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Will.
“What have you got?” I ask. The moment Igor mentioned Alek was last seen in Russia, I had Will focus on that location.
“Not the news you want yet. But I’m on his trail now,” he says, rather smug with his British accent.
“I don’t know why it’s taken you so long already. I thought you were the best,” I chide.
He chuckles. “Well, it seems like you found a slimy and clever prick all in one. But no matter how long he tries to go under the radar, he’ll eventually surface. I just wanted to update you. I also hear you’re creating a stir with his sister back home.”
“Where, pray tell, might you have heard that from?” I ask.
He laughs down the line. “You underestimate me. You got it bad, huh? Never seen you seriously interested in a woman before. Unless there’s something you’re trying to get from her?”
I pause with the scotch at my lips. “I plan on extracting many things from Anya Ivanov. Which reminds me. Wherever you have your little gossip meetings, I want you to make it very clear that no one is to touch so much as a hair on Anya Ivanov’s head. If they do, they will deal with me.”
Michael and Derrick look at one another. They’ll no doubt ensure the same message goes to my men.
Will whistles. “Wow, you’ve fallen pretty hard for the beauty, haven’t you? But I’ll make sure your message is spread loud and clear.”
“It’s not falling when I’m simply claiming what’s mine.”
“And does Anya know about this?” he asks pointedly.
“She will.”
If I don’t fuck it up and give in to my carnal urges first.
“Alright, lover boy. Good luck. And if you end up ten feet under, know that I still expect payment. Chasing this fucker isn’t cheap or easy.”
“I’ll transfer some money over now to boost morale,” I promise.
“That’s why you’re my favorite,” Will teases.
I hang up the phone and am surprised when I see a text message from my mother.
Mom: Are you moving to New York permanently? Should I come visit soon?
The only woman I’ve ever permitted to tell me what to do is my mother. She might be naïve to what her son does for business, but it brings me pride to know I can cater to her every need for the rest of her life.
I wonder how my mother might perceive a woman like Anya. They couldn’t be more opposite. I also can’t deny the pleasure it will offer me to see Anya being introduced to any parent.
CHAPTER 21
Anya
I’m on edge. I haven’t had sex for over a week now, and no matter how many times I use my toy, it’s just not cutting it. Especially considering I’m in an internal war with myself because my mind keeps drifting to River.
It’s late afternoon, and I just left a meeting in the city. I watch the people around the car, bored by their busy, insignificant lives.
Friends shop with elbows linked together.
Lovers hold hands.
Parents cradle their babies.
All of these things are meaningless to me.
At least as I was raised to believe. Since Alek’s disappearance, I’ve found myself more curious as to what their lives might be like. I feel like someone looking from the outside in. All of these things I was raised to exploit and use as a weakness. Yet they all look happy.
