Broken rules by I. A. Dice

Author:I. A. Dice [Dice, I. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-29T05:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

LAYLA

“Frank, my old friend. It’s so good to see you.” Nikolaj arrived, his arms outstretched, ready to embrace Frank.

As a pedigree Mafioso, he wore a snow-white suit, brown coat draped over his shoulders, cigar in his mouth and burgundy shades. If he had a hat, he’d look almost like Al Capone.

Almost.

“Nikolaj, it’s good to see you too.” Frank patted Nikolaj on the back and kissed his wife’s hand.

I stood to the side, feeling nauseous.

Nikolaj hugged me as if I was his daughter, although he wouldn’t accidentally grab her ass. Mrs. Capone, Tamara, blew two kisses in my direction and admired my dress. She wasn’t the only one impressed by it.

Dante had me turn in circles when I ascended the stairs and stopped in the middle of his living room. He sat on the armrest of the couch and once I came closer, he spun me around and kissed every inch of my spine.

Tamara’s compliments went straight over my head. I did my best to play my role – I smiled and praised her earrings. And in my head, I was throwing up a rainbow.

Julij joined us half a minute later. He wore a suit but didn’t try looking like The God Father. Something changed since Dubai, he manned up, and no longer sported a mocking expression. He shook my father’s hand, greeted my mother and approached me.

“Layla.” He smiled. “You’re prettier now.”

Julij, you’re uglier, always.

“Hey, Julij. How was your flight?”

He scoffed, amused, and offered me his arm. The hallway got crowded when Nikolaj’s people arrived. Frank’s pawns, including Adam, had a blast in the living room – they stood in strategic places, not moving a muscle.

The first hour of soirees was reserved for business talks. Frank led Nikolaj to his office, and Jess, the perfect hostess, showed her guests around. I had no choice but to accept Julij’s arm. We took two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waitress and walked outside so that Julij could have a smoke.

“I owe you an apology, sugar.”

My eyebrows formed one line, and I tilted my head, studying his face. We didn’t know each other well or long, and the only impression he made was negative. Up until now, I had no idea he knew the meaning of sorry.

“What for?”

“For my behavior in Dubai. I’m not usually such an idiot.”

He didn’t sound like he was teasing me. Besides, it’s been a whole four minutes since he arrived, and I haven’t yet felt the need to smack him.

“Is it Dubai or the alcohol that turns you into an idiot?” I asked, forgetting the grudge I harbored.

“You do. Or did.” He shrugged, attempting to hide a smile. “I guess I tried to woo you.”

If I hadn’t just swallowed my champagne, it would’ve ended up on Julij’s face. “Are you kidding? That was supposed to be wooing?”

“Rough advances?”

“Rough?” I repeated, disbelief in my voice, head, and on my face. “They haven’t invented a suiting word to describe the ass you were!”

He laughed out loud. “You’re still so polite.

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