Chapter 6
CLARA
I can get used to a job with a view like this.
The last rays of the setting sun are a shimmering glow at the horizon, making the skyline and the buildings blaze, especially where the light reflects off the windows.
I pack up my bag, slip on my jacket, and close my office door behind me.
The office is mostly empty, with just a couple of my coworkers still sitting at their desks.
I pass them as I head toward the elevator.
Despite the way the day started, it ended well. I think I showed my best side; John seemed pleased with me. I managed not to let thoughts of the big boss upstairs distract me.
Not too much, anyway.
I’m looking forward to going home, settling on the couch, and watching some trashy TV, with a glass of wine and Indian leftovers from my dinner with Emily to celebrate my new job.
Emily.
I’ve been debating all day whether or not to tell her who owns the company. Does it really matter? I don’t think I’m going to be interacting with him that much. At least, I hope not. Or shall I say, part of me hopes not. The other part wants to finish what he started this morning.
I get my answer when the elevator doors slide open to reveal none other than Dmitri Smirnov himself.
I take a step back at the sight of him, clutching the strap of my tote, as I say, “I’ll take the next one.”
He raises his eyebrows, his mouth curling up on one side. “Are you sure? This building has twenty floors, and the elevators are notoriously slow.”
“I’m fine.” The doors start to slide closed, but Dmitri—no, Mr. Smirnov—sticks his hand out and pushes them open again.
“Ride with me.”
The words are not a request, but an order. I hesitantly step into the car, settling in the corner farthest from him, my gaze straight ahead.
“Are you afraid of your new boss? I’ve heard he’s quite fair and easy to work with.” His voice is warm with amusement, like he’s enjoying my reaction to him.
I need to set a boundary.
“I’m not scared of anyone. I’m trying to maintain a professional work environment.”
“Ah.”
I don't glance his way, but I do wonder what the hell that response is supposed to mean.
“And how was your first day with the Smirnov Corporation?”
“It was good. They didn't hold back, but I didn't expect them to. I’m glad. It means that they trust me to get the work done, instead of starting me off easy. I think I proved myself to John today.”
“Well, you certainly proved how far you’re willing to go for the owner of the company this morning.”
With a hiss, I jam the button to halt the elevator car and turn to my mystery man.
No, Mr. Smirnov. Why do I have to keep reminding myself to call the owner of the company I work for by his name? He’s not my mystery man; he’s my boss.
“Look, I am here to do a job, one you hired me for. I’m good at what I do, and I’ve worked really hard to get here. This is my dream job, and I am not going to have some misogynistic bastard mess it up for me.”
The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and when Dmitri’s smile disappears instantly, I barely manage to keep myself from cringing.
I might have had a wild night with this man, but he is my boss now.
Not only is he my boss, but he’s the owner of the corporation I work for.
I don't know if I’ve just crossed a line with him, but I do know I need to set boundaries and expectations.
And if he fires me because I refuse to have a relationship with him beyond business, then so be it.
I’m not going to demean myself for others anymore.
“Is that how you feel?”
“Yes. That is how I feel. I am not going to jeopardize my career by getting intimate with the boss in his office.”
“Who said anything about that?”
“Don’t play innocent with me.”
“You know no one can touch you, don’t you? I own this company.”
“That’s beside the point.” I have to stop myself from stomping on the floor like a child.
“I don't want anyone here thinking I only got this job because of you. I’ve worked my ass off to get to where I am, and I’m going to prove to everyone that I got this position on my own merit and my own hard work.
If that’s a problem, then I’ll find another position somewhere else. ”
“Not before you finish the prep for the SEC audit.”
That draws me up short because it’s not at all the answer I expect. “The what?”
“I am assigning you to finish the prep for the SEC audit tomorrow.”
“I wasn't informed—” I begin then pause. “That will take all night. In fact, I can't get it done in one night. I haven't even looked at it.”
“I thought you said you’re really good at what you do.”
“I am good at what I do. But I can't pull off the impossible. SEC audits take weeks to prepare for—”
It’s impossible to miss the smirk on his face as he casually reaches out and pushes the button to start the elevator again. “Finish the audit by tomorrow, or you’re fired.”
“I told you that can't be done in one night.”
“And I’m telling you, if you want to keep this job, you had better finish it tonight. You were just saying that you want people to take you seriously on your merit. Is that true or not? Are you actually willing to do whatever it takes?”
“Fine,” I snap. “I’ll do it in one night. Watch me.”
“Good.”
I want to smack the self-satisfied smirk from his face. As soon as the doors open I rush out of the elevator ahead of him. I don’t stop when Dmitri—Mr. Smirnov—stops to talk to the guard at the front desk. I march out without looking back, slinging my tote bag over my shoulder.
I refuse to look around me, which is why I entirely miss the approaching figure until it’s too late.
“Clara.”
The voice stops me dead in my tracks. My stomach drops, and cold dread grips me as I turn toward the man in jeans and a t-shirt, entirely out of place in the sea of Manhattan commuters in their business suits.
“What do you want?” I see the way he frowns at the ice in my voice, but I don’t care.
He looks up at the building towering over us and sticks his hands in his pockets as though he’s nonthreatening. “Do you work here now?”
“Where I’m working is none of your business,” I hiss. “But I’m guessing you already know the answer. What did you do? Take an illegal look at the employment records? Because I know Emily didn't tell you.”
