Chapter 6 - THE OFFER
I stared at him, my mouth slightly open.
I hadn't even told my cook about the private loans.
My father had taken them out in his final months, desperate to keep the diner afloat.
The interest rates were exorbitant.
Every month, shady men in leather jackets came by to collect cash.
They had already threatened to burn the building down if I missed a payment.
"How do you know about that?" I whispered.
"It is my job to know everything," Mikhail said simply.
"The men you owe money to belong to the O'Connor syndicate."
"The Irish mob."
"They are my rivals in this city."
He set his glass down on the table with a soft clink.
"They are using your father's debt to squeeze you."
"Eventually, when you cannot pay, they will take your building."
"They will turn it into a front for their operations."
Fear settled cold and heavy in my stomach.
I had known the loan sharks were dangerous, but hearing Mikhail lay it out made it terrifyingly real.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Because you saved my son," Mikhail said.
"And because I do not allow my enemies to terrorize people who belong under my protection."
"Protection?" I asked, looking up at him.
Mikhail stepped closer.
He was tall, imposing, and stood so close I could smell his expensive cologne—a mixture of cedarwood, leather, and rain.
"I am making you an offer, Elena."
"I will clear all of your debts tonight."
"Every single dollar."
"I will secure the deed to your diner and place it entirely in your name, free of any encumbrances."
"I will ensure that no one in this city ever threatens you or your business again."
I gasped softly.
"Mikhail... that’s... I can't accept that."
"It's hundreds of thousands of dollars!"
"Money is meaningless to me, Elena," Mikhail said calmly.
"My son's life is priceless."
"However," he continued, his tone shifting slightly. "My offer comes with one condition."
I looked at him warily. "What condition?"
"You will allow my security team to monitor your establishment."
"And..." he paused, his dark eyes locking onto mine with intense focus.
"You will agree to see me again."
"Not just for Misha's sake."
"For mine."
The room went completely still.
My breath caught in my throat.
The way he looked at me was intense, raw, and undeniably magnetic.
He wasn't just offering protection out of gratitude.
He was interested in me.
A powerful mafia boss and a simple diner owner.
It was madness.
"Mikhail..." I stammered, stepping back slightly. "We live in two completely different worlds."
"Your world is full of violence and danger."
"My world is full of soup and coffee."
A tiny smile touched his lips.
"Then let me step into your world sometimes," he said gently.
"And you can step into mine."
He reached out, his warm, rough fingers gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
The touch sent a shiver down my spine.
"Think about it, Elena," he whispered.
"I will have Viktor drive you home now."
"You do not have to give me your answer tonight."
"But know this..."
"Whether you accept my condition or not..."
May you like
"I will not let the O'Connor family touch a single hair on your head."
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