Page 124 of Wrapped in Perfection

I snap my fingers. "I forgot to show you the design. Vivian and Charlotte were excited about it. They both said if you were okay with the labor costs, it would be great."

"I'm sure there won't be any problems."

I take a bite of my breakfast. After I swallow, I dip my spoon in for another taste. "This coconut is a good addition."

Dmitri puts some in his mouth, and we eat in silence for a few minutes. "Do you want to come to the meeting and show my brothers the design?"

"I can't. I have my first meeting without Maksim today," I chirp.

His eyes narrow. "Who with?"

I snicker. "No one who's going to try to take advantage of me. Besides, I think Maksim has converted me." I chant, and put my fist in the air, "No discounts. No discounts."

Dmitri laughs. "Good, kotik. Glad you finally see your worth."

I've signed three contracts in the last week alone with Maksim's assistance. And Dmitri said they have a few more projects coming up he and his brothers want me to work on.

"So who is this mystery meeting with? Do I know him?" Dmitri asks.

"It's a her."

He winks. "Sorry. Do I know her?"

"Yep. I'm meeting Nora."

His body stiffens next to mine. "Nora O'Malley?"

I put my spoon down. "Is there something about Nora I should worry about?"

His jaw clenches. He taps his fingers on the table and gazes out the window.

"Dmitri?"

"Nora's a great girl. We've known her and her family forever. Her brother is the boxer who Boris fought."

"Oh. What's wrong, then?"

"Nothing with her. But there are things..." He takes a deep breath.

I place my hand on his cheek and pin my eyes on his. "We don't keep secrets from each other. There is something I need to know, so tell me."

He takes my hand and kisses the back of it. "You're right. Her family has ties to the Irish mob. It's several generations away, but they are still tied. Issues are going on with her restaurant. There were things intentionally done to hurt her business. Boris got involved and shouldn't have."

"I'm going to need a little bit more clarity on what you're telling me."

The green in Dmitri's eyes darkens. "It was a loud and clear attack from Lorenzo Rossi. Boris should have let her family handle it."

My stomach flips. "Ah. I see. And is Rossi coming after us harder now?"

Dmitri's voice drops. "He does not know it was Boris."

Chills dig in my bones. "Will he?"

"Boris always covers his tracks."

I take a deep breath and smile to try and cut the tension. "Okay. So are you telling me you don't want me to work on Nora's project? Boris is the one who originally suggested we meet."

He hesitates but then says, "I'm sure it is okay. You would do an amazing job, and we only want the best for Nora and her family. But I want to speak with Boris first, if you don't mind?"

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