Chapter 37 Katya
Insert every stereotypical mafioso name and heritage you could think of and that would recount the names and faces I’ve met tonight and cataloged for future extermination. Except Bob.
Bob seems nice. Bob’s the owner of multiple strip clubs in Florida and Bob was invited here with no notion of what he was getting into. Bob does not participate in the skin trade and every woman who works for Bob is paid fairly and has consensual business with his clients.
All this according to…you guessed it, Bob. Based on the sweat pouring from his forehead while Enzo and Rafael interrogate him and his business dealings, I would make a safe guess Bob’s telling the truth.
He's been the highlight of my first hour here amongst all these awful men. Poor Bob. Anyway, the other faces burn into my brain like a brand. At some point, I will be their end. Could be next week or ten years from now.
A waiter passes by with a tray of champagne, and I snatch a glass, but before it hits my lips, the fizzy bliss leaves my grasp, swallowed in one gulp by Enzo. “Excuse you,” I snip and the devil simply smiles.
“I don’t need you tipsy while on the job, baby.”
“I wasn’t aware I was on the job.” I grab for another but Enzo fucking growls and the waiter scurries away with his tail tucked between his legs. “Pussy,” I mutter as champagne bliss walks away.
“You’re always on the job, Little Doc. Privileges of working for daddy dearest. No days, hours, or minutes off.”
“You really think something would go down in front of all these witnesses?”
I sure as hell do which is why I’ve got both blades strapped to my thighs, but sweet innocent Lucy wouldn’t dream of the cruelty these men would commit in public.
Enzo’s irises edge with darkness and his head tilts. “Oh baby, I don’t think. I know because there’s a 99% chance I’m going to cause it.”
“There is a 100% chance if you do, there will be consequences, Fratellino,” Rafael says, champagne glass in hand, as he saunters up to glare at his twin.
“We talked about laying low. This is our night to network for ourselves and our goals. Comb through our allies and enemies to determine who is truly with us and against us.”
“You underestimate my ability to multitask.”
“I do believe it’s best, for my sake specifically, you listen to Rafael.” Nodding toward the logical brother, Enzo’s glare turns my direction, and I fight the urge to climb him like a tree, asshole behavior be damned. Is it bad that his malice makes me horny?
That’s probably a bad omen, right?
“Yes, Enzo. I would listen to your brother. He is the future Don, is he not?”
My spine steels as his voice covers my skin like a wet film, slimy and grotesque.
The boys standing before me peer over my shoulder.
Enzo’s hatred leaks from every feature on his devastatingly handsome face with an intensity rivaling the sun’s.
Rafael’s features, however, are purposeful, restrained and entirely controlled, although no less intense.
Enzo burns bright, with no shame or constraint while his brother is as cold as ice. Enzo ignites while Rafael solidifies. One burning with a passion so intense it spreads like wildfire, the other like an avalanche, turning a peaceful quietness into a roaring nightmare.
“Alexey Romanova, glad to see you finally accepted our invitation,” Rafael says cordially.
I place myself in front of the boys but not for long. Enzo’s arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back, nestling me between him and his brother as he looks down at me with an expression that says what the fuck do you think you’re doing?
Ilya stands behind his father, solid as stone. His chin lifts a bit higher and his brow arches, reading my intentions as easily as he reads his morning paper. And maybe he can…or maybe I’m entirely and unrecognizably different from the last time I saw him.
“I’ve never had a reason to until now. I am following up on a particularly important contract. The client is…unreliable and I wanted to make sure they understood where and to whom they belonged.”
“Where’s your pretty little sister? I’ve been meaning to have a little chat with her,” Enzo inquires with gritted teeth and a downright delinquent sneer.
Ilya’s baby blues light with mischief. “Closer than you think.”
“I see,” Rafael says. “Well, by all means, enjoy the food and drink.”
“Just remember whose house you’re in,” Enzo follows up.
Alexey gives a subtle nod before walking away but Ilya stays firmly planted to his spot. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this divine woman.”
“The only thing you need to know about her is that she's off limits. She’s not on the menu tonight, Ilya,” Enzo chides.
My brother’s unfazed by the interaction, in fact, he completely ignores Enzo. Instead, he reaches out and without thinking, like muscle memory, my hand meets his. “Your name?”
“Lucy. Doctor Lucy Sinclair,” I reply as soon as I get my brain in order again. Why the hell are Alexey and Ilya here? I knew this was my last night to complete the contract, but I thought I could buy more time. They were meant to be in New York, not Seattle.
Enzo pulls me back. “Don’t touch her. Don’t talk to her or even look at her or I swear to fucking God, Ilya, I will break your fucking nose in front of every single person in this room and when your sweet little sister comes for me, I’ll slice her throat and laugh over her twitching body while you watch. ”
“Enzo. Enough.” Rafael grips his brother’s shoulder.
“Yes, Enzo, listen to your master. I’ll be seeing you…Lucy,” Ilya says before spinning on his heel and walking away.
Enzo spins, pointing his finger in my face. “Do not go near him.”
I smack his finger out of my face and glare at him.
“I will speak to whomever I please, Enzo. I’m not a prisoner.
” The image Enzo painted has my little kamikaze butterflies crashing and burning against my ribs.
I forgot…for the briefest of moments, between Rafael’s sweet gift and Enzo’s…
other gift, I forgot how much hatred burns inside these twins for Katya Romanova.
His top lip snarls like a rabid fucking dog. “You. Are. Ours.”
Rafael steps in, creating a blockade between Enzo and I and if he hadn’t, let’s just say I would not be held responsible for the damage I caused that possessive shit.
“Lucy, Ilya and Alexey Romanova are our longest and strongest enemies. A feud between our families has stretched on for generations and has only grown more savage in the last three decades. You may converse with who you wish, as long as we are near, but I would strongly advise you to avoid the Romanovas,” Rafael commands with his low and steady voice, a gentle but undeniable demand for obedience, and delivered from him, I can’t help but want to obey.
But I doubt I will have a choice in the matter.
If Ilya and Alexey are here, it’s for one reason only.
They want me.
Dead or alive will be the question.