A Treacherous Killer-Dark Bratva Romance

six

Nadia

I find myself standing in front of the Chateau for the second time this week. It seemed that being forced to sit through torturous meals was becoming an unwarranted habit of mine.

I try not to let my negative thoughts darken my mood as Simon and I walk through the restaurant towards the private section where my family always occupy.

As we approach the table, I instantly see Caine and Maeve. She looks radiant in a sage puffed sleeve dress, her long dark hair curled down her back. Caine can't quite seem to reach my eyes, I don't know if he's worried that I might decide to turn around and walk back out the door or if he's a bit nervous to be around me.

I refuse to allow my emotions to control me tonight, so I take a meaningful breath and straighten my spine. Maeve smiles and waves us over, but my face twists into disapproval as I spot Maks and Leo sitting across from them.

Why the hell are they here?

I didn't mind Leo's presence. He was much like Simon with his light humor and aloof persona. Maks on the other hand, was as pleasant as a knife to the gut.

"You look amazing!" Maeve exclaims, standing to hug me briefly. I smooth my hands down my gold dress, feeling the eyes of the table on me. I'm sat right in the middle of Maeve and Simon which regretfully places me in front of the ever cold Maksim.

He's wearing all black, from his sleek suit to the expensive watch on his wrist. He doesn't acknowledge my presence as usual, he just gingerly sips on his glass of champagne and ignores whatever Leo is saying to his right.

"I'm so glad you came," Maeve says under her breath, squeezing my hand under the table. I give her a small smile in return.

"Champagne?" Caine offers, gesturing with the gold bottle. I nod and he reaches for my glass and pours a generous amount. I notice Maeve's glass is empty and she's instead sipping on lemon water.

"How'd the shipment go? Were the Irish good on their word?" Simon asks, directing his question to Maks and Leo.

"No talk of business tonight." Caine snaps, giving Simon a warning look.

"Oh please that's all you men talk about." The words stumble out of my mouth with ease. I realize that's something the old Nadia would say. I was always reprimanding Caine and Simon for talking about guns and killing at the dinner table. I hear Caine chuckling under his breath from the other side of Maeve.

"I only mean that you always talk business at dinner, why stop now,"I amend.

"Fine." Caine says with a wave of his hand. "Continue."

Maks rolls his eyes in annoyance but Leo chatters on about the shipment. I tune them out, my eyes scanning over Maks's marred knuckles as he looks over the menu. He must notice my staring because he lowers the menu and narrows his eyes at me. I quickly glance away feeling a flush rising on my neck.

I can't help but recall the first time I had met Maks. Caine had just taken over for his father after his death. He had wanted to strengthen the Bratva and by doing so he needed the help of ruthless men such as Maksim.

I remembered Simon telling me Maks had been a hitman before Caine had recruited him for the Bratva. Working for wealthy businessmen who wished to poach a rival. Caine had promised better payouts and a better excuse to put his trigger happy hands to good use.

My family has gone over to Caine's manor for dinner. I had walked in the room much like tonight and locked eyes with Maksim Vasilyev. I had audibly gasped when I noticed the then fresh scar that marred his face. He had given me a loathing look and had clenched the hand that lay atop the table in a tight fist.

Throughout dinner I had tried to enjoy my food, all the while feeling the scathing stare that belonged to Maks on the other side of the table.

I had often wondered what could make a man so calloused, so closed off from the world, choosing to look at it as though it were a burden rather than a gift. Maybe he was withholding secrets that caused him great pain, so in response, he regarded everyone and everything as an annoyance.

"Has your mother given you anymore trouble?" Maeve sounds beside me.

"I was spared her wrath today. She spent day at the country club."

"I'm glad I don't have to worry about my parents opinions of me." She glances over to Caine, he's arguing with Leo about something. "They would surely be disappointed in my life choices," she says, smiling to herself. "No offense." She quickly adds, as though she realized she might have slighted me in a sense.

A breathe out a laugh. "None taken." A few moments later, our food is brought out. A steaming plate of fettuccine al pomodoro is set before me.

"This looks delicious. I've been craving Italian food," Maeve says, digging into her Alfredo. Caine watches her with mirth in his eyes and I can't dismiss the nagging feeling that something drastic had changed between them.

We're all eating in silence when Leo, who somehow managed to shove a whole basket of bread sticks down his throat before our food was ever served, speaks up.

"So have guys set a date yet?" He causally inquires from across the table, his attention on Maeve and Caine. My fork clangs down on my plate and everyone's eyes land on me.

"Leo," Caine growls, squeezing his fork so tight, his hand is turning the coloring of the white tablecloth.

"What?" He demands innocently, a fork full of lasagna halfway to his mouth.

"Set a date for what?" I hear myself ask, but my voice sounds like it's coming from the distance. I suddenly feel lightheaded, the room is spinning and closing in on me.

"Nadia..." Maeve starts, her eyes filling with dread.

"The princess doesn't even know the best part." Maks sounds across from me. I whip my head towards him. He's leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing at his lips like he finds this whole exchange humorous. Anger surges through me like unforgivable waves. I want to reach across the table and slap the look right off his face. 

"Thats enough," Caine seethes.

"You're engaged and you didn't tell me?" I demand. A few onlookers have their attention directed at our table, but I don't give a shit. I feel that familiar sense of betrayal threatening to pull me under.

"We wanted to tell you..." Maeve reaches for my hand but I push my chair away from the table and stand.

"But you didn't. You told all these idiots but you didn't tell me, your own friend," I seethe. She looks at me open mouthed, as though shes trying to search for the right words to comfort me, but she knows whatever she says won't make a difference. The damage is done.

"Nadia please. Just listen to me for a second..." Maeve pushes her chair back, and advances towards me.

"I think I've heard enough. I need some air." I throw my napkin in my chair and stalk across the restaurant towards the entrance. People give me curious glances as I fight to keep my tears at bay. I nearly knock into a couple entering into the restaurant but quickly brush past them and take in lung fulls of cool air as soon as I am outside.

I was shaking and it wasn't due to the cold night air. My skin was hot and flustered, my head swimming with so many thoughts and emotions. I knew one of them, most likely Simon or Maeve would try to come out here and reason with me and I just didn't think I could handle that at the moment.

I just needed to be alone. Truly alone. Not with Simon breathing down my neck or Yarina constantly knocking on my door to check on me. Without thinking, I raise my hand to hail a taxi. One pulls over and I don't hesitate to get in. An older man is behind me the wheel, he glances at me expectantly from the rearview mirror.

I say the first place that comes to my mind. "Za Beluyu Rozu, pozhaluysta." To the Belaya Roza please.