Page 63 of Bratva's Intern

“No. I didn’t grow up with a dad, and my mom… She tried, but we never had enough.”

“Exactly. Now no more talk of this nonsense. I’m not ashamed of you.”

His eyes turned wide, hopeful. “Really?”

“Yes. But, Wren?—”

“Hmm?”

“You ever walk away from me again, and I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” His eyes locked with mine. The air between us crackled with something unspoken. Neither of us moved. His skin burned beneath my fingers. I rubbed my thumb across his pulse point, beating frantically on his wrist.

“Mr. Morozov, we should move inside so we’re not out in the open,” Nik said, breaking the spell.

I glared at him, but he was too well trained by Sergei to back down. A reason I trusted those three men more than any of my bodyguards was their refusal to cower when I bit. They held their stance for my safety.

I dropped Wren’s hand, stepping back. “Yes, we should get inside.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

WREN

The restaurant was the kind of place I’d only seen in movies, the kind where they served tiny portions on massive plates, and the air smelled more of money than actual food. I’d been so caught up in making sure I looked good that I hadn’t even thought about where we’d be eating. Now, sitting across from Maxim in a dimly lit, impossibly elegant dining room, I felt like I’d wandered onto the wrong set.

I peeked over my menu at the other guests, my breath catching in my throat. I knew that face. Hell, I knewthatface too. Actors. I was dining a few feet away from real-live actors I only thought I’d ever see on TV.

My stomach flipped, and I ducked behind the menu, then sneaked another glance. “Oh, my god, Maxim. Is that who I think it is?” I whispered. “Wait until I tell Jess. She’ll flip.”

Maxim barely reacted. He simply sipped his drink and gave me a measured look. “They’re no different from you.”

I let out a short, incredulous laugh. No way was Ibelieving that. “Uh, yeah, they are. They have millions, and I’m afraid to check my bank balance in case the zero drops to a negative figure.”

Maxim set his glass down, tilting his head slightly. Of course he wouldn’t understand. He was one ofthem. “The only difference between you is that they claim their space. That’s all you need to do.”

Claim my space. Right. Like that was so easy. “What if I don’t feel like it’s my space?” I couldn’t imagine a world where I fit into these surroundings.

It all felt so alien, like we were on separate planets and somehow I’d stumbled through a wormhole.

“You fake it until it becomes yours,” he said simply. “People respect confidence. They don’t need to know whether it’s real or not.” His gaze was steady, unwavering. “Like I said, you have my backing. What more do you need than that?”

I swallowed hard. Something about the way he said it, the certainty in his voice, made me want to believe him.

Was Jess having as good a time as I? Probably not. Did bodyguards make a lot of money? Jess only dated men who were loaded. Darius had no idea what he was getting into. Hopefully, she would genuinely give him a chance. He was so into her, and from talking to him, he was nice. Jess needed a nice guy. More than she needed Louboutin heels.

I glanced at Maxim’s other bodyguard standing a few tables away, arms crossed, surveying the room. “Why isn’t Nik sitting with us? Should we order for him too?”

Maxim barely flicked a glance in his direction. “No. Don’t interfere while he’s working.”

I furrowed my brow. “Not even to offer him food?”

“He can eat when he’s off the clock.”

Seemed harsh, even a little cruel. “I don’t agree. Weshould invite him to sit with us.” I waved to grab Nik’s attention.

“Wren, what are you doing?” Maxim asked.

“Inviting your bodyguard to sit with us. We can ask the waiter to bring us another chair. The table’s big enough.” I cupped a hand over my mouth and called out in a stage whisper, “Nik! Nik, over here.”

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