Page 19 of Rebellion

“Hi, Miller.”

“Hey! Just letting you know we’re heading out now if that’s all good.”

We?

Sofia glanced over Miller’s shoulder to where Colm stood. Those piercing blue eyes took her in, cataloging everything.

Anger flooded his face and she had to force herself not to retreat as he moved forward. “What’s wrong?”

“Wrong? Why would anything be wrong?” Sofia managed to say around the sudden lump in her throat.

“Yes. Why would anything be wrong?” Oleg asked as he moved in behind her, draping an arm across her chest.

Sofia had to work hard to keep the revulsion off her face, to not to step sharply away.

It was nearly impossible.

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from Colm’s face as he froze. It was hard to see if he was even breathing.

“Oleg,” he managed to get out through gritted teeth. “Didn’t realize you were there.”

“Sofia and I just discussing business,” Oleg said in his slimy voice. It was an assault to her ears, like nails on a chalkboard. Or oil spilling into the ocean.

So very wrong.

“She said you did good job tonight, Miller,” Oleg told the other woman who watched him closely. “We so glad you join our little family here at Solynshko. Aren’t we,Kukolka?”

Sofia forced a smile onto her lips. She hoped it looked somewhat genuine. “Very glad.”

“I thought you were just a bartender, Oleg,” Colm sneered.

Oleg tightened his hold on her and she had to fight hard to keep her grunt of pain from escaping. What was Colm doing? Why was he trying to anger Oleg?

“I also help Sofia manage the restaurant. And the staff. Don’t I,Kulkolka?”

“Yes, you’re a huge help to me.”

Wow. The lies came so easily now that it was frightening.

“I’m happy to be here. Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do before we go?” Miller yawned, then gave her a guilty look. “Sorry.”

Sofia waved her off and took a step toward the other woman, hoping that Oleg would let her go without a fight.

“Don’t be sorry. It was a long night.”

“You look tired, Sofia,” Colm said abruptly. “You should go home to bed.”

“I will be soon.”

Would you like to join me?

No.

Bad Sofia.

“We’ll walk you out to your car,” Colm said abruptly. “I’m sure Oleg can handle anything that needs doing to close up.”

Shit.

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