Page 61 of Sexting my Bratva Daddies

“Not exactly together.” He leaned forward to peer up at the overcast sky through the windshield. “We knew each other. Grew up in the same city, but we came separately. Leo’s father was already established here. He brought us in and introduced us to Leo.”

I turned toward him a bit, then snapped back to focus on driving. The last thing I needed was to give him another reason I shouldn’t drive. “Leo’s father was from Russia too?” It was a ridiculous question. Again, his looks and accent gave him away, but I worried if I didn’t engage, Misha would stop talking.

And I did not want him to stop. He had such a lyrical voice, and I rarely heard him use it.

“Yes. Mr. Petrov built the empire Leo now operates. Leo grew up between both worlds.” His voice shifted, dropping to a darker, richer tone. “He is younger than Viktor and I, but even as a boy, he understood things it takes most men years to learn.”

“And you became friends?”

“Not immediately.” He gave up a rare smile. “Trust and friendship take time, but yes, eventually, we all became friends.”

“How long have the three of you been in charge?”

“Viktor rose quickly through the ranks. You can imagine why. His brilliance is unparalleled. I was… slower to find my place. Leo’s father saw the potential in us both, and Leo took us under his wing, so to speak. Now it feels as though we have been running it together our entire lives.”

“I love that all three of you can work together so well. Most men in Leo’s position would not allow anyone to stand beside him.” I tightened my grip on the wheel and turned toward the building. “I understand why people think Viktor might be the leading man. Leo’s so charismatic. It makes him great in the meetings, but Viktor has that presence.” I flushed and rushed to explain. “You know what I mean?”

“Yes. Viktor intimidates people. Leo charms them.” He rubbed his thumb over his knuckles.

They were bruised, and when I asked last night, he’d told me he went a little too hard on the punching bag during his workout.

“Leo is not the kind of man who holds people back from their talents to protect his position or make himself feel better.” He stared straight ahead, and something in his expression flickered, putting a scowl on his lips. “Leo is too good for that.”

“Yes, he is.” Time to change the subject. “Did you leave anything behind in Russia?” He never talked about Leo and Viktor like they were family but never about the years before.

If he spoke at all, it was about the here and the now.

He shrugged, his hands tightening. “Not much. A mother who did her best. A city I was happy to leave. I wasn’t built for Russia. I was built for this.”

“You sound certain of that.” I pulled into the parking garage, spiraling up the ramp and into my preferred spot beneath the light and the camera pointed at the elevator.

Misha scanned our surroundings, head bobbing. “You chose a good spot. Do you always check for blind spots and the closest route to where you’re going?”

“When I can.” I jingled my keys and grabbed my purse. “I’m not about to be one of those statistics.”

“Which one?”

I huffed. “The one where a woman is abducted because she wasn’t paying attention. If anything happens here, it’ll be on camera.” I pointed at the elevator. “And I have several places to run.”

“Ah.” He reached for his door. “Let me do a quick sweep before you get out.”

“The elevator is right there.” I pointed out the obvious, though I didn’t bother getting out of the car. “I like hearing about your history.”

I reached over and put my hand over his where it rested on the console. His fingers turned under mine and held on. I leaned over the console, Misha meeting me halfway.

The kiss was soft at first. His hand came up to cup my jaw, and I pulled back just enough to breathe. “We’re going to be late.”

“I own a third of the company. There is no such thing as late.”

“Good point.” I grinned and kissed him again, which wasn’t easy when he splayed his hand over my ribs, hitting the ticklish spot and making me giggle.

Misha’s eyes lit with that burning heat I’d come to appreciate.

24

MISHA

I kissed her back before I had a chance to think about anything else. Peyton did that to me.