Time Stood Still (Volkov Bratva #3.5)(9)

“At least I could understand why you’d sleep with her, unlike that—”

“Poshyol ty’—Fuck off.”

Lauren, moving to sit beside Amber, blinked when she heard the curse. She didn’t think she had ever heard Luka curse at Alex that way.

Canting her head to the side, a smile growing, Alex asked, “Sensitive about your whore, Luka?”

“Who I f*ck doesn’t concern you.”

“Likewise.”

If Lauren had to guess, he looked like he was on the verge of hurting her, but before it could escalate to that point, she butted in.

“I thought you were with Mish today?”

He glanced at Lauren, his expression unreadable, before his eyes cut back to Alex, that fire reentering them. “Long f*cking story. I’ll get the car.”

He was on his feet, heading out without a backwards glance. Alex headed towards the hall bathroom in the opposite direction. As the elevator chimed for Luka, the bathroom door slammed.

“Soo…does this happen often?” Amber asked.

“Normally, it’s a lot more civil. They kind of have a…thing.”

Laughing softly, she shook her head. “Yea, I can see that. Are all your Russians this intense? I may have to rethink my policy on not dating guys that are involved in illegal things.”

“If you mean territorial, then yea, maybe, though I can’t really say for sure about anyone besides Mish and Luka. Alik seems pretty cool, reminds me of Luka a little bit if you like the whole blonde thing.”

“No, I was—”

“Or Klaus.”

Whatever protest she’d been about to say before Lauren interrupted her was forgotten as her face scrunched up. “First of all, gross. That would be like dating Mish, and while he’s nice to look at and all, just…no. Second, I don’t want the evil twin. He scares me.”

It had actually been by chance that Amber even met Klaus. She’d come over one day, just to hang out since she had an off day from the gallery she worked at. While Lauren and Mishca had been running late, Klaus decided to break into their place—a hobby of his he’d said—and chill until they arrived. Amber, thinking it was Mishca of course, had immediately launched into a conversation with him, not realizing that he’d had no idea what she was talking about, or even who she was for that matter. Once they did arrive, however, her reaction had been priceless.

Lauren shrugged. “That’s a no on Alik and Klaus. Luka, though he’ll never admit it, has his thing with Alex—”

“Not to mention she’d probably shank me if I ever made a move on him.”

“Oh!” Lauren said with a snap of her fingers, suddenly remembering. “Klaus has a friend. Irish, I think, and his name is—”

“Are you trying to set me up?” Amber asked cutting her off.

Laughing, she put her hands up. “Just giving you some more options should you choose to jump back out there.”

Ever since her breakup with her boyfriend, Rob, who she’d dated for longer than Lauren had even known her, Amber had remained single though Rob was happily living his life with her cousin of all people. Not that Lauren was an expert or anything, but she thought it was long overdue for Amber to let Rob go and move on.

“No offense to evil twin, or his friend, but the idea of dating a mercenary freaks me out. Didn’t you tell me they have more enemies than even your husband? Yea, no thanks. Now, if we’re done talking about my nonexistent love life, we should get going so we can shop for your trip.”

By the time Alex came back out of the bathroom and they were all in the car heading into the city towards the boutique Lauren favored, the mood had considerably lightened though it was pretty clear that Luka and Alex were now ignoring each other.

They arrived at the shop, Luka going off to park when Lauren’s phone rang. Almost at the same time as Amber’s phone chimed.

“Hey Mom,” Lauren said cheerfully once she answered.

“Hi darling, how are you?”

Smiling, she followed Amber and Alex into the store. “Good as always, shopping for a dress for your big day.”

At that, Susan’s voice softened. “I’m glad you guys can make it.”

“Of course. Mish made sure we wouldn’t.”

The interesting thing was, Susan hadn’t wanted to ask out of consideration for Mishca, knowing what and who he was, and that it may have made it difficult for them to go—especially since he wasn’t going to let her fly alone. It only took one phone call from Ross with a single command— “Get your ass here.” —that Mishca had made the reservations. No matter how gruff Ross was with Mishca, he never took offense.

It was just one of the perks of being married, Mishca had said.

“How long are you staying? I feel like I haven’t seen you.”

It had felt that way. “At least a couple of days, but I have so much to tell you about when I get there.”

“Good, I can’t wait to hear it. Well, I was just calling to check in. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

“Okay. Love you, Mom, and tell Ross I love him too.”

“I love you too and will do.”

Amber and Alex were already lost amongst the sea of people in the store. Since Luka wasn’t far behind her, Lauren just waited for him.