Page 53 of Merciless Daddy

The knowledge lodged under my ribs.

“You’re doing it again,” she said.

“What?”

“Looking at me as if I’m a document you intend to file.”

“No.”

“What, then?”

I considered lying. She would have caught it.

“Revising the file.”

Her mouth tightened.

Then the corner lifted.

“Make sure you spell irresistible correctly,” she said, and walked out before I could answer.

Later that day, I knew Yelena was gone because the penthouse became too quiet.

She had been speaking to Lucia near the service landing. Linen cart. Fresh sheets. The low murmur of two women discussing a fitted corner as if national borders depended on it.

Then nothing.

I came out of the office.

The cart stood half through the service door, holding it open. The nearest camera showed white linen and chrome rails. No Yelena.

“Where is she?”

The guard looked toward the hall. “With the maid.”

“She isn’t.”

His face changed.

I crossed the landing and saw the lift indicator rising from two floors below.

My heart stopped once.

Then began again hard enough to hurt.

The doors opened.

Yelena stood inside alone, one hand wrapped around the housekeeper’s master fob. She looked calm. Annoyingly calm.

I sent the guards away with one look before I said something that would make them useless from shame.

Yelena stepped out.

The lift doors remained open behind her because the linen cart interrupted the fire door and sensor.

“You left the secured floor,” I said.

“Yes.”