Page 39 of Bought to Bear Bratva Heir

I would never leave Alec. Ilya would have to force me out, which was possibly what he was trying to do. Or maybe he just wanted me to hear everything so I’d lose it and run away.

At my sides, my fists clenched. Keeping my head down, I stomped along the New York street. I wouldn’t let him win. Not this time.

I had been gone from the city a long time, and so much had changed, but I was sure I could find a bar if I tried hard enough. Usually, I didn’t drink, but tonight it felt like I needed to.

Like clockwork, I saw a doorman dressed all in black let a group inside. Picking up my speed, I rushed towards him. "Hi."

He turned his face towards me, an angry sneer on it until he saw me, and then his sneer turned to a smile that lit up his whole face and made him a million times more handsome.

"Sure, honey." Easily he lifted the red rope and ushered me through. "Have a great night."

I nodded my thanks, slipping out of the rain and into the ultra-modern, clearly expensive wine bar.

The place wasn’t buzzing, but there were enough people sitting around tables to make me feel less alone. Not that I was here to make friends. How would I even introduce myself?

Hi, my name is Daisy. I have a Ph.D. in archaeology. Six years ago, I was paid to give birth to a gangster's baby, and that same monster is now fucking his way through New York City while I listen? Oh, did I forget to mention that we had sex just four weeks ago?

I rolled my eyes as I slipped onto the stool and shrugged out of my coat.

Yeah, that wasn’t going to make me any friends. The whole city knew who Ilya was. So I wasn’t here to make friends. I was just here to escape for a few hours. And maybe listening to other people’s happy conversations would make me feel a little less alone.

I doubted it, but anything was better than listening to Ilya go at it for the next few hours.

"White wine, please," I signaled the bartender, who, just like the doorman, greeted me with a wide smile. I knew I wasn’t a troll, but they were all so kind and flirty that I was beginning to think I looked good tonight.

A glass was pushed towards me; I thanked him, but I didn’t open up a conversation. I wasn’t here to flirt.

"Hi again."

Lifting my head, I stared at the doorman’s open, smiling face. "Hi." Over the rim of my glass, I studied him. "Thanks for letting me jump the queue back there." Another sip of the cold, tangy liquid.

"Believe me, the pleasure's all mine." Without waiting for an invitation, he sat next to me. Signaling for drinks with a flick of his fingers. "I haven’t seen you in here before."

"Do you remember all the women that come through those doors?"

Chuckling, he shook his head. "Not really, but the beautiful ones stick in my mind. And you are stunning."

I couldn’t help it; I blushed.

"See," he tucked his fingers under his own chin and grinned at me. "Fucking adorable."

He was definitely flirting with me. "Shouldn’t you be on the door?"

Beaming from ear to ear, he shook his head. "My name is Jac; I’m the owner of this here quaint establishment." Holding out ahand, he waited for me to take it. "I think they can handle the door without me."

"Nice to meet you," I said, quickly pulling my hand away.

"This is usually the time you share your name, honey?"

Blushing an even deeper red, I cleared my throat. "Daisy. And you’re right, I haven’t been here before. I only recently got back into town."

"And are you staying long?"

Shrugging, I went back to my drink.

"I see. So what brought you back? Family or a man?"

Now my face really did flame. "A little of both. My father died." My voice cracked.