Chapter 6 - Nadia
Finally, I would be alone in his house and free to look around without fear of being caught. Sipping my tea, I waited for Abram to announce his departure and go to work. I wasn’t sure what part he played or did for his Bratva family, but I would find out.
I would learn all there is to know about Abram and his entire family. He left to make a call, and I expected him to go once that was done. I watched Abram coming back into the room. He was grinning wildly like he had just won the lottery.
“Great news,” he announced.
Placing my cup down, I sat up, looking at him with raised brows. “What news did you get?” I inquired.
“I’m working from home this week. This way, I can keep you company,” he replied.
My blood turned to ice as his words hit me. Jumping up, I protested. “No, please, don’t disrupt your life for me.”
“Calm down, Nadia,” Abram replied. I watched as he got up and walked towards me. “You’re not disrupting my life. I want to be here with you.”
“You have a schedule; I’m sure you have meetings and things to do. Please don’t change anything for me. I’ll be fine,” I added as he took hold of my shoulders. I could hear my tone pitching but couldn’t tell him why I actually wanted him gone.
“Don’t worry, I promise it is nothing. I work from home lots of times.” Abram insisted.
Smiling at him, I spoke calmly as I got up. “Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom.” Walking out quickly, I entered the bottom bathroom, closing the door behind me. Placing my head against the door, I breathed deeply. With him at home, I couldn’t snoop as planned. How am I going to get the intel I needed?
With him here, things may not work out as I had hoped. Walking to the basin, I rinsed my face. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I spoke softly to myself. “Nadia, get a grip. You have to pull yourself together. You can do this.”
Taking another couple of deep breaths, I straightened my clothing and headed out. Looking around, I didn’t see anyone. Abram was either still having his coffee or back upstairs. Heading down the passage, I examined the rooms quickly before anyone noticed I was gone longer than it should have been.
I opened the first door, which led into a linen closet. As I closed the door, Abram spoke behind me. “What are you looking for?” His tone was so energetic and sudden, that I almost jumped out of my skin.
Turning, I held my chest as I tried to catch my breath. “Abram,” I breathed out, not sure what to say.
Abram cracked up into a laughing fit. Putting my hands on my hips, I felt my anger quickly climbing. “That’s not funny,” I breathed out.
He stepped closer and took me by the shoulders. “You should have seen your face. Can I help you look for what it is you were looking for?” he inquired lightly.
“I heard the guards talking of a crafting room. I wanted to see what it was, what you crafted?” I responded, folding my arms across my chest.
“Well,” he said, turning me to face the hallway. “You almost had it; just further down, let me show you.”
He pushed past me and headed down the hallway. Three doors further, he opened a door to our right. “Here you are, my lady,” he said, grinning as he slightly bent forward. With my arms still folded I walked past him into the room.
Entering the room, I had to place my hands over my mouth to prevent the gasp from escaping. “This is the biggest arts and crafts room I have ever seen,” I huffed. Glancing around, I couldn’t believe all the things it held.
Abram stepped in and closed the door. “This is nothing; you should see the other one,” he said behind me.
“There’s another room like this one here?” I asked, turning to face him. Stepping back, I found myself standing against a small table.
Abram laughed as he spoke. “No, not here, but at my brother’s house.”
Nodding, I moved to the side. There was a painting on a stand to one side, and I walked to see what it was.
“You like painting?” he asked, moving towards me slowly. There was something mischievous in his look, but I couldn’t place it.
I was slightly hesitant to reply as I didn’t know what his response would be. Yet, if I didn’t, he may get angry. I didn’t want to do anything that upset him. I hadn’t seen any aggression, but my family warned me.
Plus, I needed to get close to him so if this was something he enjoyed, I would adjust. “Haven’t really tried it,” I said, glancing at the empty canvas.
“How about being painted?” he asked, grinning.
Giving him a raised brow look, I wondered what he meant by that. Turning my head to the side, I watched as he walked to a couch in the middle of the room. “You sit here,” he said.
Moving towards me, he picked up a paintbrush. As he got to my side, he slid the brush down my arm as he spoke softly. “I could see painting your body; it could be fun.” I shook lightly as he touched my nose with the tip of the brush.
I was so deep in thought that it took me a couple of seconds to realize what he was implying. “No…,” I huffed, moving away from him. “No, I do not think that would be nice. Paint dries, and getting it off might be challenging. I have to say no, sorry.”
Turning away, I tried to focus on some of the wall paintings. I felt my cheeks heating up as I blushed.
Clearing his throat, Abram laughed as he spoke. “Well, that wasn’t what I had in mind. But we could paint each other and then lather in a soapy tub if you want.”
Looking down at the floor, I wondered if that was what I would end up having to do to get access. Turning slowly, ready to meet him halfway, I noticed the empty room. “Abram?” I said softly.
