Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
She’s fiery. And has an attitude that will certainly get her in trouble. I’m surprised she hasn’t found it sooner.
“Why were you friends with her?” I ask. The two are nothing alike. Despite her not-so-good qualities, Cinita was a people pleaser. While I get vibes that Lena is only that way if it benefits her, she’s showing me a different side right now.
“Is that any of your concern?” She pushes past me then, her shoulder hitting mine. I go to move, but she barges straight into me. I tense at the contact. “Good night, Alek.”
She flips her chocolate-colored hair over her shoulder and glances back at me as if expecting that I might say good evening in response.
“Whatever.” She huffs and then walks out.
CHAPTER 7
Aleksandr
This thing with Lena isn’t like the situation with Cinita. She and Lena are entirely different sides of a coin. I justify the reason I’m watching her walk into her bar job is because I’m not letting anything slide when it comes to Cinita. Although she might not know where Cinita is now, I’m certain Lena will be her first point of contact.
My jaw tics at the tight jeans Lena’s wearing and that stupid fucking crop top that leaves very little to the imagination. This one doesn’t have a smiley face on it, but it’s still more revealing than I’d like it to be the moment she removes her black leather jacket. I have no idea why that actually bothers me. I usually don’t even notice what a woman’s wearing. So why has she gotten under my skin? Is it because she called me old? My nostrils flare.
My phone buzzes, and I check the screen. Anya.
“Where the fuck are you?” she asks the moment I answer on the third ring.
My grip tightens on the steering wheel as I prepare myself for the onslaught I’m about to receive.
“Out,” I grit as I keep an eye on Lena, who is casually talking to someone at the front of the bar, her hands in her back pockets. Is she not receiving enough income from her singing job? Or does she enjoy smelling like smoke and entertaining seedy riffraff men for an evening?
“Out? You were supposed to be over here for dinner that I made,” she snaps.
“You actually made the meal? Physically cooked it yourself?” I query, disbelieving.
“Of course I didn’t cook it myself, but I specifically told the chef what we felt like eating tonight. And your sorry ass was meant to be here three minutes ago.”
“Something came up.” The truth is, I intended to go to Anya’s house. But then I went through Lena’s contract and found her address, and drove over there. Just out of curiosity, of course. Then Lena walked out from the apartment building, shifting that ass this way and that beneath her jeans. And then I somehow ended up here.
Lena touches the woman’s shoulder with a bright smile as she indicates she has to go inside. Or what if she’s here for a date? I was tipped off that she had a second job in a passing comment by Matthew, but what if this isn’t the bar she works at? What if…?
“Aleksandr, are you even listening to me? You better not be chasing that ballet dancer, or I swear to God I will bury you ten feet under myself.”
I expel an exasperated breath. “Please. You wouldn’t get your hands so dirty.”
I can imagine her popping a hand on her hip. “Well, maybe not, but that’s why I have River now. To dig holes for all my bodies.” I hear him laughing in the background. “You owe me a fucking dinner once a month. That was our agreement when you came back from Russia.”
No, that was her demand, but I don’t disagree with her. I know it’s because she feels “disconnected” from me. That’s River’s word of choice, not mine or Anya’s because we don’t really understand this emotional connection bullshit. But what we do know is it’s her and me until the day we die. Always has been and always will be.
Lena walks inside, waving to the lady smoking at the front and looking pleased by their discussion.
I glance in my rearview mirror and glimpse my shaved head. I don’t often look at myself, but I know I’m considered attractive to most women. But most have the sense to stay away.
“Do you think I look older than what I am?” I ask Anya.
There’s a pause on the other end of the line.
“What?” Anya asks, as if she didn’t hear me right.
“Never mind.” I start the engine, reminding myself that I only came here to stake out Lena’s living situation. I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since the auction four nights ago. “I’m on my way.”
“Good. Then after that, we have to deal with that asshole who tried to slander our name and take some of our business.”