Chapter 33
Artem knows better than to speak right now because my fury is at explosion levels. As we listen to the conversation, every word that woman speaks drives extreme pain into my heart. Two words in particular killed me inside.
Loveless marriage.
It’s as if my life is built on a lie and I am struggling to keep my composure.
When she offered Polly a job as one of her paid whores, it took all my inner strength not to tear in there and throttle the woman. Over my dead body will Polly go anywhere near Burning Roses. The tainted organization that Marsha operates to deliver young girls to the arm and subsequent bed of wealthy old men.
Imagining my father as one of those men hurts my heart because I thought he was better than that. Family is everything to a Romanov. It’s how he brought us up and now I feel betrayed. It’s as if his words were lies flickering in the breeze and easily extinguished. There was no substance to them at all, and my anger knows no bounds.
The minute she asked to buy Thorn House, my eyes met Artem’s, and we realized the real reason for the meeting.
As their conversation comes to an end and Polly stands to leave, I say to Artem, “Is the car ready?”
“Waiting at the exit.”
“Good.”
The car we arranged to collect Polly is a London cab, expertly driven by one of my men disguised as a cabbie. Marsha will be no wiser if she sees her leave and Polly will be protected from any harm because I am taking no chances with her safety all the time Nikolai Barinov is in town.
“Thorn House.” I say simply, and Artem nods.
“There must be something of great interest there.”
He shakes his head. “First Nikolai and now Marsha. Whatever it is, we have yet to find it.”
“I agree.” I narrow my gaze and say steadily, “This is a fucking shitstorm, but we have been presented with an opportunity we would be fools to ignore.”
He leans forward and I whisper, “I’ll tell Polly to agree to the meeting and we will have eyes on Marsha at all times. Polly will leave her after making an excuse and we’ll watch what Marsha does. If there is something at Thorn House, Marsha Steele may be the one to reveal it to us.”
“Then Polly needs to make it clear she is not interested in selling. It will drive desperation and Marsha will become reckless.” Artem adds, a cunning expression in his eye that makes me smile. Artem’s mind works exactly like mine, which is why we work so well together, and I nod my approval.
“She will believe she has less than thirty minutes to locate what she needs before their meeting ends. This could work.”
I lean back and hear Polly wishing Marsha good afternoon as they part company, and I will not move until I know Marsha is gone. We are sitting in the restroom, not far from the restaurant, where the signal was the best on offer to listen in. If Marsha sees me, she will be on her guard and it’s imperative we maintain the element of surprise.
Whatever secret Thorn House is holding may well be mine by this time tomorrow and I’m not sure how I feel about that. The search may move away from Polly and her aunt and I’m undecided whether I’ll take her with me. In doing so, she will be in danger, but if I leave her behind, she may be considered a loose end and dealt with accordingly. Either way, Polly‘s life is under threat because of my father and I will not let her become another casualty in something I know nothing about.
Once the menI instructed to follow Marsha give me the all clear, we leave to take the waiting car to Briar House. As we make the short journey, I discuss with Artem the best way to approach this and we work out a plan, so we are both left in no doubt at all about where we take it from here.
I’m mindful I need to check in with Titus, but require the secure connection that will only be available at the house. However, it’s vital I speak to Polly first before my brother and so as soon as we step foot inside the house, I head off to find her.
As expected, I find her in the dressing room, changing out of the smart suit into more casual clothes.
As I enter, she looks up and as our eyes meet, I register the relief in hers.
“I fucking hate that woman.” She hisses, and it makes me laugh.
“I will excuse your choice of word, malyshka, because this time it’s well said.”
She rolls her eyes and pulls down her sweatshirt, covering the body I could stare at all day long.
“How did it go?”
I already know the answer to that, but am interested to see what Polly tells me. Call it a trust test. If she omits any information, I will deal with that accordingly, but she sinks down onto the padded bench seat and sighs.
“You won’t like it.”
“I can cope. I’m a big boy.”
I drop down beside her and lace her fingers with mine and she rests her head on my shoulder and sighs heavily.
“She told me Veronica worked for her and met your father that way. She–”
She falters and turns to peer up at me and says with a sympathetic smile. “She told me that your father was in love with Veronica and I really hate saying this but was trapped in a?—”
She squeezes my hand and whispers, “Loveless marriage.”
I maintain my composure and say through gritted teeth. “What else did she say?”
Her face is a picture of concern and for some reason, I love that she cares. It’s a nice feeling and not one I’m used to and so I grip her hand a little tighter and nod my encouragement.
“Please. What else did she say?”
“She offered me two things. A job and to buy Thorn House.”
I raise my eyes. “What job?”
Once again, I’m testing her and she pulls a face. “Extremely well paid escort by all accounts that involves escorting wealthy men. She said it was well paid, but I’m guessing the money is not for the event they attend. It’s what happens afterward in private.”
“You guess right.”
She shudders. “I would never stoop so low. I mean, I have money. I don’t need to lower myself to that. If I had to sell all the houses I would, and live in my flat in Sussex like I did before. I was happy then.”
“And you’re unhappy now?”
I hate how upset that makes me, and she smiles softly. “Not now. Not right at this moment, in fact–”
She appears to check herself and I whisper, “In fact, what?”
She blushes and whispers, “I’m loving every minute of this. Perhaps it’s the mystery, the unknown, the adventure perhaps or it–”
She blushes even more. “Or it could be because I’m enjoying spending time with you.”
I can’t resist her and reaching across, I drag her face to mine and kiss her softly, loving the way my heart beats frantically. Polly affects me more than anyone ever has, and I am intoxicated by her. I will probably never tire of kissing her soft sweet lips and as our tongues tangle together, I’m in no hurry to release her. I deepen the kiss and her soft moan escapes into my mouth and it would be so easy to finish this in the bed next door, but as always business takes precedence and I pull away reluctantly and say gruffly.
“You say she wants to buy Thorn House. What are you thinking?”
Her breathing is fast and her face flushed, but she whispers, “That it’s a smokescreen.”
“In what way?”
“It’s weird. I mean, first the break in, now this. What if there’s something important there that we don’t know about?”
It makes me smile and I touch her face with a soft hand and whisper, “You’re mind is like a Romanov’s, malyshka. I love that.”
“Well, do you?”
Her eyes brighten and I laugh softly. “I think you’re right. What else did she say?”
“That we should meet tomorrow and drive to Thorn House to discuss it further, but I’m not selling, Valentin.”
The steel in her voice makes me smile as she adds, “And I’m not taking her stupid job, either. That woman is vile, and I want nothing to do with her.”
“Think about it.” I say and her eyes widen, causing me to chuckle.
“Not the job, or selling. It’s about the opportunity.”
“I don’t understand?”
“Agree to meet her at the house and we will watch her every move in secret. Refuse her offer and then make your excuses and leave her alone for thirty minutes.”
“Go on.”
Her eyes are wide and burning with excitement and I laugh softly. “If there is something at Thorn House and she knows where to look, it will save us time and refrain from us tearing the place apart.”
“I see what you mean.”
Polly’s eyes sparkle. “It’s a good plan. I like how you think.”
I laugh out loud and reach for her again and whisper, “And I like everything about you, malyshka.”
Once again, I claim her lips that are just too damn tempting but that is all I will allow because we still have unfinished business to attend to before we leave for the Cotswolds. It involves Polly changing back into her suit and paying a visit to Harvey Williams before the day is out.