Page 23 of Knocked-up Bratva Bride
Fucking stupid.
If Fedor heard me say that shit out loud, he’d burst out laughing in my face.
What met me in her eyes was colder than I deserved, perhaps even colder than I could match. Still, I didn’t flinch. What was the point? I burned every bridge before she even knew she was standing on one. I meant what I said about her being my blood, and I’d go to the ends of the earth to protect her.
I owed Irina that much.
Now, the silence wrapped around me like a noose. I felt the years like rust on my bones. And the distance between us? I didn’t know where it started anymore. I only knew it was growing.
And for the first time in my life, I didn’t have a solution waiting up my sleeve to repair the brokenness between my daughter and me.
Chapter 8 – Elena
“I hope it matches your taste, Elena. I wanted only the classiest and best to fit your standards, and couldn’t get better recommendations.”
“Mystandards?” I laughed, looking around the place, fully aware of his heated stare on my face.
The restaurant was warmer than I’d expected, the soft glow from the overhead lights making the wine glasses sparkle like tiny chandeliers. The interior was eye-catching, the air smelled like good food, and the chatter was minimal.
“Robert, Tsar’s Steakhousesurpassesmy standards. The rumors are true; this is the finest restaurant in LA, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. You’ve outdone yourself, and for that, I’m grateful.”
“Mm.” Robert chuckled and lifted a piece of steak on his silver fork to his mouth. He chewed moderately, paying attention to his food.
“You’ve really stood out these last few months,” he said. His tone was casual, but there was something beneath it that made me sit up a little straighter. “The Jensen pitch? You held that room. I still can’t believe you convinced them to invest in one hundred fucking units of smart home properties.”
He glanced up, cheeks red, catching himself. “My language… This is supposed to be a semi-official dinner. I’m sorry, I’m just so excited.”
“Please, feel comfortable. I don’t mind.” I smiled, careful not to seem too eager. “Thank you for the compliment. I…I wasn’t sure how that pitch landed, honestly.”
He chuckled, swirling his wine. “That’s what I like about you, Elena. You don’t assume. You’re detailed, and youobserve.”
My cheeks warmed at that, but I glanced down at the menu, pretending to study the dessert section again. My lobsterravioli dish lay half-eaten in front of me, but I was nervous, fiddling with my glass of water.
Compliments from someone like Robert felt like small treasures that were earned but unexpected.
As the waiter brought an extra bottle of wine, Robert leaned in slightly, not so close that it felt forward, but enough to lower his voice.
“There’s a role opening up in strategy. More visibility. More leadership. I’ve been thinking…it might be time you stepped into something bigger.”
I blinked, trying not to spill my water. “That’s…really kind of you to say. I didn’t know that was even a possibility.”
“Well, it wasn’t. Not until you made it one.” He smiled, gently dropping his wine glass beside his plate. “I’m thinking Senior Marketing Officer or—wait, I’ve got it: Luxe Nest Head of Marketing”
Head of Marketing for all Luxe Nest branches?
I almost dropped my glass. That was a position I could only dream of occupying in the years to come. My brain hyperventilated at the possibility of such an opportunity being within reach.
My focus stayed on Robert, seated across from me, grinning from ear to ear.
He was still speaking, and he’d just finished explaining the opportunity, something about a lateral move, technically, but with more visibility, more responsibility, and, more importantly, a better paycheck.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak right away. It sounded good—almost too good. And maybe it was. I didn’t want to seem overeager or ungrateful for the role I already had, even if it barely kept me afloat.
Still, I couldn’t deny the pull in my chest when he mentioned the salary range. Just enough to cover the extratreatments my current meager salary and mother’s insurance wouldn’t.
“This is…a lot to think about,” I said finally, dropping the menu and knitting my fingers together. “I mean, I’m honored you’d even consider me for something like this.”
Robert smiled kindly, not the charming grin he used during presentations, but something softer. “You’ve earned it, Elena. I’m not offering you anything you didn’t work for.”
