Chapter 28
GABBY
“Enjoying the ambiance?” Bogdan asks.
It’s late afternoon at the Marigold, one of those swanky-ish cocktail bars with brass accents and wood tables. Piano jazz leaks from hidden speakers, and the scent of roasted garlic is in the air. Men and women in suits cluster near the bar, talking shop.
“It’s nice, I suppose, if you’re into this kind of thing. I’m more a cozy-night-at-home kind of gal.”
“I like it. It’s classy. And more importantly, it’s got one entrance.” He nods toward the front of the place. The only way in or out is a very visible little hallway that leads to the front door. And windows are few and far between—I can see why Bogdan picked this place.
I’m a little nervous to be out in public like this, but more than anything, I’m happy to see my friend.
“Thanks, Bogdan,” I say. “This really means a lot.”
He gives a small, slow nod. “Remember, this is all in service of the main job—keeping you safe, and don’t think we’re going to be making a habit out of this.”
I reply with a cheeky salute. “You’re a real pal.”
He grumbles in response. Soon, Angie sweeps in. Her wool coat is half open, scarf trailing, her fair cheeks pink from the cold. I wave, and she spots me right away, a big smile splitting her face as she shuffles over.
“Oh my God!” she says, pulling me into a big hug as I stand. “I can’t believe this is actually happening!”
“I know, right?”
We let go, sliding into the booth.
“We can thank this guy here for arranging it.” I nod toward Bogdan.
“Thank you so much,” Angie says. “I was going a little crazy without seeing this lady.”
“My pleasure, I think.”
The server appears seconds later, all Chicago-cool, poise, and charm—tattoos curling around her forearm, nose ring catching the light, but her voice is smooth and practiced.
“Something to drink?”
Before I can answer, Angie’s already handing it. “She’ll have a mocktail,” she says, the drink menu in front of her face. “Something citrusy and sweet. And one for him, too,” she says, gesturing toward Bogdan.
Bogdan’s brow arches in mild surprise. “I don’t—”
“Come on, if you’re going to be sitting at the table with us, you might as well have a drink. Actually, make his a little more herbal. He seems more like the rosemary type. And an espresso martini for me.”
The server smiles, typing it into her little pad. “And to start?”
Angie gives the menu another quick look. “Baked Brie. The one with the fig jam.”
“Coming right up.”
“I see we’re eating light,” I say with a smirk after the waitress leaves.
She leans in with a conspiratorial grin. “Come on—it’s a special occasion.”
I laugh. “Alright, you talked me into it.”
The two of us do some seriously needed catching up, and then the drinks arrive. Bogdan sips his—I can tell he actually likes it—as he sits perched on the edge of the booth, both to give us some space and to keep an eye on the entrance.
After a short time, the baked brie lands between us, molten gold and smelling like heaven.
“So, uh… there’s something I haven’t told you. Something I know I should’ve told you earlier, but I couldn’t find the right moment.”
She freezes, one hand in mid-gesture. Her expression is serious. “Wait, you’re not dying or something are you? Please tell me you’re not dying.”
“No, not dying.”
“Opposite, actually,” Bogdan interjects, his eyes on the entrance.
“Huh?” Angie asks.
“Not dying,” I say. “Multiplying.”
She tilts her head. “Multiplying.”
I lift my glass. “I’m pregnant. Twins.”
For a second, she just stares. Then she squeals and launches across the booth, nearly toppling over the baked brie.
“Twins? Gabby, are you freaking kidding me?” She’s hugging me before I can answer, arms tight, joy and disbelief mixed together on her face. “Oh my God, that’s insane. It’s incredible!”
I laugh into her shoulder, half crying. “I swear I meant to tell you sooner. I didn’t mean to keep it from you. Everything’s just been totally insane, and Sasha—”
“Is Sasha…” she finishes, rolling her eyes playfully. “Listen, you’re allowed a secret or two when your life is basically a mob drama.” She pulls back just enough to look at me properly, eyes glossy and glowing. “Two babies, Gab. That’s… I mean, that’s you. You never half-ass anything.”
I snort, wiping a tear form my cheek. “Double the kids, double the nausea, double the worries.”
“But double the love,” she counters, raising a finger. “And you’re going to be an amazing mom. I just know it.”
Bogdan’s watching the entrance, but I can tell he’s moved—at least a little. Angie reaches for the brie knife.
“Alright, time for some celebratory cheese. A little brie for the babies.”
I laugh, my heart fuller than it’s been in a long time. “Brie for the babies. I like that.”
We dig in. Twenty minutes later, the Brie’s half gone, and the mocktails are sweating against their glasses. We’ve been chatting about baby stuff, mostly, and it feels good to be with my bestie. For the first time since the drive-by, I actually feel human again.
Angie pushes the plate of brie toward Bogdan, who’s been laser-focused on the entrance the entire time.
“Come on, you know you want a bite...”
He flicks his eyes at the plate for a moment. “Too heavy for me.”
“Just one bite?” She waggles the plate a bit. “It’s so good.”
“Trust me, if things get dicey, you don’t want your bodyguard in a food coma.”
“Fair enough,” she says. Then she tilts her head, something on her mind.
“Work?” I ask.
“Work. Well, only kind of, for me—I’m still out of a job, remember?”
