Page 58 of Between Us

Alek passed the last crate to another man and jumped down from the cargo bed. His lips stretched into a lopsided grin as he spotted Roman. “Don't you look fucking dandy.” He rubbed sweaty hands over his pants, leaving behind the imprint of his manual work. “And here I thought you came to help. Too bad we're all done.”

Roman didn't acknowledge his brother's teasing. Reaching for his wallet, he tipped the driver and made his way inside the club. Alek followed.

Passing the men still dealing with the newly arrived alcohol supply, he made his way across the darkened corridor with Alek on his heels. Before he could reach the office, a door to his left opened and a leggy blonde stepped out, blocking his way.

“Oh good, you're here,” Laney said, shoving a clipboard at him. “I need your signature on these.”

“What's this?” he asked, eyes already lowered to the papers in front of him.

“Expenses for the party this Friday. As you can see, everything is within budget.”

“A fucking miracle,” Roman muttered, stealing the pen she’d used to wrap a few stands of blond hair on top of her head. Signing the papers, he pushed the clipboard and the pen back into her hands.

Laney gave him a sweet smile he didn't buy. At five foot nine and wearing high heels, the clubs' event planner was almost at eye level with him. She was beautiful in an urban way that said she took religiouscare of her body, though she could swear worse than a sailor when angry or irritated. However, what Roman appreciated the most was neither her looks or smart mouth but her professionalism and ability to do her job so well. Even when his Vory brothers—Alek included—pestered her with unsolicited advances, she always managed to keep that professional line intact.

“Anything else?”

“Nope, boss. That's all.”

“So, Laney.” Alek stepped up from behind his brother as if on cue. “How about that date?”

She shot him an unamused look. “In your dreams, baby Leskov.”

He ran a hand over his mouth to hide a smile. “You're hurting my feelings, you know. What will it take to finally get you to go out with me?”

“Please go find someone your own age to annoy.”

Roman didn't linger to hear more of their banter. Stepping into the office, he sat behind the curved glass desk. He powered up the computer and inserted the password to log in.

He was in the middle of reading an email from Leonid when Alek walked into the office and closed the door behind him. Wordlessly, he sat in a chair across the desk, blue eyes focused on his phone.

“You done harassing my event planner?”

His brother didn't look up, but a smirk tugged at his lips. “You see,brat, persistence is key. One day she'll agree to that date.”

“She made it clear you're too young for her. She'll never look at you.”

Alek was undeterred. “Just give it time.”

Roman gave him a dry look. “You've been chasingafter her for two years. What makes you think she'll change her mind?”

He shrugged and finally tucked his phone into his pocket, not offering more. “How's Alessa?”

“We went to buy her first car today.”

“Yeah? What did she pick?”

“An RS5. It's nice.” Roman's phone vibrated on the desk, but he ignored it after throwing a quick glance its way. “Speaking of the car, I'm going to need you to talk to Slava. I want it bulletproofed.”

“You expecting trouble?”

“I’ve got a feeling this shit situation with the Armenians is going to get nasty. I don't want to risk anything.”

Alek was thoughtful for a moment. “Never thought I'd see the day you cared so much about a woman—an Italian one, no less.”

“She's my wife, no?”

“You know what I mean. I'm glad you two sorted shit out.”

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