Page 37 of Kidnapped Bratva Virgin

“Mark, I would love to, but I’m stretched thin as it is. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to handle it.” With Mark it’s best to tell the truth. He treats his staff like gold, which is why he has one of the highest retention rates as a boss, and it’s most likely the secret sauce to all the cases the firm’s won.

“Hmm, I can take that Rover case off your hands. It’s small fry for you anyway. I gave it to you so you could get more runs on the board. Andy just got himself into a jet-skiing accident in Miami. I tell that guy to take a vacation for one week—one week, Ava, and he literally breaks a leg.”

Close to spitting out my coffee, I stare at Mark in alarm, but he’s not laughing. He’s funny without trying. “Shit. Damn. That’s an unlucky break.”

Mark nods. “Right. But not for us, because I need you to hit the ground running, taking on the Anatoly Petrov case on an urgent basis. You’re the only person in the office who specializes in mergers and acquisitions. And you’re damn good at it.”

“Okay. I haven’t heard the name, but I’ll dig and find out everything. “When am I making a move with this client,” I ask, and Mark winces as I switch on my computer.

“How about right now?”

Taken aback, I steal a breath. “You weren’t joking about when you said ‘hit the ground running,’ were you?”

“No—no, I was not. Anatoly has a business meeting with another renowned businessman, and he’s tough. We want to be there in the meeting to back him up and provide legal counsel and reassurance. Here’s the case file.” Frowning, I carefully take the file from Mark’s hands as he stands up, pulling the lapels of his suit jacket together.

“Wow. Is there anything I should know about this?” I ask, a thick knot in my throat. I can walk in blind and fumble my way through, but I’d like enough time to prepare and feel at ease. If I’m dealing with a new client, I usually meet with them separately to feel out their situation and what their aim is so I can get them the best deal.

But not like this… blindfolded and walking in. “No. Only that I totally trust you with this, and I have another meeting to get to myself. Good luck, Ava. Anatoly’s in Boardroom A. Waiting.” He taps the glass as I nod, taking a couple of seconds to steady myself and glimpse over the file.

I pull out my mirror, reapply my lipstick, play around with my hair and walk into the boardroom. It doesn’t sound too bad. I’m just going to be providing legal counsel. Upon entry Anatoly stands, a tall handsome guy, with dark features and an amicable smile.

“Hi, Anatoly, I’m Ava Knight and I’ll be working with you going forward. Andy’s had an accident unfortunately, but rest assured you’re in good hands.”

“That’s good news. I’m going to need it.” Anatoly seems slightly agitated as I sit down.

“Any reason?” I ask politely as I open the case file but look at Anatoly as he sips his water, and I take a swig of my coffee.

“This deal is fairly important to me and could be quite lucrative. It involves a property, but it does need to be set upcorrectly for maximum benefit as the man I’m dealing with takes no prisoners. I do enjoy doing business with him, however. This is just for precautionary measures. He should be here soon.”

Frowning, I take a moment to look down at the case notes, my blood freezing and my jaw dropping when I read the name.Dimitri Utkin.Shit. I’m going to see Dimitri face-to-face again. The man I cried over for nights on end. No, this can’t be happening to me right now, but it is, and I need to face it and be as professional as possible. I blow out a slow breath but offer a polite smile to Anatoly.

“If I ever see your face again, I won’t show mercy.”

I’m going to need more than mercy this time around, I’m going to need every ounce of strength I can muster.

Chapter Twenty - Dimitri

Coming to L.A., like New York, is always a refreshing change, but nothing beats the Windy City. Chicago’s where the Utkins first belong to forging their legacy, and I’m here to do my part and continue it on.

L.A. has a different energy to the hustle, bustle, and grit of Chicago. It’s more laid-back, everyone is looking to “make it,” and networking is the name of the game. There’s plenty of young people wanting to rush it and make it big in Hollywood, and there’s others in position looking to take advantage of this. There’s the haves and the have-nots, but I’m not here for any of it. Only to sit down and meet with my friend Anatoly and discuss good business. I might be a shark, but if we’ve worked together and things are working well, then they will remain well.

Anatoly and I have been in business together for years. He knows I’m Bratva, and I’ve seen the prospectus for his energy company, and it has excellent returns, but not only for this year, but other years as well. If this energy company has a stake in Raven’s Peak, it will give our already substantial returns a boost. There is enough lithium to expand with Petrov Energy, and given Anatoly’s work in the tech space and Silicon Valley, this could work better than expected.

Viktor is with me as we take the ride over to Thompson and Associates, and I mull over the details. The deal does require extra advice, and Anatoly is smart at seeking the assistance of a law firm.

Business is business and in terms of documents being signed I, too, require one. “This should go well, eh? We can head out to Rival, that fancy new L.A. restaurant I heard about. Whatdo you think?” I tell him, feeling relaxed and hopeful about what Anatoly has to offer.

Viktor drops his shades down on his face, giving me a nod. “Yes. I think that’s a good idea. Then we get some drinks.” He shakes his hips with a grin. “Then we go to the club, then we get some ass. Yeah, sounds good to me, Boss.”

I haven’t cheated on Cara, but I’ve harbored temptations in my mind since Ava warped it with her own deceitful betrayal, and the fact I’m numb inside about her isn’t helping either.

“I’ll think about it. Let’s see how this pans out,” I tell him as we enter the building. I don’t party as much as I used to, and that was before Ava, but even less after her, opting to sweat out my anger, hurt, and disappointment in the gym and kickboxing, but there’s a place none of it can fill, and I can live with it.

“Okay. It will be good to see Anatoly again.”

“Yeah, it will be.”

As the elevator ascends, we head to reception, directed to Boardroom A, but when I open the door, the trapdoor of pain opens, all of its demons flying out. One of them is in front of me, her voluptuous curves contained in a silk champagne-colored camisole and a tweed A-line skirt. Ava Knight has resurfaced, and I don’t like it one bit. I mask my surprise, stepping inside the room as she greets me coldly.

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