In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva #1)(35)

While Mishca didn’t agree with how Viktor made his money, there wasn’t much he could do about it. And the fact that Viktor knew this, and had the audacity to ask him, Mishca knew he was purposely being disrespectful.

“I have places to be, Viktor,” Mishca said boldly looking him in the eye, letting the other man know he didn’t fear him in the slightest.

“Well…give your uncle a call next week.”

Meaning he had a business proposition he wanted to discuss. It would be a cold day in hell before he ever made that call.

Smirking, he said, “Will do.”

Before he could continue their small talk, Mishca boarded the elevator, watching the doors close.





Chapter Twelve:


Kiss Me Breathless


In Piper’s world, getting ready for a black tie event was an elaborate affair. Lauren only wanted to shower, shave, maybe do something fancy with her hair and makeup, but it was going on five o’ clock, and they had been at it for the last four hours. She had been plucked, waxed—berated for asking for breaks—and pretty much moved around like a rag doll, not that she complained.

She wasn’t entirely sure why Piper was going out of her way to help her, but she was thankful all the same.

“Luckily for you,” Piper said zipping up her dress, answering Lauren’s question about wearing spanx. “You won’t need it. There,” she said taking a step back to admire her handiwork. “We’re all done.”

“Finally,” Amber called from the other room. “I’ve been waiting ages.”

Clutching the skirt of her gown, Lauren lifted it as she walked. Though ripping the stubby hair from her legs with hot wax was a bit painful, she couldn’t help but admire the way the silk brushed against her skin.

As she emerged from the bathroom, and if Amber’s reaction was any indication, she looked like an entirely different person. She felt like an entirely different person.

“You look amazing, Lauren, really. Let me grab the mirror.”

Carrying a large oval mirror from her bedroom, Amber held it up. If it hadn’t taken hours to do, Lauren might have asked Piper for tips on how to do this everyday.

Her hair was piled high with numerous bobby pins, wavy strands free from the messy bun to frame her face. Black eyeliner accentuated her eyes, just thick enough to resemble the cat eye Marilyn Monroe was famous for with a matching red lip. The strapless black gown hugged at the waist, falling around her hips, then pooling at her feet.

“Let me grab my camera,” said Piper as she rooted around in her large tote bag, producing a bulky black camera that any photographer would be proud of. “I’m on deadline and what better to cover than the Meta.”

Piper snapped a few shots, telling her how to pose, which ways displayed the dress the best. “And where’s the other half? Sorry, but he’ll be more of a headline than you.”

At this point, she was more concerned with what Mishca was going to think than being offended. He had left so suddenly when they were hunting for dresses that he hadn’t gotten to see the final result.

She glanced at the clock. “He’s always right on—”

The doorbell rang.

“He’s like freakishly on time,” Amber said with a laugh.

Mishca stepped inside, carrying a bouquet of tiger lilies, the sight of them making her laugh. He never forgot anything.

“Ladies.” He presented the flowers to her with a kiss on the cheek.

“Seriously?” Tristan called from his spot on the couch, eating a handful of popcorn. “Dude, you’re making us look bad.”

“Don’t blame him,” Lauren said.

“You do it all on your own,” Amber added.

“Disloyal bastards.”

“Anyway,” Piper said above Tristan’s starting rant. “I need to get a few shots of you before you leave.”

Obliging Piper, Lauren and Mishca posed around the apartment, giving her enough shots—and Mishca answered a few questions—before they were out the door and into the town car Mishca had rented for the occasion.

“You clean up nice, Mish.”

“Trying not to embarrass you, love.”

She rolled her yes, smiling as she looked out the window. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re…you.”

He laughed, kissing the back of her hand. “Just a man.”

“Not just anybody,” she said looking over at him. “You’re special, Mish.”

“Behind every great man,” he said giving her another kiss, “is an extraordinary woman.”

And just like that, he won her over all over again.

***

Lauren expected the gala opening to be a quiet affair, just a few photographers to snap pictures before the guests went in, but as they pulled up alongside the curb, she gulped, spotting the swarm of photographs the hovered like vultures to get shots of the number of celebrity that were walking the carpet.

Mishca seemed to notice her hesitation, squeezing her hand as the car came to a complete stop, Vlad cutting the engine.

“You look lovely,” he whispered.

She smiled. “You’ve said that.”

He kissed her hand as Vlad opened the door. “I can never say it enough.”

Mishca kept one hand on the small of her back, guiding Lauren towards the doors. She could barely hear the photographers clamoring for Mishca’s attention with the blood rushing in her ears.