Bad Apple (Part 1) Read Online Free Page B

and offense that Irina would want to use me so blatantly.
    Where is the woman who sees a rich, handsome man and begins making wedding plans from the outset? Why does it happen to me with every other woman but not the one I actually intend to shackle to me?
    “You’re in for it now. I heard that Tatiana girl telling the others that Irina is gun-shy because some schmuck played it loose while they were in a committed relationship. I also heard what the man got when her brothers found out.” Leo laughs, eyeing my face with a dark grin.
    “So what do I do? She’s a softy, but the woman looked ready to run by the time Mama was done. And now she’s battening her hatches with those friends of hers.”
    “Leave the friends to us, big brother. We’ll have them plotting her downfall once they understand how serious you are about their girl.”
    “You think it will work?” I ask Vadi, my mind already racing with possibilities.
    I have exactly a month to make her see reason before the deal of a lifetime slips through my fingers. I need Irina to want to sell me her building or my family will lose everything to a man who’s out for revenge.
    “We have a week to get her on board or we’re moving to plan B.”
    Leo’s eyes stretch at my words and I see Vadi swallow.
    “Let’s hope we can do it or I am very afraid your little kitten will become a lion.”
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Six
    Irina
    The house is a marvel. It’s huge, baby pink, and so… cute.
    I love living in the city, and I’d hat waking up here every morning without the smell of exhaust fumes and the sound of people arguing, but it’s perfect in that way that the rich can only pull off.
    “This place looks like a pink elephant,” Nik says delightedly as I pull Delilah into the drive and pray that she doesn’t announce our arrival before I come to a stop.
    I should have taken Misha up on his offer to pick us all up, but I need an escape plan in place, and as mortifying as Delilah can be at times—most of the time, actually—she’s my only backup since the three crones at my back seem to be going over to the enemy camp.
    “Good God…Ri, do not freak out now, but the whole clan’s coming out.” Nik giggles, making me pray all the harder that my car can wind herself down without killing the Novacs in a cloud of angry fumes.
    When I turn the key and slowly pull it out so as not to upset her with any quick movements, I almost cry when she comes to a gentle stop.
    We all let out huge sighs of relief before the laughter starts and uppity Miss Nik gives the Lord a fist bump.
    “Thank you, God. I knew going to church with Mama last Sunday would score me at least a few points,” she mutters as we all tumble out of the car and pause at the hood.
    Mama, the men, a surly looking brunette, and a man who looks to be about sixty stand looking at us.
    And, of course, that makes the giggling worse, so by the time we’re at the steps I’m freaking red as a tomato and the girls are wheezing.
    “Ah, she’s a beauty, no, Svetlana?” the man croons, taking me by surprise when he grabs me in a bear hug and plants kisses on my cheeks before laying a wet one on me.
    Seriously, if I didn’t know better, these people could be French with the tongue they put into every kiss.
    “Papa…” Misha groans, prattling off in Russian before grabbing me to his chest and rolling his eyes.
    The young brunette starts huffing and shoves her way forward.
    “I’m Lena, the sister. Nice to meet you or whatever,” she says before turning on her heel and stalking away.
    “Well howdy-fucking-do to you too,” Tat mutters under her breath, making us all choke before Misha places a hand way too close to my butt and steers us all inside the house.
    “Don’t mind her. She’s been that way too long to know better.”
    “Misha—”
    He interrupts in Russian, sounding pissed as he drags me into the dining room.
    The table is filled with food, dishes that my mamen’ka only cooks