Page 145 of The Billionaire's Baby
I stomp over and sink into the chair opposite him.
A waitress immediately materializes. Of course, she does. Niko has that way with the women. Somehow, they sense the mean, grade-A asshole that he is; combined with the scent of money that wraps around him like a lover, not to mention, the dark edge of danger that clings to him like a second skin… Yeah, they pretty much come in their panties when they see him
Niko nods at her, "Two lunch specials."
I frown. "Niko, what the hell? You know how much I hate it when you order for me."
He frowns, then nods toward the menu in front of me, "See anything you want,Malyshka?"
"Don’t call me that." I frown.
He blows out an exaggerated breath. "What will you have your highness?"
"That’s better." I turn up my chin to glance at the waitress who, of course, is staring at Niko like he’ll disappear from in front of her any moment.
"The lunch special, please."
She doesn’t reply.
"Miss?" I touch her arm and she jerks.
"Oh," she turns to me, "of course, and to drink?”
"Vodka. The best you have," Niko replies, and the woman’s gaze widens. Her lips part, and I swear, I can see little hearts in her eyes and more circling around her head.
"Still water for me," I reply.
Niko arches his eyebrows. "Since when do you not want to drink alcohol?"
Since I decided I want to have a child, which clearly, isn’t happening anytime soon. So why the hell don’t I feel like having alcohol? Especially since I had fallen off the wagon so spectacularly that evening at the bar… That evening when he’d stalked over to me and confessed how much he’d wanted to give me a child... When he’d asked me to marry him so we could start afresh... And I had said no... Shit, why the hell am I thinking about that obnoxious prat again?
"Karina?" Niko frowns. "You okay?"
I cough. "Yes," I nod, "of course, I am. Just parched, that’s all."
"Hmm." Niko rakes his gaze cross my features.
"So," I fold my arms in my lap, "Why did you want to see me?"
"To apologize."
"Oh?" I glance at him with suspicion. My oldest brother does not apologize to anyone... ever.
"Indeed." He nods. "I am sorry that we used your company as a front for the Bratva's activities. It's not fair given the effort you've put into building it up. We'll withdraw our interests from it."
I blink, "You will?"
He nods.
"Why are you doing this?" I scowl at him.
"Because you're my sister." He half smiles, and his features soften, "my only sister."
I purse my lips. "Why is it that I don't trust where this is coming from?"
He chuckles, "I only have your best interests at heart."
"Not that I don't believe it. Only," I stab a finger at him, "You use that as an excuse... for interfering in my life. You and... and... Papa, both of you."
