Page 54 of The Bratva's Auctioned Bride
“Balding old man with yellow, stained teeth. Ugh. He was so gross. We have to make sure we shut this place down, Dio,” she says, looking me straight in the eyes. Unnerving and fierce.
I grin. She’s fierce, alright. “We will,” I reassure her.
Angelika looks around the restaurant. “This isn’t the type of place I would picture you in,” she says, teasing me, although I’m not sure how exactly.
“Why? This place is great? Why doesn’t it seem like a place I’d like?”
“It’s quiet, normal, probably way too boring for the likes of you,” she grins.
I scoff, shaking my head. “Wait till you see the dungeons,” I say, raising my brows.
“Ha. Ha,” she says, sarcastically, not falling for it for a second.
“I found this place by accident, actually. After a late night of drinking, I needed some food, and Dimi keeps it open twenty-four hours. But then once I tasted his stir fry… well, there was no turning back after that.”
“A loyal customer?” she asks.
“To the end.”
As if on cue, Dimitri arrives with our food, placing it down ceremoniously.
“Born up a tree,” he declares, winking at Angel. She giggles, her eyes glittering in the soft candlelight. “Thanks, Dimitri. I can’t wait to try it.”
Dimitri doesn’t leave. He stares expectantly at Angel, her brows raised, his face flooded with excited expectation.
Her cheeks flush a soft shade of pink as she quietly declares, “Oh, you’re going to watch…” and picks up her fork shyly.
Dimitri’s eyes don’t leave her as she twirls the fork into the noodles and takes a tentative bite. Angel closes her eyes and lets out a soft mmm.
It’s all Dimitri was waiting for. “Yes!” he shouts triumphantly. “Another customer hooked on the famous Dimitri stir fry. And with that, he leaves us in peace, and Angel starts laughing so much she almost chokes on her food.
“What a character,” she says, once it’s swallowed down. “And that seriously is incredible!” she gestures over the bowl.
“Told you.”
We eat, chatting about the auction. I get the feeling that she’s talking more about her trauma than tonight’s experience, but from what she’s saying, tonight really helped her.
Then the subject drifts to other things, and it’s almost as if we’re back in Barbados, without a care in the world, relaxed and happy.
But when I glance at the watch and see it’s almost one, I reluctantly say, “I think we should start heading home.” The words tease me, as though she and I are heading to the same home, as we’ve done in the past.
It’s crazy how much I miss having her around. It’s frustrating and difficult to deal with.
“Yes, we’d better. If Jaroslav finds out I’m not there…” She rolls her eyes.
“It’s his job to keep you safe.” I smile, wrapping my arm around her as we walk back to the car.
On the drive back to her home, we’re both quiet, but it’s a peaceful, melancholy vibe.
For me, I’m miserable to say goodbye again, but in my mind, I keep reminding myself that this can’t ever happen. It can’t ever be, so there’s no point in dwelling on it. But my emotions are getting in the way of that logic. I want her.
She’s mine.
She’s always been mine.
This little Angel was made for me.
Chapter 16 - Angelika
