Mob Boss Series Book #1: The Russian Heir

Chapter Thirty Five: Tati & Bryce

Bryce's POV
Showing up at her door step is something I was uncertain about to the point I stayed in my car for a whole half an hour just debating.

I'm emotionally vulnerable.

I'm aware of that. I know what this feeling is. Last time I had Lettie to take care of me. I feel alone now. I feel I need someone to take care of me. But that's not why I'm here. I'm more terrified of losing focus and changing this into something it's not.

I raised my arm and pressed the door bell. I heard the delicate chime sounding from beyond the door. No response. She said she's home. Am I at the wrong address? I checked my phone to confirm. I'm at the right place.

A little patience won't hurt.

I gave it a few seconds before I rang the bell again. When no response followed, I turned to leave. I was just at the elevator when we nearly bumped into each other.

"Bryce! Leaving?"

She is holding a grocery bag in her hand. She smiled at me.

"I didn't think you were in."

"I am now. Come on." She walked briskly past me. "I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Do you need help with that?"

"I got it." She's balancing groceries on her knee. She's trying to open the door. I gripped the bag just in time. "Thank you!"

She looks more nervous than she did when I first met her. I followed her into the apartment. It's neat, everything perfectly organized. The difference between Brody's room and mine was always stark. I dressed from the floor closet. His hangers always faced one side, clothes color coded and anything he folded had to have perfect lines.

I hate perfectionists. They creep me out.

"Where should I put these?"

"On the counter. I'll take a really quick shower and I'll be with you in a moment. I'll be right back." She speaks quickly and as much as her English is eloquent, there's a touch of a Russian accent. Brody and I never got that. Even my dad doesn't have it.

I paced around the apartment looking around. It's a good side of the neighborhood. Juan and Sherry live a few blocks away.

I took note of my reflection. I took note of the gold ring on my finger. What would Lettie think of me in another woman's apartment? It feels like I'm cheating.

I saw her reflection in the window. I took in the tall beauty in a silk robe. Her hair is wet. Maybe I'm starving but I can clearly see how the silk robe moulds the nakedness underneath down to the peaked nipples.

What is this?

What am I doing?

"Is it working Bryce?" She asked me in a steady voice like the one she used at my place after Sherry brought her. "Do you notice me?"

I turned slowly. I tucked my hands in my pockets. Nonno is fond of saying that even a faithful man has eyes and a beating heart. He says it's what a man does with those feelings that counts. My heart is beating all right. It's beating fast especially as I watch the rise and fall of her chest.

"If I failed to notice you, I would be blind."

She dropped the robe. I clenched my jaw. Hell! She's something. She's something beautiful... something desirable. She stalked my way in a confident stride, hips swaying delicately in an appetizing way. I can't take my eyes off the peaked dark tips. They would definitely give my mouth something to do.

I didn't move.

I stayed still until she was so close, I could smell the strawberry scent coming from her. "In a hypothetical sense, would you have me Mr Romanov?"