Page 10 of Bossed Around by the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #20)

Getting up, we threw our ice cream containers in the garbage can before walking to the lawn area.

Zhen lay down, and I joined her. We just lay in silence, looking at the stars in the sky for a while.

Rolling to my side so I could face her, I spoke softly.

“Sorry if I have come across as being overly harsh.”

Zhen smiled as she turned towards me. We were merely inches away from each other. “I am the one who should apologize to you,” she whispered. “I know I can be a little bitchy at times.”

“Only a little?” I asked sarcastically.

Zhen slapped my chest as she made a clicking sound with her tongue. “Okay,” she said, smiling. “Maybe I am a tab bitchier at times than usual.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” I replied, unable to pull my eyes from her.

We smiled as we stared into each other’s eyes. Tenderly, I moved a strand of hair out of her face, pushing it behind her ear. I caressed her cheek, feeling the fireworks show within me ignite. She didn’t pull back; I took it as a good sign. My entire body was reacting to her.

She closed her eyes as I leaned in to kiss her.

But before our lips even touched, it started to pour down.

Looking up, I couldn’t believe my luck. It was clear mere seconds ago.

Jumping to my feet, I held out my hand and pulled her up.

Taking off my shirt, I held it over her head as we ran towards the car.

Her hand was around my waist, and her other was planted on my chest. My chest and middle felt like they were on fire from her touch. It wasn’t a burning fire. It was more like a sensual one. Having her so close and her arm around me made my dick pay attention.

As we got to the car, I opened her door and waited for her to get in before running around.

We laughed as I stumbled into the car, both of us breathing heavily from the exertion of running.

Leaning back, I grabbed the spare shirt I had placed in my bag, glad I had.

As I pulled it on, I saw her watching me, but she didn’t say a word.

Once I was again appropriately clothed, I smiled at her. “Ready to head back?” I asked in a light tone.

“Yes, that sounds good,” she replied, turning to face the window.

I wish I knew what she was thinking. It suddenly felt like there was nothing left to say.

But, my mind and body wouldn’t settle down.

A fierce war raged within me. I didn’t know what was happening, what had come over me.

I wanted nothing more than to reach out and kiss her.

I craved her lips like the air I needed to breathe.

My body craved her. I wanted to feel that warm sensation vibrating through me as our lips met. My body longed for her touch like flowers longed for the rain. Yet, my mind was putting up a fight. We worked together. For fuck’s sake, she is my PA. Plus, for all I knew, it wasn’t something she wanted.

But I had to put my thoughts aside as I noticed the car following close behind us. Something deep inside me sounded an alarm as a feeling of dread suddenly entered. Something wasn’t right. Looking around, I scanned our surroundings. I quickly analyzed the buildings, cars, and people.

Spotting two idling cars, I swallowed the lump intrusively growing in my throat. “Zhen,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm. “Don’t react, but I think we’re being followed. I’m going to take a turn up front and speed up slightly to confirm, okay?”

Glancing at her, I saw fear rising in her eyes as she pulled her brows up and looked back. She took a deep breath. But I could still hear the slight quivering in it as she spoke. “What? Are you sure?”

Turning down the next street, I pressed down on the gas. Looking in the rearview mirror, I saw the car speeding up. “Yes, I’m sure,” I breathed out. My mind raced through all possible scenarios. I wanted to keep her safe, but wasn’t sure how to do that.

I considered dropping her off at the hotel and then driving these people to a secluded spot to take care of business. But that wouldn’t work as they might attack her there to get to me.

Driving around the block, I also spotted a white van. The lights were off, but it was idling. “You see the van?” I asked as we passed the second time. “It is running but appears to be waiting with the lights off. That’s not normal.”

She turned in her seat as we passed it. I could hear her inhaling sharply. Turning up the next block, I decided to take this mess further away. I needed open roads with less traffic and fewer civilians. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine,” I tried reassuring her as I sped up.

Looking in the mirror, I saw two identical cars following. “Another one joined the chase,” I said, glancing at her.

Zhen turned back and held her seatbelt as I tried getting out of the traffic. I had just turned onto another street when I saw the car coming out of a side street. It was going at full speed. Swerving, I managed to miss it and not be rammed.

Cursing under my breath, I knew we were in trouble. Up front, I saw two more cars waiting at the next intersection. They were surely going to try to block us in. As we neared them, they came out of the side streets, simultaneously closing up the road.

“Hold on,” I huffed as I climbed the curb and sped past them. Speeding up, I weaved through a couple of cars on the road. I knew this chase was an accident waiting to happen. But with her in the car, I didn’t dare take unnecessary risks.