CHAPTER FIVE Hunting
VANYA
“I THINK YOU’LL like this one.”
That shadowy smile flickered across his face briefly like he wanted to keep his excitement down but mine was far too contagious for him to be unaffected.
I liked that. I shouldn’t, but I did. Affecting him. Causing him to feel something out of his norm. It was a scary place to be in, but I knew I would be safe as long as Xerxes was there with me.
Deep down, I hoped he would love this house and then I could wrap up our business quickly. Xerxes made me hope for things that weren’t possible. Made me believe that good things did really happen to good people. Like he was the genie in the lamp promising me that one little rub could grant me my heart’s desires.
“You zhink?”
I chuckled to myself because I knew what was waiting for him as we drove down Highway 16. Xerxes insisted on driving me to the house that I had to show him. He said it was something about security and I didn’t want to argue with him. This location was more suburban borderline rural, being just over the line from Weddington inside of Waxhaw. The property had the distinction of being close to the South Carolina line and a facility that I thought would fit his business needs perfectly. It also ensured he could lure or find good talent in the area and not have to break the bank paying them high salaries because of the location. I’m sure he would find a way to be offended at my thought of him not breaking the bank.
“I hate to be rude but it would be near impossible for anyone with sense not to like this house.”
He turned to me fully with his knees almost touching mind despite the space in the car. “You often say I’m unhinged, I might be the one vho does not. But you seem impressed.”
I leaned closer to him his eyes flickering over my face in surprise at my closeness. “Can I let you in on a little secret?”
“Sure.”
“There are a lot of houses in this state that check off the criteria that you like. This city even.”
“I’m sure zhere are. Charlotte is not a city zhat slacks in real estate despite how many may still view it as a small town because of zhe sprawl and concentration of vealth in Atlanta.”
“Exactly. But the caliber of person that you are outside of what you do… I understand that there are certain requirements that you have more so than the average simply rich buyer.”
“You mean zhe Consortium ?”
The way his accent seemed to wrap around each of his words and provide an air of hypnotizing seduction needed to be studied. I was enthralled watching the way his tongue and lips formed words I’d been speaking my whole life, as though each were a new discovery only he’d made.
I cleared my throat once I realized I’d been staring for a second too long. “That’s a term I’m not all that familiar with.”
Because he wasn’t about to toss me out this car and riddle my body with bullets for knowing about Fight Club. Not today Satan.
He laughed as though he could see the scenario I’d played out in my head and he thought I was ridiculous. Like I hadn’t watched how he and all his associates cut up and Vanya’s wedding.
“It is okay if you are. I told you that you have been more than vetted by all of us. Your presence amongst us is something that is more than accepted it is expected now. Vhen I told you that you have our protection I meant it.” Xerxes gave my hand a squeeze before releasing them and placing his hands back in my lap.
Have you ever heard of smoldering eyes? He had them. I never understood because I’d never seen them. But this man’s eyes were soft but could become incendiary.
“I still don’t understand that. I didn’t do anything.”
He gave me a half smile when he saw I was still confused. “You did more than you zhink. And besides, we care about you. Because we’ve seen zhe person you are. And we like zhe person you are. How you could have a moral compass but do not look down on us. You know zhings, but you do not share things wiz people who would use it to bring harm to us. Zhat type of person is very scarce in this life. One zhat is genuine.”
I blushed slightly because his words of praise made me feel good. Frankie was one of the few people who gave me praise. My clients would but it was what they’d paid for. Only Frankie had ever spoken of my character like this.
“I know what it’s life for people to keep secrets that aren’t good for others. And in a situation like that, I would tell. But your business isn’t anyone else’s business.”
“Could zhat be a crack in the wall of you hating me?” His voice lowered slightly his smile looking softer almost like he hoped his words were true.
I glanced around the spacious but still intimate leather clad backseat of the SUV we were driving in. “If I hated you I wouldn’t be in this car with you. You are… a lot.”
“I understand what zhat phrase me and I can almost grasp zhe context but I’d still prefer you to elaborate so zhat I do not make the mistake of assuming zhe wrong zhing.”
I bit my lip but he waited too patiently for me to respond so I knew I wasn’t going to get out of elaborating. “Your presence is a lot. Your demeanor is a lot. Your… energy is a lot. Overwhelming.”
He sat back broadening the distance between us; the smile gone from his face. “I’m sorry. I did not know that was the type of effect I had on you. Is it… do I make you uncomfortable?”
“Yes—”
His features conveyed a look of devastation as his hand went to his chest. He was in the long-sleeved lightweight floor length garment that looked like a long ass button down. I had seen him in it before but felt too stupid to ask what it was called. A search engine was gonna hate to see me coming if I was going to be around this man much longer. I was too nosy not to have my curiosity filled but didn’t want to be disrespectful.
