Page 26 of The Pakhan

“Uh-huh. Mafia dudes like my dad?”

“Yeah.”

She took a deep breath and walked closer. “I know who and what my father is, the most influential and powerful man within the Big Apple. I also know what kind of people he associates with. You don’t want that life.”

“I know that. It was supposed to be an in and out job for fifty G’s but my world imploded. Your dad is being kind in helping me, but I’m required to work for him.”

“Fifty thousand dollars. Not chump change. I get why you did it, but you need to be careful. Look at what happened to my dad. He didn’t expect anyone would dare try and kill him.”

I found myself looking away.

She gripped my arm forcefully. “Wait. Do you know something about that?”

I couldn’t lie to her. She’d always known. “Maybe.”

“Oh, shit. You are in trouble, alright.”

We were both quiet for a minute. She finally hissed.

“It’s okay, Sofiya. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will but… Okay, no more shop talk. Today is about having some fun. So let’s do that. Deal?”

She held out her clenched fist for a bump, something she’d done with her father for years. I fisted my hand, pressing it against hers. “Fine. Deal.”

Maybe a little shopping would do me some good.

“Now, we just need to figure out what to do with your hair. Don’t get me wrong, girlfriend. I adore pink but… it’s no longer in fashion.”

At least my friend could make me laugh.

“You’re kidding me. Italian men are that forward?” I asked as we started to take our lunch trays toward a table in the food court. She’d suggested one of the restaurants, but I adored what I called my chimkin sandwich from a regional chain. It had been months since I’d had one.

We were struggling with the bags and trays in our hands. She’d even pawned off several of the packages to the men to hold, which they’d grumbled about.

Her actions had allowed me to catch a sight of the bulge in their jacket pockets from the weapons they were carrying.

Since then, I’d constantly scanned the perimeter of the garage, certain we were being followed, which was ridiculous.

“Yes, ma’am,” Sofiya said. “I tell you what, everything you’ve read about them being hot as sin is so true. Plus, they are irresistible and oh-so romantic.”

“I thought you had a boyfriend.”

She shrugged. “On again, off again. Sometimes boring.”

“Wow. Did you hook up with any foreign guys?” We found a table under the lovely glass atrium setting, the beautiful area housing dozens of huge tropical trees and flowers. It was one of the few reasons I didn’t hate going to the mall. Plopping down the bags and sitting felt damn good. I had to admit it.

Even in tennis shoes, I wasn’t used to walking so much as of late. We’d been on all four floors, shopped in at least a dozen stores and had spent way too much money.

The most expensive were the two formal dresses she’d handpicked for me. One in shocking red. One in emerald.

Neither going with bright pink hair.

I guess a significant change was in order.

She gave me a saucy look. “Maybe.”

“You are so bad!” I couldn’t help but squeal. Yes, it had been a good idea to come out shopping together after all. She’d always made me smile even in my lowest periods. I was more relaxed than before even after trying on at least forty-nine sets of clothes. And I had been counting.

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