“Your bitch of a friend wouldn’t tell me jack shit.” I back away when he comes closer, watching his face and body language out of habit and caution. I can't help but flinch when he takes one of his hands out of his pocket. “I’m worried about you, Clara.”
“Worried?” I also can't help my sarcastic laugh. “Give me a break, Dean. The only thing you’re worried about is the fact that you don’t have me under your thumb anymore.”
“I’m not shitting you, Clara. The Smirnov Corporation and its president are bad news. I came here to warn you. Dmitri Smirnov, the president and CEO, is a Russian mob boss.”
I laugh again. “I don't have time for your bullshit, Dean. I have a train to catch. And do not follow me, or this time, I really will call Emily’s fiancé. How do you think that’s going to look on your record and to your squad? Being arrested by the FBI?”
I turn to leave, but he wraps a hand around my wrist and jerks me back.
“Get off me.” I try to pull my arm away, but he’s too strong.
“Not until you listen to me. Dmitri Smirnov is really bad news. I’m not lying to you. He’s dangerous, a powerful Bratva boss. We’re investigating him.”
“You’re—” His words stop my struggle for a moment. Dean is a cop in organized crime, and he would know. Oddly enough, I believe him. I don't know why, and I don't want to, but somehow, I don't think this is one of his schemes to get me back.
“You didn't know, did you?”
I yank my wrist from Dean’s grasp and open the distance between us again. “I’m working for a legitimate company, Dean. I did all my homework before I applied. Whatever the CEO is up to is not my concern. My concern is the legitimate business this company does.”
“Did you not hear what I said?” he demands.
His shoulders tighten, and his hands, now both out of his pockets, are clenching into fists.
There’s a darkness in his eyes that I recognize that makes me back up another few steps.
“The guy is dangerous, Clara. I’m trying to protect you.
You need to get away from him right now. ”
“Oh, so now you care about me and my safety? Like when you shoved me into the dresser? The only one I need to get away from right now is you, Dean,” I shoot back, stepping farther away.
“My life is not your business anymore. I told you I don’t want to see you again, and I meant it.
If you come near me again, I’m going to get a restraining order—”
Dean shakes his head. “You’ve always been so fucking stubborn, Clara.”
With the light fading and shadows falling, my ex’s face looks more like the demon hiding behind the human mask he always wears, and I shiver involuntarily.
When he takes a step to close the distance between us, someone moves in his way.
“Is there a problem here?” The deep accented voice is as much a pleasantry as it is a warning.
“The lady and I were just talking,” Dean says.
“It didn't look like talking to me. This woman is my employee, and I want you to leave her alone. I don’t like when people accost my employees, especially on my property.”
“I wasn't accosting her,” Dean snaps. “We were talking. People are allowed to do that.”
Though Dean is tall, he still has to look up into Dmitri’s face.
“Not if I don't allow them to,” Dmitri replies, calm in the face of Dean’s frustration. “This is private property.”
A slow, ugly smirk breaks out on Dean’s face. “You’re Smirnov, aren’t you?”
Dmitri ignores him and turns to me, indicating the big, black SUV with the dark tinted windows at the curb. A tall man stands beside it, clearly waiting. “I need to discuss more about the SEC audit. I’ll drive you home as we talk.”
With his hand between my shoulder blades, Dmitri guides me to the car.
We both look back as Dean shouts, “Hey! You think you’re all that?
That your billions will save you? They won’t.
I’ve taken bigger guys than you down. I’m coming for you, Smirnov.
And I promise you won’t be so high and mighty anymore. ”
Dmitri’s polite frostiness becomes something sharper, something colder and more dangerous, as he turns back to regard Dean. But to my surprise, he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he ushers me into the car and closes the door after us. I don’t look back as we pull away from the curb.
Dmitri waits until we’re down the block to ask, “Who was that man?”
“He’s a cop with organized crime,” I tell him.
In the rearview mirror, I catch the driver exchanging a glance with Dmitri, which I can’t read, but I’m suddenly very aware that I’ve jumped from the frying pan into the fire.
He’s a Russian mob boss. A Bratva leader. Dean’s words echo in my head.
I’m glad to be away from Dean, but I’m also not so sure I want to be in the car with Dmitri, who may very well be a leading member of the deepest, darkest parts of New York's criminal underground.
“He seemed to know you well.” Dmitri’s voice stirs me out of my thoughts.
I shrug. “We worked in the same circles for a while.”
“And what was he doing outside my building?”
“Are we going to talk about the SEC audit or not?”
“Who was that man, Miss Benson?” His tone is demanding and impatient.
“I told you. He is a Brooklyn cop, who works organized crime. I know him from my time interning in the DA’s office. The rest is a personal matter, and none of your business.”
Dmitri watches me closely, and for a moment, I think he’s going to demand that I tell him everything. But instead, he settles back into his seat.
“Drop her off near the station,” he tells the driver. “I assume that’s where you were heading?”
“Yes.”
Silence stretches as the car pulls over at the station.
I give Dmitri and the driver a polite thank you for getting me out of that situation, then leave them behind, my head held high.
I am stubborn, just like Dean said, but I’m also proud and unwilling to bend.
I’ve never given in to the many men I've come across in my career who’ve wanted me to, nor will I for this man, Russian mobster or not.
And for some reason, despite Dean's warning, I’m not afraid of Dmitri Smirnov.