Read The Russian's Assertive Lover (The Tonov Triplets Series Book 2) for Free Online

table for bored customers. A live jazz band was playing a cover of a Miles Davis song on the bandstand and employees bantered and bickered while going about their work.
    Courtney smiled. It reminded her of the old days, when she was a carefree teenager and new adult, waitressing her way through college and hanging out with friends every weekend. If she could close her eyes then she was almost back to those days...
    “Hey, you're not going to believe this, but the Tonovs just walked in,” Janet said.
    Shit. Courtney's eyes flew open and she risked glancing to the door for a fraction of a second to see the brothers walk in with a woman who had curves to kill for and possibly the world's largest handbag. She groaned and slammed her head right on the activity pad. Why did they have to ruin this?
    “It's okay, they probably don't even recognize you,” Janet said, as the waitress brought them their food and drinks; a beer for Janet, tea for Courtney.
    The party of four seated themselves just behind the two women. Great . Courtney could feel her pulse jump and dipped her head behind the menu. She could hear Nik's voice as he said something to the woman with the handbag.
    She knew it was his voice because he was using the same tone he used with many of his employees, opposed to the business-like, subdued tone of his brother Valov and the cruel sneer that was a permanent part of Dimitri.
    Even though they were identical, she could tell them apart after a week of working for Nikolay because both brothers visited often. And, if she wasn't mistaken, then the woman was Valov's girlfriend, Rae. According to Scarlett, Rae was the only one who had ever fully gotten through to a Tonov, which was definitely no small feat.
    Courtney realized she was hiding from her boss and she straightened up. Even if they did see her, what would they care? She could eat out on her time off if she wanted to, damn it.
    “Hey, Nik, isn't that the girl you were making out with the other day?” Dimitri asked loudly.
    Shit. Fucking shit. Janet's eyes widened and then she raised an eyebrow accusingly. Courtney flashed a sheepish smile just as Nik turned to look at the two of them. She turned to face him with a pained smile. “Hello,” she said. “Janet, this is my boss; Mr. Tonov, this is my friend, Janet.”
    The mortification on Nik's face mirrored her own. Behind him and Dimitri, who was looking at her with his usual coldness, was Valov and the woman, who were looking at her with raised eyebrows and mild curiosity. She doubted they had known about that night.
    “It's nice to meet you, Nikolay,” Janet said with a smile. “Don't worry, we'll leave you guys in peace. We now have a lot of things to talk about.” She raised her eyebrows even higher in Courtney's direction. The awkwardness was so thick it was stifling her. Why, oh why did this have to happen? Ugh.
    “Yes,” Courtney said, her voice strangled. “We'll leave the four of you alone.”
    Just then, the woman spoke up. “Hi,” she said, getting up and walking around to shake both Courtney's and Janet's hands. “I'm Rae. I'm sorry about the guys. They still have the manners of monkeys, especially that one,” she said, pointing at Dimitri who scowled back. “Why don't you guys join us? It would be nice not to be outnumbered by the triplets for once.”
    “Sure,” Janet said brightly. “We'd love to. Wouldn't we, Courtney?”
    “Um, yes,” Courtney mumbled. She smiled at Rae who grinned warmly back. She and Janet pulled up chairs to the Tonov's booth and grabbed their food and drinks. Unfortunately, Courtney was now seated right next to Nikolay. She could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
    The waiter came by to take orders for drinks. Dimitri ordered vodka and Valov ordered a Scotch. Nikolay ordered green tea, and Rae ordered coffee.
    “Janet,” Rae said. “I believe I've met you before. You look really familiar.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, the Maine Edge ! Your