Miron
That was too close. I’m supposed to protect Sofia, and instead, we ended up in a car chase.
By now, Yov will have heard the news. They’ll know we’re together, and where we were last seen. This route only has one obvious destination-New York. Andrei Petrov doesn’t know it yet, but I’m bringing a war into his territory.
We were friends at one time, in Russia. We’ve maintained a certain sense of fraternity in passing, but I can’t rely on it. If he turns me away, we’ll be exposed. Luka will find both of us, and the punishment is not worth thinking about.
I glance at Sofia, who is staring out of the window quietly. She hasn’t said a word since I stole this car at gunpoint from an unsuspecting couple, but she doesn’t realize the danger of lingering there. She may have been brought up in the world of the bratva, but she’s never really seen the brutality and immorality of it first hand. Not to mention, she also shot a guy today. “Are you okay?” I ask.
Her stunning blue eyes meet mine. “I don’t know…” I clear my throat. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t believe the danger we’re both in. How are we going to make it?” Her eyes are dazzling with fear-a fear I want to take away. I never want her to be scared again.
“Don’t worry, Sofia. We’ll make it to New York before they can get us, I promise.” I want to grab her hand in reassurance, but after crossing the line with her last night, I’m more conflicted than ever.
She’s a fucking virgin. Why would she want me to take her virginity? Her words keep repeating over and over in my head. I’ve been saving myself for you.
She couldn’t have said anything more fucking tempting. It took every fiber of my willpower to resist fucking her there in that damn room if I hadn’t been so damn exhausted, I might have.
“New York?” she asks.
I clench my jaw, “Yeah, I have no other choice. Andrei Petrov is our only hope.”
She gasps. “The pakhan of the New York Brotherhood?” “Yes, I hope he will help.”
The concern in her eyes is impossible not to notice. “That’s not a good idea. Andrei won’t like an opposing brotherhood member approaching him, especially not with his enemy’s daughter.”
She is not wrong. It’s dangerous to approach another brotherhood’s pakhan. It’s the last resort, but it’s the only option available to us. We are trapped between limbo, and Andrei holds the key to our safety. He will have our wellbeing in the palm of his hands.
“I’ve known Andrei since I lived in Russia,” I say, shrugging. “I’m sure he will help us. He has to.”
Sofia doesn’t look convinced by my insistence that Andrei will help us
-she’s right to doubt it. I’m not even convinced myself. I focus on the road as silence falls between us.
I know there’s going to be a moment when I need to bite the bullet. Andrei’s number is sitting on my burner phone, waiting for me to dial it. I couldn’t bring my cell phone, knowing Luka could track me.
The question is, am I brave enough to make the call? All our hopes could be shattered in the space of a minute.
I’VE BEEN DRIVING for over eight hours since I lost Luka’s men-my ex- brothers. I’m exhausted and hungry, which makes it difficult to keep driving. We’ll need to stop soon, even if it’s only for a short stop.
Sofia is fast asleep. She looks so peaceful. There’s got to be a diner somewhere along this road. A flashing signs up ahead catches my attention.
Thankfully, it is a diner. There are a few cars parked in the parking lot.
Sofia wakes as I park, turning off the engine. “Where are we?” she asks, glancing around.
“A diner. We need to stop for some food.” Sofia’s eyes narrow. “Is that a good idea?” I shrug. “I need a rest.”
“I told you I could drive,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why don’t you let me?”
I give her a stern look. “Would you have been able to drive away during that car chase?”
The confidence in her eyes fades, and she swallows. “No, I doubt it.”
I nod. “There’s your answer. Come on, let’s get some food.” I don’t wait for her to get out of the car, walking toward the entrance.
Every moment I spend with the woman I’ve secretly longed for the past two years, makes resisting her more and more difficult. She’s my soul mate
-the woman I’m destined to be with.
It’s cruel that fate would throw me into her orbit, forcing me to betray my brotherhood-forcing me to betray my best friend. Life is never easy or simple. It’s something I’ve learned from experience.
A roar of a bike engine passing on the main road makes my stomach twist with apprehension.
Sofia hastens her footsteps behind me. “Wait up,” she calls.
I stop, waiting for her to catch me up. Her hand lands tentatively on my back. “What’s the rush?”
I shrug, wishing she’d keep her hands to herself. Anytime I’m with her, I’m ready to explode. “We need to eat and go, no lingering.”
