, turning to search Yuri’s face for truth to those words.

  “Yegor was ready to pass the baton on to you, Ven, and had something over Leonid Volkov,” Yuri says coldly. “He managed to get the Volkov shares, along with the small amount from Iosif Voskoboynikov. It would have given you fifty one percent of the shares. Of course, I couldn’t allow this. In order to get that one percent back, we agreed I’d step down and both our sons will take over.” Yuri stubs out the cigarette. “So, you see, we don’t want any conflict. You men have to work together, and this,” he says as he waves his hand between Vika and Ven, “won’t do.”

  “I want retribution for my brother,” Ven snaps.

  “It will cost you one percent.” Yuri grins. Manipulative bastard.

  He wants Vlad to have controlling shares.

  “Done,” Ven bites.

  “Ven,” I warn, and all attention falls on me.

  “Why the fuck are you cuddled up to my father’s whore, Vas? Don’t pretend like you give a shit about me,” Vika cries out, mistaking my warning to Ven as concern for her.

  “She’s not a whore,” I grind out.

  “Oh God, you don’t know how right you are.” Ruslan snort-laughs. He marches over to Yuri and shoves a document in his hand.

  “What’s going on?” Vlad asks.

  Yuri glowers as he reads the document in his hands.

  “Vlad,” Ruslan says, an evil glint in his eyes as he gestures to Darya. “Meet your baby sister.”

  The end for now…

  Read the next thrilling story in book 3 of The V Games Series

  Vas

  Vocal.

  Voracious.

  Vindictive.

  Volkov.

  Listen on Spotify here.

  “Disillusioned” by A Perfect Circle

  “Paper Planes” by M.I.A

  “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

  “I Put A Spell On You” by Annie Lennox

  “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star

  “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Lorde

  “Uprising” by Muse

  “The Red” by Chevelle

  “Madness” by Muse

  “Dig Down” by Muse

  “Dirty Diana” by Shaman’s Harvest

  “Game of Survival” by Ruelle

  “Sail” by AWOLNATION

  “Alive” by Sia

  “Afraid” by The Neighbourhood

  “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against The Machine

  “Cupid Carries A Gun” by Marilyn Manson

  “Devil Side” by Foxes

  “Psycho” by Muse

  “Way Down We Go” by Kaleo

  “How’s It Going To Be” by Third Eye Blind

  “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who

  “We’re In This Together” by Nine Inch Nails

  “Vermilion Pt. 2” by Slipknot

  “All I Need” by Radiohead

  “Foolish Games” by Jewel

  “Glycerine” by Bush

  “Him & I” by G-Eazy, Halsey

  “Love On The Brain” by Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs

  “Love Is a Bitch” by Two Feet

  Thank you, the reader for waiting patently for Ven’s book and coming on this journey with us.

  We love sharing our world with you. We have the best readers in the world. Thank you for always being enthusiastic and willing to let us fly our freak flag with our books.

  Kristi, we share a mind! Thanks for having my back and trusting in each other’s vision. Thanks for being anal and making my grammar and formatting pretty, haha! When I’m working with you it doesn’t feel like work, it’s fun and exciting, we create magic. “Alakazam Bitches.” Love you girl.

  My family Enjoy your takeout! Sorry for forgetting to put the washer on.

  These titles don’t happen with just us so THANK YOU to all the below:

  Editor: Monica, you are part of our process now. Thanks for always coming through, finishing off these beauties.

  Formatter: Stacey, you know we love you and your mad skills. This title wouldn’t be complete without your pretty touches. Thank you for always making space for us
.

  Betas: Thank you for your early input and excitement that keeps our mojo high.

  Ker’s Proofers: Teresa Nicholson, thank you for always having time for me when I just ping your inbox on the spot haha! Your eagle eye and suggestions are valued so much, thank you.

  Allison Irwin, Thank you for always making time to go over my work to grab any slips we miss. I enjoy hearing your opinions. Thank you.

  Bloggers. We adore you for all your passion, time and help with sharing, reading and getting our work out there. Thank you for your love and enthusiasm.

  Indiesage PR: Thank you for all your hard work with release and promo packets. You guys rock.

  Authors/friends: Thank you for sharing and caring. For letting us nip in your groups and for offering advice when asked. You are our unicorns.

  My group: (Dukey’s darker souls) Thank you to my wonderful admin and incredible readers, sorry I don’t get as much time in there as I’d like, but the characters are always calling and I love giving them to you. Thank you for always understanding and for your continued support. Love you guys.

  Thank you to my husband. You’re my biggest supporter and my inspiration. I love you madly, my dear.

  Biggest thank you ever to Ker Dukey—the other Krazy K in my world. I love you, boo. Whenever we get to play together, I always know it’s going to turn out wicked and delicious! I can’t wait to write many more stories with you!

  A huge thank you to my Krazy for K Webster’s Books reader group. You all are insanely supportive and I can’t thank you enough.

  A gigantic thank you to those who always help me. Elizabeth Clinton, Ella Stewart, Misty Walker, Holly Sparks, Jillian Ruize, and Gina Behrends—you ladies are my rock!

