Page 104 of Bratva Butcher

I looked down and—

Ugh, snails?! Seriously?! Rich people, man.

“Escargot, with a side of pickled cucumbers,” one of the waiters introduced.

“Uh, excuse me,” I rushed when he turned to leave. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t eat this.”Not unless you want me to throw up everywhere.“Is there another option for the appetiser?”

Disdain and disgust washed over the waiter’s face. I felt like I’d just committed some horrible, heinous act by asking that one question.

“This is a pre-fixed menu, each item meticulously chosen months in advance and prepared by the best chefs in the world. You either eat what Sir Allistair has chosen for you or you do not eat.” He stuck his nose up in the air and then spun on his heels, marching away.

Well, alrighty then.

Embarrassment shot down my spine when Mrs DeShawn broke out in a fit of laughter, looking at me like I was some sort of idiot. Richelle joined in, shaking her head as she ate her food.

I wasn’t embarrassed becausetheywere laughing. I didn’t give a fuck what they thought of me.

But Dimitri? Yeah, I kinda cared about that.

Did he think I was an idiot, too?

I’d taken plenty of etiquette lessons. Uncle E had insisted on them because sometimes, to complete a contract, I would be required to infiltrate events exactly like that, and I would need to know how to blend in so I didn’t draw unwanted attention to myself.

I knew how to dance. Knew how to walk. How to sit with perfect posture. How to talk. Knew how to behave like I came from money, with elegance and grace.

But this was something that I didn’t know, and it was painfully obvious that I didn’t belong there.

I was about to tell her where to shove it when Dimitri spoke, a smile on his face.

“Margaret, that’s a beautiful necklace you have on.”

She gushed, touching the ruby pendant around her neck. “Oh, thank you.”

His smile dropped in an instant. “Too bad it’s not real.”

Margaret spluttered. “What are you talking about? Of course it’s real.”

“Is it?” He leant back in his chair, his finger tapping idly on the table. “Because I happen to know for a fact that your husband was recently charged with fraud and embezzlement. That, in order to make full restitution for the money he stole, you were required to sell nearly everything you own and move into your younger sister’s basement.”

Her entire face flushed red.

“Plus, I can spot a Park Han knockoff from a mile away.”

She looked down at her plate, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

Dimitri and I locked eyes. Maybe it was because I knew him so well that I was able to decipher that look on his face. It seemed to say, “OnlyIcan insult you. OnlyIcan fuck with you.”

My phone dinged from inside my clutch. I exhaled a relieved breath. It was the perfect excuse I needed to tear my eyes away from Dimitri’s hypnotizing gaze.

I pulled out my phone and smiled at the text, humor trickling through me.

Vanessa: Is that him?

I refrained from glancing around the room and replied back.

Me: Yes.

Vanessa: He’s way hotter than you described. Like way, way hotter. Hello silver fox.

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