In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva #1)(11)

“What’s their problem?” Lauren asked when their apartment was empty again. She stuck around to help clean up, and straighten the kitchen.

“Piper looks at Tristan like he’s her personal challenge. She’s used to getting whatever she wants, and right now what she wants is Tristan. But he won’t sleep with her.”

“Because of Matt.”

Amber smiled wistfully. “You noticed? Matt’s had a thing for her for a while, but either she just doesn’t care or is too preoccupied with her own life to see it.”

They both stared down at the overflowing sink, then to each other. It didn’t need to be said. Rinsing them, they stuck them in the dishwasher.

“He seems like a nice guy...” But even she could see that Piper wouldn’t normally go for someone like Matt. She didn’t seem like the type.

“He’s a great guy, but...well you see how Piper is. She won’t give anyone the time of day unless you fit one of two categories. Be good in bed or able to further her career.”

“Seriously? How does she even know if Tristan is...well, any good?”

Amber laughed, looking at Lauren curiously. “We’re in New York. Everyone knows someone that knows someone. It doesn’t matter though. Tristan won’t touch her because of the bro code, at least that’s what he told me.”

“You two seem so different,” Lauren said wiping down the countertop. “You seem so...mellow.”

Amber shrugged one shoulder, hopping up onto the table. “Different upbringings, I guess. I was an only child and she has a little sister that’s like five years younger than us. Our fathers practically forced us to hang out. She wasn’t always like this, you know. Back when we were kids, we were inseparable, but sometimes life takes you in different directions. Everything happens for a reason, right?”

That night, Lauren was still thinking over Amber’s words when she got the sudden urge to dig through one of the clear containers she had yet to unpack, retrieving the bubble-wrapped picture frame.

Taking her time, she ripped the tape off and unwrapped it, revealing the old photo of her and her father on her fourth birthday, set in a silver engraved frame, ‘Happy 5th Birthday’ in a cursive script along the bottom. She was sitting on his shoulders, grinning toothily at the camera. They were on the beach, the sun shining brightly in the horizon, reds and golds giving the water in the background a warm glow.

It was the last present she had ever received from her father, one that he had wrapped and kept hidden in the hallway closet, the same closet she had been in that...clearing her throat, she blinked back tears, carrying the frame back to her bed.

Lauren smiled, hugging the picture to her chest briefly before setting it on her nightstand so that it faced the bed. From this angle, it would always look like her father was smiling down on her.





Chapter four:


Diego’s Bar & Grille

The following Wednesday, Lauren was hurrying across the street to the cafe, just avoiding getting run over by a taxi as it ran a red light. She had gotten up earlier than usual, wanting to have a short study session before the quiz in Art History.

Reaching for the handle of the cafe’s door, another hand snagged it at the same time. She glanced up in surprise, spotting the guy she had spilled coffee on her first time here.

He seemed to recognize her at the same time, his smile growing wider as pulled the door open for her. “So we meet again.”

She smiled back, the warm scent that seemed to cling to him enveloping her as she stood close to him. Outside, his blue eyes seemed lighter, like cerulean, but now, under the low lamps, they were almost turquoise in shade. She must not have noticed just how pale his blue eyes were the last time she had run into him. They contrasted the darkness of his lashes and wavy hair.

“Hopefully this time I won’t spill anything on you.”

He chuckled, following her inside. “Then I’ll have to think it’s your way of getting me to take my clothes off.”

Instead of standing behind her, he stood to her right, his chiming phone capturing his attention. While he was occupied with his Blackberry, she peeked over at him, taking a good look.

He had that lazy, put-together look, a gray knit T-shirt, dark slim-fitting jeans that were cuffed over a pair of boots. The dark clothing only seemed to make his eyes appear brighter. He had the same amount of scruff that he’d had the week before, a square jaw, chiseled cheekbones.

In all honesty, he was gorgeous, like take your breath away and just stare for a while, gorgeous. Yet, there was something a bit dangerous about him that Lauren couldn’t put her finger on. It seemed like his presence was magnetic, and she felt compelled to be near him.

“I would hope to think you like what you see.”

Lauren snapped out of her thoughts, blinking rapidly as she realized she had just been standing there, staring at him…again. Clearing her throat, she tried for a smile, extending her hand. “I’m Lauren.”

A corner of his mouth tipped up as he pocketed his phone. He took her hand in his much larger one, his hold gentle as he swept his thumb across her knuckles.

For a moment, it felt like they were the only ones in the cafe as she stared up at him, captivated by the sheer curiosity she saw in his eyes. Was this what it was like? That instant attraction? She had never felt breathless before, had never felt more than a casual interest in a boy, but right now, standing in front of him, blood rushing to her face, this was definitely more than a casual interest.