Page 1 of Forced By the Bratva

Chapter 1 – Iris

She sat across from me, slurping her espresso a little too loudly, the legs of her chair scraping against the floor.

Even with my eyes on the plate in front of me, I could still feel her lingering gaze. I didn’t need to look up at her to know she had that smug smirk on her face.

Evelyn Carter was trying to get under my skin. She knew I hated it when people slurped their drinks around me. Yet she did it constantly, making sure to make a noise with her chair.

I threw a French fry in my mouth, refusing to react the way she wanted me to. My jaw moved slowly as I ate, my eyes darting out the large window beside us.

She leaned in, her perfume filling the air around me. The next thing I heard, so close to my ear, was another loud slurp that made my fingers clench into fists.

“I swear to God, Eve, if you do that one more time, I’ll…” I was still spilling my empty threats when her laughter cut me off.

I raised my head, casting a mocking glare at her. “It’s not funny.”

“Yeah, it kinda is,” she said, amid chuckles, her green-gray eyes crinkling at the corners. “You should’ve seen the look on your face—you had murderous intent.”

“Why, Eve?” I pursed my lips. “Why do you enjoy pissing me off?”

“Because I’m your best friend, duhh?” She slurped her espresso again. “It’s my job to make sure you never have a moment of peace in your life.” Her grin widened.

I stared at her, struggling to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I hate you.”

“No, you silly goose.” She wiggled her brows. “You love me.”

I chuckled, fingers rubbing my eyes.

“Wanna tell me what’s on your mind?”

I raised my brows. “What do you mean?”

“You seem distracted,” she said. “That’s why I tried every means necessary to get your attention.”

I paused, then grabbed my coffee cup and took a sip. “I’m sorry I zoned out. I was just…”

“…thinking about work while you’re hanging out with me,” she stated, her gaze unwavering. “You do know that’s considered cheating, right?”

“Huh?”

“Yes. You’re cheating on me with your office work. I was supposed to have you for two hours today, remember? Now I can’t even have your full attention.”

I laughed. “Says the girl who literally stood me up at the same café two weeks ago.”

“Don’t do that.” Her face twisted into a plastic frown. “Don’t bring up the past.” She shrugged. “I’m a changed person now.”

“Ahh, I see.”

We both laughed.

“But seriously, what’s up?” She combed her fingers through her dark blond hair.

“I have an urgent deadline I haven’t met yet,” I replied. “And my supervisor’s on my case.”

Silence.

Eve studied me for a moment. “Is this about the deadline…or is there something else?”

I met her gaze but didn’t respond right away. It was crystal clear she could see right through me—she’s always been able to see right through me.