Page 4 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“Are you listening to me, Daniil?”

Not even a little, I admitted to myself as the elevator went down, but I didn’t say that. “Getting a cab, Anya. I’ll be there in twenty, something just came up in the office.”

Namely, my cock, thanks to that little show. A show that wasn’t even for my benefit, but it wouldn’t be seen by anyone else either, least of all the moron she called boyfriend. He would never get that email.

I would make sure of it.

That particular email—subject matter, happy Valentine’s Day—would never get to the asshole she called her boyfriend.

“What is up with you, Daniil?” the dark-haired beauty moaned from across the candlelit table. “I’m sure you haven’t heard one word I’ve said this last hour.”

Physically shaking the shelf, I speared her to her chair. And like always, she met my unblinking eyes. “I’ve heard everything you have said, Anya,” I said softly. “I just don’t find any of it that interesting.”

Her nose wrinkled up. “You could at least pretend to be interested in me, Daniil. It’s my birthday, after all.” She reached for her wine glass and paused. “Have you met someone?”

“No.” The words snapped out of my mouth with more force than I meant, and I watched as she reeled back in surprise. “It’s just an office thing.” I amended quickly, catching her startled look. And, of course, it was an office thing, a beautiful naked office thing in bright red underwear who pleasured herself in my chair like she belonged there.

I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do about Lily Ridgeway. That kind of indiscretion should be rewarded with a sacking, but I didn’t want to fire Miss Ridgeway. The thing I wanted to do to her was—

“No one would blame you for moving on after Claudia, Daniil. I wouldn’t. You deserve to be happy and find someone.”

“There is no one. Drop it, Anya. Like I said, it’s just a work problem.”

“Fine.” She pouted for a second, her face looking younger than it was. It kind of reminded me of how Claudia had looked when I had first met her. “I just wanted you to know that you could, you know,” her eyes raked over me, “date a little.”

“I do date, and I don’t think it’s any of your business. Aren’t we meant to be here to celebrate your birthday? Twenty-one,” I tipped my glass at her. “Old enough to drink now.”

“And old enough to get married.”

The smile dropped before I schooled my face back into a smile. “So they’re making you go through with it then?”

She nodded. “It’s fine, though, I think. He seems nice enough, but that means—” she looked away quickly.

A sigh left my lips. “Timmy.”

“I’m sorry, Daniil. I really am.”

Shaking my head, I reached across the table and squeezed her fingers. This day was always going to come, and we both knew it. She couldn’t spend her entire life taking care of my responsibilities even if she wanted to.

Women in our world had their own parts to play. She would marry well and have her own family. She couldn’t spend her life looking after mine.

“It’s fine, Anya. I’ll make the arrangements.” I gave her hand another squeeze.

“Excuse me.” To the side of us, someone cleared their throat, and my head snapped around angrily.

This place was meant to be discreet, so why was some waitress hovering over us? Lily’s green eyes met mine, widening in fear at the look I gave her.

“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Popov,” she said quickly, her cheeks flushed, but not as flushed as they had been earlier. Not that there was any sign of that wanton little red-haired vixen now. She was completely poised. Her clothes were straightened and almost conservative. Her thick winter coat was undone, so I could see the curves of her body. I didn’t need to use my imagination. I knew what was under those clothes.

I licked my lips and smiled at her before I could help myself. It was hard to imagine what she had underneath them. If I hadn’t seen for myself, I would have never believed it.

“I have your—” Lily trailed off, flashing an uncertain smile in Anya’s direction. “So sorry to interrupt, I didn’t realize this was a date.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Anya smirk and flashed her a warning look. “Thats fine.” Tilting my chin up to her, I frowned. “Is everything in the office,” a lick of my lips, “satisfactory?”

Lily’s face didn’t change. Her polite, professional smile remained in place. “Of course, sir.”

She didn’t know I had seen her, I realized. Even now, she didn’t know. She thought her little show was just for her boyfriend’s undeserving eyes.