Chapter 6

six

Sergi – One Month Later

I'm sitting in my car outside of the Brew Box, debating going in. Work was long, and Al is spiraling without Phoebe. We're all worried about him. I miss her. It doesn't help that Juan's calls are getting more persistent. I know I can change my number, but he'll have it again within hours, and I've already blocked him twice, and each time he's magically unblocked somehow, the dick.

I look through the coffee shop window and smile. Avery looks beautiful as always. We meet up on Sunday mornings for a few hours, where we take walks around Central Park, or go get breakfast somewhere. We talk for hours. I know everything about what she likes and dislikes, and how she's fucking smart, so fucking smart that she only has under a year left of medical school before she starts her residency at General where Sofia works. She wants to become a doctor, and I think it's awesome how she's pushed herself. I mean, she's graduating two years ahead of other students her age.

The only downside is that she's made family off limits. When I asked her why, she just shrugged and said, "That subject doesn't need to be discussed." I wanted to push her on it, but her eyes held so much pain. I know she'll open up to me one day.

In the weeks we've met up, one problem has arisen, a big fucking problem in my opinion: I've been fucking friendzoned! And I don't even know how. A month ago, we were flirting, then suddenly, when I came back a few days later, she made limited contact with me, making sure not to talk about anything remotely personal. She stopped flirting back, and when I asked if she wanted to hang out on Sundays, she made sure it was as friends. I don't fucking get it. I know she's attracted to me, I know she felt the spark, but I don't fucking understand why she's pushed me away. I sigh and look back in the window and frown. The guy she was serving is still there, and my girl's gone pale, and yes, she is my girl . I just need her to get on the same page.

I get out my car and head into the shop, concerned. When I walk in and the bell dings to announce my entrance, she looks up and visibly relaxes when she sees its me.

I scowl, not liking the situation as I walk closer.

"What's wrong, little bitch, too good for me, are ya? You a little prude? If I want that cunt, I'll fucking have it!" the guy sneers, his greasy, red hair falling into his face. My girl is visibly shaking. She's a quiet, shy girl, who doesn't like confrontation, and this bastard is dead!

I come up right behind him, pissed no one else came up to help her, when I notice a few girls smirking. They look like med students. I frown. She mentioned people don't like her because she's excelled, and that another girl said some shit that wasn't true after being caught cheating from her, but this is fucking ridiculous.

I lean down, holding my breath because the guy reeks, and sneer in his ear, loud enough for the others to hear, "Want to explain why you're fucking threatening to rape my girl?"

Avery's eyes widen. I don't know if it's because of my declaration or because I have a killer vibe right now, but I don't let it faze me just yet.

The guy spins around. "Why don't you fucking back up before I…." He looks up as he talks, then cuts off when he looks into my eyes. I recognize him instantly. Stanley. One of our drug runners.

I growl. We've heard rumors he's been violent toward women but never had proof until now.

He's dead.

He pales and visibly swallows, recognizing me.

He turns back to Avery and stutters, "I'm s-sorry I didn't mean it. I was just messing around. Those girls paid me t-to do it." Then he runs out of here like his ass is on fire.

I turn around to see the girls, and they all start to push their tits out, giving me bedroom eyes. I internally roll my eyes. I turn back and lean over the counter, before placing my hand on her cheek. Avery's face is still pale, making me wonder what she's been through in her life.

A tear falls down her cheek and I wipe it away, " Dragotsennyy ?"

She blinks and places her hand on mine and whispers, "Thank you."

I smile at her and lean closer, pressing a light kiss to her lips, surprising her.

Fuck, I love that look on her face.

I turn around and scowl at the girls, who are now looking at me like I have three heads.

One of them decides she's brave. "You're seriously with the nerd, when you can have someone like me?"

I do roll my eyes this time. Fake blond hair, fake tits, nose job, and lips injections—all done at only a young age.

I shake my head. "I'd rather have my smart, quiet, shy girl who doesn't realize how amazing she is, than a plastic Barbie. Why don't you and your friends fuck off before I call my sister-in-law. I may not hit women, but she does." They pale and all scamper out the café, leaving us alone. I turn back to Avery, who's now scowling at me. My brave girl is poking back through. I smirk. I hoped the kiss would bring her back to life.

She places her hands on her hips. "You can't kiss me like that!"

I chuckle. I threaten people, she doesn't care, I kiss her, and she has a problem. I round the counter. Her eyes widen and her arms drop to her sides as I wrap one arm around her waist and my other hand wraps around her neck. I kiss her again, gently at first just in case she pushes me away. I won't force her. But she doesn't push me away, she melts into me. Her hands go to my sides, gripping my shirt. I lick the seam of her lips and she opens for me, before I gently rub my tongue along hers. And my whole world shifts. I tilt her head and deepen the kiss, and when my jeans start to grow tight, I slow the kiss, not wanting to push her because her body and kiss scream "innocent." So this is her show.

I gently remove my lips from hers and place my forehead against hers and rasp, "How do you feel about closing early, and we go to the pizzeria on 6 th street? Then we can go for one of our walks? What do you say, dragotsennyy ?"

She closes her eyes slowly, her breathing starting to slow down. She whispers, "It sounds like a date."

I chuckle lightly. "Because that's what it is, baby. I'm taking us out of the friendzone; we never should have been in it. I know you feel the spark between us, and I want more."

She shakes her head. "I won't share, I can't," she whispers, and I furrow my brow, lifting my head a little. I shift my hand to from the side of her neck to her cheek while my thumb gently strokes her jaw.

"And neither do I, Avery," I say seriously.

She tilts her head, looking at me in confusion. "But what about your sweet girl?"

I furrow my brows, then snort out a laugh. Everything makes sense now. She scowls at me. I can't help it, I lean forward and place several little kisses on her mouth.

"Baby"- kiss -"that"- kiss -" was "- kiss -"Mila." Kiss.

She leans back a bit, eyes wide. "Your niece?" she asks in shock.

I chuckle. "Yeah, dragotsennyy ."

She scowls even more. "We could have been doing this a whole month but haven't because I misunderstood ? Seriously?"

I out right laugh. Fuck, she's cute. I lean in and kiss her, and she wraps her arms around my neck. I pull her against me. Fuck, she feels good in my arms. I lift her a little, making her giggle.

Best sound in the world.

I lean my forehead against her again, and rasp, "So, what do you say, baby? Pizza date?"

She grins and nods, making me chuckle, and kiss her again.

"Come on then, dragotsennyy . Let's lock up; I finally get my date." She giggles a little and I help her shut everything down, clean, and lock up. I take her hand, and cross the street, before I notice Stanley on the other side of an alley way. I narrow my eyes. I help Avery into the passenger seat, and get my phone out while walking round the car. I get in and look at my girl. Smiling, I say, "I just need to message Al, make sure he's doing okay, then we'll go." She smiles a sad smile. I've told her all about my childhood and my childhood friends, so she's aware of my family dynamics…just not the Bratva or Mafia aspects of it. I hate lying to her, but it's not like she's told me anything about her family.

I quickly message Al.

Me: Our drug runner, Stanley, needs sorting. Heard him threaten to rape a girl who refused him today.

He messages back straight away, and I sigh, he probably hoped it was Phoebs.

Alexandr: On it. I need to let off steam anyway.

I lock my phone and start the car. Putting it in gear, I pull away from the curb, then place my hand in hers. She squeezes mine while looking out the window, making me smile.