Page 9 of Twisted Vows

“They might be criminals in the eyes of the law,” she would say, her voice tinged with a reverence born of experience, “But to us, they are protectors of a way of life that would otherwise be lost to the chaos of the streets.”

For all their perceived menace, they were a force that kept our community safe against the dangers that lurked in the shadows. It was this understanding for the role they played that fueled my fascination with Malachi and Rurik. Were they members of this enigmatic organization, bound by a code of honor and loyalty that transcended the boundaries of legality?

Despite the realities of the situation, there was a certain sexiness around the idea of these two men being part of the network that silently watched over the rest of us.

The owners of Jitter Beans paid a hefty sum for the privilege of operating within the Yelchin territory, but it was a price they gladly paid to ensure the safety and security of their business. That was a guarantee the city authorities certainly couldn't offer.

As I drifted off to sleep that night, I wondered what it would be like to be protected and secure in the arms of Malachi and Rurik. I had a feeling I’d feel a lot more than just safe.

Chapter Four – Malachi

The morning rush was in full swing at Jitter Beans. Rurik and I stood in line, my gaze drifting toward the counter where Nika moved with practiced efficiency, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail today that swayed with each step.

A man ahead of us shifted impatiently, his fingers drumming against the countertop as Nika prepared his order. She handed him the cup, a polite smile gracing her lips. The man’s brow furrowed as he took a sip, his expression souring. “What is this?” he snapped, slamming down the cup with enough force to slosh the contents. “Where’s the caramel?”

Nika’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing. “Oh, I’m so sorry, sir. I must have missed that.”

The man’s face reddened, his lips curling into a sneer. “Typical dumb broad can’t even get a simple coffee order right.”

My jaw clenched at the disrespect he hurled at Nika over such a trivial mistake. Before I could intervene, Rurik stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous.

“Watch your mouth.”

The man whirled around, puffing out his chest as he glared at Rurik. “Or what? You gonna teach me some manners?”

Rurik’s eyes narrowed, but he remained still, his muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. I moved closer, positioning myself between the man and Nika.

“Apologize to the lady,” I said in a growl.

The man’s gaze flickered toward me, sizing me up. Apparently, his common sense was as scant as his instinct for self-preservation. A sneer twisted his features. “For what? She’s just a dumb broad, who can’t do her job right.”

Rage simmered beneath my skin at his blatant disrespect. In a blur of motion, I grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him against the counter, my face inches from his. “I said apologize.” When he resisted, I tightened my grip.

The man’s eyes widened, his bravado faltering as he struggled against my iron grip. “Get off me, you psycho.”

With a sharp shove, I sent him crashing to the floor, his limbs flailing. He scrambled to his feet, shooting a venomous glare at Nika before storming out of the cafe, muttering curses under his breath.

The other customers had fallen silent, all gazes fixed on us. Nika looked at me with a mixture of gratitude and concern swirling in her blue depths. “I can’t thank you enough for stepping in like that.” Her voice was laced with a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment. “Customers like him are the worst part of this job.”

Before I could respond, the door to the back office swung open, and a middle-aged woman emerged, her brow furrowed in concern. Nika’s manager, if I recalled correctly. She hurried toward the counter, her gaze sweeping over the scene.

“Is everything all right out here?” Her eyes settled on Nika, taking in the barista’s flustered appearance. “I heard raised voices.”

Nika opened her mouth to explain, but I beat her to it, not wanting her to relive the unpleasant encounter. “Just a disgruntled customer causing a scene.” I kept my tone even, not wanting to alarm the manager unnecessarily. “Nothing to worry about.”

The woman’s eyes widened slightly as she took in my imposing stature, her gaze flickering toward Rurik. A flicker of understanding crossed her features, no doubt recognizing us as bratva and chalking up our interference to the service for which she paid us.

Clearing her throat, she offered a tight smile. “Thank you for handling the situation.” Her gaze settled on Nika once more, her expression softening. “Why don’t you take a break, dear? You look like you could use a moment to collect yourself.”

She nodded, her shoulders sagging with relief. “Thank you, Mrs. Petrova.” She turned toward us, her blue eyes shining with sincerity. “And thank you again, both of you. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here.”

“Don’t mention it,” said Rurik, his tone gruff yet tinged with an uncharacteristic softness. “That asshole had it coming.”

Mrs. Petrova shot him a disapproving look, no doubt taken aback by his blunt language. Rurik merely shrugged, unfazed by her disapproval.

Nika’s lips curved into a tentative smile, her gaze lingering on us for a moment longer before she slipped behind the counter and disappeared into the back room.

In moments, the other patrons returned to their conversations and beverages, the incident already fading from their minds. We ambled to a table and sat down.

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