“I’m so sorry—”
My hand shot up because this man looked like he was getting ready to lower the privacy divider and ask them to stop the car. He had us driving in some luxury SUV I’d never heard of before and when I asked him the brand, he just smiled and held the door open for me.
“No, wait let me finish. I don’t mean yes because I think you mean any harm by what you’re doing. It’s just simply how you are.”
“Is zhere somezing I can do to fix it?” He looked uneasy. Like my words had killed the self-confidence I was used to him displaying and I didn’t like that.
“No. Unless you try to change the way God made you. And I would never ask that of someone like you.” I reached over and squeezed his hand to show him I was being sincere.
“What do you mean someone like me?” He seemed almost hesitant to ask but his curiosity had gotten the best of him.
“Someone who, at his core, is a good person. Who does as much good as he can. I read up about you. I have probably asked more questions about you to Frankie than I should’ve. But in her defense she answered them willingly. Probably because she fancies herself as a matchmaker.”
“And what did you find out?” His curiosity was back and I knew that only my blatant honesty would give him peace.
“I found out that I like you, Xerxes. That I think you are an honorable man. And what I know of your family, you all are very good people.”
“I hope our good opinion hasn’t been formed simply because of our finances—”
I laughed because although I knew he was joking; I had to ensure he truly knew who I was and what I valued. “Oh no. I despise wealthy people. Rich people too, because they see the idea of money and only focus on the cruelty it will take to get them to the next level.”
“You realize I’m a wealzy man.”
“Yes, but that’s not all you’re known for. That’s not even how you would describe yourself. I think you would reach for the darker side of your descriptors before you would ever put the socially accepted ones out front. That type of honesty is refreshing.”
“So my… unhingedness is a positive now.” His smile was creeping back over his face as my words removed the doubt he was feeling.
I shrugged cause God only knows why I was saying any of this to him. “It’s a something”
“If you don’t like rich and wealzy people, why do you work for zhem?”
I tried to avoid his gaze because I was revealing a part of me that only Frankie knew about. “So that there is a part of my business that can fund my passion projects. I help low-income families with down payment and closing cost assistance when they purchase a home. It doesn’t even have to be through me.”
His eyes softened when he looked at me like my answer pleased him greatly. “Vanya, zhat’s a beautiful zhing. Even more reason for you to charge higher fees zhan you do.”
“I still have to be competitive. But yeah, it makes me feel good to give back. That’s like when people hit the lotto but don’t forget where they come from. That’s how I feel. I got the chance to do better so I have to help others. I know that all of you give back in extensive capacities because Frankie said it’s just who you guys are. It’s beautiful to see how many generations of giving you have without wanting something in return.”
“Ms. Vanya, I’m sorry to interrupt—”
I hadn’t even noticed that the partition had been lowered slightly for one of the men in the front that I recognized from last summer. I moved back slightly from where I’d apparently leaned in closer to Xerxes. “No, it’s no problem. What is the issue?”
“There’s a gate that we need a code for.” The man who wasn’t driving who’d told me his name was Quentin, was still looking forward as though he was trying to give us privacy.
I got flustered because I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten. “Oh, that’s right. There’s a temporary password I could program remotely. It’s your boss’s birthday.”
“My birthday?” I ignored him because I could hear how pleased he sounded.
“Yeah. I figured if you purchased this place it was one less thing that you would have to think to do.”
I looked back up, and he was indeed smiling at me dimple peeking out impishly. “Zhat is very sweet but anyone would guess zhat. But now I have hope. So zhank you.”
My brows furrowed but now I was smiling along with him. “Hope of?”
“Hope that you really do like me. You committed my birthday to memory. That it is something you won’t forget now. God has smiled upon me so this is truly a blessed day.” He sat back as though he were truly satisfied with my words.
“Oh, shut up.” He cracked a larger smile watching me laugh at him as the large wooden gates swung open to reveal a tree-lined pathway that still kept the house from view. He said something in another language and the partition lowered so we could see the drive ahead.
“But since we are almost here, tell me about zhis home you have decided to present to me.”
“Well, it’s not on an island.”
He mocked a gasp his playfulness on full display. “No?”
“No. I understand how you felt about privacy and I didn’t think you’d want an additional point of entry for someone to reach you. And there was another factor to this house.”
“And dat is?”
“It’s on the side of town that still has large parcels of land available and some feel is closer to the countryside of the city.”
“So less desirable.” He nodded his head like that was a big selling point and I was happy that I’d been right to bring him here first. Out of all the homes I’d arranged for us to tour, this one was my favorite.
