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A laugh escapes me at the sight of her. How is it possible for someone to be angry and cute at the same time?
“What are you laughing at?”
“At you, krasavitsa. You’re adorable when you’re mad.”
“I’ll show you adorable.” She flicks my nose, making me laugh harder. My laugh becomes contagious because she starts laughing, too, snuffing out the anger inside me.
When the wine is brought to the table, the incident is behind us, and I ask Sophia about a thousand questions. I want to learn all I can about her. Asking the most straightforward questions first, such as her favorite color, then the more difficult ones, like how her life was growing up. I need the good and the bad. I keep her talking until the food arrives twenty minutes later.
Sophia’s attention is entirely on the pasta, and I love that she has a healthy appetite.
“This is delicious.”
“I’m sure it is, but not as delicious as you.” She blushes.
“If only you would let me taste you, I’m sure it will taste better than this alfredo.” I regret not letting her taste me, but I was selfish and needed her.
“We will have to see.”
“Yes, we do. Next time it will be my turn to be greedy with you.” I almost let her show me how greedy she could be right here. She gives me a swift kiss on my cheek and continues enjoying her pasta. If I were a better man, I would let her go, but I’m not, so I’ll never let her go.
My phone buzzes, announcing a message from Andrei. It must be serious because he knows I didn't want to be bothered tonight.
Andrei: I got a call from our informant in New York. Lorenzo's son got on a plane to Miami this morning. Alessandro says he lost his shit when he found that one of our men is running for office.
I feel myself tensing as I read the message. This didn’t come as a surprise to me. I expected this to happen sooner or later.
Me: I want eyes on him. Make sure he gets nowhere near Sophia. You’ve heard the rumors of him being a loose cannon. I’ll deal with this situation when she is home safe. Station one of our guards outside her apartment at all times. If she moves, so does he. Discreetly, Andrei.
“You all right?”
“Yes.”
Me: High alert.
Andrei: Always.
Sophia's hands rest on my shoulder. I look at the worry showing on her face. Grabbing her hand, I kiss her palm.
“Yes, krasavitsa. Don’t worry. '' She gives me a suspicious once-over.
She sighs. “If you want our relationship to go somewhere, you need to trust me.”
I know I can trust her. It’s not that. I’m not the type to share my feelings with anyone. I can count the people I trust with one hand, but can she handle it? She’s sunshine, and I’m darkness. I don't want to ruin her.
“I can handle anything you throw my way, Maxim. I’m not a damsel in distress.”
“Someone dangerous is out for me. Andrei just informed me,” I blurt out because if I keep thinking about it, I won’t tell her, and I’ve never wanted something to work so much like I want us to work.
“What do they want?”
“Could be many things,” I lie to her. I know exactly what he wants.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Don’t lie to me.” She can’t possibly know I’m lying. Looking into her eyes, I feel like she's gazing down at my soul. She would make a great interrogator.
“You won’t like the truth.”
“Don’t decide what I may or may not like, Maxim.”
“You’ll get a peek at the villain. I’m trying hard to keep you away.”
“I want all of you, Maxim. The good, the bad, and the villain.”
“I’m not a good man, Sophia.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” It baffles me how some people see good where there is none.
Sophia won’t stop until she gets what she wants, however.
