Chapter Thirteen
“Ava, I’m surprised you came in for work today,” Katya said.
The other woman nudged a take-away coffee cup at her. Ava paused from working on her current spreadsheet. Ava had been nearly tempted to call in sick, but that would make her appear weak, wouldn’t it? She didn’t want to show Viktor, Katya, or anyone at the office that yesterday’s events spooked her.
She was made of sterner stuff. Besides, what was she supposed to do? Call the cops and tell them, what? Her boss beat the shit of his brother? She had a feeling that decision would have disastrous consequences. Ava might not have the whole picture, but she knew enough that messing with Viktor and his operations was a bad move.
“How’s Pavel?” she asked. Ava gingerly picked up Katya’s peace offering. She took a sip and sighed. Latte with soy milk. Katya knew what she liked.
“In the hospital. The doctor said he’ll make a full recovery.” Katya pulled her swivel chair and positioned herself next to Ava. Her desk wasn’t exactly small, but it was crowded with old files and documents. It was clear Katya wanted to talk. All Ava wanted to do was her job. Focus on her reports. Work gave her a way out from thinking too much about what happened yesterday.
“Ava, I know yesterday scared you,” Katya said. “Seeing what Viktor is capable of—”
The other woman trailed off, becoming all misty eyed. Katya seemed to be seeing something she couldn’t. The past, perhaps?
“Viktor and Pavel, they’re like brothers to me,” Katya said.
Ava blinked, not expecting that revelation. Katya had a different last name, she remembered.
“You’re adopted?” she asked.
“My entire family was killed. I was the only survivor. Viktor and Pavel’s father made a promise to my father to take care of me. I grew up with them.” Katya spoke in a halting voice, as if she wasn’t entirely sure about sharing the details of her personal life with a complete stranger like Ava.
Killed. Katya had specifically used that word, and Ava had a feeling it was carefully chosen. She swallowed. “I’m sorry to hear about your family.”
“It was a long time ago. I hardly remember them.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because I want you to understand that Viktor isn’t necessarily a bad person.”
Ava scoffed. “Of course, you’d say that. He’s your brother.”
“Viktor and Pavel’s upbringing isn’t exactly what you’d call normal. I was there. His father left me alone, but he’d been ruthless when it came to his sons. He raised them the only way he knew how. Sometimes the punishments he gave his boys had been so severe, they spent weeks in the hospital.” Katya shivered.
Ava consciously rubbed at the goosebumps that appeared across her arms.
Viktor had hinted at his father’s abuse, she remembered, but he didn’t exactly seem interested in elaborating. She couldn’t blame him.
“So, you’re telling me he’s that way because of the way he was brought up?” Ava asked. She shook her head. “That still doesn’t excuse him for what he did to Pavel.”
“No,” Katya agreed. “But it’s not the first time they beat each other to a pulp. Their father always made them fight each other. He said whoever won would someday inherit the family business.”
God. Viktor’s father sounded like a real monster. He could take the crown for Worst Father of the Universe.
“Katya, brothers beating each other to near death can’t be normal.”
“Not to you perhaps.” Katya touched her arm. “There’s a reason why you came to work today. Why you took this job. Isn’t it because you’ve started to care for Viktor in your own way?”
“I needed the money, so I accepted this position,” she said.
Katya flashed her sly smile. The other woman knew Ava wasn’t telling the complete truth. Why did she continue coming to work day in and day out, despite having suspicions about Viktor and his business? A wiser woman would’ve quit and found another job.
“Viktor’s not so bad, especially once you get to know him. He’s fiercely loyal to those who’ve won his trust.” Katya withdrew her hand. “Give him another chance. Please?”
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Okay. Good.” Katya returned to her desk.
Her mind was in turmoil. It took everything out of her to focus on her job. A man who didn’t hesitate to inflict harm on his own brother would end up hurting her in the long run. At least that was what logic stated, and yet Ava sensed Viktor would never lay a finger on her. Viktor had his good side, she was sure of it.