The last thing I want is to be caught here. We need to be vigilant. A few guys eye us as we step into the run-down place. The scent of fried food is intense and a little nauseating.
Sofia’s nose wrinkles as she stands by my side, and it’s adorable. A young waitress comes over to us. “How can I help you?”
“Table for two,” I grunt, noticing there are loads of tables. It’s not like we need to be seated.
“Follow me,” she says, leading us over to a booth by the window.
I sit down on one side, and Sofia sits down across from me. I clench my jaw, wishing she’d sat next to me. It’s irrational.
I know I need to keep my hands to myself, especially after what I did to her last night. We’re in danger. This is no time for exploring the possibilities of us.
Yet, I want to. I need to. If we were to die during this, I couldn’t allow her never to experience the ecstasy sex can bring. Especially with someone who cares for you deeply.
I force my gaze away from her stunning face, knowing I’ve been staring too long. The deep blush in her cheeks signals the effect I have on her. It’s almost impossible to focus on the menu with her opposite me.
“What are you going to get?” Sofia asks, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen between us.
The tension between us since last night has been beyond anything I’ve felt between us before. A question unspoken lies between us. What does it mean for us?
I shrug. “The pancakes. I can’t stomach fried food with this stench.” She nods. “Me too.”
I can’t help but smile. It’s crazy how much we have in common – Sofia’s just like me, other than being pure and innocent. I’m rotten-a disease that should never go near such a stunning and caring woman. I’ll corrupt her.
She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, making my cock twitch in my boxer briefs.
Fuck.
The girl knows how to make me crazy. I want her more than ever, and it’s even more important now to refrain. The line was crossed between us last night, but I didn’t fuck her.
“Miron?” she asks, apprehension in her voice.
I know what she’s going to say. My heart pounds in my ears, and sickness twists at my gut. “What is it, Sofia?” I ask.
“We haven’t spoken about last night…” The blush deepens in her cheeks.
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to speak of.”
A flash of hurt courses through her bright blue eyes. “There’s not?”
“No, we’re two adults, and we got a bit carried away, that is all,” I say, cursing the lies tumbling from my lips.
“Oh,” she says, glancing down at the menu.
I notice a stray tear fall from her eyes onto the menu, and guilt coils through me.
She wants me to tell her the truth. The truth that I’ve been in love with her ever since she returned to America two years ago. I can’t understand what is holding me back, as I try to convince myself it’s the situation we’re in.
Emotions confuse everything. If we were to give into them now, it could make both of us more vulnerable. She has to see me as the safety net-a protector. I can’t be a lover to her right now, not until we’re safe.
She stands suddenly without saying a word, and dashes toward the back of the diner.
Shit.
The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her. I sigh heavily as the waitress approaches. She bats her eyelashes at me. “Have you decided what to order?”
I nod. “Yeah, we’ll get two pancakes, and a jug of coffee.”
She writes down the order, lingering a moment, as if she’s expecting me to speak.
“That’s all,” I say, dismissing her.
Her smile fades, and she turns away, walking back to the kitchen. As minutes pass by, and Sofia doesn’t return, I find myself getting restless. The pancakes arrive, and there’s still no sign of her.
I stand and make my way back toward the bathroom. After one glance around, I let myself into the ladies. The light sobbing cuts me to the core. I’ve done the one thing I promised I’d never do-hurt her.
“Sofia,” I say, calling her name.
The sobbing stops, and she clears her throat. “I’ll be out in a moment,” she calls, trying to mask the pain.
“I’m sorry,” I say, walking toward the cubicle she’s locked herself in. “Please, open the door.” I rest my hand against the door.
“No, please. Allow me a moment, and I’ll return to the diner.”
“Sofia,” I growl her name, finding my patience slipping. “Open the door.”
A whimper sounds from the other side, and I hear the bolt unlocking.
Sofia opens the door, and her eyes are puffy and red.
“I’m sorry,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her into my chest. “It was more than getting carried away.” I rest a hand on the top of her head.
“I’ve wanted you ever since you returned from Europe.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, squeezing tightly. “I don’t understand,” she stammers.
“You are everything to me. You are mine, Sofia.” I shake my head, wishing this wasn’t all coming out in the bathroom of a fucking diner. “Always have been and always will be.”
She pulls back from me and wipes the tears from her cheeks. The doubt in her eyes makes my chest ache. I’m not sure she believes me, and who can blame her? I’ve been hot and cold. One minute I’m the first man to lick her to climax, and the next I’m telling her it was nothing.
