Free Russian Roulette (Russkaya Mafiya) by Sapphire Knight Page A

shooting me her annoyed look where she scrunches up her eyebrows and has a line down the center of her forehead. Speaking of lines, I know how to distract her from talking me into making bad decisions and getting plowed with them.
    “Wow, when you make that face it shows a big line in your forehead. Are you getting wrinkles, London? It looks like you might be getting too much sun.” Avery busts out laughing at me. Damn it, she caught on to my distraction.
    “Don’t listen to her, London; she’s trying to get you off topic.” She gives me a big shit-eating grin.
    “You suck, Avery! You’re fired!”
    Avery giggles, “Nope. You already fired me at the coffee shop, so technically you can’t fire me anymore!”
    I think about lunging at her and tackling her to the ground. I know once I get her there London will at least help me tickle her. Right as I go to make my move, there’s a knock on my apartment door.
    Avery jumps up really fast and practically runs to the door to answer it. She must be a little excited to see Cameron. Or not.
    She completely ignores Cameron as he walks in. Avery hurriedly gives the big guy they brought with them an excited hug. I’ll have to ask her about that later.
    Cam puts on a wide smile, “Ladies, ladies, ladies, are we
ready to have some fun?” Cam’s voice booms through my tiny apartment.
    London eats up the loudness and gravitates toward Cameron as soon as he sees her. They both eye-fuck each other while Avery talks to the new hot, blond guy. Wow, never would have predicted this one.
    Tate gives me a soft smile and walks toward me. He leans down and sweetly kisses me on my cheek. My heart melts a little at the touch of his lips.
    “Hey, little pet, you look breathtaking. I love this dress on you. I’m going to have to break some guy’s knees tonight, huh?”
    Break some knees? Who says that? I look at him like he’s lost his mind and it makes him chuckle. Yeah, definitely no personality disorder here! Riiiiight.
    “Relax, Krasaaveetsa, I’m only joking. I’d have Nikoli here do it for me.” He smirks towards the other guy that came with them.
    Nikoli is a beast. He’s huge, full of muscles, probably 6’5” and covered in tribal tattoos. He’s still really good looking for being so big; he has short blond hair and dark blue eyes. He looks like the ultimate Russian fighter.
    Nikoli grins down at me and I look at Tate. I have to admit, a man that big really does frighten me inside. He looks so friendly, but I’m still shaky towards men in general. Not so much with Tate, but everyone else.
    Tate squeezes my bicep softly, “Emily, this is Nikoli, he was a bouncer at OO7 when we went last time.” He nods toward him and looks back at me, “Nikoli, this is my Krasaaveetsa, Emily.” He looks really excited to be introducing me. I think he may have told Nikoli about me already.
    “Nice to meet you, Nikoli.”
    I stick my hand out being courteous and Nikoli grabs me with both of his big, meaty paw-like hands. He brings me in for a hug and I think I squeak.
    “Preevyetstvavats Shef dyevooshka (Welcome Bosses lady).” Tate beams a smile after Nikoli speaks.
    I glance between both of them, puzzled. “Huh?”
    Nikoli looks at me sheepishly and grins so his dimples pop out. Such a cutie.
    “I apologize. I speak Russian so much, that sometimes it automatically comes out. I said Welcome…” Tate shakes his head minutely but I still catch it. “Umm, lady,” he finishes, nodding.
    Hmm, I wonder what he really said. I won’t ask Tate right now, but I am curious. Hopefully I can remember some of it to Google later.
    Everyone’s heading toward the door, so I guess it’s that time. I grab my small purse and shuffle out the door behind them. I lock up and follow them outside.
    Tate has his large, black Tahoe again, so we can all ride together and have a designated driver. I get little flutters inside, thinking about how thoughtful he really is. He’s always looking out for my