Chapter 17
“Yes!” Cara hangs up the phone and pumps her fist enthusiastically in the air, beaming at Caterina. “Ulayna is in. She’s going to meet us for brunch at the café in half an hour.”
Caterina claps in excitement. “I can’t wait to grill her for answers about Alexi,” she says with a slightly maniacal glint in her eyes.
Cara laughs at her antics. “I think maybe we should save the interrogation until the second brunch date. We want her to like us, not scare her off.”
“Pscht!” Caterina dismisses Cara’s concerns. “Did you see her the other night? That woman snuck into the crazy Russian’s challenge and dominated against all his men. She’s a badass. I’m sure she can handle little ole me.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out. We'd better get going, or we’ll be late.” Cara slides her jacket on and grabs her purse, then pulls a Tupperware with a bright red lid out of the refrigerator.
“What flavor scones did you make her?” Caterina asks, knowing that baking is her friend’s love language.
“I made my grandmother’s recipe—lemon and currant.”
“Mmm, so good.” Caterina groans as she grabs her purse and presses the elevator call button.
After a medical call had roused them both from sleep early, they’d spent the first part of the morning drinking tea and catching up in Cara and Liam’s penthouse.
Thankfully, the infirmary they run for Liam’s organization is just a few floors down, and Caterina and Brian’s apartment is one floor below that.
“Do you think we’ll be able to snag an invite to the Russian compound?” Caterina asks Cara, waggling her eyebrows. “I’m dying of curiosity.”
Cara frowns as they step into the penthouse elevator and the doors swoosh closed behind them.
“I don’t know. Liam said the partnership with the Russians is going well, but that Alexi is still testing the loyalty of the men who were part of Boris’s organization.
I think that’s why he’s making them do the challenges.
Things might be a little too volatile over there still. ”
Caterina pouts. “It can’t hurt to ask.”
Cara huffs out a sigh of frustration as they step out of the elevator and walk toward a waiting car. “I don’t know. Since Liam and I found out I’m pregnant, his protective instincts have gone crazy. I’m surprised he was okay with me even going to brunch this morning.”
They both slide into the back seat of a waiting SUV.
“Hey, Antonie,” Cara says, smiling at the large man sitting in the driver’s seat.
The man nods at her politely, then winks. “The usual spot?”
Cara nods her head, and they pull out of the underground garage beneath Liam’s building.
Caterina looks behind them when a second SUV pulls out, tailing them. “I see what you mean,” she says with raised eyebrows. “Apparently, Liam is sending additional guards with us.”
“What?” Cara whips around to look behind them. She glowers. “Antonie, do you know anything about this?”
“Liam assigned three men to your detail, ma’am.”
Caterina asks, “Is that on top of my guard?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Antonie responds. “Danny, Charlie, and Cormac are all in the other SUV.”
Caterina flops back against the seat and rolls her eyes. “So much for our ladies' brunch.”
“We’ll be discreet, ma’am,” Antonie promises.
“Discreet! Ha! The four of you look like linebackers in tailored Armani suits. We’re going to a café that serves cucumber sandwiches on china plates. You couldn’t be discreet if you wanted to be!”
Antonie shrugs and smiles, his gaze focused on the road.
A few minutes later, they pull up in front of the café. Knowing the drill, Cara and Caterina patiently wait in the car while Antonie and the other men assess the area, looking for threats.
When Antonie opens the door for them, they both slide out. The four men form a circle around the two women and usher them inside.
Unable to help herself, Caterina elbows one of the men to get his attention. “Hey, Charlie,” she whisper-yells. “I’m glad you came. Hadley will be so excited to see you.”
Charlie's steps falter for a brief second, and Caterina snickers.
“Stop teasing the poor man,” Cara chastises her friend.
Their friend Hadley loves to flirt with Charlie, and it’s obvious the man has the hots for her, too, but they both seem to be resistant to the relationship.
Caterina likes to tease the two of them, often putting Cara in the middle.
But she honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
These women and the men in the Irish Mafia are her found family.
And if she has any say in it, that family will extend to the Russians, too.
Spotting their other friend, Mary Beth, at a table, she grabs Caterina’s hand and shoves her way through the men surrounding them.
“Hi!” Cara happily waves to Mary Beth as they make their way across the restaurant.
“How come she doesn’t have to have a dozen bodyguards with her at all times?” Caterina asks petulantly.
Cara shakes her head, amused. “I’m sure Rory is here somewhere.”
“You’re probably right,” Caterina says. “Those two are so sickeningly in love, it hurts my eyeballs to look at them.”
Cara scoffs. “Like you and Brian are any better?”
