Page 21 of Hunted By the Bratva
“You’re welcome,” Iosif added, pushing his hand through his hair. I felt my cheeks heat up and knew I was blushing. My heart rate increased suddenly, and there was a fluttering in my stomach.
He turned back to continue his straightening and sorting of some of the art. I stood there staring. I couldn’t pull my eyes off him. Like, wow, he looked good and smelled good today. I shook my head, no, I told myself, I shouldn’t be thinking these things. I shouldn’t be attracted to him.
As I turned and started to storm off, I heard him speaking. “Where are you going?”
Stopping, I looked back as I spoke over my shoulder. “What the hell does it matter? I thought you left the door open so I could move around, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” of course,” he replied. He almost sounded sad. “I was just asking as you seemed to be in a hurry. I thought you liked this room?”
Turning, I placed my hands on my hips, feeling my anger taking over. I could hear my anger coming through as I spoke. “So, if I’m allowed to move around, I do not need to inform you of my every move. Or, maybe you would rather not have me moving around, or would you like to assign a guard to me?” By the end of my speech, I was practically screaming at him.
I could see he was annoyed at me as he responded. “Stop being such a bitch, for God’s sake! I only asked one question. It wasn’t like I climbed into your pants, or did you wet them?”
Frowning, I stepped forward and replied, “How dare you call me a bitch, you jackass! For your information, my pants won’t fit you, and they are dry.”
“Well, to be honest, you are bitching and moaning like an old lady who wet her pants today,” he shot back. He folded his arms across his chest as he straightened himself out. He looked bigger than usual, standing like that.
I walked up to him, pointing my finger in his face as I replied. “I’m not an old lady! I do not piss my pants for any reason!”
“Well, your behavior speaks otherwise; it’s telling a different story. Madam, wet pants,” he huffed.
I gasped, placed my hands on my hips, and brought out my sassy attitude. “Well…, you, sir, you are an overstuffed hamburger with no manners.” Once the words had left my mouth, I realized how stupid it sounded. Why was my insult so lame? It felt like my mind froze as I tried thinking.
Iosif walked closer. He leaned in as he whispered in my ear. “I think Miss Fancy Fanny will suit you better, though.”
I wanted to laugh so badly that my mind completely blanked. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I couldn’t see how anyone could think a fanny was fancy. I felt sure he was trying to make me laugh. He was trying to change my mood. I was angry at myself, not him, but I couldn’t admit that. I turned on my heels and headed out. I would go see what else he was hiding.
Chapter 13 - Iosif
There was a knock at the door. Opening it, I was flabbergasted to find my sister, Zhenya, and her husband, Akim, standing there. They weren’t alone. The rest of my family and some of the Dubow family as well. I muster up a fake smile to hide my angst. Their timing couldn’t be worse.
“Surprise,” Zhenya huffed as she stepped closer.
“What a surprise,” I replied as she pulled me into one of her warm hugs. I swallowed hard. They shouldn’t be here. “Why are all of you here?” I asked, pulling out of the hug.
“We heard about your new place and came to see for ourselves,” Zhenya replied, holding up a bottle of wine. “A housewarming party was overdue, don’t you think? It’s been what, almost two weeks?”
I glanced at the smiling faces before me. I met and dealt with Alexsandr, Abram, Anton, and Akim Dubow. I didn’t know their wives so well. The posse before me looked more like an intervention party than a housewarming.
Akim moved closer, holding out his hand. He towered over Zhenya like a bodyguard. I knew he loved her and would protect her no matter what. “You moving out of the family home was a big surprise, something no one ever thought would happen,” Akim said.
I reached out and took his hand. Our grip was hard, and the shake quick, but I knew he didn’t like me. Shit, I didn’t like him much, but for Zhenya’s sake, we kept things civil. “Yeah,” I replied, rubbing my neck. “I wish you’d called, though.”
Glancing back at the stairs, I knew this visit couldn’t unravel my plans. I would have to keep it brief and secluded.Narrowing my eyes, I looked at Zhenya playfully before stepping to the side. “Come on, guys,” I said as I held my hand up, indicating for them to move towards the entertainment area.
Zhenya walked past me, and everyone else followed. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Zhenya moving towards the stairs. “Iosif,” Alexsandr greeted as he came in.
“Hi,” I said, turning towards Zhenya. “Sis,” I called out. “Come this way. We’re going to the downstairs entertainment room.” I couldn’t allow her or anyone else to see Clara, and she was upstairs.
“Can’t I explore your new home?” Zhenya asked, raising her brows as she walked towards me.
“It’s a mess, I’m busy renovating. I don’t want you to get hurt,” I lied, returning my attention to the people streaming in.
“Iosif,” Anton said, moving past me.
“Hi,” I mumbled, shaking hands with him before Avgust and Lukyan entered. “Shall we?” I asked, closing the door and moving through them towards the kitchen and the entertainment room.
I led the crowd past the kitchen, down the private hall, and to the room furthest from the stairs. I was glad the entertainment room was on the opposite side of the house. It also had a door leading out to the pool area. This way, I felt sure Clara wouldn’t be discovered.
