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“He’s just never gotten over you, you know.”
Bryce rolls his eyes.
“OK, well, thanks for—” I’m trying to end the conversation, but she talks over me.
“I realize this is none of my business, but you were such a lovely couple. Try calling him again. He’s just at home unless he’s at the tennis club.”
Bryce’s nostrils are flared while he shakes his head. He looks like a bull about to charge. A rather fine-featured and sexy bull. Ugh, why does he look even better when he’s mad?
“Would you tell him I called, please?” I ask Judith.
“Of course. He’ll call you as soon as I tell him. He’ll be thrilled!”
“Thanks, Judith.”
After hanging up, I’m faced with the bull’s deepened frown.
“What? I did what you told me to do. She doesn’t know anything. People have a right to their privacy, Bryce.”
“I don’t give a fuck about that asshole’s privacy. Until we figure out why he’s had you followed and what his plans are, you should be moved to a safer location.”
“Excuse me? You must be completely certifiable!” I exclaim. “I’m not uprooting my life because you can’t find some guy I dated last year.”
“Who’s had you followed. We can’t assess the risk properly until we’ve got him in sight. Pack what you’ll need for the next week or so. I’ll find you a safe house.”
“No.”
“Ana.” He says my name like a warning.
“You heard me. Besides, I’ve got Kina staying here. Forcing me to evacuate is way out of line. I’m not leaving my own house.”
He exhales in one indignant huff. “You sure about that?”
“I’m surer than your premature wrinkles if you keep scowling all day.”
His exhale is gruff and his lips stern. “Then we have to make some changes.”
She left the house in a flurry, refusing to look at me on her way out.
As per her usual Saturday, Ana will work at her office before doing some errands. An executive of her stature would normally have a personal assistant to do tedious chores like picking up dry cleaning or buying groceries.
But not Ana.
She only employs assistants for office duties. According to Sergei when I asked him, it’s a carryover from her time in Moscow when she insisted on doing things herself so that employees at Petrov Shipping would see her as one of them, instead of Nikolay’s daughter.
If you ask me, it’s more than that.
She’s determined to be the opposite of her pampered, snobbish mother. Madelaine Johnson Petrov assigned someone every possible domestic duty. I think hiring a personal assistant is some kind of line in the sand for Ana. On the one side is independence and integrity; on the other is the slippery slide toward her mother’s extravagance.
I ordered Kina to shadow Ana today with the goal of accomplishing two things. It ensures Ana’s personal safety as well as familiarizes Kina to the client’s habits, tendencies, and preferences. Lysander Wolfson missing escalates the situation. This grocery run will be the last one Ana is doing for a while. Lessening her exposure to the bare minimum is crucial.
Meanwhile, I needed her out of the house so I can integrate the changes I hinted at.
She should have installed a comprehensive alarm system from the first day she moved into this house. The one I’m installing today will be linked to her existing security network, but with major upgrades. There is now an advanced entry setup that requires facial and hand recognition technology. In addition to the biometric sensors, I’ve also added remote access control mechanisms.
The women arrive late afternoon, just as I finish the biometric hardware attached to the garage.
“What the hell, Bryce!” Ana yells as soon as she jumps out of the car.
