Page 79 of Bratva Knight

“I’m just saying. Your old man is wise beyond his years. It wouldn’t kill you to listen to him every once in a while.”

I threw a pillow at his head. “Stop talking about yourself in the third person. It’s weird.”

He laughed again. “Alright. All kidding aside, I have a favour to ask you.”

“What?”

“I want you to meet someone.”

“Someoneee…?” I dragged out.

“He’s the son of one of my friends.”

“You don’t have any friends,” I said automatically. Then his words properly registered in my brain, and I reared back in shock. “Hang on, are you trying to set me up on adate?!” I shrieked.

“No! Well, I mean if you like him, then yes, you could call it a date. But—”

“Dad! No!”

“Just hear me out! His name is Steve. He’s twenty-six, tall, handsomeandfunny. I think you two could really hit it off.”

“I’m not going out with some random guy,” I said, scrunching up my face.

“Not random. Steve.”

“Oh, well for sure then. Sign me up.”

Dad smiled. “Great! I really thought I’d have to talk you into this more—”

“I’m kidding!” I slapped him in the arm. “EvenifI was interested in dating—which I am not—I don’t need your help in finding a date. I can do it on my own.”

“I know that. But I really think you’d like Steve.” I opened my mouth but he held a hand up, silencing me. “Just listen to me first, then you can talk. I’m not asking you to date him. I’m not. I just want you tomeethim. Get some food and have a conversation with the man. That’s all. Nothing else.”

“Sounds like a date to me,” I grumbled under my breath. “Why?”

“Because I genuinely think you guys will get along, and even if nothing romantic comes of it, then at least it will give you a friend outside of this life. Outside of the Volkovs.”

I raised my brows in surprise. “He’s not Bratva?”

“No,” he shook his head, his dark blonde hair falling over his face. “Like I said, he’s the son of an old friend of mine from back in Russia. I saw them on my trip. Steve knows of the Bratva but he’s not an active member. Like you. He mentioned he was coming over to New York and I thought you could get together for dinner. That’s all. It doesn’t have to be a date if you don’t want it to be.”

“But you’re hoping it turns into one.”

He shrugged innocently. “If you like him, you like him. For the record, I don’t think he’d ever hurt you like Nikolai did.”

I studied him suspiciously. There was something else going on here. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but he was definitely up to something.

“Sorry, Dad, I’m not interested in dating anyone. Or making new friends. I have a hard enough time keeping the ones I already have. I don’t need anymore.”

“Tatiana, please.” He placed a hand on top of mine, capturing my gaze and holding it with intense, pleading eyes. “I don’t ask you for much. In fact, I ask you for nothing at all. But I’m asking you for this. Do this for me.Please.”

“Arghhh, Dad,” I groaned, dropping my head. He was laying the guilt card on pretty fucking thick. He knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, especially when he begged like that. Insufferable old man.

“Fine,” I whined. “But it’snota date. You make sure you tell him that.Andyou’re not allowed to use that again for the rest of the year. Actually, for the next two years!”

“Good.” He wiped the back of his hand over his forehead, relief filling his face. “Because I already gave him your number and he’s going to message you soon.”

“You what?!”

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