Page 64 of Bratva's Intern

“We’re not adding another chair to our table.”

“Of course we are. I’ll even get it myself if they don’t want to bring one.” I put my napkin down and rose.

“Sit!” Maxim snapped.

I ignored him. Nik hurried over, frowning.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“I’m just getting another chair so you can join us,” I said.

“Why?” He looked genuinely puzzled.

“You must be hungry. Eat with us.”

Nik’s brow knitted. “Wren, I’m on duty.”

“But—”

Nik walked away to resume his stance. I sat back down in my chair. God, I was a mess. We—no,I’deven attracted attention with my whispering.

“Are you satisfied now?” Maxim asked.

“Hardly. We should eat quickly and leave before I embarrass you more tonight.”

Maxim shook his head.

“What?”

“I just realized something about you.”

“Oh?”

“You become argumentative when sticking up for others, but you don’t stick up for yourself. Why’s that?”

Wow, the truth in his words stung, but I was taken aback by his observation. I shrugged, attempting to play it cool. “Fighting for others is… easier, I guess.”

“No one’s worth fighting for more than yourself, Wren. Remember that.”

“How many bodyguards do you have?” I asked quickly to change the subject. This was a business dinner after all, not a get-to-know-Wren-and-all-his-insecurities-night.

“A few. They rotate.”

“Do they follow you everywhere?”

“Pretty much.”

I frowned. “Is it really necessary?”

“You saw when you got accidentally hurt putting yourself between me and a knife. What do you think?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping it was a one-off incident.”

“Wish I could say that.”

I swallowed hard. The idea of someone trying to kill Maxim left a lump in my throat. “Are you scared?”

Maxim swirled the liquid in his glass. A second or two ticked by as though he was giving it some thought. “I never thought I was.”

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