Page 161 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“Get out of here. Claim you’re coming down with something and leave.”

Her frown deepens. “If I do that, I could lose my job.”

“If you stay, you might lose a whole lot more.”

Her light hazel eyes wrinkle with understanding. She gives the door a glance and then she spins on her heel and starts walking away fast.

I smirk.Smart girl.

I slip into the room through the jade green door. It’s empty but the balcony door is open. The white marble on the floor gleams with flecks of silver. I can see Sakamoto’s shadow cast along the balcony.

His back is to me. We’re alone. Far from the party.

It’s a perfect fucking setup.

… Too perfect.

As I take the final step towards him, he whirls around. The gun in his hand is aimed directly between my eyes.

“You were not the company I was expecting,” he says, his accent slight but elegant.

“Why don’t I believe you?”

He smirks. “A man like me is always prepared. I may travel with a circus but I can take care of myself.”

This time, I do believe him.

“You’ve been keeping tabs on me,” I guess.

He smiles. “I could say the same about you.”

“Vitya Azarov. Where is he?”

His smile gets wider. “Somewhere safe. Don’t you worry.”

“Are you being ironic?”

“Just giving you some friendly advice.”

“What do you want with him?”

“Him? Nothing. You, on the other hand…”

I’m itching to pull out my gun but I know if I so much as flinch, he’ll shoot. I have no doubt his reflexes are razor-sharp.

“You have me now,” I point out. Probably not the smartest move, considering he’s the one who’s armed and I’m currently a sitting duck. But my pride is working overtime here.

“Indeed. It’s fitting we should meet like this.”

“Is it?”

“I have more advice for you, young man,” he says.

There’s something intensely polite about the man. He’s been bred well, that much I can tell. But he’s no less deadly because of it.

“I’m all ears,” I drawl.

“Give up on your mad quest. If you value your life, give up now.”

---