Page 63 of Never Distract a Biker

“Viktor,” I say, meeting his intense gaze, “I need this. I’ve already given up so much. I need a piece of my life back. A piece of normalcy.”

After a long silence, Viktor finally nods, albeit reluctantly. “Fine. But my men will follow you. No arguments.”

“Can they follow me from afar? I plead. “I’m not used to walking around with guards.”

“Fine.” He concedes reluctantly, and I squeal in delight.

As I leave Viktor’s office, I plant a quick kiss on his cheek, earning a rare smile from him. His concern lingers in his eyes as he watches me go, but I know he understands.

Arriving at my house, I’m struck by how normal everything looks. Viktor’s men have been meticulous in cleaning up the chaos left behind during my abduction. I quickly pick up some of my belongings, my thoughts racing. Just as I leave the house, Marina calls to inform me she is already at the restaurant.

Cucina di Rosa is a time capsule of our carefree past, its walls adorned with pictures of Italy and strings of garlic. We slide into our usual booth, and I feel the weight of my secret like a pebble in my shoe. Marina's eyes, sharp as ever, study me over the rim of her wine glass.

“Common Bunny, spill the beans already.”

I take a fortifying sip of water, set down the glass, and meet her stare. “I’m pregnant ... and in love with a Russian Mafia boss.” There, I’ve said it all in one breath.

Her jaw drops, and I brace myself for the torrent of questions. She blinks once, twice. " Pregnant? For who now?"

He's ..." Words catch in my throat as I grapple with the reality of my story and how much I want to divulge about Viktor. "His name is Viktor, and he is a leader in the Russian Mafia."

Marina scrambled backward in her seat, her hand flying to her mouth. “Where and how did you get yourself entangled with the Russian Mob, Scar?” She asks with a mix of fear and shock.

“You have your share of the blame.” I eyeball Marina jokingly. “Because I met him at the club, and you took me there.”

“To dance and earn money for your mom,” she whispers agitatedly. “Not get yourself entangled with danger.”

“I’ll be fine.” I smile.

“Love does truly make people blind. And stupid. And deaf too, because I’m sure nothing I say will bring you back to your senses.”

“No. Nothing. I’m a lost cause.”

Silence crashes down around us like a breaking wave. Marina's expression is full of worry as she eyes me.

"Are you ... Are you okay with this?" Her question cuts through the tension.

"More than okay. I've fallen for him, Marina. Hard." There, I’ve admitted it. It hangs between us, a truth too big to take back.

"Scarlett, this is—" She stops, shakes her head, and reaches across the table, her hand finding mine. "This is huge."

"I know," I whisper, feeling the edges of my new world sharpen into focus. "But it's where I'm supposed to be."

Her grip tightens, a lifeline thrown across the chasm of my decisions. "Then I'm here for you. No matter what."

"Thank you," I squeeze her hand back, gratitude flooding my chest.

“So, when do I get an invite to this Mafia mansion? Marina asks coyly. “I’ll need one of those handsome oak tree Russian men.”

“You have more than your fair share of men.”

“The more the merrier.”

We both burst out laughing and I shake my head. Knowing that Marina will never change. But I wouldn’t want her any other way.

29

Viktor

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