Chapter 37
"Stinger."
I turned to find Marchetti's son at the door. I cursed internally. Ivan had warned me on the man standing before me.
"He isn't here,"I replied. I wanted to be done with him as soon as possible. His presence wasn't welcomed without Ivan's supervision.
"Who said anything about being here for him,"I stared at him skeptically.
Whatever brought him here was definitely not good news.
"Is there anything I can do for you then Mr Marchetti?l" I placed the novels back on the shelf. He moved so swiftly I barely registered him standing next to me. His presence irked me to the core yet I kept calm.
"You are beautiful to look at. Has Ivan had his way with you?" His question throwing me off guard but I had to maintain a steel exterior. I think I preferred the detective more than this overbearing man.
He was cunning. His advances were subtle but they were there.
There was an awkward silence in the air which I let hang there deliberately. "Why do you ask such a question. Are you jealous?"
His laughter was of a fox plotting. "Barely. It would definitely be a good thing so we can have you both at the same time. I'm an open minded man and you are such a beauty."
Wow.The man was definitely insane. How dare he propose something so preposterous and also with my kin. He wanted me to react. I could see the mischief dancing in his eyes. Was he suspicious about Ivan and I being related or was this a set up.
What would Ivan do. Probably punch him or shoot him. I couldn't kill him that was out of context it would bring Ivan a lot of unnecessary attention from his father. We couldn't have that.
"I don't think Scorpion likes sharing. Especially not his partners," I deflected.
The satisfaction in his eyes showed me the response was the right one. He sat on Ivan's chair crossing his legs on the desk. I remained oblivious to his actions and focused on arranging the books.
"You are not much of a talker. Are you?"
"I didn't realize that. At least not until you pointed it out." I implied stacking another book on the shelf.
"You also have a good mouth on you. I wonder what else it can do."
I didn't answer. I opened Ivan's collection from Rainer Maria Rilke suddenly finding his poems more interesting.
The phone on the desk rang and I abandoned my stacking duties and picked it up.
"Hello Sir, there is a woman with flaming red hair here. She says she is here to see Mr Bratan. Shall I let her in?" The voice on the line requested.
Maybe it was a good idea to let them both meet each other. It would take the attention away from me and keep it on each other.
"Yes you can,"I answered.
After five minutes the door to the office opened. She was clad in a black dress which accentuated her curves making her red hair a contrast on it. She wore light make up which made her features more striking.
"Hello, I'm Valentina Williams. I believe we've met before." She offered her hand. Of course we had met when she invited me to spend the night with her and the prime minister. Recognition flashed in her eyes and I remained indifferent to her moving back to the books.
"Yes I have seen you before but that doesn't warrant a visit from you Mrs Williams."
I know my words sounded rude but she was still cheating on the detective while he was busy having a gay panic instead of fully embracing it and being with Ivan.
The only reason I did not approve of the man was because he lacked the courage to claim my brother as his.
That was not the kind of partner I wanted Ivan to settle down with.
"He has a sharp mouth doesn't he," Vance interrupted. "That's no way to speak to a stunning woman like yourself. My name is Vance it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Williams."
He walked towards her and shaking her hand his scrutinizing eyes never leaving hers for a second. He offered her a seat on the couch where they both sat opposite each other.
"Would you both like something to drink?"I offered.
"How nice of you to offer right now," Vance answered sarcastically.
"No I won't be staying for long. I'm here because of some documents Kayde left with Mr Bratan I wanted to pick them up for him since he is busy attending to something else. Is it possible to have Mr Bratan's audience," she requested.
Surely the detective wouldn't have left with Ivan without informing his wife. Vance was there when the detective had requested to see Ivan privately but that was weeks ago I hope he wouldn't connect it had something to do with the wife being here.
Before I could respond Vance was quick to answer her. "Isn't it a detective's work confidential. Why then are you here to pick documents on his behalf unless there is something else you want?"
Valentina opened and closed her mouth words failing her. If she knew how dangerous the man who sat across from her was she would have left and not entertained him.
"You don't have to look so flustered."
"I am not."
"You definitely are Mrs Williams."
She sighed. "Then tell me if I can see Mr Bratan or not.
The exchange went on and I sensed the tension in the room. Vance was aware Ivan had some business to attend to and he would be back on Monday.
"Ivan isn't here," he deadpanned.
"Oh okay... Do you have any idea when he will be back?"
The question was the chef's kiss. She wanted to confirm if Ivan and Kayde were together. Such insecurity.
"He didn't say. If the documents are that important why don't you ask your husband to tell Ivan to scan them and send them as a soft copy," Vance challenged.
She was cornered. From the look on her face she knew it.
"Maybe you should stop wasting our time and keep a leash on your husband. He barged in here a few weeks back interrupting Ivan and I in the middle of something important. The problem is not with Ivan ask your husband to stay away from my man or else!"
Valentina stood her eyes turning to me."When Ivan comes let him know I was here to see him. Give him this documents for me. Only he is allowed to read them," she said handing me an envelope.
I took it from her my eyes never leaving Vance he was a threat to her. I wouldn't want him to get blood on Ivan's expensive carpet.
"...and by the way Vance. It was a pleasure to meet you. Kayde doesn't need a leash on him. Maybe you should stop forcing yourself on Mr Bratan we both know where his heart is," she added.
Her steps could be heard as she left the office leaving Vance red with anger. I think the detective wasn't going to be safe anymore. What had she done. I needed to inform Ivan. No one provoked the Marchettis and got away with it.