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“I’m the guest of honor? I’m sure you have much more important people to attend to,” I reply, ignoring his compliment.
“Not tonight,” Daniil says, unbuttoning his suit jacket and taking a seat at the head of the table. The one usually reserved for Andrei. “I’ll level with you, Georgia. We just want to get to know you. We’re going to be working closely together to fulfill a very important mission. And here you are now, living under our roof. It seems like we should get to know each other better. Bond, as the kids say.”
“Taking someone captive is not usually the best way to kick off atrustingrelationship.”
Leo smirks, pouring me a glass of champagne. “Agreed, but here we are.”
Taking a sip of champagne, I take in the two brothers. One brash and cocky, with the face of an Adonis. The other, quieter, more reserved, sitting back and taking everything in before offering his two-cents.
Before I can get my bearings, a team of waitstaff filter into the room, carrying platter after platter. Leo explains that we’re having borscht, caviar over blini with Creme Fraiche, herring in dill sauce, smoked oysters and picked cucumbers. It’s way over the top, and I’ve never eaten this indulgently in my life—not to mention that all this Russian food is new to my palate, though so far it’s been undeniably delicious.
“What is it?” Daniil asks, noticing my reluctance, fork midway to his mouth.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Andrei?”
“He won’t be joining us.” Daniil’s attention slips back to the food on his plate.
“Oh.” The word seems to echo in the big room, and I fight the instinct to slump in disappointment. Two sets of eyes regard me with interest.
Flashing a bright smile, I say, “Great. Just us.”
Daniil barks out a laugh. “Andrei sucks the fun out of the room with his big-dick energy. This is much more enjoyable.”
I chuckle at Daniil’s attempt to make light of this situation, and I certainly can’t deny that Andrei is a force to be reckoned with, but this entire set-up feels strange. It seems to me Andrei is being purposefully kept away tonight, and I don’t know how I feel about that. The brothers are obviously assessing my every move, sizing me up to decide if they can trust me to help find their precious Kira, or if they need to cut me loose.
Which, in the world of the bratva, means death.
I take in a steadying breath, attempting to chase away the nerves bubbling in my stomach. This is the moment to put Monsieur Coset’s lessons to good use. Charming the brothers, gaining their trust and favor, is in my best interest. Andrei may choose to freeze me out, but I can snake my way into the heart of the other Kozlovs. Not that I expect they’ll abandon their plan of sending me back to Oleg, but if I play my cards right, they’ll lower their guard around me. Best-case scenario, they’ll get sloppy and I’ll find a moment to escape or at least find a phone or computer to email for help.
Worst-case scenario? Fuck, I can’t even go there. It probably ends with my body floating face down in a river.
A shiver works through me as I take a bite of the blini, moaning at the pop of caviar filling my mouth. “This is incredible,” I enthuse. Daniil grins, and Leo grunts in agreement. “And the champagne,” I say, tipping back a sip of the luscious bubbles sliding down my throat. “I’ve never tasted champagne this creamy and smooth.”
Leo raises his eyebrows. “This is Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut. Twenty thousand dollars bottle.”
I cough into my flute. Crime certainly pays well.
“Well, cheers to that.” I hold up my flute, and after a moment of hesitancy, they clink their glass with mine. I’m determined to make this dinner as enjoyable as possible; theywilladore me when we’re through with this meal.
Leo throws me a cool, curious gaze, as if trying to figure out what’s behind my enthusiasm. “Tell us about training today.”
“What? You don’t get a full progress report on me every day?”
“Of course we do,” he confirms, “but we’re asking for your thoughts.”
All right then. I choose to be honest. “I’m not interested in picking up a gun. They scare me and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be able to use one. But I do like Krav Maga, though it’s a hell of a workout and I can barely sit down to pee because I’m so sore. And Monsieur Coset is great.” I shrug. “But I’m not yet a super-spy, and I don’t know if I ever will be.”
“Yes, we heard you’re not very fond of guns.” Leo sighs heavily. “But it's an essential part of your training. You need to use a pistol.”
My brows pull together. “Why?”
Daniil pauses mid-bite, then lowers his fork. “Anything can happen when you’re at the Antonov compound. You need to be prepared.”
“Right.” I swallow heavily and change the subject before they can push me further. “Any word on my father? I’d really like to speak with him soon.”
Leo sits back and folds his arms across his enormous chest. “Your father is safe under our protection. You should be relieved.”
“Yeah, relieved,” I mutter. “Relieved I’m being held captive by the Russian mafia or relieved they are forcing me to work for them? Please be clear which part is supposed to bring me comfort.”
