BWWM: Chosen By The Russian Mafia (A BWWM Billionaire Mafia Romance) (BBW Alpha Male Pregnancy Short Stories) by Serena Vale Read Free Book Online Page A

you before this hearing begins? That might give me breathing room.”
    Alexi shook his head.  “They will not.”
    She paused and another surge of panic welled up inside of her that she was just barely able to control.  “They won’t?”
    He gently shook his head.  “Russian courts do not function as you are accustomed to here in America.  There are many parties in play that are; shall we say, skilled at twisting the system?”
    She let her mouth hang agape for a moment before replying, “But that’s not proper court method!  Even in international court…”
    “Parties involved believe that if I have time to prepare an adequate defense I will inevitably fill the judge’s ears with lies and secure a means to escape what they define as “justice”.  However, if proceedings occur as they wish, I may yet prove my innocence.”   He gave her a sideways grin.  “Opposition tends to look favorably on those who think swiftly on their feet.  And if what is said in court can be easily verified then so much the better.”
    “Alexi…” she began, looking for some way to help him see reason.  “What I have… what I know about this case… it’s not enough.”
    “I did not expect it would be.  We will have time to strategize this evening.  Today is merely a formal meeting for declaration of intent.  This is an old custom in Mother Russia.” 
    She was about to protest again when a voice from behind her spoke up.  This one, she noted right off, sounded about as calm and soothing as napalm… or a volcano on the verge of erupting. 
    “Alexi…” the voice said familiarly, “how good to see you again.”
    Regina’s eyes turned to the voice that had spoken and she saw an elderly man standing before her.  He was short, perhaps even more so than herself, but with a head of silver hair and a matching beard that reminded her loosely of Carver.  This man seemed almost soft… withered… but underneath she could sense that there was malice that would make liquid nitrogen seem warm.  And from the dark suit he wore she was able to easily mark him as a lawyer.
    “Abram,” Alexi said, again getting to his feet, “so good to see you again.  It has been what… nearly three years?”
    The other man, whom Regina noted was called Abram, stood before her and she rose to her feet to stand between him and her client.  The old man crossed his hands and smiled almost pitifully at Alexi.  “You have been too long in this country, I think.  You do not even speak your native language.”  He looked to her and Regina felt another chill in her body.  She could almost smell the danger that this man posed outside of the legal system.  “And this is who?  Your woman?”
    She stiffened her back.  “Regina Wells of Graham & Associates. I’ll be representing Mr. Romanov in these matters.  And if you wish to discuss anything with my client, your appointments must go through me first.”
    That she could speak Russian didn’t seem to impress the older man.  His look of pity endured as though she hadn’t spoken at all.  He gently shook his head and looked over her shoulder to Alexi.  “I pity you.  When you go home, there are some very angry people who wish to… discuss certain matters with you.”
    “Home is a long way from here, Abram.  And I understand that Ms. Wells is one of the best at what she does.”
    Abram looked to her with a baleful eye and lightly scoffed.  “An American woman practicing Russian law… you’re more of a fool than I thought, Alexi.” And with that, Abram turned and seated himself behind the plaintiff table.
    Regina turned with Alexi and together they sat back down. 
    “I was unaware that you spoke my language, Ms. Wells,” Alexi said.
    “Call me Regina,” she said comfortably.  “And yes, I speak Russian… and French… and a little Italian.”
    “A woman of many talents,” he said approvingly.  “I hope this means your talents extend into the law as well?”
    She