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“Something blue. She’s a bit of an ice queen, you see,” I say to the woman showing me Cartier’s most recent collection.
She offers a flirtatious smile. “I think she’ll be very grateful that you had her in mind while picking these out.”
We can disagree on that. However, one thing I know my woman loves is a shiny jewel.
“We have a rare Paraiba tourmaline set that just came in. Let me go get it for you. I think it might be perfect for your intended lady,” she coos before she dismisses herself.
If it’s rare, I know Anya won’t so lightly turn it down. Depending on whether she already has three sets of it.
“Forgive me for saying, sir, but it’s strange to see you in a jewelry store,” Michael says as he looks over the items with a lack of interest. He certainly terrified the staff until they saw how eager I was to buy.
Another woman comes over. “Oh my, your champagne looks empty,” she says to Michael, offering him another glass, one he happily takes, then stares at her ass when she walks away.
“Behave,” I growl under my breath. “And I’m curious about this part of Anya. These shiny jewels she enjoys. I want to brand her in every way. So why would I get one of my men to choose that in my stead?”
Michael carefully places the glass down and casually leans against the glass case. One of the staff seems affronted by the movement but says nothing. “I’m just trying to understand our mission here. We came here to get your money and negotiate better rates for the guns, didn’t we? As well as gain permission to sell directly to certain buyers here on the East Coast. I’m confused as to what part Anya Ivanov has in all of this. Are we not here to do business with her brother?”
“Anya is just as capable to do business with, if not more so,” I quickly say, shooting him down with a stare. “And it just so happens that I’ve found myself besotted with the Ivanov sister, and I intend to marry her.”
A tic jumps in Michael’s jaw. “Don’t you think that’s a little bit of a stretch? The woman’s clearly in-insane.” He stutters when I glare at him.
“An insane woman who one day you’ll be taking orders from, so you better learn to watch your tone with a lot more effort than how you speak to me. Or are you looking for unemployment before we reach that timeline?”
“No, sir. Sorry I spoke out of line,” he says quickly.
“Here it is,” the woman says cheerfully on her return. She opens the white box to reveal a set of blue encrusted diamond earrings. She proceeds to open another two boxes, revealing a matching necklace and ring. “It’s a beautiful set. Do one of these items catch your eye?”
I stare at the ring, almost wanting to choke on my own laughter. If my mother knew I was seriously looking at pursuing a woman, let alone considering a ring for her, she would have a heart attack. Perhaps I need to put Anya to the true test by meeting the future in-laws.
“I’ll take them all,” I casually say as my phone begins to buzz in my pocket.
The woman’s eyes widen, but she offers a bright smile. “Of course. I’ll pack them for you immediately.”
I answer the unknown number.
“River, it’s been a while,” the man on the other end says. I recognize the voice. We’ve spoken a few times over the phone already and met in person once. “I heard you were in New York for business, and I’m interested,” Igor says.
“Igor, it’s unlike you to call personally. I usually have to deal with your second in charge. To what do I owe the honor?”
“Well, let’s just say my middleman saw the new item you had on display at the Ivanov auction. I heard it was a one-off. But since you’re in town, I was interested to know if maybe you have more. I’m willing to fly in from Russia to negotiate business.”
My smile grows as I hand over my credit card to the woman. I’d done underhanded deals in the area before but always in small numbers and cautiously to ensure the twins never found out. Considering the circumstances now, I have free rein to do as I please. Within limits, of course. I don’t want to give Anya a reason to put out another hit on me.
She might’ve already tried that once, but if she were to do it now, while in debt to me… that would be very bad for her business. We might not be good people, but one thing we are good on is our deals. If not, then you end up as good as dead.
“I might be interested,” I say as I shuffle the phone between my ear and shoulder. “Send me the place and time you’d like to meet. I’ll make arrangements to be there.”
The timing couldn’t be any better. It’s come so easily that I can organize a little date with the she-devil herself as well.
CHAPTER 15
Anya
Rummaging through my brother’s belongings is as boring as watching paint dry. Because despite his immense and expensive whisky collection, Alek doesn’t splurge on many things. His house staff have hidden themselves away after my intrusion, and I’ve been throwing his shirts from hangers in fits of rage ever since.
Vance stands at the door as Clay walks in with a pot of herbal tea. All of my favourite flavors are in Alek’s kitchen because I made it so. Clay sets the tray down as he quietly says, “Miss, this is the fourteenth time you’ve searched for a clue in your brother’s home. I don’t think there’s anything here. Perhaps you should get some rest.”
“Luckily, I don’t pay you enough to think,” I snap back.
