Chapter 7 #4
“And that’s why it’s a secret,” Dima says, looking between Ev and me. “As in no one outside of this table needs to ever hear about it.”
“Well, no one else but Sitka,” Tyoma says with a grin.
“Sitka knows?” I ask, unable to resist the temptation.
Yuri laughs and motions for the waitress to bring him another drink. “Who the hell do you think is winning most of the money?”
“Sitka’s racing?” I can hear the disbelief in my own voice, even though there’s a big part of myself that knows this makes perfect sense.
I’d seen her racing through the woods with my own eyes.
She’s a skilled rider, and she’d obviously been loving every second of it.
Still, it’s dangerous, and I’m not crazy about her putting her life at risk.
Misha eyes me with a little more scrutiny than I’d like when he says, “Does that bother you, Damien?”
I keep myself relaxed when I answer, “Why the hell would it bother me? I’m just surprised you let her.”
“She can handle a bike. I saw that for myself the other night,” Ev says, joining in and taking some of the attention off of me.
“Yeah, she can,” Yuri says. “We taught her how to ride, but we didn’t realize how much she’d take to it.
She keeps her helmet on, but there’s no hiding her body, so everyone knows she’s a woman.
As soon as the guys see that, the bets go crazy.
No matter how many times she wins, they always think she’s going to lose. ”
“If they’re that fucking stupid,” Tyoma says, “then they deserve to lose their money.”
“We race with her,” Kostya says, “just because it’s fun. Every once in a while we’ll beat her, but she’s a sneaky little thing.”
While the others keep talking, I take a drink of my Coke and wonder if anything’s ever happened between Sitka and the only two men who aren’t related to her.
The thought doesn’t sit well with me. They were raised together, but that doesn’t mean they think of each other as related and off limits.
They’d have to be blind to not notice how beautiful she is, and even though I was only pretending to be gay, I’m not going to lie and say I can’t tell they’re good-looking guys, both of which I’m assuming can read anything that’s put in front of them with ease and who also have the advantage of already being loved by her family and within easy access all year long.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when Misha says, “I vote we hit one of our strip clubs. Those girls ruined my mood, and I need to get it back.”
“I’m in,” Yuri says while Tyoma and Kostya both nod their approval.
They’re not twenty-one, but when the Bratva you work for owns the place, the rules don’t apply.
I’m going to think a hell of a lot less of them if I find out one of them does have something going with Sitka and they’re choosing to disrespect her by going to a strip club.
“Nah, I’m sitting this one out,” Dima says.
One look from Bran and they don’t even bother asking if he wants to join them, so the attention quickly falls on Ev and me again.
“No thanks,” Ev says. “I’m gonna head back to Max’s.”
“Me too,” I say.
I can tell they don’t get it, and I give all of zero fucks about that. There’s no way in hell a few raised eyebrows are going to peer-pressure me into a lap dance. I’m not easily swayed, and they have no idea how stubborn I can be.
When my cousin and I don’t budge, Misha stands and drops a few twenties on the table. They don’t have to pay for their drinks, but at least they leave a nice tip for the waitress.
“Suit yourselves,” he says. “We’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Have fun,” Dima tells them.
“We always do,” Yuri says.
Kostya and Tyoma say a quick bye and then follow the others out. Once they’re gone, Bran signs to his brother, Why didn’t you go?
Tired of it, is his quick response.
Bran doesn’t push it, but it’s obvious that Dima turning down a strip club visit is an odd occurrence.
Let’s get the fuck out of here, Dima signs, tossing back the last of his drink.
It’s the best idea I’ve heard all night, and none of us waste any time leaving the club. The ride back is a little more subdued without the others, and by the time we get back, all I feel is relief to no longer be at that club and disappointment at not getting to see Sitka.
Before going back to Max’s, we follow them to Vasya’s house and say a quick bye to Dima and tell him we’ll see him tomorrow night. Bran watches him walk inside and then signs to me, Come over for breakfast. Be here at nine, okay?
I’d planned on sleeping in, but after tonight, there’s no way in hell I’m saying no to him. I sign a quick okay while Ev asks if he can take a raincheck. I know he’s planning on burying his head back in a textbook to make up for the hours we were gone tonight.
No worries, Bran signs. Damien’s the one who needs to be here.
He ignores the confused look I give him and joins his brother inside. Ev shrugs to let me know he’s just as clueless as I am and then heads back down the drive to Max’s. I follow him, hoping like hell Lyra sleeps good tonight.