Obeying the Russian Mafia Boss: A Mob Romance (22 page)

“No,” Halina said quickly. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s probably been cheating on you this whole time, and you probably didn’t get more involved because you knew. Women have those kinds of instincts.”

“I guess. Mostly he was just boring. All he wanted to do was talk about himself, and trust me, there wasn’t a whole lot to talk about.”

Halina cackled with laughter, and Liya felt a little relief wash over her. Her love life wasn’t much to talk about. Before Nick, she’d only dated two other men, but she just wasn’t one to get invested. Privately, she felt like she was too much like her father.

From what she could remember about her mother, the woman wore her heart on a sleeve. She was always crying over something her father did, but Kostya was cold and callous. Liya never once saw him show any kind of emotion. When her mother died, he took off only enough time to go to the funeral, and she had a feeling that was for appearance. When she finally left, he ordered her back, but once again, she knew it was just for appearance. Her father never cared for her.

A trust fund with her mother’s life insurance policy became hers when she turned eighteen, and she used it to pay for college. Since she’d left her father, she hadn’t accepted a single dime from him, but she was almost scared of how dismissive she was of her only family.

She feared that she was just as cold and callous as her father.

So she tried to date and feel involved with people, but she never quite got there. Sometimes it was just that the sex was good, and sometimes, like Nick, it was just that the men were nice to her. But love?

Liya had never been in love, and she was afraid she’d never be in love.

They finished their lunch, and Halina made her promise they’d go out Friday night.

“Even if you just pick up a one-night stand, you need to put a buffer between you and Nick. You’ll feel much better afterwards,” Halina said with a smile.

A buffer. That sounded good. If Nick found it so easy to find more women, she would show him that she could easily get another man.

Chapter Two

Liya dismissed her last class for the week and felt her heart flutter with excitement. It had been a long time since she’d been out, and even longer since she’d gone out with the intent to find a man. Nick had always claimed he wanted to stay in, but she had a feeling that was because he wanted to prevent her from running into any of his other girlfriends.

Scum.

“Instructor Polanski?”

Startled, Liya looked up to find that one of her students hadn’t left. “Sari, how can I help you?” she asked as she tried to keep the annoyance from her voice. The girl was struggling in her class, but Liya knew she was trying.

“I didn’t do very well on my last paper, and I was hoping you could go over it with me? I need a strong A on the final to pull a C in your class.”

“You should have come to me sooner,” Liya said disapprovingly. “You’re a good writer, and I can see that you’re making an effort, but you’re not going deep enough. Your paper on Tolstoy only backs up what other scholars have already said. These research papers should support your own hypothesis. And it would help if you actually turned then in on time.”

“Right,” Sari said abashedly and pulled out a piece of paper. “I jotted some ideas down for the final paper. Would you mind looking them over?”

As a rule, Liya tried not to take work home with her on the weekend. She kept pretty strict office hours, but she knew if Sari didn’t start on the paper this weekend, she’d probably fall even further behind.

“Fine. I’ll email you this weekend with my thoughts,” Liya said begrudgingly as she took the paper. At first glance, she could tell the girl had put in quite a bit of effort to outline the paper. And she could already tell that Sari was overcorrecting. It would take far longer to research these ideas than the girl had time for. Still, it was something they could both work on.

Dismissing the student, Liya packed the notes in her tote bag and slung it over her shoulder. She was just about to head out when she heard Sari’s voice from around the corner.

“Have a good weekend Instructor Kavanof.”

Shit. Nick was standing in the hall. If she wanted to avoid him, she’d have to hide out in the classroom, but she had too much pride for that. But that didn’t mean she didn’t want to look her best. Smoothing a hand over her hair, she immediately unbuttoned another button on her blouse and squared her shoulders back.

She didn’t want Nick back. She just wanted Nick to know what he was missing.

As she walked out of the classroom, his voice hit her like fingernails on a chalkboard. Shuddering as he said her name, she wondered how she could ever find him seductive. “Nick. What an unpleasant surprise,” she said coolly. “How can I help you?”

Nick was average height, but he had a nice face. Smooth features and pretty green eyes. It was easy to see how he’d turned women’s heads. He’d easily turned hers.

