12 Rounds

Chapter Ten

This hallway was blindingly bright. What was the point of that? Some kinda scare tactic? Some kinda bratva technique to intimidate and disorient every single person that walked down this hallway to meet with Viktor Putlova? Whatever it was, it was fucked up and it just made Jax even more on edge as he walked shoulder to shoulder next to Liv on their way to their first joint meeting with the boss.

He'd made sure to put himself right in the middle, so Val Putlova had to walk on one side of him, with Liv safely on the other. And even though his fingers twitched inside his pockets, he kept his hands right where they were because he just didn't know what the best play was here. They were going to a business meeting, and if he was hanging all over Liv on the way in like he did in the basement - even if it was just to drive the point home to Val that he was the one who needed to keep his hands off, he also didn't want to even suggest that they weren't taking this meeting seriously.

But when Val's black eyes flicked just beyond Jax and landed right on Liv, he unearthed his right hand from his pocket and dropped it around her waist, tugging her a little bit closer.

Liv's head turned at the contact, and even though her mouth curved up at the corners, there was still way too much anxiety on that pretty face. Definitely more than he liked seeing, that was for sure.

Nothing about this was normal though.

And that couldn't have been more clear when they stopped in front of Putlova's office, waited enough for Val to knock, and then opened the door to reveal the man himself, patiently waiting at his desk. The bratva pakhan saw no need to rise from his chair because he didn't have to.

The pakhan didn't come to you.

You came to him.

Jax was barely cognizant of the fact that the door had already shut behind them, and he opted to just follow Liv's lead here. After all, she'd done this very thing countless times before. He was definitely a novice compared to her, at least when it came to dealing with and meeting with her boss.

"Well, hello," Putlova greeted them with a happy smile on his face. He waved them in now, gesturing for them to take their seats, and Liv quickly did as she was told, dropping into the chair closest to the wall. Jax had barely settled into his own seat when Putlova just kept right on talking.

"I'm assuming you two had a good night together last night," he leaned his elbows into the desk to bring himself closer, his black eyes twinkling with slimy mischief.

"We did," Jax nodded tightly.

"Of course," Putlova grinned, tilting his head to the side as he appraised them. "And your accommodations are meeting your needs? Is there anything I can do to make your time in my casino more comfortable?"

While Jax assumed that question was more meant for him, he really didn't like the way Putlova's gaze flicked to Liv as he spoke.

"Everything's just fine, thanks," he replied, forcing a tight smile on his face.

"Of course, of course. But perhaps we could upgrade your room from two double beds to a king, perhaps? I'm sure that would be more comfortable for the two of you - and given the rematch next weekend, I think that's the least I can do."

Liv shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Jax bit back a snarl. The nerve of this fucking guy to sit here and talk to them this way... like it was any of his business. He really thought the earth revolved around him and everyone needed to bend the knee at his every whim. But given what he most definitely assumed about the nature of their relationship, declining this offer might raise some eyebrows.

"Hey," Jax shrugged good-naturedly. "If you wanna throw an upgrade or two our way, you won't hear any complaining from us."

Putlova smacked his hand on the desk with a light laugh. "That's what I like to hear. I'll see to the changes and make sure to throw an upgrade or two your way next weekend. And if you decide to come into town earlier than Friday afternoon, Mr. Teller, just let me know and I'll adjust your reservations. I believe your opponent already has plans to stay here most of the week to prepare anyway, and I have no problems accommodating you as well, if that's what you choose to do."