27. Willow
27
WILLOW
H ow has my life taken such a strange turn so fast?
I'm now a frequent visitor to Dimitri Volkov's flat. The same Dimitri I actively avoided for two years. It should be no big deal, because he's never there. It's honestly a crime for him to have such an epic place and make so little use of it.
On Monday, I arrange to meet Liv at a cafe down the street from the office for lunch.
Like everyone in Dimitri's circle, she's absolutely breathtaking, but there's something different about her; she might have perfect hair, and elegant, newly manicured fingers, and know just how to walk on her high heels, but there's also paint until her fingernails, very little makeup on her face, and she probably has never met a stranger. She hugs me like we've been best friends all our lives when we meet up for coffee.
Within five minutes, I know her entire life story—her dad arranged for her to marry some guy as part of a business merger, and she said fuck it, so he cut her off. As her flat is paid for, she does okay, taking the odd job here and there for her shoe budget.
I think I love her. I want to put her in my pocket and keep her safe from the harsh world, because she certainly can't deal with it.
"I work from nine to five. I'll pop by Dimitri's before work, and right after, but I need someone to take Wolfie out in the morning and afternoon; two, maybe three times? It'll be nice to keep her company for a bit, too."
"Not a problem. I have plenty of time. Besides, Dimitri paid me for three months, so we're all set. Just give me your schedule, and I'll be there."
I lift an eyebrow. "He already paid you?"
She shrugs. "I had to pay the property taxes on the apartment, so it was welcome. I'm your girl, however long you need me. Frankly, I'm glad you guys are keeping one—it gives me a job, and oh my god, are they adorable or what? I'm also thinking about adopting one, but you know, I don't think I can handle the vet expenses in case anything goes wrong, given what's going on at the moment." She grimaces. "Sorry, that's not your problem. I mean, I'm glad I'll be able to still see one, at least."
I smile. "Which one is your favorite?"
Liv doesn't hesitate. "Snow. That white fur, and the cute little pink nose? He's just so adorable."
She named him. I think back to my conversation with Dimitri. "Did you name any of the others?"
Liv shakes her head. "They're not mine. I mean, Snow's not mine either, but you know."
Unfortunately, I do.
On my way to work, I text Dimitri.
Me: Can we chat?
Dimitri: Oh dear. Whatever I've done, I apologize.
I roll my eyes.
Me: You haven't done anything yet. Do you mind if I call you now?
He rings me instead, so I reply right away.
"You never have to ask. You need to call, call. I'll answer if I'm available."
"Oh," I say. "Thanks? I guess my generation doesn't really do the whole calling thing unless someone's life is on the line."
"Is someone's life on the line? Your bodyguards have been quiet."
"Well, it is, actually. Snow's."
He pauses for a moment. "Snow? Are we talking Jon Snow, Snow White, or am I missing someone?"
"Snow, the white puppy Liv is going to take home," I inform him. "You just need to wave your magic wand, and let her know that in the event there there's any great vet expense due to an unfortunate accident, which is unlikely to happen at all, you'll be there to help. Yes?"
I don't know why, but I am absolutely certain of the answer.
"I'll call her."
I grin. "Thank you. I thought you might. I mean, you said you wanted them to go to a good home, and Liv will love him to pieces. She's just scared she can't handle large vet expenses. But I looked it up; puppies don't cost much, unless something goes very wrong, and?—"
"No need to try to convince me, petal. You asked. I said yes."
Warmth floods through my limbs, although it's fucking freezing. I repeat, "Thanks, Dimitri." Then, because I don't feel like hanging up, I say, "You know, everyone's calling you Dima, and I just can't bring myself to. It sounds way too cute for you."
"Are you saying I'm not cute? I'm crushed."
I roll my eyes to high heaven. He absolutely is not cute. Gorgeous, breathtaking, stunning, impossibly sexy, yes. Cute? Never.
"Liv told me you paid her for three months, by the way. You'll have to let me pay you back."
He chuckles. "Olivia Winslow, heiress toWinslow Oil, Hotels, and Vineyard, is a little above your pay grade, petal."
Oh. Now I've met her, that absolutely makes sense.
"It's weird that she's heiress to all that and worries about paying vet bills," I note.
"That's the thing about inheritances; you get them once your parents are dead, and unfortunately for her, Gilbert is alive and well."
I've reached my cubicle, and we're at the end of my lunch hour, so I regretfully say, "Back at work. Speak later?"
"Later, then."
I'm in a particularly good mood this afternoon, at least until three hours later, when I'm in the break room making a coffee, and a shiver runs down my spine.
I know it's him before I turn to see my boss's boss walk in, and shut the door that always stays open behind him.
Fuck. We're alone.
"Willow. I was so relieved to see you this morning."
I frown, baffled by the remark.
Part of me says I should just smile, nod, and walk away right now, but I hesitate.
"Why, with what happened on Friday, I was ever so worried."
That vague sense of unease morphs into pure panic.
Nothing happened Friday. Not at work, in any case. The only thing that could cause anyone any concern would be…
Oh god. Oh, fuck, no.
He knows. He was watching. He was one of the many faceless, nameless, viewers that I never truly thought of as living, breathing people; just a general audience.
I decide to play dumb. "Oh, the bug on the AI facial recognition AP was an easy fix, actually. I'm working on the report. I should get back to it."
Fast. I'd already be halfway back to my desk if he wasn't remaining in the doorway, blocking the entrance, a seedy smirk on his thin lips.
"You and I both know I wasn't referring to your daytime hours, sweet Willow. Or do you prefer Ruby?"
My blood turn to ice.
Lie, lie, lie.
"Sorry, Ruby?"
"Did you choose the name because of the hair?" he asks. "It suits you."
"I don't know any Ruby," I say, half hoping for him to make a move, because then he'd have to step away from the doorway and I'd be able to leave.
I'm trapped. Again.
But this time, this time I'm not terrified. I know what happened to the last man who tried to touch me against my will. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I can visit the same fate upon this low life if he dares to touch me.
I just need to let them—him—know I'm in danger.
Maybe this man isn't the same kind of guy as Tom. Maybe he doesn't plan on pinning me to a bed and having his way with me, but he's clearly trying to threaten and blackmail me.
All I know is I need Dimitri.
He was my last call. Bringing my coffee to my mouth, and trying to appear as casual as I can, I put my free hand in my pocket and let my fingers glide across the screen, tracing my password. I have to think about my button placement. Bottom left, close to the corner. Then, top, and hit.
I haven't actually called anyone else in ages.
Let it work. Let it work, let it work.
I dare a peek inside my pocket. Call connected.
"If you'll excuse me, Mr. Lloyd." I speak as loud as I dare. "I need to get back to my desk to get you that report."
I put the call on speaker.
"Oh, I don't think so, Ruby. You're not going anywhere. Not unless you want the entire world to know how you spend your evenings, hm?"
There's nothing but silence on the other end of the line, but somehow, I'm calm. Collected. The very opposite of how I felt three days ago.
"I don't know what you're walking about."
"Don't you? I don't know how you got all the files erased from my phone, but I'm sure HR will be highly interested in how you're spending your time outside of work. Along with, say, the local news?"
I'm not scared. I'm angry. Angry because last week, Willow might have been terrified enough to give in to whatever he's about to demand. Because of every girl just like me who likely could fall for this.
I have to keep him talking—and away from me. Let him make his threats, loud and clear.
He can't touch me. I feel invincible, because Dimitri Volkov is in my corner.