Ava pictured him seeing her home the night before. How protective he’d been. She couldn’t forget the small smiles he sometimes flashed at her at the office. Not to mention the one night they had together. That she’d never forget. What about what happened to Pavel? She couldn’t dismiss yesterday like it didn’t happen. Nothing made sense anymore. She couldn’t believe she was letting Katya’s words get back to her.
Viktor’s entire family seemed crazy. The best course of action was to get away from this confusing mess. Ava would type out a resignation letter. She’d hand it to Viktor herself and promise him she’d tell no one about what she saw. Viktor, Pavel, and Katya could resume their not-so-ordinary lives as usual before Ava had come into the picture.
“You’re busy at work as usual. Have you taken your lunch break?”
She looked up, not understanding why her heart always beat a little faster whenever Viktor was around. This wasn’t right. Ava wasn’t normal. Why did Viktor still have such an effect on her?
“You’re back from your meeting,” she said, then thought about his question. “Oh. I didn’t realize it was lunchtime.”
He chuckled, and for some reason, despite everything, she still found that sound incredibly sexy. Ava was doomed. She didn’t even notice it then, but somehow, she let this man dig his claws deep inside her skin. Now, it was too painful to let go.
“Let’s eat together. I have some free time. Before that, I was thinking of paying a visit to my brother. What do you say?”
She blinked, certainly not expecting that. Ava hardly knew Pavel. Truth be told, she was a little scared of him, but he’d been hurt for her sake. She owed him a visit.
“Okay, just let me save this and I’ll grab my coat and purse.”
“Lunch is on me.”
“I can’t let you do that. You’re my boss.”
“We both know I’m more than that.”
What the hell did he mean by that? They only had sex once, and Viktor had walked her to her apartment. That was it. They weren’t friends or anything, but she could see Viktor was doing his best.
“Okay.” She didn’t have any energy to argue. They left the building and took Viktor’s car to the Hartwell Medical Center, the finest hospital in the city. Viktor opened her car door for her, just like a gentleman, although by now, she knew a monster lurked under his skin. Ava also noticed something else.
“What’s wrong?” Viktor asked, following her gaze to a black sedan parked two rows from them in the parking lot.
“That car followed us here,” she whispered to him.
“Relax. It’s one of mine.”
“One of yours? Employees of yours?” she asked, confused.
“Something like that. Don’t think too much on it. Pavel’s waiting.” Just like that, Viktor spirited her toward the hospital. Questions still swirled in her head. She caught a glimpse of the men in the sedan. Ava thought she’d seen them before, at Viktor’s club. They reminded her more of bodyguards than simple employees. Nothing was ever normal when it came to Viktor.
They stopped at the front desk.
“I’m here to see my brother, Pavel Kotov,” Viktor told the nurse.
The nurse paled at those words, although Ava wasn’t sure why. She even stood up from her desk, called for a nurse to take over, then escorted them personally to the third floor.
“Would you like to speak t
o the doctor?” the nurse asked Viktor.
“There’s no need for that. He’ll be fine, yes?” Viktor asked.
The nurse nodded and seemed to be relieved when Viktor waved her away. Just who the hell was Viktor?
“Do you own shares of this hospital?” she asked.
“Something like that. I like to dabble in everything.”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
“The more pieces you own of this city, the easier it is to control.” Viktor shrugged and opened the door. Ava hesitated, then stepped inside. She expected the worst, but Pavel was sitting up in bed, gaze glued on the flatscreen TV on the wall. His left hand was in a sling.
“Just a broken arm, no other broken bones or internal injuries. See? He’s fine,” Viktor said, like he was proud of that. Ava narrowed her eyes and crossed her eyes. Oh, God. She was seriously attracted to this psychopath? What other word was appropriate to describe Viktor?
“I wasn’t expecting a visit,” Pavel said, turning the TV off. He looked surprised to see them. Ava came forward and held out a brown bag.
