The Final Hour (Volkov Bratva #3)(74)

In the end, Lauren came out with a necklace crafted in the shape of flowers and large teardrop earrings that were made of black diamonds. Once the auction was over, Lauren talked with Lucia, Mishca excusing himself to have a private conversation with Marco.



“I never thought I would see the day,” Marco said as they stepped outside, lighting one of the Cuban cigars he was known to carry around. “With all those rules you Russians are known for, I doubted you could even take a woman. Come você vive—How do you live?”

Mishca smiled graciously, sitting in one of the few chairs that faced the house so he could still have a clear view of Lauren. “Times are changing, Marco.”

Striking a match, Marco took his time lighting the end of the cigar, staring over at Mishca above it. “A change of power, si?”

There was a time when Marco had anticipated doing business with them in New York, an alliance that could have been profitable to both sides, but Mikhail had rejected that offer in favor of one with another crime syndicate. While he had never revealed his motives, Mishca had thought it was because Marco was just as powerful as Mikhail, and he didn’t want to risk losing his status.

To answer his question, Mishca shrugged. Nothing was set in stone, and he didn’t want to commit to an answer that hadn’t come to pass yet.

“About our deal,” he went on, blowing out a puff of smoke. “I shouldn’t expect any interference?”

Mishca didn’t doubt that Marco was referring to Lauren since she was here with him. “No, we’ll be meeting alone. Expect my call when it’s time.”

“Claro—Of course.”

“I—”

“Mishca?”

They all spun around at Lauren’s interruption, and Mishca immediately went on alert at the look on her face. She looked surprised when everyone stood.

“There’s a slight problem inside,” she went on as a crystal glass smashed against the door beside her, making her jump back.

Mishca could almost hear the raised voices inside as he climbed to his feet, pulling Lauren to his side as Marco’s men rushed inside. Mishca scanned over her quickly enough, making sure she hadn’t been hurt though he had no idea what was going on.

“What happened?”

“Lucia and Marco’s girlfriend are having it out.”

Marco laughed joyfully, extinguishing his cigar in an ashtray at the table. “Perhaps I should be the one to deal with this. It was good to see you old friend. We will see each other soon, I trust.” He picked up Lauren’s hand with both of his, kissing the back of it for no longer than a second. “And do bring your wife back the next time you’re here. Good day, Lauren.”

Lauren turned to him. “Are we leaving?”

He glanced down at his watch, recalling the time he needed to be at the restaurant. “Yea, let’s go.”

Saying goodbye to Lucia proved to take some time, only because she was in the middle of threatening to kill Marco’s newest playmate. While Lauren found it amusing, she didn’t know her like Mishca did, and he knew she was more than happy—and eager—to do it, especially with Marco willing to clean up after her.

Back at the villa, Lauren pulled off her heels before climbing out of the car, running a hand through her hair. Instead of going inside, she came over to his side, and he knew immediately that if he didn’t let her down gently, he wouldn’t be meeting up with Marco any time in the near future.

“Lauren.” Her name was a warning, and he could tell from the growing smile on her face that she knew that was what it was, but ignoring it, she continued to come for him.

When she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck, he couldn’t deny her, even if it made him late. As he lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he couldn’t help sliding his hand around her waist, squeezing the curve of her ass.

He wanted to lose himself with her as he carried her in, almost did with the way she clung to him, but there were greater things at stake than his need for her.

"I promised him a meeting," Mishca said by way of apology, nearly caving when she nipped at the cord of his throat.

"Ten minutes?" She whispered in his ear, a plea if he had ever heard one—one he had made plenty of times himself.

But he had a short window of opportunity, and he couldn't miss that.

"I promise I'll take care of you when I get back."

Sighing, she begrudgingly loosened her hold on him, allowing him up. He had to smile at the adorable look of frustration on her face. Righting his clothing, he grabbed his phone, pocketing the device as he leaned over to place a kiss on Lauren's forehead.

“How long will you be gone?”

Glancing down at his watch, he said, “No more than two hours.”

He was readying to walk out the door, but Lauren called out to him, “Are you taking Vlad with you? You shouldn't go alone."

"I will, don't worry about me."

With a placating smile, she said, "I'll always worry about you."





Outside of the room, as he walked towards his car, Mishca sent a quick message to Vlad, letting him know where he was going, and who with, but he made a point to tell him not to go near Lauren's room for any reason. He didn't want to have to explain to her why he'd specifically ignored her request.