Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Picking up my glass of wine, I took a large swig and hated the taste. I wasn’t a wine drinker.
I watched as Charlotte lifted the glass to her lips, and I noticed the shaking of her wrist. Before I could stop myself, I reached out and grabbed her.
“Why are you shaking?”
She tried to pull her hand away but I wouldn’t let her. I wasn’t going to let her go.
“I … I don’t know.”
At first, I had to wonder what she was hiding. Charlotte nibbled her lip and I was about to go on the attack but her next words surprised me.
“I’ve never, er, been on a date. I know it’s totally lame and this isn’t a date. We’re just following orders from our boss, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to call him your boss, but I’m nervous. I know you don’t want to be here. Who would want to be here with me?” She forced a smile to her lips. “I would understand if you want to get our food to go, and go back to your apartment, or your home.”
She’d never been on a date before. I thought about the scars on her back and even though I didn’t like it, I understood. She was young. Nearly nineteen. No date. Didn’t girls have prom and shit? Again, I didn’t know how to respond. I was her first date.
“Have you ever had a boyfriend?” I asked.
“No.”
I didn’t ask this before, and I felt stupid for asking it now. “Are you a virgin?”
Her cheeks went bright red. She opened her mouth, closed them, and then nodded her head. Ivan had told me she was a virgin but I hadn’t believed him. Virgins were rare.
I wasn’t old-school. I didn’t believe women had to be pure on their wedding night, but I liked knowing she was a virgin, or at least claimed to be one. I shouldn’t like that. I know that. Nothing changed for knowing she hadn’t been with a man. I wouldn’t do anything about it.
“We’re going to enjoy this meal in this restaurant. Unless you want Ivan to kick my ass for ruining his plans.”
She chuckled. “Do you think Ivan would really kick your ass?”
“Yes.” He would do so. His word was law and I vowed to follow him and his directions. I was a loyal servant and Ivan had never done anything for me not to believe, not to follow. He was one hell of a boss and as head of the Volkov Bratva, he was fearless. He ruled with an iron fist. I knew that he’d sacrificed to be where he was today. I didn’t say any of this to Charlotte.
Taking another sip of my wine, I wrinkled my nose and she giggled.
“Do you not like the wine?” she asked.
“I hate it.”
“Then stop drinking it. Even though Ivan made these arrangements, we don’t have to follow them, do we? I’ve never drunk wine before. It tastes like vinegar.” She took a sip and I watched her nose scrunch up. “It’s gross.”
This made me chuckle. “What would you like?” I asked.
“Just some water.”
“Not a soda?”
“I’m actually not a big sugar lover.”
“You’re not?”
She shook her head. “What about you? Do you like sugar or carbonated drinks?”
“No.” I signal the waiter and order a fine whiskey for myself and a glass of ice water for her.
The waiter looks a little perplexed but I know he’s new. It won’t take him long to figure out who he’s disrespecting. I watch him go to the bar and the barman leaned forward, whispering in his ear. One look from the waiter, and he appeared to shit himself. Good.
Returning my attention to Charlotte, I see the smile I’d placed on her lips had faded and she glanced down at the table.
“Did you have a nice day today?” I asked. Small talk was not my forte. I’d never been interested in making conversation. Small talk was too much of a distraction and got in the way of most shit. I didn’t have time for that in my life.
Charlotte nodded. “You, er, you don’t spend a lot of time in your penthouse apartment, do you?”
“I spend as much time there as possible.”
“But you prefer your country home, your estate.”
I nod my head.
“And because I’m there, you’ve not returned to your home in a month.”
The waiter returned with our drinks. “I’m so sorry, sir. Is there anything more I can do for you?”
“Bring our meal over without spilling it on our laps.”
The waiter nodded and bumbled his way as he moved from the table. I noticed the tears in Charlotte’s eyes.
“Would you like me to leave?” Charlotte asked. “I could stay in the small, erm, I think it’s like beach house at the bottom of the garden if you’d like?”
Hubert told me she’d been exploring the house and gardens. There was a small property at the bottom of my gardens where I liked to go to be alone. If she’d gone there, had she seen one of my secrets?