Page 113 of Contract of a Billionaire
“Are we still talking about gun distributions or something else?” Luciano grumbled. “I feel like something else is cooking.”
“Well, we know Isabella’s not cooking,” Sasha drawled, blowing a kiss to his sister-in-law who just flipped him the bird. Then his eyes returned to me, those pale blues making me want to squirm.
“I really like the girl, Alessio,” Alexei deadpanned and I waved my hands exasperated.
“Thanks,” I smiled sweetly. Poor Alessio, I probably threw him off. I returned my attention to the troublemaker. “Sasha, get some coaching from your brother. Because you’re a major ass,” I grumbled, seeing there was no point in arguing. Besides, I didn’t want anyone speculating.
“Where is your reinforcement, Autumn?” Sasha drawled lazily. “Did she leave you, the girl who wants to save the world, all alone for the wolves to eat?”
Truly. A. Dick. Donkey ass.
I couldn’t think of another adequate name for him. But then I saw it. Restlessness behind that pale gaze. The constant way his eyes flickered to the entrance. I glanced around me, but men were discussing their gun distributions, Alessio’s hand still at the small of my back, and women were muttering something among each other.
Returning my attention to Sasha, my lips curved into a smug smile. Not so fast, Sasha-boy. Okay, maybe not a boy. Sasha-man? Sasha-asshole? Yeah, whatever.
I took a small step forward and lowered my voice.
“Actually, Branka and herboyfriendare spending some time alone.” The murderous expression that flashed on Sasha’s face would have me shitting my pants if Alessio’s hand wasn’t protectively around me. Thankfully, it was. “They are gettingacquainted,” I added sweetly.
I didn’t say she planned on joining us soon. But it did cause Sasha to storm out of there.
“What happened?” Vasili asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
I blinked innocently, keeping my expression blank. “No idea. I said I’d carve his heart out and he got upset.”
Snickers traveled across the room.
But I didn’t fool the Nikolaev brothers. Both of them kept an eye on me for the rest of the night.
Too bad they got it all wrong.
Chapter36
Autumn
The dinner was actually a lot of fun once Branka got there.
I finally got to meet Killian Brennan, and he was a freaking hottie. With a capital H. Oh my gosh, those eyes. That hair. That tan. If I wasn’t so smitten with Alessio, I would have drooled.
Then Branka brought up our travel pictures. And videos.
The one where we danced in Paris, including my mother, to Katy Perry’s song about kissing a girl.
The whole table laughed. “Oh, that’s nothing,” Branka grinned, ready to dish more dirt out. I knew exactly what was coming.
“Don’t do it,” I warned her.
“Ah, now I want to do it even more,” she beamed.
“We want to see it,” Áine announced. “You two would be trouble if you teamed up with my cousin, Margaret.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know if that’s good. Let’s say, Paris won’t welcome us again.” The table chuckled, even the two Nikolaev men. “Where does your cousin live? Please don’t say Paris.”
She laughed. “She’s currently in Ireland.”
Branka and I shared a glance. “We haven’t done anything embarrassing there, yet.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Maman threatened she won’t travel with us anymore.”