Tugging a finger through his blond hair, he gave her that smile that used to make her heart flutter. “Amaliya, I was hoping you could find some time for me tonight so we can talk. I made a mistake, and I really want to make it up to you. I’m prepared to grovel.”

Amaliya. He always used her full name, and she hated it. “I’m busy tonight,” she said shortly as she tried to push past him. He immediately reached out and grabbed her arm.

“This weekend then. Please, sweetheart. I am so sorry.”

Her shoulder’s stiffened at his touch, and she jerked out of his grasp. “I don’t know what my plans are this weekend, but I really don’t see what we have to talk about. I’m not going to believe a single word that comes out of your mouth, and I sure as hell don’t have anything to say to you.”

Nick reached out again, but stopped just before he touched her. His fingers hovered just above the bare skin of her arm. “Amaliya, please. I love you, and I am not here to make excuses or beg for your forgiveness. I know that I can never make this right, but I won’t rest until I do. I’ve never felt anything close to the way I feel for you, and it terrifies me. But it terrifies me even more that I may never get the chance to touch you again. Or breathe in your scent. Or feel your arms around me.”

He stepped closer and leaned down to brush his lips across her hair. A shudder went through her, but it had nothing to do with excitement. She was just about to push him away in disgust when Halina’s voice rang down the hallway.

“Don’t you dare touch her, you rutting disgusting pig!” she cried out. Nick jumped back in alarm, and Liya couldn’t help but laugh.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Nick scowled.

As Halina linked arms with her, Liya couldn’t help but shake her head. She actually felt sorry for Nick. “It does have everything to do with
me
, Nick. And I don’t want to talk about it. You cheated on me. We’re done. I should have made that clear when I first found you with a student bent over your desk.”

Nick immediately whipped his head around to see if anyone had overheard it, but Liya didn’t care. She turned and tugged Halina down the hall. “My classes are over,” she said conversationally. “I’m going to go home and make some dinner before we go out tonight.”

“Lucky you. How did I get stuck with a Friday night class?” Halina grumbled. “I also promised my mom that I’d run by her place and snag some boxes she wants out of the house. I’ll have to skip dinner, but I’ll pick you up at nine.”

“Tell you mom I said hi.”

They reached the end of the hall, and Halina whirled Liya around. “Promise me that you aren’t thinking of taking him back, Liya. I know how seductive he can be, but you’ve got to look past that pretty face and see the mush he has in his head instead of a brain.”

Liya only smiled. “I didn’t feel anything except disgust with him. I promise that I’m not going to take him back. Tonight is about getting a little drunk, having a little fun, and finding my buffer so I can put Nick in the past.”

“That’s my girl!” Halina reached over and hugged her. “If you’re not wearing something low-cut and skintight by the time I pick you up, I’m going to make you change. Just so you know.”

“Low-cut and skin-tight,” Liya said with a nod. “Got it. Don’t torture your students too much tonight. They have to be there too.”

“Yes, but I don’t have a choice with my schedule. If they hadn’t signed up for my class, none of us would be in this position. So I’m going to torture them all I want. They deserve it,” Halina said in a menacing tone, and Liya shook her head.

They parted, and Liya whistled as she walked back out to her car. The sun was still shining, but it was already hanging low in the sky. Soon it would disappear below the horizon, and Liya could shed her shyness and embrace the night and all it had to offer.

When Halina came to pick it her up, Liya was in the only nice dress she owned. Just like her friend had ordered, it fit her figure perfectly, rode high along her thighs, and plunged low over her cleavage. The dark emerald green color looked great against her long, blond curls.

Her friend let out a low whistle, and Liya immediately tugged at the hem. “This is all I have. Do you think maybe I could borrow something from you?”

Halina snorted. “Everything on me would go to your knees. Besides, you look absolutely amazing. Every man in that club is going to want a piece of you!”

Liya flushed. “I don’t need every man. I just need one. A buffer, remember?”

“Yeah, but it’s nice to have your pick.” Halina swayed her hips as she twirled around. “What do you think of this beauty? I got it yesterday just for tonight.”

Liya eyed the red fabric Halina had managed to squeeze into. “You look sexy as hell, but I’m not sure how you’re breathing.”

