Chapter 2 #2
I chose my words carefully. “Men like your uncle aren’t swayed by emotions. He’s a logical man who makes decisions based on what’s best for his business. Appeal to that.”
She frowned. “I don’t know anything about his business. What do I say?”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
It was nearly eleven in the morning when I parked in front of Grisha’s family home. I had already texted Grisha that I had located Mila and was bringing her back to the house, but I hadn’t given them any further details.
My eyes were gritty from lack of sleep, and I still had a full day of work ahead of me.
“Thanks for nothing,” she spat at me before opening the door to get out.
I followed slowly behind her, giving her a respectful amount of space. I needed Grisha to lay eyes on her before I started my day.
Mila climbed up the front steps. At the top, Sergei appeared from behind one of the big pillars.
He grabbed her arm and yanked up on it so hard she was forced onto her tiptoes. “What do you think you were doing?”
It took me three seconds to get there and, in my opinion, that was three seconds too long. I pushed hard on his shoulder, jolting his grip from her arm before stepping between the two of them.
“Back off,” I said, two inches from his face.
His dead stare assessed me. “You’re putting your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Right now you’re getting in the way of my delivery.”
He moved his lips into a grimace of a smile. “Watch your back.”
“Get out of my way.”
He lifted his hands in a mocking defense. “Easy, killer.”
I watched as he disappeared from view.
She glared at me, but she was holding her arm where he had grabbed her. “That’s what you’ve brought me back to, but thanks for the suggestion not to get emotional about it. That’s really going to help me.”
I ignored the jab. “Move it.”
Grisha was sitting in his office, talking on his phone, but he hung up without a word when we appeared in the doorway.
“Come sit down, Mila.”
She moved to stand behind the chairs, but she didn’t sit.
“Close the door,” he told me. “I want to talk to you as well.”
I shut the door and moved closer to the desk, but I kept my distance from Mila.
He spoke to me first. “Where did you find her?”
“St. Petersburg.”
Grisha’s smile widened. “I’m impressed. For someone who’s only been working for the family for three years, you’ve really started to prove yourself.”
“I’m ambitious.” I didn’t blink. “I’m focused on furthering my career.”
“I appreciate that in a man. I won’t forget this.” He turned and looked at Mila. “Were you trying to run away?”
She spoke with an eerie calm. “I can’t marry Sergei.”
He frowned slightly. “Didn’t your aunt explain how important this is to my business?”
“I’m in love with someone else, and I refuse to marry Sergei.”
His face took on a thunderous expression. “What do you mean, you’re in love?”
“I’ve met the love of my life.”
Grisha started sputtering. “Who is this man?”
She had taken my advice and was now so devoid of emotion she sounded like a robot.
“He’s one of yours. And we’re serious about each other.
We’ve talked about the future. And you should know that I’ll fight to the death if you try and separate us.
It won’t be good for your business if you try and stop us. ”
His eyes widened. “Who do I have to kill now?”
She looked over at me, and her entire face softened into something so gentle and feminine she almost didn’t look like the same person. “I’m in love with Axel. And I wasn’t running away. I just needed some time alone with him. I knew he’d find me.”
Holy shit. I stared back at her. “What are you doing?”
Her expression was shy while she laid it on thick. “I know you said we shouldn’t tell anyone, but I can’t marry Sergei and move to Canada without you.”
This girl was going to get me murdered. I was surprised that Grisha hadn’t already put a bullet in my head.
Grisha looked like he was about to have a stroke, and his voice was strangled with emotion. “How long has this been going on?”
“It hasn’t,” I countered. “There is nothing going on, sir.”
She talked over me. “Axel’s the only one who makes me happy.”
“Sir,” I tried to speak again.
“Shut your mouth.” He pointed at me with growing rage.
“Don’t be mad,” she pleaded with him. “He fought our attraction with everything he had, but in the end it was too difficult for either of us to resist.”
Grisha was gripping the back of his chair so tight his knuckles were white. “You took advantage of my niece? And you think I’m not going to kill you?”
Fuck my life.
Mila protested. “Uncle, no! We haven’t even kissed yet.” She clasped her hands to her chest. “This affair is purely emotional. He told me he couldn’t touch me until he had your blessing.”
I watched as tension leaked out of Grisha.
She had probably just saved my life. But I knew his rage wasn’t about her chastity. No, he was angry because he didn’t like losing control over something he thought belonged to him.
“I have never touched your niece,” I said honestly.
Grisha shook his head, but I think he believed us. “Mila, would you please excuse us? I’d like to talk to Axel alone.”