“What’s this?” Pavel asked, accepting it.
“Double bacon cheeseburgers from Freddy’s Diner. Katya mentioned they were your favorite,” she said.
Viktor rolled his eyes. “She insisted on stopping by Freddy’s before coming here. There goes the extra time for our lunch date.”
“It’s not a date,” she interrupted. Viktor only looked amused.
“You’re an angel.” Pavel beamed at him. One-handed, he reached into the bag. He unwrapped the burger and dug in. “The food here’s terrible.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked him.
“Not fantastic, but not too terrible,” he said in between bites.
“Okay, that’s good to know.” Sensing the brothers wanted to talk, Ava took a deep breath. “I’ll be outside. I’m sure you two have plenty to discuss. I’m really glad you’re looking better, Pavel.”
“I’ve learned my lesson. You’re off-limits. I get it.” Pavel joked, but Ava could sense Pavel was hiding his bitterness and anger. She didn’t blame him. It was her fault he was in the hospital. Wait. That wasn’t exactly accurate. Pavel had Viktor to thank for placing him here.
“This won’t be long,” Viktor told her.
“Take all the time you need,” she said.
Chapter Fourteen
“That one’s a keeper, huh?” Pavel said once Ava exited the room.
Viktor sat in the armchair next to the bed and considered his next words. Pavel and he weren’t exactly good when it came to talking shit out. His old man believed a good fight could solve everything. He couldn’t remember the number of times he and Pavel ended up here, bruised, bloody, and all stitched-up. They had their old man to thank for all their collection of scars, both the physical ones and the mental ones that never quite healed right.
“What I did yesterday was wrong,” Viktor admitted. Going into Fernandez’s territory made him aware he only had one brother. Pavel wasn’t dispensable. He was blood. Despite Pavel’s recklessness and foolish actions over the years, Viktor loved him. “It won’t happen again.”
Pavel didn’t say anything for a few seconds, then he laughed. Viktor wanted to punch his ugly mug, but he decided against it. Laughter and crude jokes. Those were Pavel’s coping mechanisms.
“What you did was a shitty thing,” Pavel admitted. “But let bygones be bygones. I heard you paid a visit to Fernandez without me. What the hell were you thinking?”
“It was a risk,” Viktor said. Pavel might appear fine on the surface, but Viktor knew it would take months, perhaps years to repair the rift he’d caused between them. It didn’t matter. As long as Pavel remained loyal and useful to him, he wasn’t a threat.
“Did Fernandez agree to the deal?”
“He said he’ll give us an answer in three days, but he’ll say yes. The Mogliviches have been making late payments, and if it one thing old-timers like Fernandez don’t like, it’s disrespect.”
“The Mogliviches won’t react well to this alliance.”
“No, but what can they do? Send more assassins after me?” Viktor chuckled.
“This isn’t a laughing matter,” Pavel snapped. “If they take you down, what will happen to the Kotov Bratva?”
“There’s still you.” Viktor studied his brother’s reaction carefully. Pavel never hid the fact he disagreed with their father’s decision to make Viktor the Pakhan. After yesterday’s episode, Viktor wasn’t entirely certain Pavel would ever forgive him. After all, Viktor didn’t just beat Pavel bloody. He also humiliated his brother, and for what? A woman Viktor hadn’t even claimed as his.
Pavel snorted. “Father was right, you know. If he gave the reins to me, I would’ve led the Kotov Bratva to its downfall. No. We can’t afford to lose you, brother. Everything we worked for, what would it amount to if the Kotov Bratva was eliminated?” Pavel clenched and unclenched his fist.
“The Kotov Bratva is everything to me,” Pavel said in a soft voice.
“I would never allow anything to happen to the family business,” Viktor said firmly. “You’ll leave the decision-making to me as always. For now, focus on your recovery.”
