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

comfort level and I don’t know if he even realizes he does it.
    Tate starts to bark orders as soon as we reach the vehicle, “You girls will have to sit on Cam and Nikoli’s laps. Emily, you will sit in the front with me.” Everyone jumps into action and I just stand there. Yeah, I don’t think so. I don’t take orders from men anymore.
    This reminds me, I need to check out the parking lot. I start scanning all the vehicles and my surroundings. There are lights outside but there are too many dark spots for me to see everything.
    At least I’m surrounded by three big men. I don’t have to completely freak out right now, about being outside in the dark. I still feel like I’m being watched everywhere I go and I have to make myself stop this madness. I’m going to get an ulcer with the worrying all the time.
    Turning to Tate, I argue, “Umm, why, Tate, that doesn’t make sense. Let Nikoli sit up front, because we will all fit better in the back.”
    “Come, Krasaaveetsa, get in the front.” Tate replies with a stern look and I just roll my eyes at him.
    “No, Tate, I’m not jumping because you say so. This doesn’t make sense and I know I’m right. You need to give in on this one.”
    This man is always making me feel like a teenager around him. I mean technically twenty is very young, but he makes me feel fifteen. I’m always angry, turned on, arguing or feeling like I’m falling head over heels for him. I thought this was what happened when you were young, not in college.
    He grumbles, “I didn’t ask you to jump, I asked you to sit down.”
    Tate must realize this is going to be a battle because before I can get a response out, he picks me up. Nikoli opens the front door and Tate shoves me in the front seat. Nikoli smiles really big at me and shuts the door quickly.
    I’m so shocked it doesn’t even register what they just did for a few seconds. I feel my mouth gaping and physically reach up to cover it. The balls on these men are uncanny.
    Tate gets in the SUV and gazes at me; I can only stare at him with my mouth open. I cannot believe that just happened. I don’t know whether to be pissed off or turned on right now.
    Avery sits in the back giggling like it’s the greatest thing ever and London’s looking at Tate like he hung the moon. Freaks, damn freaks, I’m surrounded by crazies.
    The next morning…
    “Oh My God, my head! What time is it? What happened last night?”
    Is that Avery’s scratchy-ass voice I hear pounding into my head? Why is she yelling?“Duuuude, shut up! And go back to sleep.” That sleepy voice is definitely London’s, so she really is here after all.
    Avery chokes out, “Fuck, I’m going to be sick!” She runs to the bathroom but trips over me and goes flying onto another body under a comforter. I want to laugh at her because it was hilarious, but my head and stomach hurt too badly.
    She mumbles, scrambling to get up, “Ooof. Shit! Sorry!” She takes off running again. I hear her slam the bathroom door and we all let out a collective groan.
    Tate peeks his head up out of the blanket that Avery just tripped on and looks over at me. He looks absolutely adorable, like a sleepy puppy. Only hot, and male, with bed head, and wow, yep, no shirt on.
    He leans up so the blanket falls to his stomach and I can’t look away from his gorgeous body. Tattoos cover his pecs and little barbells adorn each nipple. He is ripped, way more so than I had thought from dancing with him. He has a little happy trail of brown hair that leads over his six pack. He has a freaking six pack! Of course he does.
    Tate slowly leans toward me and kisses my forehead and whispers softly, “Morning, baby.” I melt a little inside when he says it so naturally, like it happens daily. I give him a small smile because he just made this horrible hangover a little better by being here when I first woke up.
    “Good morning, Tate.”
    I start to lean up also, but freak when the blanket falls down. I