Page 3 of Bratva Claim

“Was there anything else I could get you?”

Why did you just say that?

One of Mr. Volkov’s brows lifts. “Like?”

A head examination, because I don’t know why I’m still standing here.

“Nothing,” I quickly reply. “I’ll just… well, enjoy the bagels and muffins and the cake, I guess.”

He doesn’t reply, just watches as I back toward the door, feeling like I’ve just survived an unspoken test.

I step into the elevator and groan out loud.

“Idiot.” I run a hand down my face. “Could you be more awkward?”

Probably not.

But at least I’ll never have to see Benedikt Volkov again.

Right?

2

Sienna

There is a line outside the bakery door this morning, and I’m wishing Lucy wouldn’t have made her famous banana nut bread today.

Not only is the espresso machine hissing like it’s possessed, but Lucy is also yelling something about running out of oat milk.

I’m halfway through boxing up a dozen cinnamon rolls when the phone rings.

“Can you get that?” Lucy calls over her shoulder as she slides a tray of croissants into the display case.

Don’t have a choice.

Grabbing the phone off the wall, I tuck it between my ear and shoulder while tying the ribbon on the box. “Good morning, Sugar & Spice Bakery. This is Sienna.”

“Sienna,” a deep, smooth voice rumbles through the receiver. “Benedikt Volkov.” I nearly drop the phone.

It takes a second to process because I wasn’t expecting to hear from him again.

Ever.

I blink hard, shaking off the surprise. “Oh. Uh, hi?”

Smooth, Sienna. Really smooth.

“I wanted to tell you the cake was good,” he says. Straight to the point. No unnecessary pleasantries. “Chocolate espresso bourbon, correct?”

“That’s the one.” I switch ears and grab a pastry bag. “I made it myself.”

A brief pause. “You’re talented.”

I blink again, because that almost sounded like a compliment.

“Thanks.” I’m not sure how to respond to that, coming from a man who looked ready to have me escorted out of his office yesterday.

“I want to place another order.” Benedikt’s tone is still a bit clipped. “For my employees.”