Page 50 of Cookie: Part One
“Of course, vee are vhen it comes to you. Vee vant to protect you.” She grins and Alik nods.
“Sure sure.” I wave them off. “Anyway, why are we going to the race track when there’s so much to do here?” I grumble because I genuinely enjoy exploring this house.
“You have to get out of zhis house, Connie! Vee are going to zeracetrack because I vant to vaste an irresponsible amount of money.”
“If you want to waste money, give it to me,” I murmur, already feeling the energy drain from the room just from the mention of Misha. That man is insatiable… just like Nadya and Dimitri.
“I have tried… you never accept.”
“True. I’m a dummy,” I chuckle, squeezing their hands.
“Not dumb, just honest.” Alik winks and I flop back, groaning.
“Bruh… I need a few hours to myself before my schedule fills up again. This vacation has been sonotstress free…”
“Sorry Connie, but zhings have been so busy since somezhing unexpected happened wit anozher family, so vee have all been busy.”
“No, no, it’s not you guys, it’s me… I screwed up getting involved with something I knew would take up my time…”That damn triad!“Anyway, I guess I’ll go out with you for now, but after this, let me rest!” I mutter, but as soon as I say that Alik’s phone immediately starts buzzing.
“Is zhat your priority line?” Pyper questions and looks back at him.
“Da, it’s Pakhan…” He quickly picks up as I slide form the bed and pad over to the bathroom to do my morning hygiene routine, but I can hear him from the bathroom.
“I understand,” Alik speaks into the phone, his voice losing its playful edge. “Nyet, I feel fine. Yes, a little headache. But I already had a visit to Dr. Vasilev. But Pakhan vee... Da. Da. By your vill.” I hear him stop talking and peek my head over to see him sulking.
“Is everything okay?” I ask and he glances up at me, looking miserable, and my heart aches.
“Apparently, somezhing shoved up on my scan… so I zhink I’m going to have to skip ze racetrack,” he mutters and I frown, worried. I really don’t know what it is Alik suffers from and they have never made any attempt to and tell me, even though I have asked several times. Whenever I do, they just change the subject.
Which is odd, coming from people who share everything with me. I want to ask again, but I don’t want to feel like I’m prying. Still.. if it involves Alik… I can’t explain it, but I feel like I have a right to know. However, it’s as if that rope that I’ve been trying to hold onto… thatthingthat says I’m supposed to be close with Alik slips even further from my tight grasp… and I blink, the question fleeing from my head.
“Aww man, I was looking forward to going out with you,” I tell him truthfully, but Alik snorts.
“No you veren’t. You just vanted to lay in bed and laze around,” he shoots my way and I shrug.
“Fair, but I figure that if was going to go out, I’d at the very least want it to be with my friends.” I walk over to him, poking his cheek, and he raises brow.
Pyper claps her hand on Alik’s shoulder.
“Fine, it means more alone time vit Connie!” Pyper grins happily and Alik narrows his eyes at his sister.
“Are you rubbing zhis in my face?!”
“Hmm… leetle bit.” She dances and Alik growls
“You vatch! I’ll have my alone time vit Connie too!” Alik points the middle finger at her then gets up and kisses my cheek. “You have fun out of ze house, Connie,” he whispers. “I have to go see Pakhan. You both stay out of trouble.” He walks off, and I wave him off, shutting the door behind him.
“Finally!” Pyper fist pumps. “Some alone time!” she exclaims and I go over to the closet grabbing an outfit but she shakes her head. “No no, zhis causes for somezhing more expensive. Let’s get dressed and spend some moneyyyyyyy!”
“All right I’m going I’m going,” I tell her, changing quickly and following her, letting her get me together then getting myass into a car and over to a fancy ass mansion that’s built overlooking a whole ass race track!
“Man…. how rich are you guys?” I ask her walking up the stairs as the guards stationed at the doors open them, bowing, and I’m immediately blown away.
It looks as if we’ve stepped into a black tie event. Shit, the air even smells rich. I’m so glad I let Pyper dress me in the outfit courtesy of Pyper’s excellent taste and the Bershov credit card. It’s a custom-made, palelemon-yellow linen skirtsuit, tailored so precisely it moves like a second skin. The wide-brimmedstraw hatisn’t some flimsy department store accessory. It’s sculpted, held perfectly by a black grosgrain ribbon that matches fine leather gloves that I don’t need but wear anyway.
My small shoulder bag isvintage Chanel, the chain heavy and cool against my skin. There are no loud logos, no obvious flexing, just the whisper of quality and the silent assurance that every single stitch, from the jacket’s peak lapel to the hem of the pencil skirt, cost more than I used to make in a month. This isn’t just an outfit, it’s a financial statement that quietly screamsmoney.
Bitch, I look like MONEY! When we enter I scan the room, just peeping the scene, and my breath hitches.He’s here.Misha.He’s standing on a covered terrace overlooking the track, wearing dark sunglasses and a suit so perfectly tailored it looks liquid, and of course… his fiancé is standing next to him.
