Expose' (Born Bratva Book 3) by Suzanne Steele Read Free Book Online Page B

to keep me energized and alert for hours – and, based on Kodiak’s dressing room warning, that’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to a glass of champagne to take the edge off—make that a few glasses of champagne.
    As crazy as it is, – and, yeah, it so is -- I’m glad I’ll have Kodiak’s intimidating presence as my constant companion tonight. This is one time I don’t want to be alone. No one will be crazy enough to start shit with me while I’m on his arm—no one is that bold, not even that bitch, Becky. If I’m going to be thrown into the shark tank, at least I’ll have the protection of one of the most feared men in the organization.
    My mind is spinning as I sit in the salon chair getting my makeup and hair done by Mrs. Glazov’s personal stylist, Svetlana. Who does this -- has a full service salon in their home? The Glazovs, that’s who. Me? Every dime I have goes toward school. I don’t eat out, I don’t party, I don’t spend money on anything but school. I refuse to end up like my parents. Education is my only way out, and this writing competition is going to help me get closer to my goal of a college degree. I just never expected to feel so conflicted about the article I’m writing. I never back away from a decision once it’s made, but now I’m tossing around the idea of not writing the expose’. I’m not an indecisive person usually, but there is a lot at stake here, a lot to think about.
    Kodiak seems to trust me. Little does he know that his plan to keep an eye on me is giving me the perfect opportunity to write an authentic “day in the life” article about the Russian mafia. I’m using him and it’s wrong – and dangerous. A lot of people wouldn’t have a problem with using someone to further their career, but it bothers me. This would be a hell of a lot easier if we hadn’t had that heart-to-heart in the dressing room.
    “My, my, my, but you are stunning,” the woman working on me says warmly. “You’re going to be the envy of a roomful of women who have had their eyes on that man for a long, long time. Every unattached woman here tonight – and more than a few of the married ones,” she says with a giggle, “would give anything to be on his arm. Though I do doubt their motives most of the time.”
    “What do you mean?” I know what she means but I want details. Chalk it up to the investigative journalist in me.
    “You know, using him to get into the Bratva inner circle. Sometimes for the money, sometimes just for the prestige.” She chuckles as she meets my eyes in the mirror, “Bragging rights, I suppose.”
    Another wave of guilt washes over me and I avert my eyes. I’m a terrible, awful person. This is really beginning to weigh on me. Hell, I’m the girl who’s always rooting for the underdog, that’s why I took Gilbert under my wing. How the hell did I go from plotting to infiltrate this ruthless family to feeling guilty about it?
    I brush off her statement with a chuckle. I need to know what I’m in for tonight, so I throw out a little bait just to see if she’ll bite. “Well, let’s hope I get through the evening without a cat fight between Becky and me.”
    “Oh, yes, she’s the worst one. She’s had her eye on Kodiak for years now.”
    Might as well go for broke, so I take a deep breath and ask, “Has he slept with her?”
    “I doubt it, really. He doesn’t shit where he eats. At least that’s what I’ve heard.”
    That does make me laugh. “Then I guess I’m safe.”
    She tilts her head to the side and eyes me pensively in the mirror. “Hmm…My dear, I think you’re anything but safe. I saw the way he looked at you when he introduced us when you arrived. Rules are made to be broken and if there’s ever been an exception to his rule…it’s you.”



Chapter Ten
    Kodiak
    “There will be no cat fights tonight.” Both women look at me in the mirror with wide eyes, obviously surprised to see me and to realize that I’ve been