Page 41 of Surrogate for the Bratva
I shrugged because what else was there to do or to say? “I’m adjusting.” It was the truth, at least as much as I could. “Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about you.”
Kelsie perked up. “My favorite topic,” she joked and launched into a whole tale of a middle aged bridezilla who demanded a princess wedding with a horse drawn carriage. “She literally said she wants her princess moment like that was an age appropriate thing to say!” Kelsie tossed her head back and laughed. “But I’m going to come through and she’s going to recommend to all her friends planning third, fourth and even fifth weddings.”
We ate and we laughed about anything and everything and, for a little while, I could pretend as if my life was normal. I could pretend this was any other weeknight dinner between me and my bestie. And that’s just what I did, laughed and sipped my limeade sparkling water while she told me about Jacob making fried rice. And lasagna.
“Basically he’s playing out some hot chef fantasy I didn’t even know I had,” her cheeks were flushed and her eyes glowing.
“You like him,” I accused. “Like for real.”
Her brows dipped into a frown. “Of course I like Jacob. He is a likable guy.” She shrugged her shoulders like it was no big deal, but I didn’t miss the blush that crept up her cheeks when she looked away.
“I don’t mind,” I rushed to assure her. “I just thought you guys said that mostly to torture me, but I guess not.”
She rolled her eyes and then they widened when she looked over my shoulder. “Who do we have here?”
And just like that I was no longer able to pretend that this was a normal night with Mexican food and my best friend. I turned and there was Ivan and Mikhail, two of Igor’s men who I didn’t know all that well and didn’t care to. “Is something wrong,” I asked automatically even though neither of them would tell me anything.
“Not at all,” Ivan flashed a friendly smile. “There was so much laughter from here we thought we’d come and see what was so funny.”
I stiffened at his scrutiny, but I let it go and tried to cover it with a coolness I didn’t feel. “Just inside jokes with me and my bestie.”
Mikhail turned a predatory gaze to Kelsie. “And this beauty is your best friend?”
“I am,” Kelsie supplied with a bright smile. “And you are the muscles? The brawn?”
“You could say that,” Ivan replied with a flirty smile. “The brawn who protects the beauty.”
“Not that she needs it,” Mikhail added with a gleam I didn’t appreciate in his eyes. “She has the ultimate protection.”
I didn’t like his insinuation even if it was technically true. “Thanks for checking in but we’re good,” I said in a terse voice that barely concealed my annoyance. Who the fuck did he think he was, bringing up something he shouldn’t have seen never mind spoken about?
Ivan flashed surprised but he nodded. “Of course, April. Let us know if you need anything.” As quickly as they arrived, they left.
It was just too damn bad that my frustration didn’t leave with them.
“More man candy,” Kelsie sighed with a brilliant smile. “But the brown-eyed one gives me bad vibes.”
“Ivan? He’s the nice one.”
Kelsie lifted her brows. “The nice ones are the ones you have to worry about.”
I shrugged. “I’m more worried that Mikhail thought it was okay to bring up seeing Igor in my room than anything. I don’t care if they’re nice, they’re paid to do a job.”
“Whoa!” Kelsie fell back in her chair, her big brown eyes focused on me as if she was seeing me for the first time.
“What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing, it’s just that for a second there you went allmob wifeon me.He’s being paid to keep me safe, not be nice and focus on my sex life.Damn baby mama.”
“Stop,” I groaned but I couldn’t stop smiling at her teasing.
“Okay fine, no more teasing. What about baby daddy, how are things going with him?”
I shrugged off her question even though I knew she wouldn’t leave without answers. “What do you want me to say?”
Kelsie sighed. “I want you tell me why you look like shit. I want you tell me that he’s treating you right.”
“He is,” I admitted easily.
