Chapter 15
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
GEORGIA
Drops of sweat trail between my shoulders and down my back as I head towards my bedroom, exhausted after another Krav Maga session.
As usual, Natalia is my escort, ensuring I don’t wander on my own.
I wonder if I could take down the older lady, especially after these butt-kicking workouts, but I know just behind her is an armed guard.
And just around the corner, there are ten more mean-looking Russians.
The truth is, I like Natalia. We’ve spent a good deal of time together now, and while I still know nothing about her personally—like most connected to the bratva, she keeps her cards pretty close to her chest—but she has kind eyes and she feeds me well.
Wow. That’s pretty sad. Talk about Stockholm Syndrome.
She’s my jailer, not my friend.
As if she can hear my thoughts, Natalia turns towards me before opening the door to my room. “I have a surprise for you,” she says, looking pleased with herself.
“Oh really. What is it?” I’m not sure how I feel about surprises under this roof.
“See for yourself.” She opens the door to my suite, where a petite dark-haired young woman stands wearing the black uniform that all domestic staff in the Kozlovs’ home wear. At least it’s tasteful and flattering, nothing like the atrocity that Oleg had his all-female domestic staff wear.
“This is Piper,” Natalia says by way of introduction.
Piper holds out her hand for me to shake. “Very nice to meet you. I’m here to help you get ready for this evening.”
My eyebrows pull together. “This evening? What do I have going on this evening?” I usually just scarf down dinner in my room, exhausted after a long day, and then watch TV until thoughts of Andrei invade my brain.
Let’s just say that I’ve become very familiar with the shower massage in the connecting en suite.
I’m still looking for a way to escape, but now that Andrei is on to me, there is always a guard posted outside my door at night. I am going to have to be a lot craftier from now on.
“The Kozlovs have invited you to join them for dinner tonight. Piper is part of our domestic staff and was kind enough to offer to do your hair and make-up.” Natalia explains.
My insides clench with something that feels an awful lot like excitement.
Pushing the feeling away, I cross my arms in front of my chest. I haven't seen Andrei since he turned ice cold after he went down on me in the library.
While that dismissal still burns, I know why he did it.
He wants me to focus on finding this Kira person, whoever she is, not getting my rocks off.
And for that, I am going to make him pay in the most evil way possible.
“Ready for me to work my magic?” Piper tilts her head to the side, taking me in—probably gauging how much work she has cut out for her.
“You bet I am,” I say, a thrum of excitement building in my veins. “I’ll jump in the shower and we can get started.”
Nerves get the better of me as I take a last look in the vanity mirror.
Piper is, in fact, a miracle worker. My hair is down in soft waves, pinned back on one side.
My gray eyes are done up soft and smoky, with a feline edge, and my lips shimmer with the slightest hint of color.
As promised, it’s a natural sultry look that screams sexy, but not overdone. Exactly what I wanted.
“What do you think?” Piper asks, standing back to admire her handiwork in the mirror.
“I’m kind of speechless,” I say, running a hand down the length of the sparkling off-the-shoulder minidress. “I’ve never been spoiled like this.”
She tilts her head curiously. “Never?”
“Not really.” I sigh. “I spent most of my free time helping my dad at his restaurant. Going to the prom or even hanging out at the mall with my friends was never really a priority.”
“That sounds tough.” Her tone is gentle, sympathetic even.
“Oh, it wasn’t too bad.” I smile softly.
“It was nice to help my dad, to be honest.” A sadness settles over me at the thought of my father.
I’m grateful he’s protected, but I hope he’s doing okay and taking care of himself—eating well and taking his heart medication now that I’m not around to remind him.
“And what about you?” I ask in an attempt to lighten the mood. “How did you learn to do make-up and hair like a professional?”
She beams at the compliment. “YouTube videos and practicing on my friends.”
“Do you work here full time? I don’t recall seeing you around before.” I’d notice someone around here that's close to my age, and I definitely haven’t noticed Piper before.
“I’m a new hire,” she says, heading towards the door. “I’m glad I could help you out tonight. Ask for my help anytime.”
I nod and wish her a goodnight. As I gaze at myself in the mirror, I have to admit that I’m having a total Cinderella moment which is messed up; Natalia is no fairy godmother and Andrei is the furthest thing from Prince Charming that I can think of.
