The Deception by Marquita Valentine

shakes her head, clearly exasperated. “That’s all you had to say. Remember what I told you before? I’d never ask you to embarrass yourself for me.”
    Grabbing her chin, I gently pull it up. “I am not embarrassed to be with you or take a picture with you. That was not my intention when I expressed my dislike of social media.” I search her dark eyes, willing her to understand all that I can’t share. “I know I’m not the most gregarious bloke, or even the most charming, but I—”
    “I understand,” she says softly, and I blink.
    “You do?”
    “Yes.” She tilts her head to one side. “You’re shy and an introvert. That’s okay. I’m outgoing enough for the both of us.”
    She thinks I’m shy and an introvert? Good God. I want to set her straight, but I can’t take away the pleased look on her face. She thinks she’s figured me out.
    “Is it that obvious?” I say. Taking the phone, I hold it up and pull her against me. The sun is setting behind us, making dangerous shadows and a beautiful sky. I snap a few pictures of us, before handing it back to her.
    She worries her bottom lip as she goes through them. A small frown appears.
    “Did I manage to miss us completely?”
    “No, you managed to capture some guy with a pissed look on his face. Stupid photo bomber.” She holds up the phone, so I can see the screen.
    My gut clenches. It’s Petrov, the man, who, only a couple of months ago, attempted to kill me for murdering his brother.

CHAPTER FOUR
    THE DECEPTION
    M y hand immediately goes to the gun I’ve hidden at my back as I pivot. Petrov is headed our way, murder on his face.
    “Ugh. The light was perfect. Maybe I can Photoshop him out,” Everly muses, oblivious.
    Think, Roman, think. How do I keep her safe without showing her who I really am? Before, I never had to worry about another. Despite being a part of the Bratva and having more family than—as Everly would say—I could shake a stick at, I have always been solitary.
    Petrov’s long legs eat up the distance. I look around for something—anything—that could serve as a distraction for my would-be assassin or my lover.
    I spy a Swarovski crystal shop. “Love, didn’t you say you wanted to buy your mother and best friend a present from there?”
    “Yes!” Everly tucks her phone into her coat pocket. “You might want to stay here. I take forever picking out presents. It’s a curse all Andrews women suffer.”
    I’m too damn concerned and anxious for her to be on her way to appreciate her humor, but I manage to give her a wink and say, “Enjoy yourself. There’s a business call I need to make anyway.”
    She gives me a fleeting kiss, and then sets off in the direction of the store. I try to keep one eye on her and another on the man only steps away from us. Starting for him, I cut across the crowds of tourists and slip into the shadows. It’s not fully shielded from their eyes, but it will have to do.
    “Nikolai, you fucking pussy,” he spits out. “How many lives do you have left?” There is a scar along his cheek, pulling at his skin—a visible reminder of our last fight. He appears to be weaponless, but I know better. Besides, knowing what I do of him, he wants this time to be personal. He’ll use a knife instead of a gun.
    Everly enters the shop, and the door closes behind her.
    Now, I am able to fully concentrate on the lunatic in front of me.  “In a fight recently?” I ask pleasantly, palming my gun. Nothing enrages him more than being perceived as a non-threat. A man fighting with only anger to guide him rarely wins in the end.
    “How you managed to live is beyond me,” he says. “Who’s the woman?”
    “New target.” Or she will be if I don’t find a way to get out of this mess I’m in with Viktor and his financier.
    Obviously stunned, Petrov cocks his head to one side. “She doesn’t look like your usual mark.”
    “She’s in the way.”
    “Welcome to the dark side, Nikolai. Too bad you won’t