“What?”
“Running into her.” I hadn’t warned him I had a daughter because I didn’t think he’d ever meet her. Sleeping with him wasn’t part of the plan, and I tend to be overly organized.
Dmitri’s lips curve upwards. “It was a surprise, but I think I pulled it off pretty well since she thinks we’re dating.”
SIX
Dmitri
I convince Sadie to let me pick the restaurant, make reservations, and pick the girls up for a dinner date on Saturday night. I’m not sure why I’m nervous. It’s not like it’s a real date. We’re just friends.
My feelings for her can’t be real.
She saved me, and I’m sure whatever emotions I feel are mixed up in that and the fact that she’s a good person. Sadie tried to give me a place to stay, food, and clothes and probably would have done more if she hadn’t been fired, and I confessed that my memory had suddenly returned.
Lying to her was difficult initially, pretending not to know who I was. I’m still lying, keeping secrets. She can’t know that I’m bratva, well, used to be bratva. I’m not sure what I am anymore, but there’s no leaving the Russian criminal organization. It’s a life sentence, for better or worse.
And I see no choice but to entrench myself in their dealings. If Mikhail were responsible for ordering my alleged death, he’d put a hit out on me the first moment he gets.
The club opens in a couple of hours, but undoubtedly, someone is doing the books now that Anton is no longer around. Where did he and Savannah disappear to?
“Surprised to see you back so soon,” Luka says as I enter the club.
The girls haven’t come in yet. It’s early for them to get ready. The place is empty except for a handful of associates in the basement counting the money laundered through the club.
“Is my job still available?”
“Of course,” Luka says, and frowns. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“It’s been a minute since I’ve been in this place.”
“A coma will do that to a guy,” Luka says. He nods for me to follow him to his office, and I oblige. He shuts the door behind us, giving us privacy. “When are you coming back to the compound?”
“Tonight.” I can’t stay with Sadie again. Being around her puts her life and her daughter’s in danger. I shouldn’t have promised to take her out Saturday night, but I can’t disappoint her, either.
“Good. We’ve missed you, bro.”
“Listen, I’m not sure how quickly you want me to start back at the club, but I need Saturday off.”
Luka folds his arms across his chest. “That’s one of our busiest nights.” He’s waiting for me to elaborate.
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t essential.”
“Are you just going to leave me hanging?” Luka asks, wanting to know why I need off. It’s an unusual request. We have no secrets, but I’m not ready to tell him about Sadie. Besides, there’s not anything happening.
“Apparently,” I say with a wry smirk. “Consider it a favor for getting shot and being left for dead.”
He smiles and shakes his head. “Funny. I’ll make sure you have Saturday off, but don’t make this a habit.”
* * *
After leaving the bar, there’s little choice but to face the past and return to the compound. If I don’t, Luka is bound to tell Mikhail, the leader of the bratva, that I’m alive.
He should hear it from me.
Am I nervous? I’d be crazy not to be concerned, but I can’t stay in New York without facing Mikhail and his men.
And I’m not a man to run and hide.