Page 68 of Paid for By the Bratva

He rushes to order it. I continue to watch their interaction on the CCTV screen, my heart pounding in my chest with every word exchanged between them.

"Looks like she's got him hooked," Fedor remarks, nodding approvingly.

"Let's hope she can reel him in," I reply, my voice tense.

Sofia leans in closer to Marv, her laughter mingling with his as they share a joke. She's using her charm and wit to keep him engaged, but I can't help but worry about how he might react if he catches onto our plan.

As I watch, Lara begins to make her move. She subtly adjusts her posture, appearing to accidentally lose her balance and bump into Sofia in the process.

"Oops, I'm so sorry!" Lara exclaims, her feigned surprise and accent perfectly executed. "I didn't see you there."

"Oh, it's no problem at all," Sofia replies, playing along seamlessly, looking up at Lara. "Oh my god! Tara?” she squeals.

“Betty, is that you?” Lara squeals back in delight, pulling Sofia into a hug.

Marv looks between both the girls, clearly intrigued by the addition of another attractive woman to the conversation.

“Oh, Marv,” Sofia introduces Lara to him as a long-lost friend. “We went to high school together, and then Tara just disappeared.”

Lara nods ferociously, grabbing Sofia’s drink. “Dad lost his job. We moved to the Midwest.”

“Ladies, ladies,” Marv grins, now placing his arms around both of them. “Come, as old friends, I must buy you both drinks. And let’s go settle down in the corner now, shall we?”

My fingers drum nervously against my thigh as I watch the scene unfold, praying that Lara's entrance won't raise any suspicions. I know she's skilled at blending in, but the stakes are high, and I can't shake the feeling of dread that gnaws at my insides.

What if Marv recognizes her? The gig would be up within seconds.

"Actually," Sofia says smoothly once they are all settled into a booth, "we were just discussing our favorite movies. Marv here has quite a unique taste."

"Really?" Lara asks, feigning interest. "Do tell."

I watch with bated breath as Sofia and Lara effortlessly navigate the conversation, their words carefully chosen tokeep Marv enthralled. Like skilled puppeteers, they tug at his interests, guiding him deeper into their web of intrigue.

"Y'know, I've always been fascinated by classic cars," Sofia says, leaning closer to Marv when he tells her about some race car movie.

"Ah, well, I dabble," Marv replies, a hint of pride coloring his voice. "Got a few beauties in my collection."

"Really?" Lara chimes in, her eyes wide with feigned admiration. "That's so impressive. You must know all about maintaining them, then."

"Of course," Marv nods, puffing his chest out slightly. "It's a labor of love."

They're doing everything right—keeping the conversation light, engaging, and never veering too close to dangerous territory. Still, I remain vigilant, listening intently for any signs of trouble.

"Hey, why don't we get some more drinks?” Marv insists, flagging down the bartender and ordering a round for the trio.

I frown. The girls have had more than enough. I do not like how this is turning out one bit.

I just pray they don’t get too drunk. They need to remember not to push too hard. We need him to be comfortable and trusting.

The soft glow of the dim bar lights casts shadows on the faces of Sofia and Lara, making them look even more mysterious and alluring. As I watch from my vantage point, I can see Marv falling for their charms—hook, line, and sinker.

"So I never asked," Marv says, leaning in closer to Sofia, "what brought such beautiful ladies like you to a place like this anyway?"

"Adventure," Sofia replies with a coy smile, while Lara nods in agreement. "We're always looking for excitement, and we heard this was the spot to find it."

"I can think of a few things more exciting than this place," Marv says with a leering grin. He leans in closer to Lara now, emboldened by the alcohol in his system. "Especially if there's a pretty girl involved."

Lara laughs, the sound light and airy. "We like a man who knows how to show a girl a good time."

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