Her smile fades. “Is that so? The brotherhood are filled with such fucking gossips.”
I laugh and walk toward her. “I admit that. We are terrible gossips. It’s the one worst-kept secret about the brotherhood.”
She nods and her smile returns slightly, just at the corner of her mouth. “Well, trouble tends to follow me. What more could you expect from a Bratva princess?”
“I see.” Looking at her, I suddenly realize she’s nowhere near the child she was when I last saw her. Her body has filled out considerably and formed into a perfect hourglass shape. And while her eyes still have the twinge of innocence in them, maturity has taken its toll. I can even hear it in the assured tone of her voice.
Little Tati is a woman now. And what a woman she’s become.
She brushes a few of her curls out of her face and asks, “So, are you coming or going?”
I snicker as I decipher her meaning. “I’m not about to defy your father, Tati. You should know better.”
“What defiance?” she says with a coy shrug. “I just need a ride to a friend’s house. That’s all.” She takes a step toward me, her hips moving like music I can’t hear. “I can make it worth your while.”
The temptation is very much present. Looking at her now, and the tell-tale smell of roses that has always surrounded her like an aura greeting my senses… If I were a lesser man, she would have easily entrapped me.
I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and I glance over. Two of Nikolai’s men are walking our way. Tati sees them as well and her shoulders slump.
“Sorry,” I say. “Looks like you’re being summoned.”
“Dammit,” she whispers. “Just my luck.”
The men are two of Nikolai’s boesiks—Ivan and Leo. They’re practically walking shoulder to shoulder as they approach, their nearly identical buzzcuts making them look like a pair of battery posts. They both nod at me in acknowledgement. “Good evening,” I say back to them. “I take it Nikolai is looking for his daughter?”
“He is,” Leo says, giving her a hard look. “He’s also waiting for you in his office.”
“On my way.” To Tati, I say, “This is where we part ways, I’m afraid. Stay out of trouble, hmm?”
“No promises,” she says smartly. With that, she turns and walks with Leo and Ivan back into the house. I watch her go, following the rocking of her firm ass. I’ll bet trouble follows her. I’ll bet it can’t help but keep her in sight at all times.
