Page 14 of Bound By Debt

Is he somehow related to Evgeny?

He watches me, and all I see is curiosity. His gaze is uncomfortably piercing, but he makes no move toward me.

“Do you need something?” I finally ask, annoyed that we’re both just standing here, staring at each other.

“No.” He shrugs. “Just curious about Ev’s new pet hacker. Word’s already going around about you.”

“I’m flattered.” I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold with the knowledge that I’m known to more of the Bratva than just those in the house. Talk about escape being impossible.

He shrugs again, shoulders rising and falling. “You should be. I’m shocked he let you live at all. He must really need your help.”

“Are you his kid?” I ask.

The guy chokes like something went down the wrong way. For a second, I get concerned as he gasps for breath. Then I realize he’s laughing, and my concern flips back to annoyance.

“His kid?” The guy wipes the tears from his eyes. “Ev can be a dog, but he wasn’t getting women pregnant at six.” More chuckles shake his shoulders.

“Six?” I know I sound shocked, but there’s no way this guy is only six years younger than Evgeny.

“I have a baby face, right?” He winks, then pulls a hand from his pocket to hold it out to me. “I’m Vasya.”

I don’t take his hand, but watch it cautiously. What if he pulls me in and dumps me over the hedge and down the cliff, all his friendliness a cover so I let down my defenses?

Then again, the guy towers over me. He might be slight, but I can see the strength of his arms even beneath the intricate tattoos decorating his skin, and it wouldn’t take much for him to grab me, handshake or not.

“Eva.”

We shake and let go. In the silence, my stomach growls. Another upturned smirk flickers across Vasya’s lips, his eyes dropping to my stomach before returning to my face.

“I haven’t had breakfast yet,” I admit, cheeks heating. “It’s the first time I’ve been allowed outside since I was brought here. I wanted some fresh air.”

Vasya shoves his hand back into his pocket and jerks his head toward the building. “I’ll take you to Alona’s realm.”

“Alona.” I repeat the name as I hurry to match Vasya’s long stride. “Dmitri mentioned her, but I have no idea who she is.”

“She’s the head of the household and runs everything with an iron fist. Sometimes she’s scarier than Ev.”

That answer doesn’t help me much.

“So, she’s—” I start, hoping Vasya will fill in the blanks.

“The housekeeper. The cook. The chatelaine, if you want to go the medieval route. What she says in the house goes, even Ev listens to her. So don’t get on her bad side.”

If even hardened Russian criminals are afraid of the woman, what chance in hell do I have to survive her?

Vasya winks. “You’ll be fine. Just compliment her cooking and she’ll warm up to you. That’s what I’ve always done.”

“Good to know.”

“So, are you settling in?” Vasya asks.

It’s an odd question, given I’m not here by choice.

“I guess so?”

Vasya chuckles again. “You’re right. Dumb question. Bet you never thought you’d be so uncomfortable staying in a place like this, right?”

I laugh because what else is there to do? “Yeah, you’re right. I guess it’s nice to see the ocean every day. I’m an Angelino, born and raised. I’ve seen the ocean maybe ten times in my entire life.”