Page 63 of The Bratva's Christmas Bump
“Darling!” Tiffany yells. “Listen, I know it’s late, but I have an emergency booking for you!”
“Tiff—”
“I know, I know, nothing without warning, but this guy is so desperate. He needs a musician for next weekend and he’s paying an obscene amount for a quick booking, and I just know you deserve this kind of money, so can you meet him?”
“Tiff, it’s really late.”
“I know, but think of the money!”
“I don’t have my equipment with me.”
“I’ve already sent him samples. He just wants to put a face to the name, plus, he’s a fan. Please? It would be amazing for both of us. Come on, say yes!”
After a few minutes of quiet deliberation, I agree and give the change of address to Toto. He makes a call while redirectingthe car, and when we arrive at the restaurant, I spot Stu parked across the street.
They take changes seriously.
With Toto lingering behind me, I head into the restaurant but before I can open my mouth to speak to the woman at the desk, a man surges up from a nearby seat.
“Miss Wolfe?”
I greet him with a smile. “Yes. You are?”
“I’m Mr. Havershire. Your agent, Tiffany, told me you’d meet me here.”
“And you knew it was me?”
“I confess I’m a fan of your work. Your agent was so eager for the booking that I’m not sure if she caught that part of my request. I know who you are.” He holds out his hand and smiles widely. “I won’t keep you a moment.”
Accepting his hand, I shake it with a smile and the small gold watch on his wrist jingles and slips, revealing a heart tattoo on his wrist.
“So, what can I do for you?”
“Well, my last musician dropped out of my event next weekend and I need someone to play a few intimate songs because I’m planning on proposing to my girlfriend. It’s embarrassing, but I tried to book you initially a few months ago, but your agent told me back then that you were fully booked.”
“This time of year is so hectic with bookings and cancellations so she was probably right.” I chuckle. “I’d be happy to. If you tell me when and where, I’m certain I can be there.”
“Excellent! I really just wanted to meet you face-to-face to make sure I wasn’t being tricked. You know how it can be.”
“I’d be honored if someone were trying to impersonate me.” I laugh softly. “How much is your budget?”
“Fifteen thousand.”
“For the whole event?”
“No.” His brows lift. “That’s just for you.”
It’s hard to remain professional in the wake of such an amount and I swallow down my shock as I reach for his hand again.
“That’s… amazing! I will most definitely be there!”
22
MAXIM
Pasta bubbles in a small pot on the stove, the oven warms peppers I spent twenty minutes carefully preparing, and the kitchen knife once again leaves a small groove against my palm as I carefully slice chicken breast into strips.
I haven’t cooked this much in years and suddenly, Hollie’s presence has me spending most of my free time in this kitchen, as limited as it already is. The other Russians are refusing to play ball on a weapons deal, my father is squeezing every last cent from the Italians, and the Irish are snapping at our heels, trying to weasel their way onto our club scene as if that’s not the very landscape I crafted myself.
