Chapter 1

Natalia Morozova

The clink of expensive crystal glasses and the hum of low conversations filled the air, but I heard none of it, i don't care about any of that, my focus was only on the man sitting at table seven.

Mikhail Volkov the Bratva pakhan I have been tracking for two months, and finally today I have the chance to get close to him... Not that close but close enough to gather some information. Mikhail is tall broad, and even from afar his presence alone is radiating danger.

I adjusted the black apron tied around my waist, taking in a deep breath and forcing my grip to relax on the silver tray even though my hands were trembling... Not with fear but with anger. My cover tonight was simple, i was wearing a shoulder length blonde wig, with some faint freckles painted across my nose, and a cheap vanilla perfume.

That way no one would guess that under the polyester waitress uniform and plastered on smile was Detective Natalia Morozova, from the federal undercover.

But here, I wasn’t Natalia I was Alina Sokolov, an overworked waitress at Dmitri’s, the city’s most exclusive and expensive Russian restaurant this is the kind of place where one bottle of vodka cost more than my monthly rent, and where every guest here is from a high profile and rich family.

I started walking towards table seven to deliver they orders but as I moved closer to table seven, my heart beat was increasing, I can't fuck up tonight this might be my only chance to get this close to him.

There were two guards standing around the table, wearing black suits, there were obviously armed, when he walked in here I was surprised to see the pakhan with only two guards, but I guessed he doesn't want to grab alot of people's attention?

My eyes landed on mikhail but his gaze… his gaze was locked on the man seated across him, a nervous looking Italian in an expensive suit.

I slowly placed the glasses of whiskey on the table, careful not to spill a drop, with my perfectly practiced smile I said “Your drinks gentlemen"

Mikhail’s guards barely glanced at me, and mikhail didn’t even look at me...at least, not directly, his gaze and entire attention was on the Italian who was sweating, but I felt a faint sweep of his attention as I set the glasses down.

I stepped back, lingering at a nearby table pretending to be wiping it, I angled my body so I looked busy while my ears tuned in. I can't believe my brothers murderer is this close and I can't do anything, my heart stung as I continued wiping the table.

“Five million by Friday,” the Italian murmured his voice cracking “Cash”

A pause then his deep, low and dangerous voice came“You think money fixes betrayal?” the Italian flinched, his grip tightening on the glass of vodka he was holding “It's not betrayal pakhan It’s… a misunderstanding.”

“You gave my shipment route to orlov men.” Mikhail’s words were barely heard but were sharp and radiating danger “That is not a misunderstanding that is suicide.”

I pretended to straighten a salt shaker my heart beat increasing with each passing second. This was bigger than I expected if this is about the shipment routes, it could connect to the illegal arms deal from last month, it was also the bratva that carried out that deal, so this case also might be connected to that.

The Italian licked his lips "My family.....”

“Will live" Mikhail said, sipping from his cup of vodka “ your family will leave, you know the code... But I might break that code if you don'r give me something better than your lies”

The table went silent even the background murmur of the restaurant seemed to die down, suddenly it feels like everyone in the restaurant were holding their breath.

I leaned in a little, wanting to catch every word this might be it, I might get the locations and names of people involved in the drug trafficking, a lot of innocent people had lost their lives because of this.

The Italian’s voice dropped, his accent thickening a bit“I can give you names pakhan, i can give you name of people higher than Orlov”

I was waiting for Mikhail to speak waiting foe him to give the italian a go ahead, but he didn't say anything not a word the restaurant suddenly went silent again then his chair softly scraped against the floor as he leaned back, his eyes narrowing but not at the Italian.

At me.

My heart beat quickened my breath caught in my throat.. Although we have never meant the way he is looking at me feels like he has recognized me, like my entire cover has blown up, my hands were trembling but I forced myself to continue wiping the table pretending like I haven't even noticed how he was looking at me.

“You have been standing there a for quite a long time devushka ” His low and lazy voice came but there was a sharpness beneath it that made my skin prickle "I couldn't hope but notice you have been cleaning the same table… over and over.”

I got his attention.... I fucked up he isn't even supposed to notice me, taking in a deep breath I forced a little laugh “I am just doing my job sir" I said trying to sound like a normal waitress.

His grey eyes looked directly into mine his expression unreadable, then he turned and looked at the italian who's attention was now on me.

I also looked at the italian studying his facial features, Mikhail didn't call his name, not once so i can only rely on this to track him down or dug up information about him.

My heart skipped a beat when mikhail turned to me and asked “What’s your name devushka?”