Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
So very wrong.
“She said you did good job tonight, Miller,” Oleg told the other woman who watched him closely. “We so glad you join our little family here at Solynshko. Aren’t we, Kukolka?”
Sofia forced a smile onto her lips. She hoped it looked somewhat genuine. “Very glad.”
“I thought you were just a bartender, Oleg,” Colm sneered.
Oleg tightened his hold on her and she had to fight hard to keep her grunt of pain from escaping. What was Colm doing? Why was he trying to anger Oleg?
“I also help Sofia manage the restaurant. And the staff. Don’t I, Kulkolka?”
“Yes, you’re a huge help to me.”
Wow. The lies came so easily now that it was frightening.
“I’m happy to be here. Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do before we go?” Miller yawned, then gave her a guilty look. “Sorry.”
Sofia waved her off and took a step toward the other woman, hoping that Oleg would let her go without a fight.
“Don’t be sorry. It was a long night.”
“You look tired, Sofia,” Colm said abruptly. “You should go home to bed.”
“I will be soon.”
Would you like to join me?
No.
Bad Sofia.
“We’ll walk you out to your car,” Colm said abruptly. “I’m sure Oleg can handle anything that needs doing to close up.”
Shit.
She was certain that Oleg couldn’t handle closing up. But how did she say that?
“Right, Oleg?” Colm challenged.
“Of course,” Oleg replied. “You go, Kulkolka.”
She wondered if Miller and Colm could hear the note of anger in the other man’s voice.
Sofia knew he wouldn’t be happy about having to close, but at least he couldn’t access the safe. She’d already taken care of all the cash.
Surely he couldn’t fuck things up too badly?
“All right. Thanks.” Sofia forced herself to turn and give him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving her office. When Oleg didn’t follow, some of the tension escaped her.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Sofia?” Miller asked. “You’re moving stiffly.”
“Is it your back?” Colm asked sharply.
Shoot.
She had to do a better job at guarding her thoughts and reactions.
“Uh, yes,” she said as she tapped out a message to her driver.
Arseni had been her driver for years. Thankfully, she didn’t have to bring a bodyguard with her to work. Solynshko was pretty safe with Sacha’s men in and out all night—including Sacha himself.
Still, she knew Arseni was close by because she’d seen him in the back of the restaurant eating dinner about an hour ago.
“What did you do to it?” Colm demanded. “Do you take medication? Are you seeing someone for it? What makes it worse?”
Sofia paused and gaped up at him. “Um. Uh.” There were so many questions that her brain couldn’t sort through them all. What should she tell him?
Well, obviously, not the whole truth.
“I had an . . . an accident. It’s really fine. I just can’t stand for too long or lift anything too heavy.”
Colm grunted as they reached the front door. He reached out and touched her arm, making her jump.
“Where is your jacket?”
“Uh, I didn’t bring one.” It wasn’t that cold out and she’d left home in a hurry.
“You should have a jacket,” he stated.
“But I don’t. And I don’t have that far to walk.”
He grumbled something to himself as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. It dwarfed her much smaller frame. She immediately grabbed hold of it, trying to take it off.
“I couldn’t—”
“You can,” he countered.
“I couldn’t take it. You need it.” She lifted it off her shoulders, and he let out a low warning noise that made her freeze. Grabbing hold of it, he resettled it on her shoulders.
“Leave it on,” he ordered.
Sofia narrowed her eyes at him. She didn’t have to walk that far before she’d reach the car. What was the point of wearing his jacket?
“Please,” Miller whispered, making Sofia jump.
Shit. She’d totally forgotten that the other woman was even there.
“You should say please,” Miller told Colm.
Colm glared at Miller, then at Sofia. “Leave the jacket on. Let’s go.”
Jeez.
So bossy.
“Please,” he muttered as he opened the door to the outside.
She had to hide her smile as they walked out. It was colder than she’d expected. Although she wasn’t going to admit that to him.
“There’s Arseni.” She pointed to a dark car. It was the same one he always drove her around in. She knew it would be more modified and safer than the President’s vehicle.
Colm nodded and gestured for the two of them to walk ahead of him. As they reached the car, Arseni stepped out to get the door.
He eyed Colm coldly.
“Uh, Arseni, this is Colm. Colm, Arseni. My driver.”
“I know Colm. Climb in, Sofia. The Pakhan wants you home.”
Lord. That made it sound like she lived with Sacha. Sure, she lived on the estate but in her own house. And he didn’t monitor when she came and left.