She wipes her face again, shying away from my gaze. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
I smile at her. “You look as beautiful as ever.” She laughs. “That’s a lie.”
The smiles fades from my lips, and I shake my head. “No, it’s not.” I grab her hand and pull her close, kissing her tenderly. Every fucked up feeling I have for her pours into the kiss.
I know it’s wrong. I’m old enough to be her father. I’ve known her since she was a little girl. Not to mention, I’m sick and twisted. My tastes are too rough and dirty for an innocent virgin, but she’s everything to me.
When I finally break away from her, she’s smiling.
“Come on,” I say, dragging her toward the door of the bathroom. “Our pancakes will get cold.”
We enter the diner, and the waitress gives us an odd look, as we take out seats. I keep my hand entwined with Sofia’s on top of the table. Hurting her was a mistake, and I won’t make it again.
We sit in comfortable silence and eat our pancakes. I’m still in two minds. My burner phone is sitting in my jacket pocket, and I need to ring Andrei. The closer we get to his territory, the more dangerous it is. If we are found in New York brotherhood territory, without invitation, we’ll be killed on sight.
“Are you all right for a moment while I make a call?” I ask as Sofia cuts into her last pancake. She’s a slow eater.
She nods. “Of course.”
I leave her in the booth and step outside the door, keeping my eyes on her. A few guys in the diner have given her looks I didn’t like. If either of them were stupid enough to approach her, they’d regret it.
I pull out the cell phone and select Andrei’s number. The ring of the dial tone makes my heart pound harder and faster. This is the moment of truth.
“Andrei Petrov,” he says on the other end. “Who the fuck is this?” “Andrei, it’s Miron Alenkov. I need your help.”
There’s a long pause on the other end of the line. “Miron, it’s been a while…Luka gave me a message to give to you.”
The blood drains from my face. Luka doesn’t like Andrei and vice versa.
When the hell did they see each other?
“He told me to tell you he’s out for blood.” Another long pause sounds on the end of the line. “What did you do?”
I sigh heavily. “It’s a long story.”
He clears his throat. “Shorten it then.”
I run a hand through my hair, keeping my eyes on the angel sitting in the booth in the diner. “The bastard wanted to sell Sofia to Dima Veselov. I snatched her, and now I’ve got nowhere to go.”
“Hmm.” Andrei says nothing more.
“I need your help, Andrei. I know we were friends in the past-”
“Past is the important word. You have served my enemy for years, why should I help you?”
“I’ve got information. I can help you bring Luka down.” I bite my bottom lip. “For too long, I’ve stood by his side as he became more out of touch. The only pakhan worth serving in North America anymore is you.”
“How kindly do you think my brothers would take to allowing a traitor into our ranks?” he asks.
“I couldn’t let him sell her off to Dima. It was the last straw. Sofia Romanov has and always will be mine,” I say.
Andrei laughs drily. “It seems there’s something in the fucking air at the moment.” Again another long pause ensues. “Come to my place in New York. I’ll hear you out, but I won’t make any promises.”
“Thank you,” I say, feeling relief course through my chest. It’s something. If we are granted access to his territory, then it buys us time.
“How far are you?”
“It’s going to take at least thirty-six hours for us to reach New York,” I reply, wondering whether to mention that Luka’s men have been on our tail. “We’ve been followed by Los Angeles brotherhood men, but I managed to lose them about eight hours ago.”
“Fine. I’ll text you the address. Once here, tell my men at the door you’re here to see me.” He cancels the call without another word.
My eyes fix on Sofia, who has just set her knife and fork down. She searches for me, and when our eyes meet through the window, they light up.
It’s enough to make me crazy. Sofia looks at me as though I’m the best thing to ever happen to her. She has no idea how wrong she is.
I step back inside and walk toward her. “Are you finished?” She nods and taps her tummy. “Stuffed.”
I throw down thirty bucks on the table and hold my hand out to her. “Let’s get going. We’ve got an invitation to Andrei Petrov’s home.”
Her eyes widen, and she takes my hand. “Really?”
I nod my head, hearing my phone buzz. Andrei’s address is in a text with nothing else. I’m not sure if I’m walking Sofia into a trap or not, but Andrei is nothing if not trustworthy. Unlike most the pakhans I know, he doesn’t trick people. At least, I have to hope he doesn’t.