Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“It’s my father,” she says simply. “Our relationship is complicated.”
I shut the door and make sure her seatbelt’s fastened. She doesn’t even protest as I check the locks. Good. She’s catching on.
“Yes. It’s your father. He’ll be self-serving and self-focused as always, only wants to hear what will make him look good, and is here more for show than to actually visit with either of us.” I tip my head to the side. “Yes?”
“Yes,” she sighs. “Did you look this place up? Have you been there before?”
I shake my head. “I looked at the specs and blueprints so I know where the exits are, but I haven’t been there, no.”
I also know the best place for cell reception and where we can sit where the lighting is dim, mitigating any possibility of anyone identifying me.
“It’s,” she makes air quotes, “‘unmatched in opulence and sophistication, and well-known for its unparalleled fusion of traditional and contemporary Russian cuisine, culinary techniques, and an outstanding wine menu that rivals the best in the world.” Rolling her eyes, she paraphrases. “In regular person speak, that means we’ll pay ten times what we’d pay a street vendor for something that’s half the size and healthier, so it won’t taste anywhere near as good.”
I know her a bit better by now, and I happen to know that while Vera loves good food, she is more focused on her books and studies than anything. She’d just as soon eat something from the school dining hall to get back to work. It isn’t the uppity food that’s concerning her.
“What’s really bothering you?”
Our driver picks up speed, heading into the city. She looks at him, then me, and jerks her chin at my phone. She doesn’t want to be overheard.
Us. It’s us that’s worrying me. We have… energy together. What if he picks up on it?
How soon you forget that I can feign indifference and coolness quite well.
When she still doesn’t look convinced, I try again.
Relax, Vera. This will work out. Trust me. Your father’s way too into himself to care about us.
And what if that’s exactly what’s bothering me?
I look up in surprise to see her wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
Goddammit.
She’s spent a life being ignored by a man who came in and out of her life, drawing close to a woman her father betrayed and mistreated. Of course she doesn’t want to be in his presence any more than I do.
I’m having dinner with the man responsible for my younger brother Lev getting his ass beat and put in the hospital and almost causing the death of my sister-in-law. He’s an evil son of a bitch.
I put my phone down and reach for her hand.
“At least we have this one consolation. We don’t have to pay for the overpriced stroganina and wine.”
My phone buzzes with a text. I glance at it, and my blood runs cold.
Aleks: His Moscow mistress is in the nearby vicinity. If she makes an appearance, you’re fucked. You’ll have to make a sudden disappearance.
And leave Vera alone with that son of a bitch? Not on your life.
I scowl at the phone, viscerally aware of Vera’s eyes on me. My mind is racing with the possibilities of what I need to do. There’s no fucking way that jerk is so self-focused he’d bring his mistress to meet his daughter, not when he’s still married to her goddamn mother.
My phone vibrates again.
Aria was able to get an aerial view. The mistress is on site but that’s only because he’s staying at the hotel that’s adjacent to the restaurant. She’s in a spa getting some kind of facial peel procedure, which Aria says will take a long enough time you don’t have to worry about her showing.
I blow out a breath, almost as concerned for Vera having to meet the woman than my own identity being leached. Aleksandr’s texts continue.
Word is that he has three of his closest confidantes nearby. They likely won’t join you for dinner, but my concern is that one of them might recognize you. Be careful.
“We’re here,” Vera says. Her hand is cold in mine when I take it. It’s the last time I’ll be able to touch her until this is all over. “Remember, we’re nothing to each other.”
There’s a hollow echo of sadness in her tone.
“Only for a time, Vera.” I see a familiar face out the window. “Let’s go. Your father’s arrived.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Vera
“Well, la-de-da,” I say with a groan.
The moment the car turns down the street leading to the restaurant, the air seems to almost shimmer around us. There are so many luxury cars and uniformed valets lined outside the restaurant, I feel like I’m at an exhibition for the world’s most expensive cars. The entrance is flanked by more uniformed valets who look more suitable as royal courtiers than restaurant staff. The restaurant’s claim to fame is being golden, so there are decorative gold leaves on the ground in front of us, on the lettering on the door, and accented on the uniforms of staff. God. Leave it to my father to pick a restaurant that’s more about social status than genuine connection. Ugh.