“I’m going to talk to Sasha about that,” I say. Then I remember things are a little weird between the two of us at the moment. My mind flashes back to our fight and the glass smashing against the wall. Part of me wants to tell Angie, but the bigger part doesn’t want her to be worried.
I set it aside—for now.
“It’s cool,” she says. “I’m staying with Johan right now. It’s actually kind of nice to have a break from the grind.”
“Well, all the same, I want you to at least have a shot at getting your job back. You’re too talented to be out of work.”
“Thanks, but I’m more focused on this merger.”
My stomach twinges. “I am, too. Sasha says things are really still up in the air.”
“They’re both being hardheaded. Sasha provoked him when he fired me, and now egos are on the line.” She sits back, shaking her head. “It’s in both of their best interests to sign on the dotted line. This is the problem with men, you know? Too emotional at the worst possible times.”
“God, no kidding. They walk away from this, and that’s billions they could both be making just gone. And not to mention the whole B-R-A-T-V-A thing.”
“Speaking of which, I don’t mean to put you in a weird position, but…
” She quickly nods. “No, I get it. I’ve been trying to work him a little, get him to put his ego on the freaking back burner and move forward.
This deal’s too far along to collapse now, and you’ve put way too much work into it to see it fail.
It’s just… I don’t know the angle, how to make it click for him. ”
I give it a few moments’ thought. An idea hits like a damn crack of lightning. “A reputational play?”
She raises her eyebrows. “How do you mean?”
“If you can’t get him to put his ego aside, then play into it. Tell him if he goes for it, he’ll get to be the one to restore calm, stabilize the markets. Not to mention he can prove to everyone watching that he’s not his father. He’s not capitulating—he’s cementing his legacy.”
Angie doesn’t say anything at first, just stares at me with wide eyes. “Okay, that’s good. Really good. You know, sometimes I forget how good you are at your job.”
I wink. “That was your first mistake.”
“Alright, that sounds pretty solid. I’ll talk to him tonight, appeal to his ego, and see if I can get him to see the light.”
Before I can respond, Bogdan’s head tilts, a tiny but sharp movement. His gaze is locked onto the entrance.
Something’s wrong.
“What is it?” I ask, turning my head.
That’s when I see him. Whoever he is, he’s impossible not to see. Tall, silver hair slicked back, expensive suit in a shade of deep midnight. A small entourage of six or seven men enter, moving like a tide around him.
I somehow know who he is before Bogdan says his name.
“That’s Peter Morozov. Don’t look for too long.”
He stops, scanning the room and landing on Angie first. His eyes flash with this strange mix of recognition, irritation, and authority. Then his eyes slide to me.
Something inside of me goes still. The feeling that comes over me is strange.
It’s not fear. It’s more like recognition, like seeing a reflection from another life.
Those eyes—icy gray-blue, sharp enough to cut glass.
Eyes that don’t look at you but through you, like they’re seeing every little secret you’re trying to hide.
Does he know who I am?
“Come on,” Angie says, snapping me out of my daze. “We should go.”
Bogdan reaches into his jacket, taking out his wallet and throwing $100 on the table.
“She’s right. Time to move.” He places his hand on my upper arm, which finally gets me to tear my eyes away from Peter. “Stay close to me.”
Is this the man who’s been trying to kill me? Would he do something like that here? If he’s the one who ordered those hits, that means he doesn’t have any qualms about pulling something horrific in public.
I turn my eyes back to Peter. One of his men is speaking to the hostess. Peter locks eyes with me again, a small, knowing smile spreading across his face.
“Up,” Bogdan says. “Up and out of here.” He rises, moving over and angling me out of the booth.
“Come on,” Angie says.
Angie and Bogdan flank me, Bogdan taking the side closest to Peter and his men, blocking me with his body as much as possible.
I try to stare forward and focus on the door, but I can feel Peter’s eyes tracking my movement.
It’s like the world is narrowed to nothing but his gaze and the sound of my pulse in my ears.
We keep moving, Bogdan’s hand wrapped around my arm, steadying me. Soon, we’re close.
“Peter,” Angie says primly, nodding at him.
Another smile spreads across Peter’s face, this one slow and dreadful. “Angela,” he replies. “Leaving so soon? I saw you here and thought how lovely it would be to have a late lunch with my future daughter-in-law and her… friends.”
“She’s not feeling well,” Angie replies without missing a beat. “Sorry to be rude, but we need to go.”
“Think nothing of it,” Peter says.
Bogdan’s still leading me, his touch keeping me grounded. “Just keep walking.”
We step outside into the brittle winter air. It’s already getting dark. I have no idea what time it is. My legs feel boneless, adrenaline rushing through my veins.
Bogdan scans the street. “Car’s two blocks up. Come on.”
I speak through gasps of air. “That was him.”
“And now he’s seen you.”
I glance over my shoulder to see Angie hurrying out of the restaurant, catching up to us with quick steps.
“Such a creep,” she says to my shoulder as she catches up to me.
We’re soon at the car. Bogdan opens the door for Angie and me. I feel safer the instant the doors are shut and locked, Bogdan pulling out onto the busy street.
“It’s okay,” Angie says. “You did great.”
Then it occurs to me, what Peter said.
“Wait.” I flick my eyes up at Angie. “Future daughter-in-law?”
“Yep. Surprise!”