Page 46 of The Bratva's Bounty

Just because it was the truth didn't mean it didn't sting. Huffing, I dug my foot into the ground, snatching my arms back and crossing them while glaring at him. "You could learn to make it," I shot back with a sassy roll of my head.

"Set the stuff out then," Lev replied with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. "Just don't put the food on the stove."

Rolling my eyes, I mocked him under my breath before taking his arm hostage again in mine. "Let's grab something to drink, then head to the meeting spot." I needed something nice to wash down all the fried food we just ate.

Lev's wide strides slowed to stop, making us linger a few feet away from a bubble tea cart. "Do you think we can try that?" he asked in a low voice with a slight look of embarrassment.

Following his gaze, I wanted to know what he was referring to. "Bubble tea?" I kept my voice between us as I flickered my eyes between the food cart and Lev. "Babe, we can get whatever you want." I giggled warmly at him. "Nothing to be shy about either. Everyone loves bubble tea." If they didn't, then they were a psychopath—in my opinion (jokingly, of course).

Pursing his lips slightly, he frowned softly. "I've never had it… But Angel's always having Nikolai get some for her or getting some herself, and I'm just kind of curious." Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out a strained chuckling groan of sorts. "I've never worked up the nerve to go to a shop and get one for myself…" he admitted.

"What are you going to do when I get cravings when I'm pregnant then?" I teased with a cheeky chuckle. "What if I want something from a super girly café?"

Lev's eyes widened a little with his paling face. "W-well, that's for you and our baby, s-so I would do it no problem." Though shaky, there was an underlying confidence in his words that made it impossible for me to doubt him. Clearing his throat, he regained his composure. "If it's for you or our kids, I'd do it without question."

"What if our kids want to put frilly bows and paint your nails?" I tested him with a ridiculous, yet probable, situation.

Cracking a smile, he looked at me for a moment before shaking his head. "As long as they let me pick the color," he joked back with a hint of seriousness in his voice. "They can use me as their doll or dummy. I will let them yank me around all they want."

Oh, my poor heart. I could feel it melting at the conviction in his determined eyes. Seriously, how could this man get more perfect by the day?

Bouncing up onto my tippytoes, I pecked his cheek with a quick kiss before dragging him over to the drink stand. "Do you know what you want or like?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the menu.

"I'll let you surprise me," Lev replied with a trusting smile after peering his head into my vision.

Well, damn, alright then.

Debating for a moment, I weighed my options for a few seconds longer than anticipated before ordering for us both. It didn't take long for our drinks to be made and handed to us after Lev paid. "I got some taro and lychee. They're my usual favorites, so hopefully, you'll like one of them." If not, then, well, more for me.

The only two things in this world I'd ever be a slut for were Lev and food, especially anything sweet.

Lev slowly took the first cup—taro—and took a cautious sip, savoring it for a minute before switching with me to try the other. After the second taste, he held the cup up to eye level, studying it for a bit before trailing his eyes to the cup in my hand. His lips twisted in thought before speaking up, "I kind of like the lychee more. Can I keep it?" His hopeful eyes had a wary edge to them, almost as if he was anticipating a denial from me.

Not letting my pity surface to my lips, I forced all the warmth I had for him to mold into assurance. "Lev, you don't have to ask me for permission like that, ever. Also, I offered it to you, so, of course, you have first choice." Reaching up, I stroked his cheek with a deepening smile. "I'm never going to hurt you, either. I'm not such a bitch to dangle a prize in front of you, work you up, and snatch it at the last second."

Sliding my hand down his arm, I slipped it into his hand, intertwining my fingers tightly with his. The two of us slowly made our way over to the meeting area, taking our sweet time to enjoy the passing festivities.

The cheerful music and chatter slowly faded into the background the further we moved from it. Soon, it was barely a white noise to us by the time we made it to one of the warehouses at the nearby dock, where my two informants were already waiting for us.

They both greeted me with polite nods before gazing at Lev with widened eyes. "You are aware of who he is, right Nicki?" Matty questioned me with worry. "Listen, if you're in trouble…" His trembling hand rested on the gun in his holster.

Breaking out intoa chuckle, I waved a dismissive hand at the two. "Lev is perfectly harmless." Okay, maybe that wasn't the right thing to say.

"Him?!" George pointed an accusing finger at Lev, who stood behind me like a protective statue with his arms crossed and an unreadable expression. "The Savage Volk, harmless?! You've got to be snorting some good ass shit to make a statement like that."

A short laugh echoed through the nearly empty warehouse. "Okay, I should rephrase that," I started with an amused smile. "He's harmless tome." I gestured at myself by splaying a hand against my chest. "I trust you two, but I can't be too careful given my situation. So, I hope you two can fully understand." The flat smile I flashed as a courtesy meant they had no choice but to either accept Lev's presence or face his—my—wrath.

"Fucking hell, Nicki." George sighed heavily with a shake of his head. "Just what shit did you get yourself into to be tangled with the Volkovs?" His concern for me was genuine, in a brotherly manner.

Tension tightened my shoulders in a curt shrug. "Whatever shit my parents put me into." Honestly, it all started because of them.

"Oh." Matty scoffed with a chuckle of disbelief. "Your parents are in something far worse than shit."

Hope widened my intrigued eyes as I took an eager step toward the two men. "What did you find out?" I couldn't help but rush them.

Running a hand across his jaw, Matty sighed. "They're planning to flee to Russia."

Russia?