PURPLE HEART - Soliders Of Fortune [BOOK TWO]

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

Sunday 'Sunny' Santos

The extraordinary flavour of black cherries and sweet tea dances on my palate, like a symphony of spring and summer combined.. It's a tender sweetness, with the whisper of a orchard in full bloom and the soft, warm notes of brewed leaves that evokes a happy glow in my belly..

It is utter heaven..

I sip deeply from the dainty glass teacup, almost too distracted by my appreciation for the flavours to notice as Max rejoins the table, now accompanied by another.. A golden-haired lion of a man, with wickedly bright green eyes and perfect teeth, who smiles at me with a luminous, welcoming warmth.. But masked by that charming smile of his lurks something deadly, a dark and sinister energy that eddies behind those violently veridian eyes..

Setting down my drink and rising quickly to my feet, I smile sweetly at the men in greeting as Max comes to a stop at my side.. The Loan Shark makes no effort to hide the cold glare he casts at Konstantin while winding a protective arm around my waist.. "I see Kostya has been keeping you entertained.."

"Your Sunday is vury intriguing woman.." Konstantin grins, tossing a familiar friendly wink in my direction.. "Insightful.. Intellectual.. Sweet too.."

"I'm aware.." Max bites in irritation, flexing with tension beside me, though he doesn't get a chance to sink any deeper into conflict before a booming baritone interrupts..

"Da! I am mozt intrigued also, Maksim!" The gorgeous golden man holds out a heavily tattooed hand to me in expectation.. "You muzt be the soon-to-be Mrs Angeloff! I hear only wonderful thingz.." The beautiful man lies through his pearly white teeth with a winsome smile, though I can't tell if it is out of courtesy or cruelty.. All I know is the terrible things he must have heard about me and the scene caused last time I was at the Casino..

"You're kind to say so, Señor.." I blink at the man in confusion as Max presses a comforting hand to the small of my back, encouraging me to play my part..

"Zakya, this is Stori Petrovich." Max introduces me to the golden lion and it is only then I realise the gravity of this meeting.. This man is the Pakhan of the Darkport Russian Mafia, he is underworld royalty.. A man like Stori holds more power in one little finger than I could ever hope to experience in a lifetime..

Konstantin doesn't say a word, but I can feel the curious scrutiny of his ever watchful eagle-eyed gaze.. My shaking hand extends into the Pakhan's warm and surprisingly gentle clasp.. "It's-uh- an honour-to meet you, Señor Petrovich.."

He chuckles, a deep and confident rumble of amusement that is somehow equal parts playful and predatory all at once.. "Pleaze, Printsessa, we are family now, you muzt call me Stori.."

Stori Petrovich exudes a dangerous kind of charisma.. Inviting and intoxicating, his presence is strangely alluring, even when I know it shouldn't be.. I can only imagine there is not much this man couldn't do, or say, or have, if he wanted it..