Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Alexei
My arms were full of supplies, everything a budding artist could ever want, because that’s what Amy was. She hadn’t told me outright or asked me to get her anything, but she never did. That was because Amy wasn’t the kind of woman to ask for anything for herself.
She had a giving soul, and I was beginning to think my grandfather was right. She was a good match for me, the kind of woman I needed without even realizing it.
Dumping the bags into my driver’s arms, I found myself smiling. Being happy and content was sure a weird feeling for me. I wasn’t used to it. Up until this point, I had always just built a wall around myself and gotten on with things, but being with Amy these last few months had changed that.
She made me happy, so I wanted to make her happy in return, and I was hoping the art supplies would do that.
I’d given her other gifts of course, like the diamond stud earring she had been wearing this morning, but they were almost unfeeling.
I wanted to get her something personal, and I had a feeling the art supplies would do that.
After all, I found her sketches all over the house, and she was pretty good.
“Where now, sir?”
I thought about it. More than anything, I wanted to go home and see my wife, especially after the message had sent her earlier. The one that would make her happier than any gift ever could.
I had made good on my promise and found her sister the heart she needed to live. The arrangements were already being made, and God, yes, I wanted to see my wife so badly it was like a dull ache in my chest.
“Home,” I said softly, catching my driver’s knowing smile. The whole world could clearly see how happy I was. Not that any of them said anything. Well, apart from Nikolai.
He liked to tell me at every given opportunity that he knew she would make me happy, and who could argue with him, because I was. Giddily. It was almost embarrassing. Maybe it would have been if I cared what other people thought about me.
“Yes, sir.” He moved towards the front of the car.
Usually, I would drive myself, but I wanted to pick Amy up in style tonight, and that meant a chauffeur.
I’d already booked the most sought-after restaurant in the city for us, one where the usual waiting list was over a year.
She deserved that. Plus, I wanted to talk to her about our honeymoon and get an idea of places she had always wanted to visit.
After her sister was better, of course, I knew she wouldn’t leave until then. Still, we could plan. The thought made me pause. Was I really standing here in the middle of the street and planning a future with a woman that two months ago I couldn’t stand?
Oh, how times had changed.
“Actually, I need to speak to my grandfather first. Then home,” I said firmly, sliding into the back seat. It was late to visit him, but I knew the carers would let me in, and I wanted to run something by him before I went home.
There was no traffic, so we made good time. “Keep the engine running. I won’t be long,” I said to the driver and jogged into the building.
As always at this time of night, it was a hive of activity. The receptionist snapped her head up as I approached. “Mr Petroviov,” she said in surprise. “We didn’t expect to see you today.” She flashed me a smile. “It’s very late.”
“I know.” My smile grew charming, which came so much easier to me now.” And I promise it will be a flying visit. I just wanted to say hello, really.”
Her face softened. “You’re one of the good ones. So many of our guests don’t get visitors at all. Nikolai is very lucky to have two.”
“He has a guest now?”
“Yes, go on through.” She waved me forward.
There was only one other person who would visit my grumpy old grandfather.
She was the only woman alive capable of putting a smile on his face, and on mine as well, for that matter.
Amy was here, which meant I got to see her an hour earlier.
My heart skipped a beat as I pushed open my grandfather’s door.
It stuttered again and then stopped altogether as the woman sat at my grandfather’s bedside looked up and stood ever so slowly. I couldn’t help it, so I took her in, slim and dressed impeccably, her silvery blonde hair was secured at the neck in an elaborate twist. Not one single hair out of place.
She was as perfect as the last time I had seen her.
“Alexei,” she cried out and rushed into my arms, almost knocking me off of my feet. At the last minute, I caught her and wrapped her in my arms. And God, she felt so familiar except for the tears that were already soaking my shirt.
“Oh, Alexei, thank God you are here. I’ve been so scared.”
Over her narrow shoulder, I met my grandfather’s eyes. His face was an unreadable mask. Lifting an eyebrow, he waited for me to push her away. But how could I do that?
“Violet.” I smoothed a hand down her back. “What are you doing here?”
She didn’t answer me. She just clung to me tighter and sobbed like her whole world was falling down around her shoulders.
“Shh now, it’s going to be OK.” I tried to console her. What else was I meant to do? She was Violet! “Tell me what’s going on?”
The look my grandfather was throwing at her was full of hatred. I’d never seen that look on his face before. I tore my eye away from his accusing look.
“Violet has come back to beg for our help.” He sounded every bit the old mob boss he was. Cold and deadly like a Siberian winter’s night. “Or more specifically, your help, Alexei. You see. Violet has found out she is in the family way.”
My head snapped up. Violet was pregnant? My whole world shifted.
Taking a stumbling step back, I held her out at arm’s length and really looked at her. It was subtle, the slightest curve of her belly.
