Page 24 of The Arrangement

“No,” he said, laughing. “Well yes, him as well, but Rocco, I mean. I remember when Anton ordered him from the breeder in San Francisco four years ago. That pup didn’t know up from down, wouldn’t listen to a thing he was told, shit in every corner he could find, and then suddenly he was gone and came back a whole different animal. Anton still has that chaise he nearly destroyed his first week home. Got it restored, I believe. It was antique, belonged to his grandmother’s mother.”

The things she knew about Anton’s grandmother, or any of his family really, were very little, and she felt ashamed to even admit that to herself. Even though their marriage had been arranged for years, that didn’t mean there weren’t a lot of things in between she didn’t know or understand about him, his upbringing, or the people left behind.

“His grandmother, she died a long time ago, right?”

Ivan nodded. “While his mother was pregnant with him, actually. A stray bullet where there shouldn’t have been a gun was the cause, unfortunately. Nicoli always kept her present in the family in some way, and Anton still has his grandmother from his mother’s side, but I think he wished he had known this one as an individual instead of just the stories they told. Who wouldn’t?”

Viviana had to agree. Her grandparents on both sides had played a massive part in her life growing up, though after her family was killed, her father’s parents made a point of keeping her at a distance that Sonny felt comfortable with. It hurt her—still did—but she wasn’t about to admit it out loud and give her uncle the satisfaction of seeing her struggle with one more thing he caused. In some ways, she understood her grandparents needed to make that decision, but it in no way meant that she had to agree with it.

It wasn’t long before they reached the dog park. Viviana found a bench to sit on quickly enough and waited for Ivan to join her. Surprising her, he pulled a collar with tags jingling from his coat pocket and placed it around Rocco’s neck, speaking quietly in Russian before the dog was off, running immediately in the direction of the water.

“He always needs his identifier inside the gates,” Ivan informed her as he sat down. “Some of these owners get antsy around an unmarked dog, despite his excellent behavior. They’re quick to call animal control and we don’t need that nonsense. Anton has a collar he keeps on him, too. I imagine he has one for you to keep as well, but probably forgot, given the excitement over the last week.”

Crossing her jean-covered legs and tightening the belt to the tweed coat she wore, Viviana settled into the bench just in time to see Rocco cut through the water of the pond. He looked almost carefree for a moment, like any dog would, until she watched him come back up. His eyes and ears searched her position out immediately to make sure she was still sitting where he had left her.

“He never gets a second off, does he?” Viviana wondered.

“Rocco knows his place,” Ivan replied flippantly. “This is probably the farthest he’ll allow himself to be from your person, unless you leave him to go out and do something alone, which you will, eventually. He’s all right if someone he knows is still with him, like Clarissa or myself, but Rocco couldn’t be left alone for more than a day; he needs his master—masters,” he corrected quickly, shooting her a small smile, “… to feel as if he’s acting—or reacting—properly. He’s very much like a furry little child … one who can’t speak.”

“Why that breed? Not that I don’t think he’s a good choice, I’m just curious.”

Ivan’s laughter caused her to grin. “German shepherds are known to be the chosen breed of officials. Anton’s method of raising his finger to the police. Imagine how they must feel to know their scenting or search-and-rescue animals can be outdone by a criminal’s pup.”

She clicked her tongue in mock disapproval, giggling. “Figures. I probably should have guessed that, no?”

He winked cheekily in response. “Maybe, though Rocco is more than just that. His ability to scent is incredible, more so than even the best scenting dogs officials use. They found that specialty of his during training, and it was something Anton demanded they focus on.”

“What is it that he scents?”

“Nearly anything that would be of some use to us. Hidden explosives, uncirculated cash or large stacks of handled money, weapons, drugs, bodily fluids, and people, of course. There are a few other little things, like hidden electronic devices, although if there are a lot of those in a room he is unfamiliar with, it can sometimes confuse him as to his purpose.”

Damn, Viviana was confused. “I didn’t realize electronics gave off a specific scent.”

His answering shrug was dismissive. “Everything has a scent, we humans are just unable to smell it.” A few minutes passed them by in a comfortable quiet while they watched Rocco play his own version of catch with a stick in the water. At that moment, Ivan sighed beside her, drawing her attention away from the playful pup once more. “Is everything a go then, Vine?”

“Pardon?”

“With you, Anton, and the marriage, I meant. Am I free to begin drawing up the proper paperwork and things we need to go ahead?”

Viviana found it odd how her first inclination was to agree without wondering first if she should speak to Anton. She didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable around Ivan, even though she knew exactly what he was, and the things he was capable of. But, at the same time, she also understood his importance to Anton—the situations they had likely been placed in together, the amount of trust and confidence that must have been shared between the two. She had to expect at some level, that Ivan would give her the same respect, given their positions.

“Of course,” she finally answered, offering him a smile. Thinking about exactly what he’d asked her, something else fluttered through her mind. “What paperwork needs to be drawn up, anyway?”

Ivan cleared his throat nervously. “Well, Anton’s last will and testament would need to be changed, for one thing, as he wants. Any of his possessions—houses, cars, and things of that nature—would be better switched into your name; if an arrest occurred, and fines or restitution was expected to be paid, the government could not seize what is not his.”

There was an unspoken and at the end of his explanation. “What else?”

“There’s also the small issue of a prenuptial agreement between the two of you,” he said, looking away and avoiding her questioning gaze.

“Excuse me?” The noise level in her tone rose a little higher. Like hell … “Why on earth—”

“For you,” Ivan interrupted, stressing his words for her to understand. “Anton is required to sign a prenuptial agreement for you, Vine.”

“Anton is required …” Trailing off, she scoffed because even the words coming out of her mouth felt wrong. “That is ridiculous. The inheritance from my father’s estate was nothing compared to the money we both know he has. He doesn’t need to sign a damned thing, Ivan, and I won’t be asking for him to, that’s for sure.”

The lawyer beside her looked awkward, as if he’d just shoved his foot in his mouth. “It would not be for the money from your father’s estate. This is money you don’t yet have, coming from a different place.”

Confusion ran rampant as Viviana tried to process his words. “Shouldn’t I have been made aware of this … money?”