Page 27 of Mafia Star

Thanks!

I head back to the table just as Steve hands his credit card to the waiter. Derik doesn’t look like he even offered to pay any of it. No one here doesn't know we’re now related to the owner. But it’s not like there was a friends and family discount. If I’d realized the check was coming so soon, I would have waited to text Marco, so I could offer to pay part of it. It’s not like Steve, the stockbroker, can’t afford it. It’s the principle of at least offering.

I slide into my chair and take a fortifying last gulp of wine. Derik’s arm is draped over the back of my chair, and I stay leaning forward a little. I don’t want to give a single hint that I want him touching me. The moment Steve’s done signing the receipt, I’m practically leaping out of the chair. But it isn’t until I smile at Misha at the door to Ivy that I realize what I’ve done.

Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me.

This is a bratva owned club, and I just asked Marco to come all the way inside. There’s no way he’s getting past Misha without being seen. Pasha’s over by the dance floor, and Bogdan’s walking toward the back with Christina. There’re probably some other family members working tonight too. No wonder Marco didn’t respond right away.

I fumble for my phone after I say hello to Misha.

Me

I just realized. You don’t have to come. I’ll say a friend called and needs me.

His response is almost immediate this time.

Marco

I’ll be there in five.

Me

You really don’t have to.

Marco

I’ll be there in five.

Did he even retype that? I think he must have copy-pasted.

“Hey, Steve. I’m going to go back and ask Misha how Laura and the twins are doing. Be right back.”

Before he, Derik, or Chasity can say anything I squeeze through the crowd.

“Misha.”

“Hey, Liz. How’re you?”

“Good. You?”

“Hot but good.”

That he is. Blond hair and blue eyes. But not my type. I like dark and brooding. Shit. I’m having second thoughts about this. It’s just going to cause talk. Not that it’ll matter when they see me leave with Marco.

“Marco Mancinelli is going to be here in a few minutes.”

I watch as Misha stiffens and looks toward Pasha. I notice Anton’s with his younger brother.

“Misha, he’s not coming to cause trouble. He’s coming because I asked him to get me out of a shitty date. He lives near here, and I thought he might get here quickly.”

“What happened? Did the asshole do something to you?”

It’s the same immediate protectiveness I got from Marco’s text. It’s sweet, but it does nothing for me like it does when it’s Marco.

“No. He’s just a jerk, and I’m not interested. I didn’t think about you guys owning this place when I asked him. I know he isn’t welcome, but he’s coming as a favor to me. Please let him in.”

Misha presses his earpiece and fires something off in rapid Russian.

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