Page 20 of Ruthless Dream

An Akatov can help me do that.

There’s no fucking way Boris would ever take one look at me. But his university age daughter with a tight arse and Bambi eyes?

Fuck me. I’ll turn on the Irish charm and worm my way into her life.

It’s not like any of these fuckers here understand her life. That she’s Bratva royalty.

Thanks to some sleuthing, I have it confirmed she’s not promised to any mafia prince.

Which means she’s open. Ready, for someone to sweep her off her feet.

That fuck me red lipstick she’s wearing—it’s just begging to be fucking smeared. I’ll be damned if anyone besides me gets the opportunity.

CHAPTER 5

Adeline

Ihave gone to bars throughout this city, but tonight is different.

Tonight is the first time I’m going out with people from class. I overheard someone in my dorm talking about Friday night drinks, and then a classmate mentioned it. The marketing majors are rallying around to form better friendships.

I jumped at the chance and sent a photo to Nat before I headed over. Proof I am building a life at NYU, plus a tiny bit of flaunting because this mini black dress looks fucking spectacular.

Except the closer I get to the bar, the more I realize that most of my fellow students are wearing jeans.

I take a deep breath, reminding myself that Adeline Akatav has always been a teeny bit extra.

“Mr. Akatov will not like this,” Jack says.

I roll my eyes. “Having a hard on for my father is not a requirement. He’s already hired you.”

For reasons unknown. Jack doesn’t know the fucking meaning of blending in.

Usually our guards understand boundaries. And while I was the kid who always tested them, I’m not crazy thinking Jack is clingy.

My parents always wanted us to at least have a sense of independence. The guards are here to protect, not to tattle on us. But Jack doesn’t wander behind me at a respectful distance. He doesn’t give me space when we’re weaving through NYU buildings.

Shit, last night when I was at the library studying, he sat right beside me. If I hadn’t been furiously reading thanks to an upcoming quiz, I would have thrown a hissy fit.

Nat told me to get over it. That, of course, Mom and Dad will be worried about me, thanks to my track record.

I’d like to see how she’d react if every choice she made came with commentary from some blond twenty-six year-old who thinks he’s the Bratva's finest.

“The legal age to drink is twenty-one,” Jack reminds, eliciting another eye roll. His jaw sets when he notices.

“I know the legal drinking age.”

“Then you understand why your father⁠—”

“Yeah, we’re so not doing that. The whole ‘your father’ thing. I’m going to a bar to meet up with friends. If I drink, that’s my business.”

I’ve never had a guard scowl at me before. At least not the way Jack does.

It’s so intense my heart skips a beat. A spark of unease because what the fuck is this guy’s problem?

“One day something bad will happen to you, Adeline Akatov. And you’ll only have yourself to blame.”

I stop walking. He doesn’t break eye contact, the air muggy in the night.