Page 2 of Auctioned to the Bratva

The stare he gave me, and the look in his blue eyes were intense and made me uncomfortable. I took a big swallow from my glass, almost emptying it, and breathed in deeply.

“I spoke to Father again this week. If you have any doubt, he can assure you that we are doing the right thing,” Roman said as he sat back, waiting for my reaction.

After draining the last scotch in my glass, I rose and placed it down on the table behind him. “Roman,” I spoke in a low voice. “You know I love you. But you also know how I feel about the company we worked so hard on building up.”

Roman rose from his chair, “I know, and that…” His words trailed off as I turned to face him, my hands clutched tightly into fists at my sides.

“And nothing,” I spat at him. “I do not want to hear about the good it can do bonding with our new family... We do not need this kind of business; our success is our own.”

My fists were shaking at my sides, and my face was hot from anger. I turned and headed for the door. I glanced back at him as I opened it, “Please, let this go. Thanks for lunch,” I said as I walked out the door and headed down the stairs.

Roman didn’t follow, and I felt relieved that he didn’t. I loved him dearly, but I wasn’t sure if I could control my anger at the moment. Karine was nowhere to be seen and I was glad about it. I left the house and drove to the hotel down the beach where I had booked in for the week.

Even though my brother had insisted I stay with them, I was glad I decided to get a room instead. They had enough space, but I didn’t want to be stuck in their home with a confrontation such as this. Roman knew how I felt about his business and respected my decision. After ordering a Doppio from room service, I unpacked and looked at the view from my penthouse suite.

Once my coffee came, I started feeling better. I took a shower and decided to head out for the evening. Roman was always the one with short military-style haircuts, but mine, I had to pull my curls back and tie them up to keep them from falling as they wanted.

I looked in the mirror and decided to untie them as I wanted to let loose. I didn’t need a professional look tonight. I needed some release and hoped to meet a girl for some fun. Ichanged my suit jacket for my leather one and left my tie on the bed.

Once I entered the lobby, I saw the bar to one side. After grabbing another Doppio from the downstairs bar, I headed to the parking garage.

Armed with a list of clubs Roman had sent me last week, I headed out into the streets of Miami. I started the cool blue Ferrari and sat for a moment programming the GPS. The smell of leather filled my nostrils, and I closed my eyes for a second. At age 44, I was here to relax, even just for one night. I tried my best not to dwell on the problems of family and business.

The motor purred like a kitten as I pulled out of the parking lot and headed down toward the beach clubs. Stopping at one of the clubs, Roman said it was neutral territory but good; I could see he wasn’t the only one thinking so. The street was lined with people waiting to enter.

I pulled out again and headed slowly down the street, searching for a less populated club. I didn’t need to go far as the bright lights of the next club lit up the street one block down. I stopped just down the street from the door and headed inside.

As I entered, Thriller one of Michael Jackson's songs started playing, and I felt relieved that it wasn’t one of those pop-raving clubs. The club floor was sparkling with an array of colors, and most of the tables surrounding it were full. I moved through the people towards the counter at the back and took a seat on one side of the bar. The solid wooden counter was covered in thick plastic, and I assumed it was to protect the wood from spillage.

Three young people were behind the counter, two males and one female. They looked like they could be siblings, all withthe same hairstyles and skinny builds. One of the men neared me. “What can I get you?” he asked with a southern accent.

“Whiskey on the rocks, please,” I responded loudly, hoping to be heard over the music. The young man nodded and walked to the other side of the bar. As I waited, I surveyed the room. In one corner was a stage, and it seemed a band was starting to set up for the evening.

Most of the patrons appeared to be in their late twenties to early thirties, and I wondered if I looked out of place being in my forties. The men at least wore suit pants and not denim, as found in most clubs in Los Angeles these days. The bartender returned with my whiskey. I placed my bill down on the counter before picking up the glass of clear brown liquid and smelling the sweet aroma.

As I turned to face the door, a gust of wind entered, blowing in some leaves from the sidewalk as it swung open. A sparkling beauty strolled through the open doors. I wiped my eyes to make sure I was seeing clearly. Her bright red dress glittered as the lights hit her. Franky started to sing “The Way You Look Tonight,” and I felt my breath wavering as my heartbeat increased.

Her silky-smooth hair was tied up, but the strands framing her face seemed to glow. Her breasts were prominently wrapped in the tight top of her dress, which hugged her like a second skin. The dress flowed into a wide skirt that stopped above her elegant knees.

Her black stilettos were a perfect touch as they highlighted her muscular calves. She sauntered forward with effortless movement, causing my blood to boil. I felt sweat forming in my palms and rubbed my hands on my suit pants.

I could not take my eyes off her as she glided over to the bar. She was the one I wanted tonight. I wiped my brow as I felt the sweat developing and hoped she wasn’t with someone.

Chapter 2 - Irina

Standing here watching the ocean play in the distance while sipping the rich darkness of my mocha was the perfect start or end to any day for me. I couldn’t believe I was finally here. When Evelina told me that Leo, her twin, could help me get a position at a nursery school in Miami, I had doubts.

But now, I was finally here and starting work next week. Evelina had also offered to assist with a house or apartment, but I wanted to do this myself.

After settling in yesterday at the closest hotel, I did some research online and made some calls. Now, sipping my mocha, I was filled with excitement. I saw so many houses and flats today with the agent. But there were two apartments close to the school and the beach that had caught my eye; I could not quite decide which one, though.

I was heading down to the beach tonight to scope out the clubs. I smiled at my reflection in the window, feeling silly. Leo had made sure I knew where not to go. So that left me with about three clubs close to one apartment and two near the other.

Intent on stopping at each, I walked to the door and stopped at the full-sized mirror. Turning in my bright red dress, I watched it flare and felt my heart skip a beat. The black stilettos complimented the dress, and I took my black lace jacket should it get cooler. I didn’t intend to find love, but maybe some companionship for the evening.

Before leaving my room, I made sure my hair was falling just the way I wanted it to. At the top, the majority was tied into a bun, and around it hung loose strands to frame my face. It was a style I was rather fond of. The last time I had worn it up like this was in Russia as I said goodbye to Oleg.

It was time to leave. I wasn’t made for filling my father’s shoes in Bratva. I offered to assist Oleg and was shocked when he said I could return to my normal life if I wanted to do so. So shocked it took me a year to leave. But here I was, now getting on with my new life.

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