Chapter 8
Iam resigned to a longer stay than I wanted, but at least the company is interesting. I instructed Artem to secure the other premises and to pull in help to sift through the mess that was created. He is also under instruction to track down the person responsible for breaking into the coach house, and I’m aware this won’t happen overnight.
It’s been a long day already and I intend on working well into the night as I fight my way through the mountains of paperwork the men are gathering for me now.
I’m under no illusions I’ll find anything, but it will paint a picture of the woman my father was apparently willing to risk everything for.
Polly is on edge. It’s obvious and so I shift off the desk to give her some space and wander over to the window.
“Your aunt had a beautiful home.”
“I agree.”
She sounds nervous and I wait for every reason why I shouldn’t be here to spill from those tempting lips.
“Um, Valentin.”
Hearing her speak my name makes me smile and I turn and note the blush decorating her pale skin.
“Yes, malyshka.”
“You say you’re staying until you have the answers you need. Well, um, I have commitments I really need to return to.”
“In Sussex?”
I raise my eyes and she gasps. “How do you know?”
“I know everything about you, and I also know you don’t have a job that ties to you to one destination. You work from home and as this is now one of them, you can work from here.”
I shrug. “Even if you did, it wouldn’t matter. I would arrange your extended absence with one call.”
“Why are you so arrogant?”
Her question makes me smile.
“Because it’s easy.”
“It doesn’t make it right.”
I detect the steel in her voice and smile. “Tell me about yourself, Polly.”
“I thought you already knew everything about me.”
She snaps back and I turn and smile with amusement.
“Only the facts, but not the reasons.”
“What reasons?”
“Why you are still single?”
“Because I choose to be.”
She stands and smooths down her skirt and, for the first time, I notice the coat is gone and her skirt and jumper is trying hard to disguise a rather intriguing body. The skirt dusts just above her knees and the long boots she is wearing are sexy as fuck. Now her hair is long and wavy and the red highlights burn like fire and her flashing green eyes stare at me with contempt as she purses her lips and huffs, “I’m hungry and need to eat. I’m going to head out to the local supermarket and stock up on a few things. Please hand me my keys.”
“No.”
Her eyes widen and I smile inside. This is fun. She is so easy to torment and it will pass the time as I wait for the information I seek.
“No?” She narrows her eyes.
“It’s not a question, it’s a statement.”
“I will send out for supplies. Make a list.”
I turn away and stare out at the garden and she huffs, “I prefer to go myself. I don’t know what I want until I see it.”
I turn slowly. “Then I’ll come with you.”
“You?”
Her eyes widen and I nod. “Of course. Grab your coat. Meet me by the car in five minutes.”
I leave her standing watching me go with a shocked expression and find Artem in the hallway.
“Prepare my car. We are heading out for supplies.”
His eyes raise and I smirk at the amusement on his face. “What? It will be interesting.”
“If you say so.” He shakes his head. “Who do you need?”
“Everyone.”
He laughs softly. “Are you sure this sleepy town is prepared for that?”
“We’re about to find out.”
I head back to the kitchen and grab my jacket and coat, pulling out my shades and set my mood accordingly. Polly is about to discover exactly what I signed her up for and it will distract my attention from a situation I hadn’t planned on being in.
“Why, Valentin?”Her horrified question hangs in the air as the door slams behind her and she watches my men take up their positions in the cars in front and behind.
“Why what, malyshka?”
“Why the circus? Can’t you even go shopping like a normal person?”
“It was your idea if you’ve forgotten already and perhaps my men need to see what they require, too.”
“Now you’re making fun of me.” She fires back and I laugh out loud.
“Relax, it’s only a trip to the store. Calm the fuck down.”
“You know–” She shakes her head and stares me right in the eye as she hisses, “You really are an arrogant piece of shit, Valentin Romanov.”
I reach out before she finishes her sentence and pull her hard against me and growl into her startled face, “Speak like a lady in my company and I will treat you like one. Curse me again and I’ll spank you so hard you won’t be able to sit down for days.”
Her eyes widen in shock and I growl, “I’m a reasonable man my little wildcat but I have my limits and calling me names is a sure-fire way to test my patience. So, can the language because filthy mouths have a much better use for women who offend me.”
I push her back and the shock on her face tells me my message has hit home and the way she edges away from me causes me more satisfaction than she will ever know. Yes, most of the time I am agreeable but anger me in any way and I’m the biggest bastard she will ever meet. I don’t make empty promises either and she will be brought in line to act as I expect, or she will soon discover just what a bastard I can be.