“Exactly. I know you said that your parents are from two cultures that don’t shy away from grandeur. This house is a French Chateau style estate. So think heavy moldings, limestone, marble and balustrades, etc. The little that I researched about your culture and based on what I’ve seen of you, gold is a big deal. All the accents in the home are gold down to the 24kt gold leafing on the ceiling of the family room. And it has all the amenities that you would need.”
He was rubbing his chin thoughtfully his precisely cut goatee looking as lush as the hair on his head. “Such as?”
“Well, someone like you—”
“Someone like me? Normally when zhat phrase is spoken it is an insult. I feel zhat you have nothing but my best interest at heart. Please continue down zhis path of wowing me wiz your expertise.”
“The amenity I thought you would like best is the twenty-five person theatre room. I figured with the way your friends gather and the rate they’re procreating, that would be a good size for you.”
He smirked at me using his words against him but nodded his head in acknowledgement. “Zhat is impressive.”
“There’s a four-lane bowling alley in the basement with a bar, and a separate area for a projector and multiple television set up. You said something about horses so I assumed you might watch the races. On the days you didn’t go in person, I assumed you would want to view them at home.”
“You’re right. Zhis house is sounding more and more interesting.” The pleased smile on his face gave me more confidence that he wouldn’t completely freak out over the last feature.
“The feature that I was most impressed with is an underground bunker.”
“Like zhe prepper people talk about?” He seemed immediately turned off like I thought he was some weird planning for the end of the world nutcase that needed weapons bunker.
I mean…was it too far off, though?
I quieted my intrusive thoughts before I said them out loud and pissed him off before he could even see the house. “Yes. But not for doomsday. Just if someone were to get past the gate you would have a secure location to hide out.”
The front of the car erupted into laughter, and even Xerxes chuckled at my comment.
“Hide? Ms. Vanya, zhat man next to you vill be on the roof playing real life Call of Duty if someone gets on his property.” The driver Shoaib dropped that information like that was supposed to make me feel better.
“A bunker is an interesting concept I hadn’t considered. A safe room, of course, but not a bunker. Has it been lived in before? Not zhat I am averse to the idea, but if it has I would need a more thorough inspection of the home by our people to ensure nozing has been tampered with or left behind.” I could tell by the contemplative look on his face this feature was going to be a bonus so I breathed slightly easier.
“It was built for someone else, but never lived in. The previous owner has since died and their estate is handling the sale.”
His curiosity looked piqued and I knew he would have the name of the person before the end of our visit. “I wonder who it was since zhey wanted such a high level of security. An underground bunker is…”
“Paranoid?”
“I vas going to say extreme, but tell me about it. The bunker, not the builder. I’ll be able to find that out for myself because I’m sure they vill have the name buried in trusts or offshore corporations.”
I blinked at how easily he made that deduction. Like that’s exactly how he planned to purchase the home and therefore didn’t feel at all suspicious about multiple layers of security. From what I knew about him, this was probably run of the mill.
“It’s about three thousand square feet with separate HVAC and air intake and water supply.”
He whistled like he was impressed. “Zhat really is extensive.”
“I thought a simple panic room wouldn’t tickle your fancy.” We shared a smile before his eyes cut to looking out of the window at the treelined driveway.
“Consider my fancy zhoroughly tickled. So we’ve heard of the safety and zhe amenities. What about the other features?”
“There’s his and hers office and closet. Even though you don’t have a her yet, I felt it imperative to mention. Just in case you wanted to have an alternative place to work out of in the home.”
“And where is zhe placement of zhe second office?”
“The lady’s office is further inside the home, near the kitchen and family rooms. The gentleman’s office is toward the front on one side.”
“How large is the primary office?” The more he asked, the more he seemed displeased with the layout. I needed to uncover what the need was that he needed fulfilled.
“What exactly are you asking?”
“Is it large enough to fit more zhan one person?”
The light dawned as I glanced up at the two men in front. “Oh yeah! Sorry I didn’t even think about how you’d want them with you while you worked. There’s more than enough room as the office is connected to the two story library as well. Combined the rooms have a twenty by thirty footprint. Now there is one thing this house doesn’t have.”
“And what is zhat?” He seemed surprised that his every whim wasn’t being met, but I was sure that he would put money toward ensuring this situation was rectified.
“A true guest house. It isn’t far away from the house like I assumed you’d want. It is actually the space over the detached garage. There are eight garage bays and the one closest to the house is where the apartment is. The space is separated by via a motor court that can house a minimum of three more cars comfortably with the garage bays still being able to be fully accessed.”
