Bought by the Russian Mobster Read Online Free

wanted her. But there would be time enough for that later.
    “Come on, Lily,” he coaxed. “Let’s go get a bite to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”
    They left the clerk and the store behind, heading back to where he’d left the car on the curb. He could tell she was gearing up to ask him something. “There is no harm in asking a question, you know,” he told her gently. “Is there something you would like to say?”
    “It isn’t a question.” Her voice was a whisper. In the fading evening light, her eyes were enormous and bright blue. “I simply wanted to say thank you.”
    “There will be ample ways and ample time for you to express your gratitude,” he told her. In fact, his cock was getting hard just thinking about it.
    Two tiny lines creased her brow as she considered his words for a moment. He didn’t give her any more time to think it over. Instead, he put her in the car and ran around to his side. It was time to show her a little taste of the life he was accustomed to living.
    The dining room at Kalinka was packed. It didn’t matter. Nicolai strode in with Lily on his arm and the hostess immediately gave them the best table. Servers brought wine and crusty bread to the table. He could see that she wanted the bread, but she would never take it without invitation. He respected this.
    “Please.” He picked up the breadbasket and put it practically beneath her nose. “Help yourself.”
    Looking almost shy, Lily began to nibble at her piece of bread. He almost expected to see her licking the tiny plate to ensure she hadn’t missed a single morsel. He offered again, and she accepted. The ritual made him wonder how long it had been since she’d eaten a real meal.
    Tatiyana sashayed up to their table. “Shall I bring your usual, sir?”
    “Of course.” Nicolai eyed Lily. “And double it.”
    If Tatiyana were surprised, she had the sense not to show it. Neither did she show any outward reaction to the fact that Nicolai Pasternak had brought a woman into the restaurant. Normally it was Vladimir parading his string of women through the place. In fact, at one time Tatiyana had been in Vlad’s bed. Once Vlad was bored with her, he had found her a position here at the restaurant. Tatiyana had been one of the lucky ones. Vlad’s usual method of disposing of a lover was to place her in one of their brothels. Nicolai could only hope that his plan for Lily to get work in one of their restaurants would be successful.
    Lily was looking around with wide eyes, taking it all in. He could see the blatant interest on her face. “This place belongs to my father,” he told her, surprising himself with his candidness. “It’s my favorite of all our restaurants.”
    “I’ve never been here.”
    That did not surprise him in the least. “Do you know how to speak Russian?”
    “ Da .” She nodded her head and answered him in flawless Russian. “We spoke Russian when my mother was alive.”
    “That’s good.” He was pleased that he wouldn’t have to train her in that, at least.
    “Why?”
    “Because I am a Russian man and I prefer to speak in Russian.” He maintained the exchange in his native tongue.
    “What are my duties going to be?” she asked. “Why did you really want me as payment? Or do many men pay off their gambling debts this way?”
    He considered this question. “It does happen on occasion. More often than you might think. But no. We do not have rooms full of women who have been sold to us.”
    “That’s a relief.”
    Her wry tone surprised him. “It’s good to see that you have a sense of humor in there somewhere.”
    “Shall I tell you jokes?” she asked. “Is that to be my purpose in your household?”
    He raised his brows. “And if I tell you that I have a far more boring use for you in mind?” Her expression showed only confusion. There was no fear. It was a relief to discover she was capable of trust. It would make his task that much easier. Besides, she