Page 15 of Baby for the Bratva

I’ve never been more confused. How on earth could she know I’m a target? Is she a spy? Some kind of undercover cop who’s already started to develop feelings for me? I’ve experienced weirder things, but it really doesn’t seem like Stella has anything to do with the police or the Bratva.

“Who told you I might be dead?” I ask, coming up to her and casting a shadow over her.

“The woman in the room next to mine,” she says, pointing with her finger as though she’s trying to shift the blame. “Molly.”

“I don’t do drugs,” I reply flatly.

“No, her name is Molly.”

“You really must think I’m dumb or something,” I say with a chuckle. “I know that.”

She scoffs, shaking her head at me but smiling. Her eyes sparkle, even under the darkness of my shadow. “You’re too much. I really thought something had happened to you, because Molly said the guy who was shot had your name. Yuri. But she said it might’ve also been Jerry or something like that.”

Bingo. The bullet was meant for me, but it found its way into some poor bastard who shared my name. It had to have been an impulsive attempt to collect the recent bounty that’s been placed.

“Well,” I say, trying to hide my realization with a smile and a shrug. “I guess I’m lucky it wasn’t me. Odd coincidence, though.”

She places her hand on her heart. “I was so worried.”

“No need, but I appreciate the concern,” I reply with a wink. “But it is still dangerous out there with the killer on the loose. You should stay here with me.”

She nods. “Yes, until they find the guy. I’d feel safer that way, if you’re okay with it.”

Too easy. I almost hate to think I’m going to have her so soon. I’ve barely had time to build up an appetite.

“Feel free to spend the night,” I say, leaning over and patting the mattress. “Enough support here for two. Maybe three, if you bring your friend, Molly.”

Her expression immediately shifts, and I know I’ve fucked up. It was really only a joke, since I’m not interested in other women, but she hasn’t taken it that way. I can tell I’ve crossed a line, and once crossed, it’s hard to go back.

“Only joking,” I say, moving my hand away from the bed.

“I was really worried about you, and all you can do is make stupid jokes about sex. I don’t appreciate that at all,” she snaps, a new sharpness in her voice.

I’m a bit taken aback by the speed and ferocity of her switch up. She seemed like an easy lay, but perhaps I was too confident. I underestimated her, and now I’m paying the price.

“And you know what? That was out of line. I’ll admit it,” I say, desperately trying to close the box of rage I’ve inadvertently opened.

“I think it shows the type of person you are,” she replies, planting her hands on her hips. She’s not convinced that my apology was legitimate.

“I don’t think you can judge me after one day. Give it a few. I’ll buy you dinner,” I offer.

She rolls her eyes. “I came to see if you’re still alive, and you clearly are, so that’s all you’re getting out of me. I’ll see you around. Or not.”

She turns to leave, and I grab her arm, pulling her back toward me. She slams her hand into my chest, stopping herself before she can collide with me. There’s a fury in her eyes that I feel like I don’t deserve.

“You’re not good at taking jokes,” I say, looking down at her. “But maybe you didn’t come here for the jokes. Let’s be serious.”

She tries to pull away, but my grip on her is ironclad. I’m not willing to let her have this kind of attitude without learning the consequences of it.

A spanking, perhaps? That’d be fitting for a girl like her. I suspect few people have dared try to teach her a lesson with the bratty attitude she has. Seeing the look of shock on her face would be a huge turn-on.

“Let go of me before I scream. I’m sure the cops aren’t too far,” she says, trying to pull away again.

I smirk. “First you act all concerned about me, and then you want me shot by a couple of trigger-happy pigs. That’s cute. Seems I’m not the only one making bad impressions.”

“You started it,” she replies, her voice firm and steady.

“I made a joke. Are you jealous or something? You don’t have to bring any friends.”

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