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“She brought me my things from the office,” I told him.

Hope was making faces in her twisted way, uncertain what to say to him. She finally turned around. “I hope I’m not intruding, but discovering my best friend is alive seems like a reason to celebrate. Now, I realize you probably don’t want me here after what I said to you, but tough. She is my best friend and she needs to be taken care of. She’s pregnant and with her blood pressure, she will need medical care.”

He studied me to gauge my reaction. “You’re hired.”

I pressed my hand across my mouth.

“What did you say?” Hope took a step closer to him.

“You heard me. I was going to hire a private nurse, so you’re hired. As my… guest will tell you, she has no intention of having someone look after her. Given you are her friend, my guess she might listen to you.”

“Um, I have a job.”

“Take a leave of absence and no, I’m not taking no for an answer. The job should only be for a month or two and I’ll pay you one hundred thousand dollars per month.”

“What?” She leaned forward as if ready to collapse. Her cough was one of shock.

I wasn’t surprised. He tossed out money as if it meant nothing to him.

“Yes, and you can stay here as needed. We have plenty of room. That way, if my daughter needs… Well, if she needs anything you’ll be here for her. I’ll have Mario take you back to your home tomorrow so you can get some things. As I might need to go out later, I would appreciate it if you would stay the night.”

“Mr. Aristov. I just can’t ask for a leave of absence on one day’s notice.” Hope was insistent and looked to me for help.

“Don’t look at me. He usually gets what he wants.” Where was he going now? I could tell something was going on.

“Then I’ll call the hospital for you. I am a major donor.”

“Oh, for God’s sake. I’ll need to make some calls,” she told him. “So much for having any plans. However, I would like to spend some time with you.”

“You do that.”

Hope turned toward me. “Should I make the other phone call?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“No, that one will be easier. I’ll be right back. Do you mind if I use another room to make a couple calls?” Hope was shaking her head, clearly flustered.

“Go right ahead,” Maxsim told her in his authoritative voice. She had barely taken two steps when he added to the conversation just as he always did. The man needed to make everything dramatic. “I don’t think I need to tell you, and I have no idea how much of the horrific story Isabel has shared, Ms. Carlson, but we are under duress. Whether you’re in my house or not, what happens here and every conversation is to be held with the strictest of confidence. You will be protected as anyone in my employ would be. Just please know that I don’t accept betrayal from anyone.”

Hope wasn’t afraid of him. That much I knew, which was why I couldn’t resist laughing when seeing her salute. “Why, yes, sir.”

She disappeared in a huff. “You don’t own everyone, you know. She’s my best friend.”

“Who happens to hate me.”

“Yes, and I wonder why. Where are you going?”

“We have a lead on a man who might shed some light on what’s going on.”

“Don’t go. Not tonight.”

“It’s not definite but I’ll know within a couple hours.” He had a way of trying to appease me by brushing hair from my face.

As if it bothered me in the least. “I don’t want you to go.”

“I know you don’t and I assure you, I have no desire to go. I’ll feel better with Hope being here. Do me a favor and don’t tell her about our engagement.”

“What engagement?”