Even so, that won’t stop me from the making the best of tonight.
Daniil and Leo sit at the end of the long mahogany table in the dining room, dressed to the nines in form-fitting dark suits.
Although that seems to be the prescribed dress-code of the Kozlovs, Leo usually has more of a motorcycle club look.
Ripped jeans and lots of leather. Tonight might be special for him to dress up in Armani.
Daniil reclines in his high-back chair like royalty, while Leo sits beside him, slowly sipping a glass of red wine. Both men stand as I enter the room.
“If it isn’t the guest of honor.” Daniil winks and offers me a playful smile. “Wow. You look… just wow.”
Damn right.
I get the impression Daniil flirts with all women in a twenty-mile radius, and more so when it irks Andrei. I throw a subtle glance around the room, hoping to see Andrei. But there’s no sign of him.
Leo pulls out the chair across from him and motions for me to take a seat. His cool gaze follows my every movement.
“I’m the guest of honor? I’m sure you have much more important people to attend to,” I reply, ignoring his compliment.
“Not tonight,” Daniil says, unbuttoning his suit jacket and taking a seat at the head of the table.
The one usually reserved for Andrei. “I’ll level with you, Georgia.
We just want to get to know you. We’re going to be working closely together to fulfill a very important mission.
And here you are now, living under our roof.
It seems like we should get to know each other better. Bond, as the kids say.”
“Taking someone captive is not usually the best way to kick off a trusting relationship.”
Leo smirks, pouring me a glass of champagne. “Agreed, but here we are.”
Taking a sip of champagne, I take in the two brothers. One brash and cocky, with the face of an Adonis. The other, quieter, more reserved, sitting back and taking everything in before offering his two-cents.
Before I can get my bearings, a team of waitstaff filter into the room, carrying platter after platter.
Leo explains that we’re having borscht, caviar over blini with Creme Fraiche, herring in dill sauce, smoked oysters and picked cucumbers.
It’s way over the top, and I’ve never eaten this indulgently in my life—not to mention that all this Russian food is new to my palate, though so far it’s been undeniably delicious.
“What is it?” Daniil asks, noticing my reluctance, fork midway to his mouth.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Andrei?”
“He won’t be joining us.” Daniil’s attention slips back to the food on his plate.
“Oh.” The word seems to echo in the big room, and I fight the instinct to slump in disappointment. Two sets of eyes regard me with interest.
Flashing a bright smile, I say, “Great. Just us.”
Daniil barks out a laugh. “Andrei sucks the fun out of the room with his big-dick energy. This is much more enjoyable.”
I chuckle at Daniil’s attempt to make light of this situation, and I certainly can’t deny that Andrei is a force to be reckoned with, but this entire set-up feels strange.
It seems to me Andrei is being purposefully kept away tonight, and I don’t know how I feel about that.
The brothers are obviously assessing my every move, sizing me up to decide if they can trust me to help find their precious Kira, or if they need to cut me loose.
Which, in the world of the bratva, means death.
I take in a steadying breath, attempting to chase away the nerves bubbling in my stomach.
This is the moment to put Monsieur Coset’s lessons to good use.
Charming the brothers, gaining their trust and favor, is in my best interest. Andrei may choose to freeze me out, but I can snake my way into the heart of the other Kozlovs.
Not that I expect they’ll abandon their plan of sending me back to Oleg, but if I play my cards right, they’ll lower their guard around me.
Best-case scenario, they’ll get sloppy and I’ll find a moment to escape or at least find a phone or computer to email for help.
Worst-case scenario? Fuck, I can’t even go there. It probably ends with my body floating face down in a river.
A shiver works through me as I take a bite of the blini, moaning at the pop of caviar filling my mouth.
“This is incredible,” I enthuse. Daniil grins, and Leo grunts in agreement.
“And the champagne,” I say, tipping back a sip of the luscious bubbles sliding down my throat.
“I’ve never tasted champagne this creamy and smooth. ”
Leo raises his eyebrows. “This is Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut. Twenty thousand dollars bottle.”
I cough into my flute. Crime certainly pays well.
“Well, cheers to that.” I hold up my flute, and after a moment of hesitancy, they clink their glass with mine. I’m determined to make this dinner as enjoyable as possible; they will adore me when we’re through with this meal.