Page 57 of Wicked Villain

Bastard. Of course, he knows what I got.

“Maybe we should take you on a test run later.” His smile widens.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “No. I don’t think we should do that.”

“Whatever you say, malyshka.”

Lev signals Roberto over. When he reaches the table, Lev tilts his head and says, “I’d like the brasato al Nero d’Avola.”

“Sure.” Roberto writes it down, then looks at me. “The usual, Mrs. Karsavin?”

I give him a cool smile and nod. “Yes, please. I’d love the lobster ravioli.”

Roberto nods. “I’ll have both meals with you as soon as I can. Let me know if you need anything more in the meantime.”

He saunters away, and Lev’s eyes settle back on me once more.

“I’m surprised you haven’t returned to the charity yet,” he states.

“I’m going in on Monday.” I’m happy to return and that I even have the chance to be there, but I realized I needed a few more days to myself. People will have questions I won’t be ready to answer yet. Lev wouldn’t understand that.

“It’s always crazy in the middle of the week,” I add, though it’s a lie.

“Whatever suits you best.”

“Any idea yet on when I can see my mother?” I decide to ask since we’re kind of on the topic of what suits me best. The other day, he said in a few weeks, but that is way too long.

Mama has been on my mind. I want to see her. I don’t want this to be some indefinite thing where I sit waiting and hoping Lev will change his mind. The longer I’m away, the more my mother will worry. I could tell in her voice last night when I spoke to her on the phone that she’d been crying. I hated that.

“Still making sure it’s safe,” Lev replies with a nonchalant attitude that makes me sick.

“You know, I’m sure you can find a way for my mother to meet with me. A coffee shop, or somewhere like the park.”

Lev takes another sip of his wine. “You know my concerns about your father. Like I said before, he’ll find a way to use your mother to get to you or get in my way. Neither is happening on my watch.”

God, the man is insufferable. I want to ask him if he’s never had a mother, but I hold my tongue. There’s been no mention of another parent except his father. I suspect something happened to his mother, so I won’t go there.

We’re quiet for a few moments. Lev drinks, and I decide to sip on my drink, too.

I don’t know what the hell to talk to him about.

What do you say to someone like Lev? Everything I’ve heard about him has been awful. I’ve seen it for myself.

From what I know about men like him, he’ll probably spend his days killing or deciding who’s next on the hit list. He is the Pakhan, after all.

The most civilized part of his day might be going to work at his family business, but even there, I don’t know what he does.

Anushka told me about his business degree from Harvard. I’m pretty sure that was just for show.

Our meals arrive twenty minutes later, and I’m grateful for something to do with my hands. And to break up the silence. I tuck into the meal, enjoying it. It won’t fix my life, but it certainly provides comfort in this moment.

Halfway through the meal, I spot a familiar face walking into the restaurant.

Danillo Bellandi.

Great. I didn’t think tonight could get any worse.

Behind him is a leggy blonde in a super tight bodycon dress. I recognize her. Stasia Benedetti. I suppose she’s my replacement.