Page 224 of Bratva Jewels Box Set
“That was Dmitri’s uncle,” he whispers.
“I know.”
He looks at me strangely.
“Damon turned my translator on.”
“I just lied to his face, Grace. If he’d found out you’re a jewel, you would have been taken right then and there. He is the Pakhan, one of the big bosses—you don’t say no to him and live to talk about it.” Maxim turns to the barman. “Glass of champagne for the lady, please.”
Moments later, he hands it to me.
“Thank you.” I take a sip to calm my nerves.
“Like I said, Grace, I will protect you. Now, maybe we should find our table and sit.”
We take a couple of steps away from the bar, but Maxim is stopped by a beautiful blonde.
“Maxim,” she purrs, and my hackles stand to attention. I don’t like the way she is looking at my fiancé as if she is about to sink her teeth into him.
I move around and link my arm with his.
Her eyes flare in anger.
“Mrs. Smirnov, how are we this evening?” Maxim says politely in Russian.
Then he introduces us in English. “Grace, this is Mrs. Smirnov, the wife of one of my bosses.”
She gives me a fake smile, but her eyes tell me all I need to know— she isn’t happy about me being Maxim’s date. I hope he hasn’t fucked her.
“So nice to meet you. Maxim rarely brings a date to these things.” Her English is laced with a thick Russian accent.
“Well, I feel honored to be on his arm,” I reply, giving her an equal
measure of fakeness. I turn my hand over and make sure the light catches the stunning diamond ring.
Her eyes catch the glittering stone, and she looks shocked. “Are you engaged?” she asks in Russian.
“Yes, I am. I’m a very lucky man,” Maxim replies in English, looking at me adoringly.
“Congratulations. Never thought Maxim would settle down. He likes variety too much,” the woman says.
My fingers dig into Maxim’s arm. “Lucky I’m multitalented then,” I reply. I cannot believe the gall of this lady.
Her eyes narrow at me, but she ignores my barb.
“Call me when you get bored,” she whispers to Maxim in Russian.
He looks at me and can see I’m about ready to blow my stack.
“She is all I need. No one could ever compete,” he says back in English.
Good man.
Mrs. Smirnov turns on her heel and disappears into the crowd.
“Please tell me you did not sleep with that woman?”
Maxim gives me a look.
