Bratva Boss’ Baby by Winter Sloane

Chapter Eleven

Ava yawned and stretched as she turned off her computer.

“Ready to leave?” Viktor asked.

She froze. Ava must be more tired than she thought because she didn’t hear him leave his office. Viktor had finally changed out of his clothes earlier and was now wearing jeans and a plain black shirt that showed off his well-defined arms and the black ink there.

“What?” he asked when he noticed her staring.

“Oh. Um. Nothing. I just have trouble imagining you in casual clothes.” Ava picked up her purse. “I’m ready.”

Could she pass for normal? Or maybe she wasn’t fooling Viktor at all. She still couldn’t get over what happened earlier. How Viktor flew in a rage simply because he saw Pavel flirting with her?

God. That made Viktor a monster, didn’t it? Who knew what else he was capable of? Except as much as she’d been terrified of him hours ago, an illogical part of her knew Viktor would never hurt her. It made zero sense.

“Good.” Viktor placed a hand on her back and nudged her down the stairs. The strip club was crowded at this time of the night. Ava waded past a throng of drunk office workers. One handsy guy gave her a smirk, about to squeeze her breast, but Viktor caught his hand. He howled when Viktor twisted his arm savagely. A bouncer arrived before the guy’s friends could make sense of what had happened.

“Keep walking,” Viktor said, his breath warm against her ear.

A little shaken, Ava walked toward the exit. She was starting to sweat. The music and the jostling crowd didn’t help. She was beginning to feel a little lightheaded as Viktor escorted her out of the club. She swayed a little on her feet. If Viktor hadn’t pulled her close to him, she would’ve stumbled.

His big body felt warm and solid against her. Then she remembered how easily he hurt that guy in the club. She swallowed. Today, she’d caught glimpses of a monster living under his skin. Viktor told her violence was a part and parcel of his life, that he lived and breathed in it. Could she continue working for a man like that?

“What’s wrong?” Viktor asked, frowning at her. Was that concern in his dark gaze? God. This man confused her on so many levels. He could be manipulative and controlling one moment and caring and protective the next. Just who was the real Viktor?

“Nothing. Just got a little dizzy.”

“You’ve been working too hard.” Viktor led her to his black Mercedes. He unlocked the door and gently guided her inside the seat. Ava leaned against the cool leather seat. Viktor got behind the wheel.

“This is nothing. I’ve pulled all-nighters at my old firm before,” she said.

Viktor started the engine. “The firm that treated you like shit.”

“You don’t have to remind me,” she said with a scoff. Did she miss working at her old company? Not really. Despite the oddities she noticed in her new job, every day felt like an adventure. Ava didn’t know what to expect.

“Viktor, that guy in the club,” she began.

“Don’t start. The fucker was lucky I didn’t break anything.”

Feeling more sober, she clenched her fists on her lap. Her heart felt like was about to burst from the confines of her ribcage. She didn’t argue. Why bother? Viktor was going to do as he pleased as always anyway. Besides, he’d done a heroic thing. Sure, she would’ve chewed that guy’s head off if they were alone, but he had friends with him.

“We’re here,” Viktor said.

“What?” She blinked, rubbing her eyes. Had she dozed off in his car? How embarrassing.

“At your apartment. I’ll walk you inside.”

“Huh? It’s perfectly all right.” She opened the car door. There was Viktor, waiting for her on the sidewalk. She frowned at him as he walked next to her. Once inside the elevator, she turned to him. “You don’t need to keep doing this. I won’t talk, okay?”

He blinked, seemingly taken aback by her outburst. “I know you won’t.”

“Then why all this? You didn’t need to accompany me all the way to my apartment. Normal bosses don’t do that.”

He cornered her, resting one hand against the wall. She breathed hard, inhaling his scent. Vodka. Cigarette smoke. Ava caught the faint whiff of his cologne. This man had proven more than once today that he was dangerous. Yet, Ava was still drawn to him like a moth to the flame.

She hated how her traitorous body reacted when Viktor pressed himself closer to her. The points of her nipples tightened. An ache started between her legs. God knew she spent many nights, fantasizing about Viktor taking her over and over again until she was spent.