A soft smile lights up Caterina’s face at the thought of her new husband.
Reaching the table, they both hug Mary Beth and take their seats. Before they can get settled in, Cara spots Ulayna and Phoenix at the door. She waves them over.
As the two new arrivals make their way to the table, Cara whispers to Caterina and Mary Beth, “The gorgeous redhead is Phoenix. She’s one of the members of Alexi’s elite team. She’s friends with Hadley and is probably deadlier than our four guards combined.”
Caterina and Mary Beth both look at the petite woman with lifted eyebrows. But before they can ask any more questions, the two women are at the table.
“I’m so glad you could make it!” Cara gushes as they take their seats. She hands Ulayna the Tupperware. “I made you scones. My grandmother’s recipe.”
Ulayna takes the container, looking taken aback but pleased. “Thank you,” she says. “That’s really kind. I’m sure I’ll enjoy them.”
Cara smiles. “Ulayna, Phoenix, this is Caterina and Mary Beth,” she says, making introductions.
Ulayna and Phoenix smile and wave in greeting.
“Is Hadley joining us?” Phoenix asks, noting the last empty seat.
“She said she would,” Caterina supplies.
Cara shakes her head knowingly. “I bet she’s planning to arrive fashionably late so she can make a grand entrance.”
Phoenix chuckles. “Sounds about right.”
As if to prove their point, there’s a commotion at the entrance. They all turn to face the far side of the restaurant.
Hadley boldly steps into the café, shouting, “Ladies, the party has arrived!” She ignores all the other restaurant patrons as she throws her hands in the air and dances in a little circle, her signature neon-pink stilettos peeking out beneath her white jeans.
Then she skips—literally skips—to their table and plops down in her chair with an exaggerated sigh.
Cara and the rest of the ladies at the table are laughing so hard they’re wiping tears from their eyes.
“Oh my god, Hadley. I love you. Please never change,” Cara tells her.
Hadley scoffs. “Change? Why would I change what is obviously perfection?” She winks at Cara and gives a little shoulder shimmy. Looking around the table, she asks, “So… what’s the dish? Who’s fucking who? Who have your crazy men tortured lately? And has anyone ordered mimosas yet?”
The ladies all laugh again, amused at her audacity.
“What?” Hadley asks. “You know I have to live my life vicariously through you all. My life is boring compared to yours. You’re all married to Mafia kings.” She winks at Ulayna. “I’m just a sad and lonely store girl.”
“Oh, please.” Phoenix rolls her eyes. “Lonely store girl, my ass. Your boutique is one of the trendiest, most successful stores in the area, and I know for a fact that you have enough male companionship to keep yourself from being lonely.”
Hadley laughs. “There’s a compliment in there somewhere, I’m sure.”
For the next half hour, the conversation flows easily as the ladies all get to know each other. They tease each other, drink mimosas, and mostly stick to light topics.
That changes, however, when Caterina unceremoniously blurts out, “Ulayna, please put me out of my misery and tell us, what the fuck is up with you and Alexi?”
All the women pause and look at Ulayna. It’s obvious they all want the answer, but none of them were brave enough to ask.
Phoenix, in particular, looks curious. She rests her chin in her hands and stares at Ulayna with big, innocent eyes. “Yes, I’ve been wondering that, too. See… I heard a rumor that Ulayna was seen being carried down the hall by Alexi, wearing nothing but his shirt, first thing in the morning.”
Ulayna blushes, but lifts her chin. “I’m… using him for sex. That’s all.” She glares at the other ladies as if daring them to challenge her.
“Yeah, obviously,” Caterina says sarcastically. “But we want the details, girl.”
“Details?” Ulayna asks. “What kind of details?”
Hadley holds her two pointer fingers out about six inches apart, then slowly widens them, waggling her eyebrows.
Cara smacks her hands down. “Oh, stop it, Hadley! She’s not going to tell you how big Alexi’s dick is.”
“What?” Hadley asks, shrugging. “It’s not like you’re not dying to know.”
Phoenix raises her hand. “I don’t want to know. Alexi is like a brother to me. I have no desire to talk about his dick.”
“Well, you’re outvoted.” Hadley snickers, making Phoenix groan.
Ulayna’s eyes bounce between them like she’s watching a tennis match.
“At least tell us if it’s any good,” Mary Beth pipes up, trying to play peacekeeper between her outrageous friends.
The other women nod eagerly.
Ulayna squirms in her seat, uncomfortable. “Yes, it’s good.”
Phoenix holds her hand up for a high five, and Ulayna hesitantly slaps her hand with her own.