Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
They look good together.
It takes a while before they notice Alek, Armani, and me staring at them.
Searching for a safe topic of conversation, I say, “Aurora and I are going to the nearby town on Saturday.”
“You’re what?” Misha asks, giving me an incredulous look.
Okay, maybe that wasn’t a safe topic. My bad.
Aurora smiles at Misha. “Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. We’re going shopping.”
Alek raises his eyebrows and chuckles. “And I’m told to behave when you’re about to lose your shit.”
“Why?” Aurora’s eyes dart to Misha’s face. “The hits have been canceled.”
They have?
I glance between Misha and Aurora, wondering whether the hits were canceled because he’s dating her.
I didn’t know Misha had that kind of power in the bratva.
But damn, yayyy.
It will be awesome to move around without worrying someone will blow your brains out.
Armani decides to join the conversation by saying, “That doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to leave the grounds.”
If the hits are canceled, there’s really no reason why we can’t leave St. Monarch’s for a couple of hours. I glance around the table as I say, “Yes, but no one besides the three of you will know about our little escape act.”
Misha takes a deep breath, then says, “The three of us will go with you.”
Ugh. I was hoping to have Aurora to myself. I hardly get to spend time with her since she started hooking up with Misha.
“The fuck?” Alek asks, looking stunned out of his mind.
Armani groans, and rolling his eyes, he mutters, “I don’t do shopping trips with socialites.”
For once, I totally agree with them and add my two cents. “Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.”
Misha locks eyes with Aurora. “Either we go with, or you’re not setting foot off the grounds.”
Aurora turns her attention to me. “It’s okay, Abbie. They can carry all the bags.”
Ha. I’d love to see Alek carry the bags. Grinning, I agree, “Oh, right, I didn’t think about that.”
“The fuck?” Alek repeats, not looking happy at all.
Poking the beast, I pat Alek’s thigh. “It’s okay, crazy man. It will give you some training for when you find a woman insane enough to date you.”
Alek looks at my hand as if it’s a lump of shit before his eyes flick to my face. “Remove it if you want to keep it.”
I pull my hand away, and grabbing a napkin from the table, I pretend to wipe my palm while giving Alek a disgusted look.
Ugh, I’m so over this dinner.
Aurora doesn’t notice the tense moment between Alek and me, and says, “Before I forget, we won’t be here the weekend of the sixteenth. It’s my mom’s birthday.”
“Where will you be?” Misha asks. “For how long?”
Aww, he’s already a protective caveman when it comes to Aurora.
“At the Sartori vacation home here in Switzerland. It will just be for the Saturday and Sunday.”
“Then you’re coming back?” He asks, his expression telling me he wants to lock Aurora in his suite.
I think I’d freaking swoon if Nikolai had to be like that with me. My ovaries won’t survive it.
I glance over my shoulder, and seeing the man who’s got my panties in a twist, I lose track of the conversation until Alek says, “About this Saturday, I’m not carrying anyone’s bags.”
“Such a gentleman,” I mutter absentmindedly. “You’ll make me swoon if you carry on like that.”
When I look at Alek, his expression is almost lifeless. A sense of fear ripples down my spine.
“Just in case there’s a misunderstanding, I don’t give a fuck about you. I’m going for Misha.”
As the server arrives with some of the food, Armani stands up and gestures for Alek to switch seats with him.
Thank God for small mercies. I might not trust Armani as far as I can throw him, but at least he doesn’t look as unhinged as Alek.
When the server sets my plate of calamari down in front of me, Armani steals a piece.
Trying to be civil with at least one of Misha’s friends, I smile at Armani. “Help yourself.”
I don’t know what happens, but the next second, Aurora whispers, “Armani’s not her type. Relax.”
Laughter explodes from me as I shake my head. “Yeah, he’s a little too young for me.”
Alek leans forward to glance at me. “Armani’s older than you, woman.”
Jesus, help me with this man.
“First, stop calling me woman. I have a name. Second, he’s too young by at least ten years,” I snap at Alek. To bring my point across, I gesture to where Nikolai is sitting. “That’s the kind of man I’m interested in.”
Misha glances at me. “I thought you hated him.”
“Nah, it’s a love-hate relationship.” I pop a piece of calamari into my mouth and eat, even though I’d much rather be anywhere else than at this table.
“Does Nikolai know he’s in a relationship with you?” Alek asks, his tone biting.