“Let's go find her.” I’m not fully invested in this wedding guest plan. I'd planned on going solo, given my best man duties. Though with Roman and my parents surrounding her, Ava couldn't be safer.
We find her reading out on the terrace, sitting by the ornamental stream that runs around two sides of the penthouse. The sunlight turns her silver-blonde hair into a simmering corona of light.
Iisus Khristos, she’s beautiful.
“Mind if we bother you?” Roman says in his most charming way. In a charming way that makes me suddenly want to punch him in the throat as Ava smiles back uncertainly.
“Sure?”
“We haven’t met. I’m Dmitri’s brother Roman. The more charming, attractive one.”
She’s laughing, shaking his hand. “Oh, that’s obvious.”
“I know, right?” Roman widens his eyes innocently. “I try to give Dmitri tips about how to-”
“We wanted to check in with you about an event tomorrow,” I interrupt.
I’m irritated, itchy, and I notice Roman’s still gripping her hand.
“Oh?” With some effort, Ava extricates her hand from my asshole brother’s grasp. “What event?” Her smile fades. “Is it something about the trafficking ring? Do you have more information?”
I hate seeing that smile drop from her face.
“No, something less dire,” I say, taking the armchair facing hers before Roman can, so he perches one hip awkwardly on the table between us. “The night I found you at The McManus, I was picking up a guest for my friend Adam’s bachelor party, I’m the best man.”
“Oh,” Ava says, a little confused. “That’s nice.”
“His wedding is tomorrow,” I continue. “Roman and I are thinking that having you attend as my guest is a wise idea.”
“Out in public?” she frowns. “I thought I was being cooped up here because it was too dangerous to even let me step foot on the sidewalk.”
“Roman is of the opinion - and I'm inclined to agree - that making it clear you're under the protection of the Morozov Bratva is a good idea,” I explain. “Most crime organizations never touch women and children associated with the family. I'm pretty sure this marketing ring would have no compunction in going after you. But making it clear that you are under our protection makes attempting to hurt you much less desirable."
"As in,” Roman says, “not worth the risk. Even for sick bastards like these. It’s also useful to remind the other families that working with the traffickers is averybad idea.”
She eyes us both thoughtfully and then Roman snaps his fingers and points at her. “I just realized how I remember you,” he says. “You looked so familiar in the apartment footage…” Ava looks a little ill at the mention of the footage and he moves past it quickly. “I met you at one of our nightclubs.”
“Oh, Heaven and Hell,” she nods. “That's right! No wonder you look so familiar.”
“Was that the night Sinclair attempted to lure you into that private room?” I ask, anger sweeping over me again.
“That would be the night,” she sighs.
“You looked pretty upset when I saw you in the hallway,” Roman says somberly. “We have excellent security there, but we tend to leave the private suites alone aside from noise complaints.”
“It's not your fault,” she assures him. “Kevin is just a scumbag.”
“Well, you won't be lured into another private room anytime soon,” Roman says cheerfully. “Because we are all going to be on top of you, day and night.”
I don't like the way he says that, sounding just a bit too enthusiastic about the “on top” portion of his comment.
“Roman means,” I interrupt, “that we will keep you safe and you don't have to be concerned.”
He blinks at me, smiling innocently, and the desire to punch him in the throat is rising again.
“I'll pay you back for this,” Ava blurts. “For all these fancy clothes.” Her voice falters a little because I can tell she has no idea just how expensive they were. “I could probably get a dress online and alter it myself by tomorrow.”
“No need,” I say. “Since it was our idea to have you come as my guest at the wedding, my personal shopper is bringing over several dresses tonight, you can choose which one you like.”
