Page 33 of Claimed Bratva Virgin

But she was faster on her feet, like a fleeing culprit. She ran a hand over her hair to smoothen unruly strands.

“I know a guy who owns a track—name’s Gavin. All I need to do is talk to him and we should be clear for this evening.”

“This evening?” Her zest was commendable. “Are you that excited to be defeated?”

“You run your mouth too much, Yezhov.”

I stood up, eliminating what little space was left between us. She was almost pressed against my chest when I leaned in, with our noses almost touching. “And you would be surprised how well I can put it to good use. Come prepared, Leonya. Today’s the day you’ll get your ass handed to you.”

She didn’t say anything. Instead, with a wry grin, she turned and walked away, leaving me to wonder whether this partnership would bring more gain—or more trouble.

Chapter 10 – Leonora

“What the fuck, Leo?”

Shuttling between the driver’s seat and the car engine, I refused to look Gavin in the eye. “I know, I know. I’m crazy. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done something that made you question my sanity. You know, I’m hurt that you haven’t already come to terms with the fact that I’m not a normal human being.”

“No, kid. You’re not playing a fast one on me. Just crazy? Leo, you’re racingIl Macellaio.Rafayel Yezhov.”

I peeked at the older man from above the hood before I slammed it shut. I crossed my hands over my chest. “So? He’s not God. And I’m going to beat him. What’s the big deal anyway?”

I knew what the big deal was. Even my pounding heart knew what the frigging big deal was.

Gavin stared me down like I’d gone completely off my rockers. And I didn’t blame him. That was the first thing I thought the second I stepped out of Rafayel’s office. The wave of relief that filled me was surreal, like I could breathe again without having to worry about inhaling too much of him.

What the hell was I thinking, agreeing to a challenge with him?

Papa wanted me to do only one thing with him—technically, two: form a strong alliance and crush him.

It should have been as simple as that, but in the meantime, I was meant to stay away from him. Far, far away, where my heart won’t skid to a bloody stop at every sight of him, and I would be able to think straight.

“You picked a fight with his cousin, and now you want to step on the big man’s toes. How the—”

Turning around was unnecessary when I knew why the man had stopped talking. I felt him looming behind me, tall and broad, with his warmth enveloping me in a strange caress.

Zver.

Mustering the courage to look him in the eye andnowhere else,I spun on my heels to face him. The man made it hard to stay focused when he looked like a front-page model in a magazine.

That was a joke.

He looked like a fucking god.

“This the guy who owns the track?”

I barely responded with a nod when my eyes were glued to his flexing biceps and the taut pull of his black t-shirt around his torso beneath his striped black, red, and white Ferrari jacket. His black denim jeans were a perfect fit, and the dark boots were the cherry on top.

Gavin muttered something about active radios for communication and staying off the field before quietly handing off the keys to one of the Porsches and disappearing around the back of the shed.

“What’s his deal?”

I beamed up at him, snagging my lower lip between my teeth and feeling flushed when his gaze darkened as he followed the movement. “He’s only sorry you’re going to go back to your house sobbing like a baby after I’m done with you tonight.”

Rafayel smiled at me, and my heart did that crazy thumping when I realized how extremely handsome he was with that smile. “That means you’re ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

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