AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Something with alcohol," I blurted out. "Lots of alcohol. I think I need it."
The adrenaline was wearing off quickly, leaving me even more on edge and shaky.
Mariya narrowed her eyes at Viktor and jerked her head toward the corner.
Rising, Viktor said, "Yes, darling. I will make drinks."
The moment he was out of immediate earshot, Mariya leaned closer. "Andrei is coming. Viktor won't harm you." She let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know why he planned this, but I am truly sorry, sweetheart."
She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and brought me in for a hug. This woman was a dichotomy. Fierce on one hand but loving and tender on the other.
Mariya was a loving mother. One who had lost her only child because of Viktor's stubbornness, if Andrei was correct in his accounts.
Viktor returned, and Mariya withdrew her arm as he handed me a glass. It had just a hint of pink and I brought it to my nose. Vodka with just a splash of cranberry juice, if I wasn't mistaken.
I took a sip, the familiar burn of the alcohol sliding down my throat and warming my belly. Fuck, I was going to be drunk by the time Andrei even got here.
But hell, if I didn't need it if I were going to survive in the presence of Viktor the Bratva Pakhan.
Taking a healthy drink, I drained half the glass and placed it on the table before me. On a coaster, because I wasn't a savage.
And maybe because I didn't want to cross Mariya if I got a water stain on the fancy coffee table.
"We'll make a good Russian wife out of you, little one." Viktor winked at me.
Fucking winked.
Was this my life? Because I felt like I may have been dreaming this whole goddamn day.
I clenched my jaw to keep from speaking because I was now decently tipsy if the burning in my cheeks was any indication. However, that could just be my nerves and the fact that Andrei inherited most of his good looks from his grandfather.
Obviously.
I would consider myself a very lucky woman indeed if Andrei aged as nicely as Viktor. Especially the way he kept his full head of hair. The perfect mix of salt and pepper. I only hoped it was natural and not dyed, because that would be a shame.
Mariya coughed, the sound suspiciously forced.
"Damn it," I grumbled, picking up the glass and draining the rest of the contents. "I was saying everything out loud, wasn't I?"
"I can assure you my hair is quite natural. Mariya can confirm, can't you darling?" He gave me a wicked grin, the gesture so reminiscent of Andrei I could only openly stare at Viktor.
Mariya patted my hand with a smile. "It's okay, sweetheart. Luckily Viktor has a good sense of humor."
"Just what I need." I blew a stray piece of hair out of my eyes. "A Bratva boss with a sense of humor."
Viktor threw his head back and let out a boisterous laugh. "You slay me, little one. I know what my Andrei sees in you."
"I'm notyourAndrei."
My eyes grew wide at the sound of Andrei's voice, and I sprang to my feet.
Sudden movements like that weren't advisable when I was stone-cold sober, so it was no surprise it was a disaster when I was tipsy. I stumbled over my foot, and cringed as I went careening toward the table.
Andrei's arms wrapped around me in a flash and brought me against his rock-hard chest. His caramel eyes were warm as he inspected me, probably checking for injuries from Viktor. "I can't leave you alone for five minutes, can I?"
"Not my fault I got kidnapped by two goons with guns," I muttered.
Eyes hardening, Andrei gently placed me on the couch and kissed my forehead. "Hi,Babushka." He kissed Mariya's cheek and gave her a quick hug.
