Page 97 of Bratva's Intern

Wren

Whatever. We’ll talk when you get home.

I tossed my phone facedown onto the desk and leaned back in my chair, heart hammering harder than it should’ve. If Maxim was so convinced I couldn’t do the work, why did he keep me around? For my body?

A few minutes later, the elevator dinged.

I didn’t look up until a takeout bag landed in front of me. Nik stood there, arms folded across his chest like the world’s most intimidating Uber Eats driver.

“What’s this?”

“Lunch,” he said. “From Maxim.”

My stomach flipped. “He… sent this?”

Nik gave a stiff nod. “I picked it up from the front desk for you.”

I stared at the bag, suspicion swirling. “Wait. So he’s not replying to me, but he’s sending me lunch?”

“Looks that way.”

“Throw it into the trash.”

“Can’t do that.” Nik didn’t budge. “He wanted to make sure you ate. Said you’ve been working through your breaks again.”

“Is he watching me?” I squinted to find whatever hidden camera might be spying on me.

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

I froze. “You’re joking.”

Nik said nothing, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth didn’t help.

“Great,” I muttered. “So heiswatching me. Like some creepy Santa Claus.”

I opened the bag and peered inside. Grilled salmon, steamed greens, brown rice, and some fancy probiotic yogurt drink. All fiber. Not even a single cookie.

My mouth twisted. “What the hell is this?”

“Fuel,” Nik replied. “Maxim ordered it specially.”

I looked up sharply. “You’re messing with me.”

His face didn’t so much as twitch. “No.”

I stared at the salmon, then at the yogurt, then back at Nik. Heat crawled up my neck.

“Oh my god,” I muttered, horrified. “This is a bottoming lunch.”

Nik said nothing. Which was worse than if he’d laughed.

“I hate him,” I said, cheeks flaming.

Nik raised a brow. “You say that a lot for someone who looks so happy when he texts you.”

I picked up a steamed broccoli floret and dramatically bit into it.

It tasted like betrayal. And affection. And fiber. The holy trinity of toxic relationships.

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