Page 8 of Devious Obsession
“Yeah. He got married a few weeks ago.” While he was up in New York taking the punishment for what I did, I stayed tucked away here in Boston. Hiding like the coward I am.
“She’s pretty, but she doesn’t look happy to be there.”
I laugh. Why would she? She’d been dragged to the altar like him.
“It’s a complicated situation,” I say because saying more would be word vomit. Kaz married the sister of my ex-boyfriend, who dated me hoping to get closer to my family for information to use against them, or kill them, I’m not entirely sure which he wanted more. But I can’t even be that angry at him for that, because I was dating him in order to prove to myself that I absolutely did not have feelings for someone else, in order to bring peace between the Italian mob and my brother’s Russian Bratva ring. Yeah, all of that seems a little more than she’s ready for.
A customer comes up to the register and Mandy steps forward to take the order.
Is he okay?
Megan answers back immediately.
He’s fine. Call him. Let him know you’re okay. Everyone’s worried, Elana. We love you.
My chest tightens and an ache threatens to bring tears, but I inhale a long breath through my nose until I can get the emotion under control.
I’ll call. Luv you all, too.
I tuck my phone back into my apron pocket and busy myself getting the drink order Mandy took ready. While I’m steaming milk the little hair on the back of my neck dances, and I look up.
The cafe is still empty, aside from the woman waiting for her latte and the one in the corner working on her laptop.
I snap the lid onto the drink and slide it toward the customer.
“Thanks,” she mutters, grabbing it and heading for the door.
For a minute, I watch her through the glass. She climbs into a car and drives off. Then I see him.
Artem.
Or I think I do. One blink later, he’s gone.
“You okay?” Mandy touches my shoulder making me jump.
“Yeah.” I press my hand to my chest. “Just thought I saw someone.”
“Who?” She leans to look out the window.
“No one, just a cute guy. But he got on the bus.” I force a smile. “I really need that nap.”
My muscles tighten so much, they could double as violin strings.
I haven’t spoken to my brothers in nearly three months. But I am now. Kaz glares at me through his computer screen.
He’s in a black sweater with his hair finger combed away from his face. It’s not that late but he looks like he’s already gone to bed.
“Where are you?”
“Like you don’t know?” I try to keep my tone light. He has every right to be angry with me. After what I did—dating the enemy and then hightailing it out of town when I got caught. I’m a coward and a traitor.
The men who work for my brothers have lost fingers for doing less.
“Tell me anyway.”
I’m not naive enough to believe my brothers don’t know my every move. The only reason whoever they have tailing me hasn’t shown their face is most likely out of fear that I’ll try to rip it off. I’ve never liked all the security Alexander insists on and have become an expert at giving them the slip whenever possible.
“Your spies can tell you.” I swallow hard. “I heard you had to get married.”
