“Does Inessa know about your trip to Moscow?”
“Yeah. I had to tell her.”
“How did that go?”
“You know my sister. She’s ready to fly to Moscow and rip Grigoriy’s balls off.”
Vlad laughed and slapped the bar counter.
“I just love my cousin. She’s got serious spunk. I imagine if any woman could make Grigoriy whimper like a bitch it’s Inessa.”
“Yup, she’s a lot of a woman in a small space.”
“When is Grigoriy expecting you to get back to him?”
“Soon.”
I hated the fact that I was being held over an open fire. I would never be in charge of my own destiny with the Russian fucking mafia holding it over me. The last thing I wanted was for Angel to find out what I was about to agree to.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. Just when I met the woman of my dreams, my arch-villain pulled the rug out from underneath me.
“Let’s face it. I’m fucked. No matter which way you look at it, Vlad.”
“Barman,” he called. “I think you’d better put away the sissy beers and bring out the vodka.”
11
ANGEL
Max and I weren’t in a relationship. However, we did have occasional mind-blowing sex. At first, I thought it was a bit skanky of me, but hell, there was no resisting the man when he looked at me with those ‘come hither’ eyes of his. It was the best sex I’d ever had.
“Is it just me, or are you looking particularlysatisfiedthese days?” Josie remarked the day after my coitus on Max’s yacht.
“Is it really that obvious?”
“Girl, you could light up Vegas with that glow. I hope you kids are using protection,” she grinned.
“Honestly. You are such a drama queen.”
“Okay, don’t come crying to me when you’re barefoot and pregnant, missy.”
“Speaking of barefoot. I’m going to the beach for a run. Wanna join me?”
“Are you high?”
Josie hated exercise. I had no idea how she stayed so skinny without ever moving a muscle. The closest she came to exercising was walking from the couch to the fridge and back again.
“Come on. It will do you good.”
“No, it won’t. You go have fun. I’ll order some food while you’re gone.”
“See you later,” I laughed and left the apartment.
It was warm outside, but, thankfully, a thick bank of fog kept the direct rays of the sun off me while I ran. I loved the ocean. I couldn’t imagine myself living in a place where I wasn’t a short drive away from it.
My mind inevitably drifted to thoughts of Max while I ran across the white sand. I wondered where we were going. Was I a convenient distraction for him? I hoped not. We were consenting adults, and, honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be in a steady relationship. But I caught myself feeling more than a little prissy when other women were checking him out. I usually watched closely to see his reaction.
Calm your jets, Angel. He isn’t like that.