“You are pregnant?” I couldn’t help it. My voice shook with the shock of seeing her again. And not just that, but being punched in the face by the fact that she had clearly spent the year since I had last seen her in the bed of another man.
“I—” She clawed at my shirt front, her makeup still perfect even if she was sobbing so erratically. “I know I shouldn’t ask you to help me, Alexei. I know I hurt you.”
That was putting it lightly, the woman in front of me had ripped out my heart and shredded it in her pretty manicured hands. I felt nothing after she left. Well, not until Amy came into my life, anyway.
“But I need help, and I don’t have anyone else to turn to. Please, Alexei.”
Amy, her face flashed before my eyes. She would be waiting for me, excited and happy. I wanted to see her as well, but Violet was a massive part of my past, and she needed help.
“Of course, I’ll help you, Violet,” I said softly. “I was just about to go for dinner, and you look like you could do with a good meal.” I let my eyes scan her again and felt the old wound of her leaving open back up. It felt as raw as ever. “We can catch up after dinner.”
She smiled at me with her perfectly straight white teeth.
“Alexei,” my grandfather snapped. “Your wife—”
“It’s fine,” I told him firmly. Amy would understand, I knew she would. She was such a loving and giving person. She would want me to help Violet even if she was my ex because it was the right thing to do.
Amy would understand.
Right?
“So.” Opposite me, Violet sipped her sparkling water, her eyes sparkling in the light of the hundreds of candles. “The old man mentioned a wife?”
I had been waiting for her to bring that up. Part of me had hoped she hadn’t heard my grandfather, but then the hostess had mentioned the table was booked for my wife and me, and I had seen Violet’s eyebrows slam upwards in shock.
“Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “Amy.”
“Amy.” She said the name as if it were poison in her mouth. “And you love her.” She lifted accusing eyes at me. “You sure did move on fast.”
Under the table, my hand closed into fists. “That’s a little hypocritical, don’t you think? You’re sitting opposite me, pregnant with another man’s baby,” I speared her to the spot with my eyes, and she had the good graces to look away quickly. “You left me, Violet.” I reminded her.
“I guess I deserved that, and yes, I did. But I’ve regretted it every day since.” Her pink lips pulled up in a smile. “Tell me about her. She must be a special woman, indeed, to get your love. I know you don’t give your heart often, Alexei.”
Often? I almost laughed. I’d given exactly one woman my heart, the woman opposite me, and she had shredded it.
“Come on, Alexei, tell me something. It’s been over a year, and I want to know all about your life now. Is your wife very beautiful?”
Was Amy beautiful? In her own way, she was stunning. Amy might not have the supermodel look that Violet had, but her soul made her beautiful. Looks-wise, she was—
“Amy is pretty enough.”
I don’t know what made me say it. Amy wasn’t just pretty, she was—
Violet leaned forward, giving me a clear view down the front of her dress, and my thoughts scattered.
“Alexei.” Leaning across the table, she slid her hand over mine. “That’s no way of talking about the woman you love.”
I blinked rapidly, and instantly she saw it.
“You do love your wife, don’t you, Alexei?” she asked sweetly.
I went perfectly still. Did I love Amy? I had been sure she had been about to say it this morning and had stopped herself at the last minute. Would I have said it back and meant it?
I liked spending time with Amy. I enjoyed her company more than I ever thought possible, and recently, making her smile was the highlight of my day. But did I love her?
“It’s complicated.”
Violet’s pale eyes widened. “Then why did you marry her? Oh.”
I knew the moment realization hit her.
“The old man forced you to.”
“He does have a name, you know,” I snapped before I could help myself. Amy never called him anything other than his name, and he called her daughter.
“Of course, I’m sorry.” Violet twisted her hands together, and when she looked at me, there were tears swimming in her blue eyes again. “God, I am in so much trouble.” Wildly, she looked around. She was looking for someone. I followed her gaze, but nothing felt out of the ordinary.
“I shouldn’t have dragged this to your doorstep, Alexei. I am so sorry. You have a wife now, and your priority has to be her.”
“Don’t worry about Amy and my relationship. She will understand.” I hoped anyway. “She’s a good person like that. She would want me to help you. Tell me who the baby’s dad is, Violet. Why can’t you go to him for help?
“He’s a bad man, Alexei,” she whispered.
“He can never know I’m carrying his child.
He would take it.” Her hand pressed against her stomach, and I watched as her fingers cradled the tiny bump.
“He will probably kill me and take it unless I can find someone to protect my baby and me. I know it’s a lot to ask you but—”
I couldn’t help myself. I reached out across the table and took her hand. “There’s bad man, Violet, and then there’s me.” I meant every word. “No one is going to hurt you or your baby. I promise.”