  A big thank you to my author friends who have given me your friendship and your support. You have no idea how much that means to me.

  Thank you to all of my blogger friends both big and small that go above and beyond to always share my stuff. You all rock! #AllBlogsMatter

  Monica, thank you SO much for editing this book. You’re a rock star and I can’t thank you enough! Love you!

  Thank you Stacey Blake for being amazing as always when formatting my books and in general. I love you! I love you! I love you!

  A big thanks to my PR gal, Nicole Blanchard. You are fabulous at what you do and keep me on track!

  Lastly but certainly not least of all, thank you to all of the wonderful readers out there who are willing to hear my story and enjoy my characters like I do. It means the world to me!

  My books all tend to be darker romance, edge of your seat, angst-filled reads. My advice to my readers when starting one of my titles… prepare for the unexpected.

  I have always had a passion for storytelling, whether it be through lyrics or bedtime stories with my sisters growing up.

  My mom would always have a book in her hand when I was young and passed on her love for reading, inspiring me to venture into writing my own. Not all love stories are made from light; some are created in darkness but are just as powerful and worth telling.

  When I’m not lost in the world of characters, I love spending time with my family. I’m a mom and that comes first in my life, but when I do get down time, I love attending music concerts or reading events with my younger sister.

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  Contact me here

  Ker: Kerryduke34@gmail.com

  Ker’s PA : terriesin@gmail.com

  K Webster is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, dark romance, romantic suspense, taboo romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her hilarious and handsome husband and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

  Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

  Join K Webster’s newsletter to receive a couple of updates a month on new releases and exclusive content. To join, all you need to do is go here.

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  Empathy series:

  Empathy

  Desolate

  Vacant

  Deadly

  The Deception series (Co-written with D.H.Sidebottom):

  FaCade

  Cadence

  Beneath Innocence—Novella

  The Broken Series:

  The Broken

  The Broken Parts Of Us

  The Broken Tethers That Bind Us–Novella

  The Broken Forever—Novella

  The Men By Numbers Series:

  Ten

  Six

  Drawn to you series:

  Drawn to you

  Lines Drawn

  Standalone novels:

  My soul Keeper

  Lost

  I see you

  The Beats In Rift

  Devil

  Co-written with K Webster

  The V Games Series

  Vlad

  The Pretty Little Dolls series:

  Pretty Stolen Dolls

  Pretty Lost Dolls

  Pretty New Doll

  Pretty Broken Dolls

  Joint Projects

  Four Fathers Series

  Wheeler by Ker Dukey

  Pearson by K Webster

  Blackstone by Jessica Hollyfield

  Kingston by Dani Rene

  The Breaking the Rules Series:

  Broken (Book 1)

  Wrong (Book 2)

  Scarred (Book 3)

  Mistake (Book 4)

  Crushed (Book 5 – a novella)

  The Vegas Aces Series:

  Rock Country (Book 1)

  Rock Heart (Book 2)

  Rock Bottom (Book 3)

  The Becoming Her Series:

  Becoming Lady Thomas (Book 1)

  Becoming Countess Dumont (Book 2)

  Becoming Mrs. Benedict (Book 3)

  War & Peace Series:

  This is War, Baby (Book 1)—BANNED (only sold on K Webster’s website)

  This is Love, Baby (Book 2)

  This Isn’t Over, Baby (Book 3)

  This Isn’t You, Baby (Book 4)

  This is Me, Baby (Book 5)

  This Isn’t Fair, Baby (Book 6)

  This is the End, Baby (Book 7—a novella)

  2 Lovers Series:

  Text 2 Lovers (Book 1)

  Hate 2 Lovers (Book 2)

  Thieves 2 Lovers (Book 3)

  Alpha & Omega Duet:

  Alpha & Omega (Book 1)

  Omega & Love (Book 2)

  Pretty Stolen Dolls Series:

  Pretty Stolen Dolls (Book 1)

  Pretty Lost Dolls (Book 2)

  Pretty New Doll (Book 3)

  Pretty Broken Dolls (Book 4)

  The V Games Series:

  Vlad (Book 1)

  Taboo Treats:

  Bad Bad Bad BANNED (only sold on K Webster’s website)

  Easton

  Crybaby

  Lawn Boys

  Malfeasance

  Renner’s Rules

  Dirty Bits by Carina Press:

  Ex-Rated Attraction

  Mr. Blakely

  Four Fathers Books:

  Pearson

  Standalone Novels:

  Apartment 2B

  Love and Law

  Moth to a Flame

  Erased

  The Road Back to Us

  Surviving Harley

  Give Me Yesterday

  Running Free

  Dirty Ugly Toy

  Zeke’s Eden

  Sweet Jayne

  Untimely You

  Mad Sea
>
  Whispers and the Roars

  Schooled by a Senior

  B-Sides and Rarities

  Blue Hill Blood by Elizabeth Gray

  Notice

  The Wild—BANNED (only sold on K Webster’s website)

  The Day She Cried

  My Torin

  El Malo

  Sunshine and the Stalker

  Sundays are for Hangovers

  Hale