“Yesterday told me how serious you are about that woman. When are you planning on making her your wife?” Pavel’s abrupt change in topic surprised him.
“Father always said distractions could make us weak,” he said.
“Sure, but anyone can see you’re crazy for her. Besides, Father might know plenty of things when it comes to the family business, but he knew shit about personal happiness.”
“Soon,” he answered. But first, Viktor needed to win Ava over. Prove to her that he was the only man for her. Either way, she didn’t have a choice because Viktor always got his way. Viktor left his brother to his rest. He’d station two men outside Pavel’s door as added security. Word of his meeting with Fernandez would’ve reached the Mogliviches by now.
He found Ava outside, seated on one of the plastic chairs outside Pavel’s room. She was busy texting. Viktor didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but he noticed she was texting her best friend Gina.
“Ready?” he asked.
Ava jumped at the sound of his voice. She tucked her phone away and nodded. “I could eat a horse.”
****
For lunch, Viktor took her to Amalia’s. Viktor found a parking spot across the restaurant. He opened the door for her. She stepped out and gazed at the old-fashioned Italian restaurant, wide-eyed.
“How did you get a booking here last minute? This place is always packed,” she said. She hesitated when Viktor offered her his hand but eventually took it. It seemed Katya had done her job. Good. This would make things easier. Viktor had really fucked up when he blew up yesterday, but that would eventually be water under the bridge. He snuck a look at his men. Costa and Peter had parked four cars behind them. He gave them a curt nod and returned his attention to Ava. She had noticed Costa and Peter’s sedan since the hospital. No doubt she knew they followed them again but didn’t remark on it.
He answered her question. “I own this restaurant. They always hold a table for me in case I drop in.”
She blinked, allowing him to lead her to the restaurant’s entrance. The manager immediately recognized Viktor and led them to his private booth at the back of the restaurant. This spot gave Viktor a perfect bird’s eye view of the establishment and the diners. No enemies would be able to catch him off-guard because he could watch who was coming and going.
“I thought you were in the entertainment business. I didn’t know you owned a restaurant,” Ava said as they sat. “It surprised me when you told me you owned shares of that hospital.”
Viktor smiled at her polite choice of words. “There’s more to me than meets the eye."
“I can see that.” Ava studied her menu for a second, then asked him. “Who is Amalia?”
“My grandmother. I never met her. She died before was I born. My grandfather named this
place after her.”
“So Amalia’s a family business?” she asked.
He shook his head. “My grandfather knew nothing about Italian cooking, but he wanted to honor her by opening this restaurant.”
“That’s so sweet.”
Viktor wouldn’t exactly use that word to describe his grandfather. His grandmother had been the only daughter of the don of the Colombo Familia. By taking a Russian for her husband, she’d inadvertently started a war between two crime families. She ended up a casualty. His grandfather spent the rest of his life eliminating his wife’s family. There had been no survivors from that purge.
Viktor ordered them wine first. Ava ordered seafood marina, and Viktor ordered the same dish. He also picked a few appetizers and dessert. Ava raised an eyebrow at him.
“That’s too much,” she said.
“You said you were hungry.” Besides, Viktor wanted to extend his lunch date as long as possible. “I understand Katya spoke to you this morning.”
“Did you ask her to soften me up?” Ava asked.
“It worked, didn’t it?” Viktor countered.
The waitress returned with wineglasses. She poured them wine. Viktor picked his glass up. He preferred harder drinks, but wine seemed more romantic. What the fuck was he talking about? Viktor knew next to nothing about wooing a woman. Sure, he had no trouble reeling in a potential one-night stand, but he wanted to get rid of his old ways. Ever since his night with Ava, he’d been sleeping alone. He couldn’t look at another woman without thinking of Ava.
“I wouldn’t sound so confident just yet.” Ava swirled her glass and took a sip. “Katya just told me some personal stuff that made me re-evaluate my opinion of you.”
Bratva Boss' Baby (Kotov Bratva Book 1) Page 8