“How small is it? “Quentin spoke up from the front seat and one glance at Xerxes let me know he wasn’t bothered by Quentin asking or me answering.
I leaned forward to ensure he could hear me. The partition was down, but I didn’t know how well sound traveled between the two spaces. “Not small at all, Quentin. It’s actually a two-story apartment that is set up specifically for the comfort of those who live there. It has four bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with two half baths in each. The set up is for two house staff members to have their own space. There are separate entrances to both levels so you guys don’t have to feel like roommates. The largest bedrooms in each section are king en suites and both units have kitchens and laundry.”
Quentin whistled like he was impressed and was nodding his head like he already approved. “You might need to stay in the country far more than usual, boss. I could get used to living like that.”
Xerxes chuckled next to me as he reclined against the black leather seat that was as soft as the lambskin Chanel bag I’d ogled in Nordstrom’s. “Zhat is zhe whole purpose of zhis move is it not?”
“Boss always making the right moves.” There was an underlying sound of teasing like they were sharing an inside joke.
“Can’t lie, I’m more excited about zhis place now.” Shoaib’s serious voice spoke up then as the car came to a stop. “As long as zhere is a bed for me to lay my head—”
“Speak for yourself, Shoaib! I wanna have some luxury shit, too.” They were fussing like siblings and I thought it was cute to see.
“Well, we’re here, is it okay for us to go in?” Xerxes’ eyes were out of the front and side windows taking in the estate's splendor.
The house was a massive four-level home built entirely of imported limestone. There was a large multi-arched porch supporting an upper balcony that spanned over the front entrance of the house. The driveway was cobblestone that started at the entrance of the gate and ended with a circular portion that would drop you off at the base of the massive front stairway. The landscaped portion of the front yard that wasn’t just grass, trees and road was manicured to mimic a miniature version of a formal French garden.
I pointed out of his side of the car to a circular shrub that was bordered with cobblestone but empty in the middle.
“The space here in the center is plumbed for a fountain that can be pretty significantly sized. The house is an homage to your mother so I thought we, I mean you could have something installed that paid homage to your father’s heritage. I started to research but I didn’t get very far.” Without looking in the mirror, I could feel my face was hot because of how I’d misspoken.
He grinned and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my slip-up or he appreciated the attention to detail he was paying me too much for. “Extremely zhoughtful of you, habibi .”
“Making sure my client is happy and this will hopefully be your forever home.” I smiled trying to play off the embarrassing way I’d included myself in his future. Despite his attraction, he hadn’t harped on it, which made me feel okay with having made a mistake.
“And what about all de unseen melanin in me? How are we representing zhat? Zhis house is decidedly French, pure colonizer.”
I watched the joy his playful challenge brought to his face and I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop my smile. This playful side of Xerxes was even more addictive than the broody one. He was as intoxicating as his scent and each side of him made me only want more. “I thought your swagger would more than speak to the man you are without you having to pay homage to it bluntly.”
Xerxes stared at me so intently but instead of looking away, I boldly stared right back. My pulse ticked up and my body temperature increased, as though his eyes were in control of my internal thermometer. One look immediately made me feverish.
“You have a way wiz words. He can’t even say anyzing against zhat. She’s smoozer zhan you are, boss.”
Xerxes eyes shined like two chocolate diamonds as he stared at me. “It vould seem so, Shoaib. Come, let us enter zhis perfectly designed for me haven so zhat I may marvel at it myself.”
Shoaib was out the door and opening Xerxes’ as he spoke. Xerxes gave me a look that told me I shouldn’t move. Quentin exited the vehicle, his eyes darting around at everything to ensure nothing was hiding in the bushes. The house was a masterpiece. One of the rarest finds in the city and I was lucky enough to have a good relationship with the real estate attorney who let me know it was available.
Obediently, something I never thought I would be again, I waited until Xerxes made his way around the car. My door was opened and his hand was inside the car waiting patiently so he could help me climb down. I placed mine in his and a bolt of pure lust shot through my body. It was so strong my stomach clenched and my shoulders jerked forward slightly.
“Vanya?” More of Xerxes body came into the open door of the car. Brooding, concerned eyes raked over my face and I gathered myself together because I didn’t even know how to explain what happened. Not without outting my feelings and inflating his ego.
“I’m okay. Must’ve been a chill. Come on, let’s look at your new home.”
I gave him a bright smile but he almost looked like he didn’t believe me. He acted as though he wanted to press, but I gave his hand a squeeze and scooted to the edge of the seat, forcing him to brace me and help me out. The door shut behind me and flanked by Xerxes, Quentin and Shoaib, I got ready to sell.
“So, what part of this palace would you like to see first?”