The moment the car door was opened I realized the groundbreaking for Three Kings was way more of a happening event than I’d expected. Flashbulbs had started going off the moment we exited the SUV.
As we started for the tent, I said to Maksim, “I feel like I am dating a Hollywood actor rather than a Bratva boss.”
He chuckled. “Well, Leandro and I are two of Philly’s p-prominent businessmen, so it makes sense.”
“Hmm, I would think the fact you’re hot, rich, and single doesn’t hurt.”
“I’m not single.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I might not be married, b-but I’m off the market.” He winked. “And the p-photos taken tonight will show that.”
His words sent my heart beating erratically in my chest. As a tall, dark-haired man motioned him over, Maksim’s mood shifted into business mode. “Quite a turn out,” the man mused.
“I agree.”
With a wink, the man said, “I called in a few favors to editors who owe me.”
Maksim snorted. “Why am I not surprised?” He then turned to me. “Sarah, this is Leandro Neretti, one of my business partners.”
I extended my hand to shake with him, but he shocked me by grabbing me by the shoulders. After placing a kiss on my left and right cheeks, he said, “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Sarah.”
“Same to you.”
Leandro then clapped Maksim on the back. “Well, the wifey is beckoning me. Gotta go before she has my balls.”
With a chuckle, Maksim said, “See you at the ribbon cutting in half an hour.”
As I watched Leandro’s retreating form, I said, “He seems like a fun guy.”
“He is.”
When Leandro got to a dark-haired beauty, he kissed the frown from her face. “Italian men are so passionate,” I mused.
Maksim scowled at me. “Russians are just as passionate if not more.”
“Seriously? Since when have you ever heard the same phrases about Russian men that you do Italians?”
“I could kiss the p-panties right off you.”
With a smile, I said, “I’ll hold you to that later.”
***
After the ribbon cutting and symbolic shoveling of the foundation by Leandro, Callum, and Maksim, we stood around making small talk, sipping champagne, and eating hors d'oeuvres.
Another hour passed and the small talk was getting to me, so I excused myself from the women I was talking to to go to the bathroom. I was washing my hands when my phone dinged with a text.
It was Maksim.
Where r u??
As I bit down on my lip, I decided to shake things up a little bit. I knew he didn’t take part in hunts, but he had mentioned he liked being dominant and taking control.
Come find me.
I don’t think you want to do that.