Walking to the door, I wondered when he left. I hadn’t even heard him move. Sticking my head through the door, I expected to find him standing there. But he wasn’t. With him out of sight, I felt sure busy with work, so I continued my exploration.
The other two doors were locked so I went down another passage feeling each door. I found another very empty study. It only held a small table and nothing else. Two doors down, I found what appeared to be a guest room.
Moving to the next hallway, I found a locked door. The other one just ahead seemed open. I tried moving quietly; I didn’t want him to know I was snooping around. Peeking around the door, I saw it was a gym.
Once again, Abram almost gave me a heart attack as he suddenly, out of nowhere, spoke next to me. He had a habit of appearing out of thin air. “You still looking for something?”
“Uhm, yes, no,” I mumbled. “I was looking for you or one of your people. I was feeling hungry but wasn’t sure what I could eat,” I said, lowering my gaze so he couldn’t see the lie.
“Well, you could just have asked in the kitchen, but come let me help you,” he replied in a light tone.
I couldn’t understand how he was so calm, so, well, I didn’t even know how to categorize it; he was nothing like Vadik made him out to be. He appeared cool and collected. Not once did he even raise his voice at me.
Following him to the kitchen, I wondered how much it would take to upset him. After I ate something, I would try to find a way into those locked rooms. I felt sure the intel I needed was hidden in one of them.
Entering the kitchen, he introduced me to the two ladies working there. They prepared me a sandwich and offered me a glass of milk.
Abram sat with me in the kitchen while I ate. I was about done when one of the guards came in. “Boss,” he said, stopping at the door. “We have something happening in the garden,” he added before leaving.
“I’ll be right back,” Abram said, smiling at me.
Lifting the glass of milk, I nodded for him to leave. This could be the ideal time to explore some more, I thought as I rose. He was busy outside, so I strolled back to the many hallways. There was one passage, I noticed earlier, where all the doors were closed.
Walking back down the passage, I tried the doors again. Nope, still locked. I wondered what was in these three rooms that they were locked.
As I got to the next one, the last door in the passage, I leaned in closely. I was trying to see if there was a way to open them without a key. I noticed a shadow appearing next to me. But I was so focused on the door lock, I didn’t see the head appearing next to me.
“Are you okay?” A soft voice spoke next to me.
Jumping, I stepped back quickly before noticing Abram was standing there. He looked at me, turning his head sideways.
“I like this doorknob. It has an interesting design.” I said innocently.
“Interesting, I didn’t know you were into doorknobs. Is it a fetish or something?” Abram questioned, raising his brows.
“I’m not into doorknobs; how dare you say that,” I puffed at him.
“Well, you were basically licking this one,” he shot back, grinning.
“I wasn’t!” I spat at him, feeling my anger rising.
“Hey, where are you going now?” he asked as I stomped off.
“To my room, I need some time alone unless that is an issue?” I shot back at him in an angry tone.
“Well, please don’t lick all the doorknobs!” I heard him hollering after me. I stopped in my tracks. Glancing back at him for a second, I noticed I had already put quite a bit of distance between us. Stomping my foot, I stormed off again.
Sitting on the side of the bed, I looked at the birds in the tree outside. They were free to do whatever they desired. Hopefully, I will have some freedom once I complete this mission successfully.
All week I had tried to get access. There were quite a couple of locked rooms, and his bedroom was one. I needed to get in, but it would take time. I was determined to do whatever it took and stay as long as was needed. I will play along and put on the best show anyone has ever seen.
“Abram,” I said as he turned the last page of his newspaper. He glanced at me over the top. “I was wondering, would it be possible for you to show me where I could look at finding work?”
I watched his movements intently as he carefully folded the paper and placed it on the table next to his cup. Abram folded his fingers into each other, placing his hands on the table. He sat for a moment, staring at me without a word. I shifted uncomfortably as his stare felt like it was penetrating my mind.
“Is there something wrong?” I finally asked. I couldn’t take his stare any longer.
“No,” he replied softly as a smile formed on his perfectly shaped lips. “I think I can assist you with that. However, there is something we need to do first.”
Intrigued, I sat forward as I spoke. “Yes?”
“It’s a surprise,” he huffed, pushing his chair back and standing sharply. “Let’s get ready, shall we?” Abram held out his hand to me; the grin that replaced the soft smile made him look sly.
Taking his hand, I wondered what he was up to. But if it helped me get closer, I would do it. “Is there anything you need from your room?” he questioned as we got to the foyer.
Shaking my head, I replied in a light tone. I had to keep up appearances and wanted him to think I was eager. “Nope, I’m all good.”
The guard at the door held it open for us to exit the mansion. Abram opened the car door for me, taking a shallow bow as he helped me in. At times, he was more than simply charming. I giggled softly as he closed the door and bounced around to his side.