Page 70 of Forcibly Sold to the Bratva
I slide my credit card across the table before either of the girls can reach for the check. Tatiana groans dramatically while Katya makes a futile grab for it, but I’m quicker.
“Too late,” I say with a triumphant smile. “My treat tonight.”
The waiter whisks the card away before either sister can protest further, and I truly feel happy to get the bill.
These nights out with Ilariy’s sisters have become precious to me, and I want to somehow show them that. Words can’t do justice. The truth is, I never had sisters of my own, and now that I’ve tasted this bond, I want to put in an effort to keep it strong.
“But you paid last time too,” Katya pouts, folding her arms across her chest.”
“Seriously. Are you trying to buy our love?” Tatiana teases.
I laugh and finish the last of my wine. “As if I need to. You both adore me already.”
“Cocky,” Tatiana says with a smirk. “Ilariy’s rubbing off on you.”
The mention of his name sends a flutter through my stomach, and it must show on my face because Tatiana groans.
“Seriously. Aren’t you two sick of each other?” Katya chimes in. “He texted me four times tonight asking when we’re bringing you home.”
“He’s pathetic,” Tatiana rolls her eyes. “You’d think you’ve been gone for months instead of hours.”
“He worries,” I say softly, unable to keep the affection from my voice.
The waiter returns with my card and receipt. I sign quickly, add a generous tip, and we gather our things to leave.
“Let’s take the back exit,” Tatiana suggests. “It’s quicker to where the car is parked.”
Our two stern-faced bodyguards, who now follow us at all times when we are out, also stand at the next table. We walk toward the service exit, but before we can leave, one of the guards peeks out to check the back alley, giving us the all clear to move.
I find this whole bodyguard business a bit excessive. But I know how tense Ilariy has been since the attack at the warehouse, so I let him have it his way.
We walk down the alley with full stomachs and hearts.
“That pasta was divine,” Katya sighs contentedly. “We should come back next week.”
“You say that about every restaurant,” Tatiana teases.
“Because we only go to truly great ones,” Katya retorts, linking her arm through mine.
I’m about to tell her that’s not entirely true. Three weeks ago, we went to that horrible pizza place, but just then, I notice the bodyguard ahead stop suddenly. His hand reaches for his gun, and I feel a prickle go down my spine.
“What is it?” Tatiana whispers. She notices, too.
The guard holds up a hand for us to be silence. My heart begins to race as he takes a cautious step forward.
Just then, I hear a gunshot, and the guard crumples to the ground.
“Get back!” The second guard shouts from behind as he makes to get ahead of us and motions us to run back to the restaurant door, but it’s too late.
More shots run out. The guard fires back.
Katya, in panic, grabs my arm, and together, the three of us run to move behind a dumpster, somewhere we can’t be seen.
The second guard is still firing, and it’s so dark that we can’t see who is shooting. In fact, we can’t see anything at all, but then, the guard staggers back and hits the ground.
“Oh my god,” Katya whimpers beside me. “Oh my god. He’s dead.”
We hear footsteps, and we all crouch behind the dumpster in fear, holding our breaths, hoping they don’t see us—whoever they are. I quietly dig into my purse to find my phone, but before I can reach it, I hear Tikhon.
