Page 59 of Taken By My Grumpy Pakhan

I took a deep breath, giving myself a thorough perusal in the mirror before deciding it was now or never.

“Here goes nothing,” I muttered, slipping into the shoes Anna laid out, grabbed my purse and made for the door.

The security lock came on the moment I touched it, taking a second before turning green and clicking open.

“You know you have to let them know about that.” Anna gestured at the lock. “If I were running from a stalker and trying to get into my house, the last thing I would need is a damn lock taking time to recognize my fingerprint.”

I nodded in agreement. I already made a note to call in the delay and how you need to pull in your face for the iris scan to work. It had to be instant.

“I’ll let Nikolai know about that.” I stepped out of the door, turning to Anna. “Be good.”

Her lips curled into a picture of mischief. “Yes, Mother.”

Shaking my head, I closed the door and headed to my Uber.

The lounge was nothing short of my expectations. Low lights, great music and expensive decor.

Rose's watchful eyes fell on me the moment I walked in. “OMG, Gen, you look gorgeous.”

“You look dashing yourself.”

She twirled, giving me a 360-degree view of her stylishly cut black dress. “It’s couture.”

“I expect no less.”

“Well, if it’s not the gorgeous newbie.” A woman I always saw during meetings but never had the pleasure of meeting walked up to us.

She stretched out her arm. “Abigail.”

“Genevieve,” I replied, taking her hand.

“Oh, I know who you are,” she cleared her throat, mimicking a familiar accent. “Miss Sinclair.”

I laughed at her failed impression of Kazimir. “Glad I could make an impression.”

She gave me a once-over. “You certainly do.”

My eyes swept over the lounge, noting how only staff were present. I turned to Rose, who nodded in affirmation.

“We rent the place for the night so we can talk smack about superiors without fear.”

Blonde hair caught my eyes as Sylvie emerged from a corner in a micro skirt and corset top. “The meeting is for all?”

“Yup,” Abigail replied. “It’s always been that way, but you were too stuck in your job to get an invite.”

I blushed at her response.

Rose linked her arm with mine. “Come on. We have to pry the details of Caroline’s sleepover from her.”

I gasped, waving at Abigail as I let Rose drag me away. “She spent the night with him?”

“Yup. Returned with hickeys and all as proof, but she won’t say a word about the details.”

We found Caroline in a corner with Collin, a silk scarf I would’ve thought chic had I not known the details wrapped around her neck.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Collin greeted when we approached the duo. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I replied, walking over to Caroline’s side and leaving his side empty for Rose.