Possession of the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #15)

Chapter 16 - Mila

Scanning the files I managed to retrieve left me with more unanswered questions than I had starting. Closing the screen of my laptop, I felt slightly frustrated. Even though things have been going well between us, I was still looking for a thread of evidence to prove my initial assessment of Aleksandr.

Even with our new agreement and the growing relationship we’ve been building, I was still searching. It had become more of a habit. However, everything I found thus far and all I uncovered kept pointing in the other direction.

Staring out the window, I wondered if I was wrong. Could my instincts have been so far off? Everything pointed to Aleksandr being a good guy. Well, as good as one could be in the Mafia, I thought, smiling.

Distracted by my thoughts, I didn’t hear the door opening. I jumped out of the chair as Aleksandr spoke. “Are you busy?”

Turning to face him, I held my chest, trying to catch my breath. “Aleksandr,” I heaved.

Grinning, he stepped around the couch, speaking as he pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, I wanted to surprise you.”

Shaking my head, I replied between deep breaths. “It’s okay.”

“I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to another of our gambling dens?” he added, stepping back. He was looking at me questioningly as he continued. “Unless you’re busy and only if you want.”

Grinning back at him, I turned my head to the side as I responded. “I think that would be nice, thanks. When do you want to leave?”

“When you’re ready, let me know, and we can go,” Aleksandr replied, heading out. “I’ll be downstairs.”

“Sure, let me just grab my shoes. I’ll be down in a second.” I answered as I followed him out of the library and went to our room.

I wasn’t sure why he extended the invitation, but I enjoyed seeing the different casinos. It also offered me another opportunity to see his interaction with others. After pulling on my sneakers, I found him waiting at the front door.

“You will see Anton and Abram as well. They assist in managing this one,” Aleksandr said as we drove.

Giving him a slight smile, I stared out the window as we passed through the upper part of town. It felt a lot further than the first one. We drove through a couple of suburbs to get there. Pulling into a large parking area, I noticed quite a few other businesses around.

The other two were more stand-alone sites, with very few other businesses even in sight. This one had rows of businesses on both sides. Most of them looked like factories and office blocks. But there was a takeaway place, a clothing store, and an adult shop not too far.

The parking lot also appeared more professional, with neat rows of beds between the slots and streetlights everywhere. The casino’s lights weren’t as bold and bright as the three I had seen. It almost looked modest in a way.

At the entrance, we were greeted by two hostesses. They were extremely friendly and appeared honestly happy to see Aleksandr and meet me. After a quick introduction, we went to the bar area just behind the reception desk, where Anton and Abram waited for us.

As we walked towards them, Aleksandr stopped at a couple of tables, greeting the patrons. He appeared friendly and kind. This, I felt sure, was a facade. But it made him look even more dashing. We joined his brothers for a drink while they discussed the developments and needs of the casino.

Once the meeting was done, Aleksandr took me on a short tour of the casino. From the bar, we moved further into the building. The bar led into the dining hall. It was a mixture of extravagance and simplicity perfectly mixed.

The tables were all round but varied in size. There were two-seater tables ranging up to what looked like twelve-seater tables. To the sides were four booths on either side. At the back of the room were salad bars, sushi, and two dessert tables. Between these, in the middle, were double steel doors. There was a sign above the door, ‘Kitchen.’

“We’ll have supper here in a bit if you want?” Aleksandr asked as we turned and headed back to the bar.

“Sounds nice,” I said as he greeted some of the waiters. Back in the bar, we moved to an archway on one side. It led to stairs going up.

The stairs led to the gambling floor. Against the walls were a variety of tables. In the middle was a round bar and in between the slot machines. Everything looked very organized. The place was filled with people. After a walk-through, we had a drink at the bar before

going back to the restaurant.

We entered the restaurant area. We had some more drinks and a lovely meal. I allowed my mind to deliberate on the idea of spending my life with him. Aleksandr had shown me a side of him I would not have believed if told it existed. But every time we went around to their selection of operations, I could see his kindness.

The way he treated his staff and even the patrons was quite amazing. He possessed a smoothness, a healing touch, and a tenderness. Everyone he engaged left the conversation smiling, beaming, in fact. It was mind-blowing to witness.

Once supper was done, we went back to the bar area to join his brothers for a nightcap. During dinner, we decided to watch a movie together once we got back home. It was a good way to unwind.

Vvv

I watched as Aleksandr mingled with the patrons, even the less rich ones. He welcomed people from all walks of life to his establishments.

“He’s a good man,” I heard Abram speaking softly. Turning to face him, I nodded. I could see it.

Abram got up as he continued. “See you later, I have some calls to make. Glad you could come around. Have a good evening further.” Abram took my hand and kissed it lightly.

“Thank you, it was lovely,” I replied as he walked off. Turning back to Aleksandr, I noticed he was coming back my way. He smiled at me as he stopped by another table, greeting the people. There were two women and a man having shots between their beers.

The brunette got up as he was about to leave, taking hold of his arm. She rose to the tips of her toes, leaning in and whispered in his ear. I felt my stomach turning, and a sudden heat wave rushed through me.

Aleksandr smiled as he turned to face her. What was he doing? What was happening there, right before my eyes? Turning back to face the bar, I felt my anger pushing up. Shaking my head, I called the bartender to pour me a shot. I had to contain this rage before it became a wildfire.

Swallowing the shot, I scolded myself. Why was this so upsetting? Ordering another, I realized I was jealous. I had developed feelings for him. I didn’t know when it happened or how. I made a fist with my hand and released it, then did it again as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Aleksandr hold the woman’s shoulders. She was still talking and smiling seductively at him. As I was about to look away and order another shot, I caught him looking my way. He said something to the woman and then came towards me.

“Ready to go?” Aleksandr inquired smoothly as he stopped next to me.

Nodding, I slid off the seat and headed for the door. Aleksandr walked beside me, seemingly pre-occupied with his thoughts. I didn’t mind as I preferred not to talk at the moment. The drive home was quiet.

I tried to wrap my mind around the feelings bubbling inside of me. Why was I jealous? Did I have the right to be? My mind whirled as I tried to figure out what was happening to me.