Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“I wasn’t going to kill him,” I answer.
“Right.” He chuckles while shaking his head. “Should we watch the footage?”
Grinding my teeth, I shake my head.
The trained assassin who runs this place in his brother’s stead moves closer to me. “One more minute, and there would’ve been a target on your back.” Lifting his hand, he places it on my shoulder while leaning closer. His voice is low as he murmurs, “I see everything.”
I nod, knowing it’s no use arguing. I did what I did, and I don’t regret it.
“You can’t keep her alive if you’re dead.”
My eyes snap to his, my heartbeat instantly speeding up.
Seeing my reaction, Director Koslov smiles. “I told you, I see everything that goes on in St. Monarch’s.”
Nodding, I reply, “I understand, sir.”
“I’m going to punish you for the stunt you pulled today.”
A frown forms on my forehead. “But I didn’t kill anyone. Everything else is fair game.”
“Still, you disobeyed Viktor’s direct order. You’re only here to train and not engage in fights.” He moves back behind his desk, then his eyes snap to mine. “The last thing this world needs is a war between the bratva and the yakuza because you decided to beat up one of their soldiers.”
“Got it,” I mutter.
Director Koslov stares at me for a moment, then he says, “You’re to assist Instructor Nikolai in training the new attendees. There are only five this year, and we’re short a body for training sessions. You’ll be paired to fight Miss D’Angelo.”
Christ. No.
“Sir?” I practically gasp like a little bitch.
“I trust you won’t leave her bloody after a training session?”
“Ah… no?” I’m so stunned by the punishment I’m struggling to gather my thoughts.
“You may leave.”
I have to train Aurora?
How the fuck am I going to do that without hurting her?
Jesus. This is not good.
“Sir,” I say, and when Director Koslov looks at me, I ask, “Why pair me with D’Angelo? I would’ve thought you’d want to keep us apart, seeing as we’re enemies.”
“Are you?” he asks.
“Enemies?” I check to make sure I’m not misunderstanding the question.
“Yes,” he replies.
I nod. “Last time I checked.”
“Then it’s time you check again, Misha. I’m ordering you to train the girl. It’s not up for negotiation.”
“Yes, sir.”
Still stunned, I turn away from the desk and leave the office. Alek and Armani are right behind me as we walk down the hallway.
“I don’t understand,” Armani says, sounding as confused as I am.
“I told you earlier. The Vetrovs and Koslovs have a soft spot for star-crossed lovers. If you ask me, this is either to test your loyalty, or they’re seriously trying to set you up with Aurora.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Armani barks. “Since when does the bratva get involved in romances?”
“Since arranged marriages were invented,” Alek dead-pans. “Jesus, the two of you are slow. Maybe Viktor is looking into a peace treaty with D’Angelo and Sartori.”
I let out an incredulous burst of laughter. “Did you knock your head during the fight? There are fucking hits out on Aurora and Abbie’s lives. That doesn’t sound like the bratva is working toward a peace treaty.”
“Whatever is going on, just watch your back and don’t get involved with the woman,” Armani says. “Let’s just do as we’re told and get through the next two years in one piece.”
All this talking hasn’t helped one bit.
Tomorrow I have to train with Aurora.
How the fuck am I supposed to touch her and not get a hard-on? More importantly, how the hell am I going to fight her without hurting her?
Christ, this is a fuck up of epic proportions.
Chapter 13
Aurora
I had another night of almost no sleep after thinking about the training and Misha.
There’s not much I can do about Misha, so I’ve made up my mind to ignore him. Hopefully, the feelings I have for him will die a quick death now that I know he’s bratva and not my Prince Charming.
The training is a problem I can’t escape. I called my parents and told my father about the fight. Instead of being concerned, he told me to suck it up and train hard. He wants me ready in four years to start working with him.
That’s the last thing I want, but I don’t have much choice in the matter.
Yeah, I stupidly thought I’d be a socialite and that, at some point, I’d get married to a man of my father’s choosing. I was okay with it because that’s just how things work in our world.
Never did I imagine I’d have to become some badass person who’d run the family business alongside my father.
It’s insane.
Dressed in a pair of black cargo pants and a t-shirt, I leave my suite and knock on Abbie’s door. When she opens, she looks just as exhausted as I feel.
“No sleep?” I ask.
She shakes her head as she steps into the hallway, shutting the door behind her.