Page 10 of Cruel Russian King

“What about you?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Didn’t get much of a childhood. By ten, I was already shadowing my father, learning what it meant to be a Bratva leader.”

I braced for pity, but in her eyes, I saw only understanding.

And in that moment, I wished this was a real date, that she was here because she liked me, because she saw something worth exploring…because she wanted a future with me.

Don’t get soft on me, Artie.My father's voice tore through my skull. She’s a Safin, the enemy. Stick to the damn plan. They made a fool of you costing you millions, shattered alliances, and tore your sister away.

But did I really care what her last name was? Or what her brothers had done?

I didn't.

Ninel was mine…for keeps.

Candice returned with our food, placing the dishes before us.

Ninel’s eyes lit up as she inhaled deeply. “Everything smells amazing.”

“And it tastes even better.” I smiled.

As we ate, she told me about her pet goldfish that lived for five years, mainly because her siblings kept replacing it whenever one died. She shared how she broke her arm fallingfrom a tree in their compound, and about her teddy bear, Snuggles, a gift from her parents just before they died, the one she still slept with.

By the time we stepped out of the restaurant two hours later, we were laughing and talking like a couple in love.

Love?

My thoughts stuttered.

Could Ninel even like a man like me? Farless…love?

Artie, you’re a Bratva leader. You don’t need her to like you, for fuck’s sake. Just carry your name and bear your children.

When I slipped behind the wheel with Ninel in the passenger seat, she turned to me.

“Thank you for this afternoon.”

“No problem. That’s what brothers-in-law are for.”

I started the engine and eased out of the parking lot. She was still smiling, staring ahead.

A comfortable silence stretched between us for five minutes before I broke it.

“Are you ready to head home? I don't think it would seem too awkward if we hung out together, would it?”

Before she could respond, a blacked-out SUV swerved in front of us. I slammed the brakes and another car rammed into us from behind, the force jolted us forward. I expected Ninel to scream, but of course she didn’t.

I glanced at her. Her seatbelt was already off, and a knife was in her hand.

I’d made sure the cameras on this route were offline. My men had locked down the street. I didn't want witnesses. This needed to be perfect, I couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and yanked the Glock from the small of my back.

Showtime.

“Ninel!” I grabbed her wrist. “We’ve gotta move!”

I threw open my door and she scrambled over the center console and out after me. The SUVs bracketing us opened and my men spilled out in masks as Ninel and I stood back to back.