“Breathing is not necessary tonight,” Halina said with a grin. “Drinking, dancing, and having fun are our only priorities. So quit tugging on your dress and try to relax. It’s been so long since we’ve been out together. Nick revealing what a douche he is might be a blessing in disguise.”

Chuckling, Liya shook her head. “Tonight is going to be fun,” she admitted.

“Good. Now, it’s been a while so let me refresh your memory. If a guy is bothering you, all you have to do is tell me that your drink is sour, and we’re out of there. If you’re unsure, tell me that your drink is too sweet. If you want to go home with a guy, tell me that your drink is just right.”

“Haven’t I ever told you that using a children’s fairytale to get laid is weird? Can’t we do something other than the Goldilocks schtick?”

“No drama tonight,” Halina said with a shake of her head. “Stick to the rules, and we won’t have to worry about any overly aggressive guys. Now, remind me about tonight.”

Liya squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “Drinking, dancing, and having fun.”

“Finding a buffer,” Halina reminded her with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Finding a buffer.”

*..*..*

Dominic sat at the dining room table and stared at the seat left vacant by his father. As the new mob boss, Dominic should take his father’s seat, but he just couldn’t make himself do it. He could still feel his father’s spirit sitting there. Dominic hadn’t quite earned that spot.

His food was uneaten on his plate and growing old, but he didn’t even look at it. He just couldn’t stop thinking about Kostya Polanski. Anger and rage seethed inside him, and he swept his hand across the table. The food went flying across the dining room, and the plate shattered on the floor.

Immediately, his anger left him, and he slumped in the seat. A member of the staff scurried in to clean up the mess, but he raised his hand and dismissed them. He didn’t need anyone cleaning up after him.

As he bent down to pick up the shards, his phone range. “Minski,” he growled as he answered it.

“Dominic. It’s Gavril. Get dressed. We’re going out tonight.”

Rolling his eyes, he struggled not to hang up on his friend. “I don’t really feel like going out,” he muttered.

“You might not, but Amaliya Polanski does. She and her friend are dressed to the nines and heading out.”

Dominic immediately stood. Based on what Gavril told him, Dominic wouldn’t get another chance like this to seduce the daughter of his enemy. “Get me a limousine. I need to impress her tonight.”

“You don’t ride around in limousines,” Gavril said with a snort.

“Tonight I do. Am I dressing for an elegant night out?”

“From the way that they look, they’re dressed to dance and take someone home. Think nightclub. I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.” Gavril hung up, and Dominic frowned.

Gavril was one of his oldest friends, and he was his only friend that didn’t work directly for his father. Which meant he didn’t work directly for Dominic. Gavril freelanced as a con artist, and he was damn good at his job. There was no one else Dominic would trust to work with him tonight, and that meant that Gavril was allowed to take point.

He was ready in ten minutes and waiting impatiently outside the mansion when the limousine pulled up. Dominic didn’t bother waiting for the driver to open the door. Sliding in, he turned to face Gavril.

“They’re at Club Six which is only ten minutes away, so we don’t have a lot of time. Commit everything that I say to memory, got it?” Gavril said tersely.

“Go.”

“There’s no reason to believe that she’s going to be suspicious, but there’s no way of telling what she picked up from her father. A good con artist lets the mark come to them, so once you find her, you’re going to make eye contact, but you have to wait for her to approach you. Don’t be impatient or aggressive. Lucky for you, you should have very little competition,” Gavril said wryly.

“This is already tedious,” Dominic muttered.

“Focus,” Gavril reminded him. “Most teachers are attracted to intelligence, so come up with a few facts to impress her. It’s going to be loud in the club, so she won’t be able to ask you a lot of questions. Touch her frequently to make an impression, but keep your hands in safe areas. Arms. Shoulders. Back. Even touching her hands could be too intimate, but make sure you read her. If you’re making her uncomfortable, you need to back off. Women will distrust their initial impression if you correct it quickly. Now, she’s out to have a good time, so make sure that you show her a good time. Offer to buy her a drink, but just one. If she thinks you’re trying to get her drunk, she’ll bolt. Wait for her to ask you to dance.”