Page 26 of Bedazzled
“Hey! Yuri Mikail Morozov! Are you serious right now?”
His steps slowed and he finally turned around, looking at me just… bristling at him with my hands on my hips and Ella whispering, “Hey, maybe not right now, hon?”
His beautiful, disgusting face was totally composed, and his little date was looking from him to me, adorably confused.
“I beg your pardon?” Yuri inquired politely.
Well, this was some awkward shit. Ella’s security and his security were looking confused. There was no one to take down as an active threat unless they counted me.
“Oh, look, and here I thought you were just a pretty face with a forked tongue. You’re also a fabulous actor! How did I not know this about you?” I was on fire, so angry that I was stuttering which was much better than crying, which would have been so pathetic that I would be required by my own code to throw myself in front of a bus.
“I mean, you were so sweet when you fucked me - what, two days ago? Well, until you blocked my number the next day. You were actually going to dump me without a word and then pass by me like I’m badgering you for spare change on the street? Are you for fucking real?”
Yuri nodded to a bodyguard, “Please help Miss Lenkov into the car.”
Hanging on to his arm, she said, “MilyyYuri, is she… safe? Are you sure?”
“Oh, my god…” I shook my head.Oh, honey, it’s not like you can be any more obvious. Just lift your leg and spray him already.
“I will be fine,” he smiled down at her politely. “Go with Boris, please.”
She followed the man obediently, her large curious eyes looking me over as she passed by.
Then, we were alone on the sidewalk. Everyone here had a strong sense of self-preservation and backedwayoff.
I sucked in a deep breath of air. “Yuri. Is this…” I glanced away from him, I couldn’t look into his eyes right now. “You really want to be this person?”
“I am Bratva. I am nothing else. And I have always been this person,” he said. Not a flicker of emotion. Maybe polite disinterest, like I was trying to sell him fake Gucci wallets or a timeshare.
“No,” I said sadly. “You were so much more. And so much better than this.”
We were both silent for a moment, the sounds of the passing cars seemed muted, too. Finally, Yuri sighed. It was exhaustion. It was sadness. But worse, I knew it was goodbye. “Have a good life, Tania,” he murmured, trying to kiss my cheek.
I stepped back. “You gave up on us. You’re a coward, and you don’t get to touch me.”
Turning around awkwardly, I looked for Ella. “Els?” I whispered. She was right there, putting her arm around me and leading me away, after sending Yuri a glare that should have left him a pile of ash on the sidewalk.
Chapter Eight
In which Tania discovers that it is possible to re-break a heart that is already broken.
Yuri…
“How did the dinner meeting go with Lenkov last night?” Maksim offered me a drink, calmly but firmly shutting the door on his assistant Alina and two of his captains.
“I am sure you already know that he did not come. He sent his daughter Mila.” I put the cold glass against my forehead, relishing the chill. The scar there had been throbbing painfully since last night. “I had Boris drop her off at home after dinner. She pouted. I believe she thought it was adorable.”
“Why does it feel like someone shot off a starter pistol when word got out you were moving back to St. Petersburg?” He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Every single Bratva princess is suddenly finding reasons to call Mariya and Ekaterina. To meet for lunch, you understand.”
“It looks like we are both cursed with headaches,” I noted, draining half my glass.
“The largest one would be my wife,” he admitted.
“Why brother, I amshocked.The mightyPakhan,terrified of his wife?”
“Don’t think I won’t punch your pretty face in before you escape to St. Petersburg,” he said, pointing a finger at me.
“Not so pretty anymore,” I said, shocked and a little embarrassed at how bitter it sounded.