Viktor kissed her. Ava could have told him no. Insisted he couldn’t do this after making it clear they were only boss and employee. She returned his kiss fiercely, curling her hand over the back of his neck. He thrust his tongue down her throat. Ava rubbed her body shamelessly against him, aware he could easily rip her dress away. If he decided he wanted to fuck her raw and dirty in the elevator, she didn’t think she’d be able to resist him. That was just how little self-control she had when she was with him.

The elevator chimed, telling Ava they’d arrived at her floor. An older couple flashed them looks of mirth as they left the elevator.

“You don’t have the right to kiss me,” she whispered. “After telling me all I was good for was a one-night stand.”

“What if I want more?” he asked.

“Screw what you want.”

“Don’t you feel anything between us? The way you threw yourself at me just now tells me differently.” Viktor flashed her that wolfish grin that easily made her weak in the knees. She thought of unsexy things. Of how Viktor twisted that man’s arm in the club. How Viktor mercilessly beat his own brother because of a simple misunderstanding. Ava got her emotions under control.

“No. It’s over between us. Hell, there’s nothing between us.” She started walking, silently praying to God he wouldn’t follow. She didn’t hear his footsteps. Ava almost expected to feel his big hand on her shoulder while she unlocked her front door. Nothing.

Ava snuck a peek at him and was rewarded by the sight of Viktor’s muscled back entering the elevator. She practically ran inside her apartment so he wouldn’t catch her looking at him with longing. Would it be so awful if she wanted something more as well? A single night was all she had with him. She had barely scratched the surface. Viktor might have a good side as well. He couldn’t be all that bad, right?

Once inside her place, she collapsed on the couch. She had no energy to take off her clothes and shower. Hell, she didn’t even think she could walk to her bed. After everything that had happened today, she felt drained.

Her phone rang. Thinking it was Gina, she automatically answered.

“Ava, I’ve finally managed to catch you,” came her mother’s voice. “I’ve been really worried.”

“Hey, Mom.” Ava was tempted to tell her mom she was beat, that she’d promised to call the next morning. Then thought better of it. Her mom was a worrier and they hadn’t been able to talk since Ava had thrown herself into her new job.

“How’s things at your new workplace? Have you made new friends? Gina mentioned you’re working late nights again. I thought things would be different with your new boss?”

“Wow, Mom, slow down. I didn’t realize you’ve been talking with Gina.”

“Sweetheart, I’m just worried about you. I know you. You’re a workaholic.”

“I’m just sorting the mess the old accountant left behind, but after that, I’ll be pulling normal hours.” Ava still didn’t know what she’d do next.

Pretend like today never happen? Viktor hadn’t been forthcoming about what he did either. What if he was some kind of criminal wanted by the law? If he got caught, every employee who worked for him would also get dragged down. The selfish bastard. She’d let that kiss mess with her head but now? She was downright angry with him.

Ava let her mom continue talking, but she listened with half an ear.

“I was thinking of coming down there for a visit,” her mom finally said. That caught her attention.

Remembering that tense moment in Viktor’s voice, she sucked in a breath. Ava was definitely no longer tired now. Viktor didn’t need to shout. His threat spoke volumes. Hours ago, Ava had been certain he wouldn’t hurt her, but what about those she cared about? Viktor was certainly capable of anything.

He even hurt his own brother to prove a point. Ava had been so stupid. She actually considered giving him a second chance? What would they do? Go out and have a nice dinner, maybe see a movie? Maybe he’d do all that with her, only to beat on some poor sod later that evening.

“Don’t do that!” she blurted.

“Honey, what’s wrong? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “I’m just worn out. That’s all. Now’s not a good time, but how about in a few weeks?”

Her mom paused. “I understand, honey. Just remember, you’re not a machine. You’re not getting any younger either. Gina suggested she can fix you up with someone from work.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “I know everyone at the firm, Mom. All the guys there are pretentious dicks. No thanks. Besides, I’m dating someone.” An outright lie, but she knew how her mom could be when it came to her dating life.

“You are? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”

“Because it’s so new and I don’t know where it’s going yet.” She felt bad about lying to her mom, but it was the only way to get her mom off her back. “Anyway, I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Oh, sorry about that. It must be late there. Good night, honey.”

“Sweet dreams, Mom.” Ava ended the call and considered her situation. Ava had no choice but to pretend everything was fine. That was the best she could do. Meanwhile, she’d think of a solution to get out of this hole she dug.