Page 41 of Forbidden Bratva Virgin

The profession.

Her line of work had strict prohibitions regulating their relationships with clients. Gettinginvolvedwith her beyond the restrictions of laid-down procedures exposed her to trouble.

That didn’t sound like something I would want to intentionally cause, but I also didn’t really care about the rules of ethics and professional boundaries.

I pulled out the first drawer on the desk, pulled out a stick of cigar to bring to my lips, and flicked a lighter.

“The penthouse uptown, the one I put up on sale a month ago. Any buyer yet?” I asked, exhaling smoke.

Damir lifted a brow at the sudden change of topic. “Yeah, the agent’s been considering the last three—”

“Tell him to forget about it. I’m not selling.”

“You’re not selling.”

“No. I might visit it on Monday.”

The confusion grew deeper, but he nodded. “Okay. Monday. Such an odd working day to suddenly visit the place you wanted to sell out a month ago. But, done. I’ll tell Danil to dismiss those interested and take the sale down. The place needs a little work, but it’s standing strong.”

“What kind of work?” I flicked the ash off the desk.

He shifted, side-eyeing me. “Nothing major. Dust. Some furniture covered up. Nothing a couple hours won’t fix.”

I caught the look. Damir wasn’t stupid.

“You want it ready for Monday early hours or Monday night?”

“Monday night.” I turned to him, smirking. “That a problem?”

He shook his head. “No problem.”

A pause. I held his stare long enough to make him blink first. Then, a slight grin. “You’re still going to go after her, aren’t you?”

“Let’s just say what I’m feeling toward the therapist is a budding curiosity that I want to explore.”

He laughed. “That’s what we’re calling attraction now?Curiosity?Boss, the sessions with her are working miracles. You’re growing a good sense of humor.”

“I’m one click away from pulling the trigger on that smart brain of yours, Damir. Just one click away.”

He held his hands up, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “I guess I’ll have to tell you what I found then.”

“You had intentions to withhold info from me?”

“It wouldn’t have been necessary if you decided againstexploring your curiosity.”

Damir fully busted out laughing, and the infectious sound grew a smile of my own.

Ignoring his cackle, I stretched out my hand. “Just give me the damn thing.”

Chapter 16 – Hazel

“Yes, Mom. Yes—oh, my God, I promise I’ll try the new recipe you sent over one week ago. Uh-huh….”

My fingers kept rifling through my bag, with my phone pressed between my ear and shoulder as I walked down the busy corridor to my office, but I was distracted, so I felt everything else but the damn keys. “Mom…. God, Mom, I really have to call you back. I’m at work—yes, Nathan’s fine….”

My fingers brushed against pens, a lip balm, and an old receipt—but no keys.

“No, he hasn’t popped the question. What—Mother!I’ll have you know we’re in love and all, but he has school and work to handle, and I really need to get into my office now, and I can’t find my keys. I need to find the keys, Mom.”

---