Page 9 of Used By the Bratva

Mr. Angel tightens his grip on Tyler’s collar and winks at me as I cross my arms in front of my chest, heat coursing through my entire body. He stares straight at me with a wicked hint of a smile on his face. His eyes are captivating and glittering with fury. And damn, the tilt of his lips makes him even hotter. We hold each other's gaze for a beat longer than comfortable, almost ignoring the idiot, Tyler.

Tyler stammers. “S … Sorry.”

My eyes follow Mr. Angel’s upper body, the impeccably tailored suit hugging his powerful body and accentuating the bulging muscles beneath the fabric. This man was a mountain of rippling muscle, and his arms hung like menacing weapons from his broad shoulders. I imagine myself being embraced by his strong arms and clench my thighs.

He lets go of Tyler and gives him a shove. “Get out of here before my kindness runs out.”

For what I’m sure is the first time in his life, Tyler takes the advice and wastes no time leaving the restaurant.

Realizing that I’m still standing here, staring, I shake my head and take a deep breath. “Thank you.”

He adjusts his suit, his dark blue eyes studying me intently. “Are you okay, solnyshko?”

As his gaze wanders up and down my body, my pulse increases, and my heart pounds faster. Mr. Angel has just called me little sun. “I am. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t intervened.”

“Knife to the throat,” he says, his gravelly voice sounding somewhere between teasing and charming. “Men like that will only stop if you force them to, but hopefully you’ll find a real man someday and not an asshole like him.”

A real man like you.

I let my lower lip roll between my teeth, savoring once more how suave and handsome this man is. Thoughts come and go quickly, but Mr. Angel’s eyebrows narrow as he looks at me. “Do you need a ride home?”

Although I don’t want to get on the subway this late in the evening and don’t have the money for a cab, the thought of getting into a car with a man I don’t know gives me pause.

“Thank you, but … um … I don’t know you.” I stare up at him and think about how much I would like to get to know him.

“Leon. It is a pleasure to meet you.” He extends his hand. As my palm slides into his, I feel the friction all the way to my center. His hand is so big that mine disappears in his grip. His fingers are warm, his grip is firm, and he kisses the back of my hand.

“Natalie.” My voice sounds breathy.

“Well, Natalie, I promise I’ll get you home safely.”

He smirks and plays the role of protector yet again just perfectly. I am too enamored by this attractive man to care about any thoughts swirling in my head.

I nod and withdraw my hand from his. “I’m in Tribeca. Will that be a problem?”

He shakes his head, tipping his chin toward the door. “Let’s go.”

As I walk out of the restaurant with him, I’m sure I’m either making the biggest mistake of my life or embarking on the most incredible adventure.

The only problem is that I’ve never been good at discerning between the two.

Chapter 5 - Leon

Natalie sits next to me and twirls the ends of her brunette hair between her fingers. Her chocolate-brown doe eyes turn to me as she gives me a nervous smile.

Fuck she is beautiful.

Her pouty lips, her seductive curves, her blushing cheeks with the sweet dimples when she smiles. She's a delicious package, and I want more.

“Where do you live?”

“Honestly, I don’t know the directions. It’s a building somewhere in Tribeca.”

“Address?”

That sheepish smile widens. “It’s on Franklin Street.”

She is clever and deliberately avoids my question by giving me her exact address. There is a certain mistrust in her eyes, but I like that.

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