Her Russian Mafia Protector by Bella Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

a night off, it’s going to be to sleep. Not to get all hot and sweaty with a bunch of strangers. Besides, Kaz would never let me go.”
    Charley nudged her. “I talked to Kaz last night. He told me that the threat against you was minimum. He said that even your father’s enemies would think twice before attacking you. So have some fun.”
    “Even if he said that, he would never let me go.”
    “Well.” Charley smiled. “He never actually has to know. We’ll just slip out. Two hours. Give me two hours, and I promise that you’ll feel so much better. And let me tell you, there were plenty of good-looking men there last night. And more than one promised they’d be back tonight.”
    “You’re so devious.” Veronika glanced quickly at Kaz. It would be nice to have a night out. And if nothing more, it would be nice to prove to Kaz that she was capable of running her own life. “All right. Two hours. I get off work at eight.”
    “Great. Plenty of time to shower, eat, and pretend to have an early night.” Charley gave Veronika a wink before sliding off the bench and bouncing away.
    Veronika laughed and shook her head. She barely knew Charley, but the woman lifted her heart like no other. The thought of an evening with drinks and laughs was enough to energize her. She peeked once more at Kaz before focusing on her textbook again.
    If nothing else, getting away from him would be fun.
    She couldn’t get the thought out of her mind, and the day crawled by as she waited. Finally, she was home, showered, and in her pajamas. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes. “Good night, Kaz,” she mocked. Was it just her or did her voice go up a pitch?
    “Ten o’clock? No studying tonight?” he asked from the bottom of the stairs.
    God. He knew. No, he didn’t know. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not feeling well. And I can’t afford to get sick. So I’m tucking in early. Take the night off, Kaz. Have a drink. Relax a little,” she muttered.
    He moved back to the couch, and she closed the door and turned off her light. Charley bounded down the stairs and said goodnight to him. While she distracted him, Veronika slipped off her pajamas, revealing her outfit beneath. Black skirt. A red tank-top. Definitely something she wouldn’t normally wear. Her face was painted, her hair was done, and her heart was racing.
    She felt more energized than she had in weeks. While she heard Charley and Kaz talking, she opened the window, closed her eyes, and jumped.
    Just as she planned, she hit the ground quietly and rolled. Brushing herself off, she looked toward the building to see if there was any movement. Kaz didn’t sound the alarm. Keeping low, she snuck toward the car and waited.
    Charley came out with a cheeky smile and a wink. And soon they were off. Safely down the road, Veronika let out a huge whoop and laughed. “My God. I did it. I escaped Kazimir. You know, I’m not sure that anyone has ever done this. I’m going to lord this over him for all of time.”
    “Easy now.” Charley smiled. “The idea is that he never finds out. Get that ego in check and let out your wild side. Tonight, we’re going to have some fun!”
    The club was hopping when they got there. Ten o’clock on a Friday night, and the line circled around the block. But Charley blew the bouncer a kiss, and he let them in with a smile. “Girl. How do you get the men wrapped around your fingers?”
    “Oh that’s easy. Men here, men like this, they prowl for a woman like me. Someone who doesn’t want strings. But getting one man with strings? That’s eluding me,” Charley said with a sigh.
    “Do you want strings?”
    “I want a man to look at me like Kaz looks at you. Drink?”
    Veronika snorted. “Yes. And don’t use that as an example. Kaz looks right through me. Like I’m invisible.”
    “So brilliant, and yet so stupid. I’m getting us drinks. And don’t look so sad. Tonight, every man is going to look at you the way