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He didn’t respond, instead he looked back towards Annabella and tightened the moment the guy took her hand into his and began to beg her for something. She shook her head and then waved her hand toward Mica. Mica walked over nodded a few times as Annabella pulled her hand free of the man’s grasp. The woman stood out. She was impressive and likable, from Dante’s impression as well as Griska’s. He wasn’t buying it though. She could just be very good at her role.
He released a sigh of annoyance and jealousy as she walked by and Commerce wrapped his arm around her waist and greeted her hello with a hug and a kiss to her cheek. Commerce was purposely trying to get a reaction out of Ivan and Ivan knew it. He watched her as her cheeks turned a nice shade of pink but she also stiffened up.
“Hey gorgeous, how’s the arm?” Commerce asked looking down at her with a hand still on her hip.
“My arm?” She asked and Ivan listened.
“From when you took out the knife wielding jackass and his buddy. I still want to know how you did that move.” He said to her and then rubbed her back. When she sidestepped and shook her head at Commerce, like he was boring her, Ivan was amused.
“My arm is fine, thank you for reminding me of that embarrassing night.”
“Embarrassing?” Commerce asked.
“I was on an interview. What are the chances of something like that happening?”
“Pretty slim around here, but it ultimately got you the job sugar, and I love seeing you.”
“Just as much as the little blonde you were practically mauling in the hallway about twenty minutes ago?” She asked him and he chuckled.
“I’ve been away for a while serving my country. Dangerous missions.”
She raised her palm up. “Save it. I’ve heard all the lines Commerce and this woman isn’t interested. Now if there isn’t anything else you needed…” She stopped talking and placed her finger to her ear, then spoke into her wrist mic. “No problem Lucca.” She said and then looked at Commerce. “Gotta go, but good luck.” She gave his arm a tap and then walked away. Commerce stared at her ass and then leaned back against the bar.
“Crash and burned again. No wonder the Air Force didn’t take you,” Dante said to him and the other guys chuckled.
“She is something else. I like her.”
“Obviously.” Roman said and snickered.
“No, like I mean as a person. She’s tough, yet sweet, doesn’t sugar coat things. Hell, I wonder what lucky guy gets to tap that. Holy shit.” Commerce said then turned around and ordered another beer. Ivan watched where she went and it was right towards Yolkov who was standing up and talking to Lucca. The man was eating up Annabella with his eyes and once again, Ivan felt jealous and possessive of her. She didn’t belong to him. He didn’t even speak to her really, so what was it about her that kept drawing him in? He didn’t know, but he didn’t trust her, and the best thing to do was to keep eyes on her and know what she was up to.
****
Annabella was so tired. She walked the two blocks to the twenty-four hour café in her jeans, sneakers and hooded sweatshirt. She had her two bags of clothes and her iPad on the seat next to her as she worked on some advertising sign ideas for the Point Café. Sam and Bernice had asked her about helping out weeks ago and she came up some great ideas she would incorporate this week. She had a plan in motion of how her week would begin. Sunday was a day of rest and recouping after working at Gable’s Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Originally she was worried that the part time hours and pay might not cut it, but the pay was excellent and the bonus of tips, most hundred dollar bills from big shots, sometimes a few hundred, and she was making a good salary.
In fact, she needed to do a little shopping this week. Plus, if she did go to check out Carlotto’s with her friends then she would need something cool to wear.
She yawned and took the last few bites of her grilled chicken salad and then a sip of ice tea. She had been so hungry, but it was part of the negatives working at a nightclub. She got a break for thirty minutes but she didn’t want to run out to get something to eat. She packed light things to snack on. She he
ard the door chime and glanced up then back at her iPad before taking a second look. What was Dante doing here? He came right over to her, serious expression as usual and she immediately felt her heart racing. The man looked angry.
“Are you all finished with your meal?” he asked. She nodded.
“Grab your things and come with me.”
“What?”
He waved his hands and reached for her one bag and then the other but she grabbed it. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Giving you a ride home.”
She widened her eyes and then shook her head as she snapped the bag back out of his hands.
“Not happening buddy.”
“The boss said you are not waiting out here for two hours more before heading home to rest. I give you ride and you accept.” Dante said, his Russian accent coming out a bit more as he seemed to be getting irritated.
“I don’t know you, and what boss? Griska?” She asked.
