Page 3 of Blood Oath Christmas
The man, David’s, voice is cut off by a loud boom. I jump, then stare in open-mouthed horror as David falls backward onto the ground. The street light provides just enough light to see blood spreading out around him.
My shocked gaze jerks to the other man and the gun he’s holding in his hand. It’s as if time stops as our eyes clash. The golden beam of light bounces off his blond hair, highlighting a wicked scar that bisects his eyebrow. I meet the coldest, deadliest blue eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.
Shock holds me immobile.He just killed David. In cold blood! I just witnessed a murder!
Thoughts tumble around my numb mind, disjointed and terrified. I blink, trying to clear my mind, and realize something. The blond man is still holding that gun, but now he’s raising it, aiming it atme.
2
KONSTANTIN
She’s grown into quite a beautiful woman.
Sitting at my booth at the back corner of Otrava, I watch Ivy Andreev as she works. Tonight, I’m lucky because she’s serving so I can keep my eye on her more easily. Usually, she’s in the back office, stepping into the kitchen or dining hall only two or three times a night.
But it’s busy tonight, especially with Christmas fast approaching. The fact that they give away free meat pies during the holiday season only increases their business.
But I’m not here for the food. I have my own restaurant and prefer my menu.
I’m here forher.
She doesn’t know it, has no idea that many years ago, I swore a blood oath to watch over her. I know she thinks I’m a creep, some kind of stalker, but it doesn’t matter. My vow is more important than her thoughts.
Just as I’m taking a sip ofsbiten, my phone dings. I swipe the screen to get to the text message. It’s from Viktor, mysovietnik, my advisor.
Antonov is on the move. On his way to you.
Vadim Antonov. Just seeing his name makes me grit my teeth. The Antonovs didn’t use to be a rival family, but Vadim came along, and now we are at war. Maybe not war, exactly, but there’s enough tension and distrust that none of us sleep with both eyes shut.
Tapping on the screen, I reply,Follow him. But when he gets here, hang back. Want to see what he’s up to.
I take another sip of my drink and watch Ivy as she serves the patrons, a wide and real smile on her lips. Unlike some of the other servers, she isn’t fake. She genuinely enjoys people and seeing them happy. My phone dings again and I look down at it.
Do you think he’s found out about the girl?
Viktor is talking about Ivy. I glance at her again as my jaw tightens. I’ve spent too many years protecting her, making sure the Antonovs, especially Vadim, never find out about her.
No, but it’s best to be safe, I reply.
A sudden loud noise has me pulling my gun from the back of my waistband. I’m not the only one on edge. Several of the other guys stand and pull theirs as well. I keep mine under the table, though, cocked and ready to fire if needed.
But there’s no threat. My gaze instantly goes to the waitress and the tray of glasses she’d dropped. Still, I don’t put my gun away, not while others still have theirs drawn.
Ivy rushes to the aid of the waitress, helping her clean up the shards. My eyes drop to her legs, or rather, her skirt and the way it hikes up high on her shapely legs as she kneels.
It’s the middle of December, yet she still has a tan. It’s natural, probably from her mother’s side. She doesn’t go to tanning booths. I would know since it’s my duty to watch over her, to know everything about her.
When had she grown into such a beauty? I’ve been watching her so long, I still think of her as that gawky teenager. She wasslow to develop, but now she’s made up for it. She’s got one killer body.
She stands, straightening her skirt, and my eyes are again drawn to her shapely legs. They’re muscular but still feminine and sexy. She’s average height, but those long legs of hers make her appear taller than she is. Add to that a trim waist, flat stomach, and big tits, and any guy who has a dick would react to her.
Her hands pause, and her blue eyes latch onto mine. She looks a little surprised and uncomfortable as she looks at me. I don’t look away. I don’t even blink.
Her hand raises, and she tucks a strand of shoulder-length wavy blonde hair behind her ear in a nervous gesture. The longer we stare at each other, the more I’m aware of her. The more my body responds to her eyes on me.
This is fucking ridiculous. She’s young enough to be my daughter!
She breaks eye contact first and hurries off toward the kitchen. I let out the breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding and sigh.
