This woman is something. I have never seen someone push every single one of Alek's buttons so quickly. I look at Max but his eyes are trailing Alek. As soon as the door closes he couldn't contain his laughter. His eyes are almost tearing up in laughter and I couldn't help but join in.
"You couldn't have found a better way to piss him off." Max yells out between laughs. Max grabs her wrist and pulls her into a hug. She obviously wasn't expecting it because she was stiff as a board. She manages to snake out of his grip and sits in the water in between the both of us.
"You didn't tell me he was going to be here." She was angry with Max. He smirked knowing he had meddled and didn't care.
"Here is the thing, princess." Max started, "I don't have to tell you anything. You can be angry as much as you want but you are still just as manipulative as I am. Look at what we just witnessed. You used the fact that you're attractive to mess with Alek's head and I bet every one of us is going to pay for it the moment we leave here."
She sat in silence. I take the time to look at her red hair. It looks so dark now that it is wet. She is no longer the confident woman we just saw. She is obviously bothered. She won't admit it but I think she wanted him regardless. She may want all of us.
"Fuck." I look up at Max. He looks at her then looks at me while his phone is in his hand. "Lev can you watch her for the rest of tonight? Alek wants me to go back to work..." He pauses and looks at her briefly. "Downstairs." I shrug and Max gets out of the water.
"Little fox, would you like to stay here or would you like to go eat some dinner?" I look at her and her soft brown eyes meet mine. God, she's beautiful. Shit I can't think that way.
"Can I eat dinner?" I nod and I see her eyes are actually full of tears threatening to fall. She knows she messed up with Alek earlier. He was just getting compassionate with her and now they will be fighting like cats and dogs again. I stand up and get out of the water offering my hand to her. Surprisingly she takes it. I can't help but let my eyes rake over her body as she gets out of the water. I felt my cock harden in my swimsuit and I turn away trying to calm myself.
"We could make dinner if you'd like. I have been thinking about making Piroshky. I could use the help." She squeezed my hand and shot me a bright smile.
"I haven't had Piroshky in ages! Is it your Mama's old recipe? That was so good. I'd love to help." She quickly makes her way back to the women's locker room and I go to the men's. I change quickly putting on my jeans and grey button-down shirt. I'm not sure I'm supposed to let her cook with me but I'm not going to ask. When I meet her on the other side of the locker rooms, I grab her hand and start making our way to the kitchen.
When we get there, I see her eyes go wide. The kitchen in quite large. The usual cook is out for the day so it is perfectly clean and empty.
"It's beautiful." Her eyes seemingly sparkle as she looks around the room. I let her roam as I get out the ingredients. I start on the dough mixing the dry ingredients first. Eventually she starts to help me. I let her take over a bit while I pull some of the ingredients out for the inside. When I come back my eyes are drawn to her face. She is so serious. I take some of the flour on my finger and touch her nose. She looks up at me in shock and then bursts into laughter. I felt like it lit up the whole room. She looks at me through her happy eyes. God, she's beautiful. While I let her finish up the dough, I start making the rice and frying up the meat. She finally sets the dough to the side to rise while I finish up.
"Where is you're Mama? I'd love to see her again." I looked at her in confusion. Her father really told her nothing. I can't believe the bastard.
"She and my father died around the time your family left." I don't make eye contact with her as I set aside the meat and rice. Her silence was deafening.
"Was that my father's fault too?" Her voice cracked and I turned to look at her. Tears were streaming down her face and her whole body was shaking in attempt to keep her sobs in. I don't want to lie to her but all I can do is nod. No words want to come out of my mouth. I hated her and her family for so long and here she is mourning the loss of my family. "How? And Who else did he get killed?"
Somebody has to tell her. I grab her waist and set her on the countertop behind her. I rest my hands on either side and I look at her and clear my throat. No emotions. Just facts.
"The day your family disappeared was the worst day of most of our lives." I paused trying to think of where to start. "Demetri was taking my parents out to dinner. It was the anniversary of some important date and Demetri wanted to surprise them. He told your father to make the preparations and so he did. My father, your father, and Demetri were as close as I am with Alek, Rurik, and Max. More brothers than friends. So your father's betrayal was devastating. Your father informed the Irish Mafia of where the dinner would take place. They attacked killing my parents and Demetri. Then your father fled with you and your mother. The Irish mafia never stopped trying to beat us. We had a new leader and they hit and hit. That's how Rurik got kidnapped. He was kidnapped with his mother. They killed her to try to get information out of him."
As I inform her of all that has happened, I watch her deteriorate in front of me. When I finish, her sobs make it through, and she grabs onto me pulling me into a hug. She shakes and cries. I rub her back and soothe her to the best of my ability. Finally, she calms and pulls away. Her eyes are red and puffy. I reach up and wipe her tear-streaked face. She looks at me long and hard. Suddenly her lips are on mine. Kissing as if it was her last time. I snake my hand behind her head and one up to her hip. This is like heaven. When we broke apart both of our breath was ragged. This girl is going to ruin my life.
