Page 3 of Rebellion

“Actually, I own the place.”

His eyes widened and she could feel him pulling back.

Great.

Someone else who was either intimidated by Sacha or disliked him. Although, why washehere?

“And you?” she challenged since she actually had a reason to be back here.

“You’re Sofia Anisimov?” he asked, looking her up and down.

“Yes. I am. And you?”

“Colm Finlayson,” he said as the door behind him opened. The man who stepped out wasn’t one she knew well, but she knew who he was.

Rogan MacGuire.

Head of the Cavan Gang. Irish Mafia. A dangerous, handsome man.

Sofia knew that her cousin often met with other dangerous men in the back room of the restaurant. Criminals. But he tried to keep her out of the family business and away from them.

“Sofia,” Rogan said in a soft voice. “I didn’t know you were still here.”

“I’m just leaving. Arseni is waiting for me. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Finlayson.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

Darn it. Why were the gorgeous ones always weirdos or criminals?

Not that she could start anything with a member of the Irish Mafia.

Sacha would never allow it.

Six months later. . .

He was sittingat a table in the back of Solynshko.

Alone.

Sofia loved it when Colm came in on his own. It meant that she could speak more freely to him than when his boss or her cousin were around.

A rush of giddiness went through her, making her feel a bit lightheaded.

Sheesh. Anyone would think she was a lovesick teenager.

Get it together, Sofia.

She headed his way before she could stop herself.

It was like he was a magnet pulling her closer and closer, yet she was unable to resist him. She wasn’t the only one. She’d seen the way her staff stared at him.

Both male and female.

Colm was strong and confident in a way that wasn’t at all asshole-ish. It was a hard mix to pull off, but he did it.

“Good evening. You came back for the pelmeni, huh?” she asked, referencing the dumplings he was currently eating.

He grinned up at her. “I’m addicted, and I haven’t been able to get my fix for a while.”