Page 11 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

I ignore how damn cute she looks and ask, “Why should I trust you? You aren’t what I would call helpful, but now all of a sudden you want to make this easier for me?”

She shrugs her slender shoulders and hooks her feet around the bottom rung of the stool because she’s so damn short that her feet can’t reach the ground.

“He’s my friend, and I don’t want him to get hurt. If you try and get him and some of your men get hurt, I’m guessing you’ll see that asforcing your hand.”

She says the last bit in a horrible imitation of my Russian accent, and when Artyom barks out a laugh, I shoot him a look that has him clamping that big mouth of his shut.

“I’ll think about it,” I say, turning from her to take out the lasagna and garlic bread. The scent of Valentina’s cooking fills the air, making me realize that I haven’t eaten since my late lunch. Yuri grabs some plates, and when I scoop out a healthy amount and pass it to Charlie, she gives me a surprised look before taking the plate.

“You thought I would starve you or make you eat scraps while we feasted in front of you?”

“No,” she says, picking up her fork and using it to cut off a massive bite. “I just didn’t think you’d serve me.”

“I like her,” Artyom says in Russian. “She has big, lady balls.”

Yuri laughs and smacks him on the back. I toss the spatula in the dish and push it towards them. They can fix their own goddamn plates. I tear off a hunk of garlic bread and give her half, ignoring the looks from my men. I can’t have her starving to death, now can I?

I remain standing while I eat, barely tasting Valentina’s amazing cooking because I’m too focused on watching Charlie scarf down her meal like she hasn’t eaten in days. She’s either the world’s worst thief, which I can’t imagine is true based on how she managed to get into my place, or she’s hiding her money very, very carefully. She lives in a shitty apartment and acts like she can’t even afford to buy herself a decent meal. I shouldn’t be as intrigued with her as I am, but I can’t help it.

While she finishes her plate, Artyom and Yuri grab seconds. I’m working on my last bite when I hear the door open. Charlie’s body stills beside me, and as soon as Valentina walks in with Lyudmila, my housekeeper, I see her mouth drop open and I know what’s coming. She tries to jump up, but I clamp my hand down hard on her thigh, gripping her hard enough to keep her ass firmly rooted to the stool. When she tries to wiggle away, I feel my cock start to harden in response.

She turns her face up to glare at me, and I notice that her light brown eyes actually have flecks of green in them, more hazel than brown. They’re quite stunning. When I give her a smirk, she lets out a frustrated groan before turning her eyes to the two women who are now smiling and talking quietly in Russian to Artyom and Yuri. Charlie may not understand what they’re saying, but it’s obvious the two older women care a great deal about the men.

“They don’t speak English,” I tell Charlie, keeping my fingers digging into her thigh. “And they’re loyal to me, sweetheart.”

“Help,” Charlie yells, ignoring my warning. “He won’t let me leave,” she adds, pointing at me like I’m the devil himself. Maybe I am. Maybe she’s not entirely wrong about that.

Lyudmila takes one look at Charlie before turning and muttering something in Russian about crazy American girls as she walks into the living room to get started on the house. Valentina gives Charlie a sweet smile and then walks over to me. She pats me on the arm and then reaches up to cup my face in her wrinkled hand, resting her palm against my cheek.

“She’s a good match for you.” There’s a twinkle in her blue eyes when she adds, “She’s feisty and will always keep you on your toes.”

Charlie lets out an angry growl and yells, “Are you fucking kidding me?”

I pat Valentina’s hand before she drops it and smiles down at our empty plates. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“It was delicious,” Artyom says, rubbing his flat stomach.

“Perfect,” Yuri agrees, giving her a wink that makes Valentina laugh and blush a little.

“Un-fucking-believable,” Charlie mumbles.

“Now you’re just being rude,” I tell her. “Valentina made that meal you just inhaled.”

“Why the fuck is she turning a blind eye to this?” she argues, slamming her plate down like an angry toddler and ignoring what I just said.

The whole room freezes. Even Charlie widens her eyes and darts them to my men and Valentina like they might help her, but I know they won’t, and the fear in her eyes when she brings them back to mine tells me she knows that as well. Without a word, I grab her by the waist and sling her over my shoulder.

She screams, but we all ignore her. I tell Artyom and Yuri to gather a team and call me when they’re close to Jinx’s place and that we’ll meet them there.

“Don’t be too hard on her, boss,” Artyom says with a laugh.

“The little shit deserves it,” I mutter, hauling her ass through the kitchen and back up the stairs. She kicks and squirms and pounds on my back until I finally lose all patience and smack her wiggling ass hard enough to make my hand sting.

She freezes, but I can hear her rapid breathing, and I know she’s pissed. I smile and continue back up the stairs.

“Did you just fucking spank me?”

“I did, and don’t fucking think I won’t do it again. You’re acting like a brat, Charlie.”

---