“Are you still fucking talking?” he interrupts, raising one dark eyebrow at me.
I smirk. “You’ll get used to it.”
He nods slowly, still scrutinizing me through narrowed eyes. “I’m Artem,” he says eventually.
“Cillian. Pleasure’s all mine, really.”
“New in L.A., huh?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“You might as well have a neon sign plastered above your forehead.”
“Funny. My da used to say I’m a few watts short of a lightbulb.”
Artem doesn’t exactly smile, but his eyes look amused. “What the fuck were you doing back there?”
I shrug. “Having some fun?”
“It looked like you were getting your ass handed to you.”
I snort. “I could have taken that walking dumbbell on any normal day. I’m just jet-lagged.”
“When did you land?”
“Two hours ago, I think?” I say uncertainly. “Or maybe it was three. I lost track of time around the seventh beer.”
“Jesus,” Artem grimaces. “And the first thing you did as you landed was to come to a bar and get piss-drunk?”
“Sure did.”
“Damn. I like your style.”
“Most people do.”
“Where to from here?” Artem asks curiously.
I look around the alleyway like I’m weighing it as a possibility for my new turf. “I’m effectively homeless,” I explain. “But I’m pretty. So I figure I can make some money hooking on the streets.”
Artem snorts with laughter, but I can tell he’s studying me. “Sounds like a solid plan,” he says. “But I may have a better one.”
“Oh, yeah? You gonna rescue me again?”
“Only because I have a feeling you’re gonna die out here without me.”
I smirk. “Buddy, don’t let my model-esque good looks fool you. I’m tough. I’m hardcore. I land on my feet.”
Artem narrows his eyes at me. “Do you now?”
“Fuck yeah. Fight for the Family, die for the Family. That kind of thing.”
He whistles like he’s impressed. “Talk about finding your own.”
I raise my eyebrows as the pieces click together. “You’re not saying... Shit, mate, are you connected?”
“I’m the heir to the Kovalyov Bratva,” he says proudly. “You’ll come to recognize the name soon enough.”
No wonder there’s a natural authority about the guy. He’s been groomed to take over one day.