Page 14 of Bratva Prince
No way was I about to cock-block my friend. Just because I was being a downer, didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy our vacation. But being the wonderful person Viktor was, he was hesitant to leave me.
“Go on,” I’d encouraged him. “Giorgios is obviously into you. You’re on vacation in a beautiful country, and you said yourself you’re looking for a good time. I’m pretty sure Giorgios could give you that good time.”
Viktor chewed on his lip, debating whether or not to ditch me. “Do it,” I insisted, egging him on.
“But what about you? I can’t leave you.”
“The hell you can’t. Go. I’m fine. Seriously, I’m going to finish this drink and head back to the room to binge watch terrible reality TV.”
Viktor sucked in a breath. “That’s my favorite kind,” he teased, grabbing my shoulder to capture my attention. “Seriously, though—I don’t feel comfortable leaving you. A woman alone at a bar is dangerous.”
“So is taking off with a stranger,” I countered. His eyebrows were creased and he stared at me with a heavy gaze. I shrugged it off, appearing as unphased as possible. I wasn’t scolding his choices, just pointing out the contradiction. “I’ll be fine. I’m literally outside of the hotel. After this drink, I’ll head up to the room.”
He continued to stare at me for a minute, as if waiting for me to waver. When I didn’t, he finally relented. “Alright, but call me if you need anything.”
“That could cost you a fortune.”
“I don’t care. I’ll pay whatever the international cost is. Just promise you’ll call if you need me.”
After I promised, Viktor’s shoulders loosened, and because he was no longer tense about the situation, he became giddier than a schoolgirl. After making a few sexual innuendos, he jogged off to Giorgios for some one-on-one time.
Call it crazy—or totally pathetic—but I couldn’t help but feel a little envious of Viktor. Here he was, in a gorgeous country, living it up. Meanwhile, I was sitting at the bar, planning my night alone. Sure, it was my own choice, but that didn’t stop it from hurting.
I sat at the bar as Viktor and Giorgios grinded against one another on the dance floor, exchanging passionate, heated glances. A smile pulled at my lips for my friend’s success. Hell, maybe even a potential boyfriend, judging by the way Giorgios was clinging to Viktor—though he didn’t mind one bit.
Looking around, I noticed Ivan walk in, and instantly, I wanted to groan. He gave me a quick nod and found a table—far away, thank god. But, a weird, subtle elation swept through me.
Sipping my cocktail, I forced the feeling away and watched the partygoers enjoy their lively night out at the bar, and a pang of depression hit me hard.
I wouldn’t be able to do this anymore.Which wasn’t fair considering I’d barely tasted freedom, and now I was expected to release it so easily? I worked so hard to convince my father to let me move into my own apartment by my school, starting college as a 22-year-old.
It wasn’t fair.
After this trip, I was expected to marry some man named Dominik, who apparently proved himself to have the most potential at furthering my father’s career. Not to mention, my father had no idea I’d left for Greece, and I would most likely face immense punishment when I got back.
How funny was that? Me, a twenty-two year old woman, in trouble with my daddy.
I scoffed out loud at that one, pushing my straw to the side to down the drink quicker. When I finished, I motioned for the bartender to bring me another. Maybe I’d turn out to be an alcoholic like my mother. If that was the only thing to look forward to, someone shoot me.
Twirling my straw through my new drink, I sighed heavily, waiting until I could head back to the hotel room and climb into bed wearing my comfy pajamas while binge watching whatever was on television. But this drink wasn’t free, and I would enjoy every last drop.
“Hey there beautiful.”
A drunk man came staggering up beside me, his body swaying even as he stood still. He leaned in close, his musky scent mixed with booze hitting my nostrils hard enough to make me want to gag. When he opened his mouth to speak, his hot breath hit my cheek, pieces of spit coming with it. “I’m Mark.”
I politely forced a smile, wanting to enjoy my drink in peace but trying not to be rude about it. “Hello, Mark.” Not bothering to give him my name, I faced my drink.
He ordered two drinks from the bartender, despite my insistence that I had my own and didn’t want what he ordered.
“I’m a student at Harvard. You know, from the U.S. How about yourself?”
I nodded. “Law student.”
“You see,” he said, a large grin spread across his face as he snapped his fingers. “I told my friends you were smart. We’re on a Euro-trip for two weeks, and tonight is my bachelor party, so we’re having our last hurrah before heading back home.”
“Ah,” was all I said. I wasn’t interested and didn’t want to encourage the conversation, but this man was clueless and couldn’t take a hint.
“Yeah,” he continued, leaning on his elbow as he scooted closer. “We’re going to a club after. You should come with us, check it out.”
