Page 23 of The Bratva’s Monster

She stares at me directly, challenging me to say something more. Or maybe just challenging me.

“Gedeon was clearly more secure than most men,” I say. “Not every man would be cool with his woman showing up to a party and every single dude in the room had his eyes on her.”

She regards me, her smile dropping slightly. “So what if they do? I’m not the one who died, right? I should be allowed to wear whatever makes me feel beautiful. And if someone wants to dance or… otherwise, then I have the right to decide whether I want that too, don’t I?”

That’s a little callous, but I ignore it and order another drink and she orders a Coke. “You’re not drinking tonight?”

“Think it’s a bad idea to drink tonight.” She asks it almost playfully, her eyebrow raised. “I mean, if I don’t want to get into any trouble with any of these men checking me out, I should probably stay sober.”

“Is that what you’re looking for tonight?” I ask her. “Trouble?”

“I’m looking for a good time,” she says in a not so coy tone. “That’s all. I’ve had enough bad ones to last me a lifetime. I’d like a single night of unabashed good for once.”

She sips her Coke while I drink my drink in silence, trying to figure out this play she’s running. Is she trying to appeal to someone else in this room? Trying to get their attention so that maybe they might look into her cleavage and offer her protection?

Not on my watch. I glance over her head at Alex, who’s watching me carefully. My directive hasn’t changed and this might be the perfect time to get closer to her.

“Well,” I say, holding my glass up to her, “To a good night, then.”

She clinks her glass to mine. “To a good night.”

10

LIZ

Well, I wanted to cause a scene, didn’t I? The moment I walked into the room, heads turned. And I swear the room got about two knots quieter as I walked with Rikki to the bar.

It feels good to be admired, even if it’s just lustfully. It’s nice to have all these eyes on me like this. Every man in the room is fantasizing about me right now, and maybe it’s weird to bask in the light of all these horny stares, but fuck it. I’m the object of every man’s attention instead of being a target for the first time in weeks. I’m going to enjoy every minute of this.

The biggest surprise has been Rikki’s reaction. The moment he laid eyes on me, it was as though something switched behind them. And it’s not something I think I’ve ever seen in anyone before. It’s anger, jealousy, admiration, lust, passion… He looks at me in this dress like he wants to throw me over his shoulder, carry me out of here, and rip it right off my body. I can’t lie… it’s kind of hot.

And it hasn’t been easy all night to ignore the attention he’s giving me. I keep thinking about what it might be like if I let him do exactly what it seems like he wants to do to me. It’s a little intimidating. While dating big guys was my thing in high school, I never slept with any of them. I would always chicken out at the last second.

And Rikki is a big guy. Bigger than most of the other Bratva men. He’s tall with muscles that show through the arms of his dinner jacket like rounded mountains. His long, thick auburn hair is in a ponytail, but I can see that it goes past his shoulders. It’s a mass of waves that just so happens to be tamed at the moment, but I imagine it looks incredible when it’s down.

All that and his beard gives me caveman vibes and… I’m surprised at how into it I actually am.

All night, he’s been keeping his eye on me or making it a point to be at my side as if he were my date. The men who’ve dared to try and ask me to dance or get me a drink have all been summarily chased off by his presence.

I should be angry at him. Everything about his behavior is that kind of knuckle dragging attitude that I normally hate. But I don’t know. Right now, it’s just the kind of attention I want, maybe even need. I miss someone being protective over me. I’ve felt like I’ve been twisting in the wind since Gedeon died.

He’s left me for a moment. The Blue Devils’ main guy is talking to him a few feet away from the table, but he keeps sneaking glances over at me. Watching out. I drink my Coke and look away, wishing that I could have a shot of rum in it.

It’s probably for the best. Looks like being pregnant has saved me from making a complete mess of myself tonight.

He comes back to the table and sits down next to me. “So,” he says, “How long are you planning on staying at the party tonight?” I bark a laugh and he scowls with deep offense. “That’s funny to you?”

“Yes,” I say, still laughing. “You’re not my father, Rikki. And you’re most certainly not my date tonight.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what it means. You’ve been following me around like a big guard dog all night. What’s with you? Worried somebody else is going to hit this?”

He raises an eyebrow and his mouth twists, a wise ass answer at the ready. Then he looks away, then suddenly, he starts laughing, running a hand over his face. “Aw… shit.”

I watch him lean back in his chair, shaking his head. “Guess I have been acting like a jealous boyfriend.”

“Yup.” I shrug, adding, “It’s all right, though. I appreciate it, believe it or not.”