Chapter 2

Natalia Morozova

My heart skipped a beat when he asked “What’s your name devuskha?”

My pulse quickened, my breath hitched I swallowed hard forcing my smile to remain polite and practiced, I have been practicing this smile for three days so I am quite good at making it look genuine.

I know he is testing me he might already be suspecting me, and me acting nervously or not reply will only confirm his suspicion, if I act scared that means I know who he is.

“Alina” I replied smoothly, making it sound as believable as possible “Alina Sokolov”

The corner of his mouth twitched, his eyes were still on me and it feels like they are piercing holes through my skull, he was quite for a while “Alina,” he repeated, like he was tasting the name he lips curved into a dangerous smirk sending chills down my spine “Don’t let me keep you from your work” he whispered.

“Of course sir, if you need anything don't hesitate to call for me” I muttered still smiling.

Before he could respond I turned and started walking towards the other tables my hand gripping the tray tight enough to hide the fact that my fingers wanted to curl into a fists, with every step I took more anger rise in me, I can't believe I didn't get the names or any meaningful information.

The only thing i was able to get was a clue that this case might be connected to the arms deal case from last month, I couldn't even study the Italian's face enough, but I am sure I can get a perfect sketch.

I walked to the far side of the dining room, and started acting like I was cleaning the tables which were already spotless, even though his eyes weren't on me I knew his attention was on me, so retreating back to the kitchen won't be a safe move.

From the side if my eyes I caught the flicker of the Italian’s nervous glances, his knees bounced under the table, and sweat glistened along his hairline despite the restaurant’s cool air, his hands were clamped together, as he quickly leaned in, speaking too low for me to hear but Mikhail didn’t lean forward he didn’t have to, that man didn’t chase words, they came to him.

The Italian’s eyes darted toward the exit, but Mikhail’s gaze was still on him, he is probably going to order a hit on the italian, by tomorrow morning it might be all over the news that the italian got into an accident.

Finally after what felt like an eternity, the bratva's pakhan took the last sip of his vodka, anf set the glass down with a clink, he tilted his head to the side as he sat back in his chair his gaze still on the Italian.

The Italian Leaned in again his face only a few inches away from the table he muttered something, Mikhail slowly nodded then the italian stood up immediately and walked towards the door.

After the italian had exited the restuarant, Mikhail just sat there for about five minutes before he stood up his men immediately fell into place at his sides, that aura of authority surrounded him as he also started walking towards the exit.

He passed close to me that I caught his scent again sandalwood and musk, my instincts screamed at me to keep my head down, but no i couldn't I lifted my eyes for the briefest second… and I swore our eyes almost met.

I continued looking at him from the side of my eyes as one if his guards opened the door for him, he exited the restaurant before they both followed behind him. And that was it...my decision was made before I could talk myself out of it, I haven't gotten enough information so I have to follow him.

I untied my apron and tossed it onto the nearest chair, i ran towards the door, i could hear my manager’s voice call she was calling my name from the kitchen, but I was already slipping through the exit door.

I took in a deep breath as the cold night air hit my face, the city smelled of rain and the pavement was still slick from the earlier rain, I started walking looking around, he couldn't have just vanished, I spotted him half a block away, Although I didn't see his face I knew it was him from how tall he was and the two guards following behind him.

I started following him my pace casual, my eyes darting to every reflection in shop windows to make sure I wasn’t drawing attention. He turned down a narrower street, the kind most civilians avoided after dark, the street had no streetlamps, only the dim rays of light from distant street lamps and Windows.

I was still quietly following behind him and that was when i heard it,the low, smooth rumble of engines, suddenly two black SUVs rolled in from opposite ends of the street like predators closing in on prey, the tires hissed against the wet asphalt as they stopped the cars blocking both exits.

My heartbeat increased as I quickly his behind a cabbage bin the doors of the cars swung open in and men ran out... I think their are eight in number ... no, ten each one of them armed as their ran towards Mikhail.

Mikhail’s guards reacted instantly, they hands reaching for their guns, but they were already outnumbered, the men formed a half circle around him mikhail. I already knew what was going to happen, They are here to kill him.

From my position at the corner I could see the tension in his shoulders, the slight tilt of his head as if he has been expecting this all along, he didn’t move like a man surprised by the sudden attack, he moved like a man calculating.

I knew I should have turned and walked away, I should have returned to the headquarters and report what I found out... this wasn’t my mission, this wasn’t my fight.

But if he died here, my only chance to get close to him and to find out what really happened to my brother would die with him.

So without a second thought I stood up and headed towards them.