Page 37 of Wicked Arrangement

“It’s fun that your family has personal legends and stories. Even if they sound like something out of a fairytale,” I say with a smile.

“I could tell you a lot more stories you wouldn’t believe…” he starts.

“Sir, it’s time to go,” one of the men steps in, interrupting David.

David looks disappointed and for a moment I wonder if he’s going to refuse to leave. But then he nods, “Very well,” he says with a sigh, getting up. He turns his attention to me again. “Duty calls. The naughty wolf cub is being escorted away, these guys are no fun,” he says with a comedic pout. “It was nice to meet you Kimmy.”

“You too,” I reply with a smile.

He embraces me into a brotherly hug, taking me by surprise and I pat him lightly on the back. “I’ll see you soon,” he says, letting go and bouncing off following the lead of one of the men with the other behind.

I shake my head and smile to myself, David Volkov is certainly a different personality from his brother. Despite his erraticness, I like him. He seems fun, and a little bit damaged too. I can relate to that. Like his brother, there’s a darkness to him though too, though his demons aren’t the same as Yaroslav’s.

Chapter 19

Yaroslav

Today is the last day of the two-week arrangement, if she wishes, Kimberly will leave tomorrow. I’m not ready to let that happen. The time has gone by in a flash, and I feel as though I still am no closer to unraveling the mystery that is Kimberly Walsh.

After I saw her bruised and marked body, evidence of my loss of control, I avoided her for a couple of days, ashamed of myself and afraid that I might hurt her again. But I couldn’t resist her pull, I just wanted to be in her presence. I thought I’d just talk to her, and get to know her better, but inevitably we fell into bed again. We’ve not done much talking since. Which is why I’ve resolved to take our out this evening. We can’t get into too much trouble in a restaurant, and I want to be on neutral territory when I ask her to stay longer. Here, she may feel she has no choice but to agree.

I’ve decided to take her to a small, romantic Italian restaurant that not many people know about. It’s tucked away down a side alley and is a popular dinner destination for many organized crime bosses thanks to its discreetness and history of being Mafia-owned back in the day. Inside, it’s romantically lit with comfortable secluded oak booths and red and white checkered tablecloths.

The owner of the restaurant, Luigi—I’m pretty sure the name and the Italian accent are for effect since I know full well, he was born and raised here as were his parents—greets us as we enter. “Mr. Volkov! Such a pleasure to have you dining withus again this evening, and with such a beautiful woman!Ciao Bella,” he says, shaking my hand and doing a little bow to Kim. He knows better than to try to touch her, I’d break his arm. “Would you like to sit at your usual table?” he asks.

“Please,” I reply with a nod, placing my hand on the small of Kim’s back and guiding her toward the table.

Kim eases into the booth, struggling a little under the tight fabric of her bodycon skirt. She’s opted for a pale gray knee-length dress that hugs her curves in a way that has me struggling to think of anything other than her body. The color is wholly impractical for an Italian meal, most of which involves red sauces of some kind, but I’m not complaining. She looks incredible, especially with her face illuminated by the flickering candle in the middle of the table. She looks around, surveying the room.

“I didn’t think restaurants like this really existed, how did you find it?” she asks, meeting my focused gaze.

I shrug, answering non-committedly, “Oh a friend of a friend told me about it, it’s one of those hidden gems that those in the know try to keep a secret. Though, what do you mean, places like this?” I ask, wondering what she meant.

She gestures vaguely around the room, “You know, all this. It’s like the whole restaurant is from the set of a Hollywood movie about Italian gangsters.”

A waitress comes over with the menu and a bottle of red wine, one that I know is the most expensive on the menu as I usually order it. She bats her eyes at me, “For you, sir. On the house.”

I nod but don’t reply, allowing her to fill our glasses. She leans over to me, a little closer than necessary, grazing her chest against my shoulder as she does so. I enjoy the look of annoyance that flickers across Kim’s face.

“Can I get you anything else? Anything at all?” the waitress simpers.

“No. Thank you, we’re good for now,” Kim answers, reaching over to stroke my hand on the table and looking at the waitress pointedly.

Luckily, she gets the hint and leaves. I let out a chuckle, enjoying Kim’s possessiveness. She can be a little firecracker when she wants to.

“What’s so funny?” she asks.

“You, you’re cute when you’re jealous,” I reply with a smirk.

“I am not jealous,” she says rolling her eyes and taking a sip of her wine. “Mmm, oh my god, this wine is amazing, it must cost a fortune!” she exclaims, her eyes widening.

“It does,” I agree, taking a sip.

“And they just gave it to you? For free?” she says incredulously.

I shrug, at that moment, Luigi appears with a tray, laden with fresh bread, olives, and meat. “Beef carpaccio, I made it especially for you this morning. On the house, of course,” he declares, laying it down on the table with a flourish.

“Thank you, Luigi, you are most generous,” I reply.

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