Page 55 of Sexting the Silverfox

“I asked you something else entirely.”

“Papa called Vitaly in to talk some sense into you while he handles the business side of things,” my brother says and sighs deeply.

I scoff. “He couldn’t trust you to get me to come along nicely, huh?”

“Can you blame him?”

“No, and I can’t blame you, either. You can bring Vitaly in to try, but the outcome will always be the same—sooner or later, I’ll get away from you again. You’ll find me in another couple of years, drag me back, and then I’ll run off once more. Over and over, until you all understand that I do not belong in New York, I do not belong with the Bratva, nor do I want to be there.”

Anton’s eyes search my face as if he’s trying to figure me out. Oddly enough, he is one of the very few people in this world who actually knows me. I don’t know what’s left for him to learn. “You’ve grown stronger,” he says.

“What do you mean?”

“You weren’t so determined to piss off Papa before,” he says. “You’d just say yes to whatever he demanded, but then you’d go and do things your way anyway. You’ve gotten bolder. You have courage.”

“Where did that get me, huh? I’m still a prisoner.”

“I can’t help you, Audrey. I wish I could. Honest to God, I did try.”

I shake my head slowly. “Well, technically, you could. But I get why you won’t.”

“As for who’s manning the ship, it’s Derek.”

My brow furrows with brief confusion until I remember who he’s talking about. “Ah, Vitaly’s right-hand man. Is he still alive?”

“And kicking,” Anton chuckles. “The guy’s a hard-ass. He may not be a Fedorov or even Russian, for that matter, but he is made of steel, and he is beyond trustworthy. Papa allowed him to take Vitaly’s seat in our brother’s brief absence. Of course, you know Papa also has eyes on Derek.”

“Yeah, he probably knows what time Derek takes his morning dump, too,” I mutter.

My brother cannot disagree. It’s the truth. Our father will continue to run the New York Bratva for as long as he can draw breath. Whoever is put in charge, whether it’s Vitaly, Anton, or any one of their trusted lieutenants, our father will always have one hand on the wheel and his foot on the gas. The man takes micromanagement to a whole new level. He’s a control freak. No wonder he’s so adamant about bringing me back into the family and forcing me to do his bidding.

But I’m not giving in this time around.

I’ve seen what life is like outside our family. I want my freedom now more than ever.

A couple of hours later, I join Anton and Vitaly in the restaurant downstairs. To my surprise, the whole place has been reserved for us. There are no other customers, just the three of us, while six men stand outside the glass doors to steer anyone else away. I can tell the staff isn’t comfortable with this arrangement, but they are courteous and hospitable, nonetheless.

“Please, tell me you paid handsomely for this dinner,” I tell my brothers.

Anton was nice enough to shop for some dresses and shoes earlier in the afternoon, so at least I’m looking the part.

Vitaly can’t take his eyes off me. I notice he’s gathering a few fine lines under his grey eyes. He looks more like our mother. Not a day goes by that I don’t imagine what our lives might’ve been like if she were still alive.

“What is it, Vitaly?” I ask, my tone clipped as I refuse the waiter’s offer to pour wine into my glass. “I don’t want to drink. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all. I’m just admiring you, little sister,” he says, half-smiling. “You’ve grown.”

“I was done growing way before I left New York”

He gives Anton an amused glance. “You were right. She’s meaner.”

“No, I’m just tired of having to deal with you people after I specifically made it clear that I didn’t want anything to do with you,” I shoot back, prompting the two of them to give me their signature puppy dog eyes. “Oh, don’t give me those looks. You know damn well that I don’t want to be here.”

Vitaly leans forward while the waiter carefully backs away from our table.

“Audrey, for what it’s worth, we’ve kept our distance and we’ve kept our father in the dark regarding your whereabouts,” Vitaly says.

“But you still don’t have your spines fully developed,” I grumble.

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