Chapter 25 Passcodes #2
“I present to you vegetable gnocchi soup with a rich mushroom sauce.”
“Chef Levi has a bit of ring to it, no?” Anika hid her grimace with the rim of her wine glass.
“Let’s see how you feel after you taste it.”
Another swirl of her wine. “True, the pressure is on.”
“So,” he began, back to her as he started boiling water for the gnocchi, “what made you go into financial analytics?”
“And here I thought you had me all figured out,” she teased.
“As I said, it was merely coincidence tonight, but you’re always so elusive. I want to know more about you, so don’t avoid my question. What got you into this field?”
A sly wink had a grin forming on her face even though it didn’t reach her eyes.
Why the fuck did I come here?
To get answers on her hunch that both Mikko and Levi were up to no good. Regardless, here she was trying to let her armor fall away in hopes she could find a detrimental weakness of both men.
“Hmm, I don’t even know where to begin with that question,” Anika started, memories of her childhood—both good and bad—flashing across her mind.
“I guess I’ve always loved puzzles and numbers.
They came easily to me when I was younger, a skill I honed faster than most in my grade.
It made me feel accomplished, so I clung to it and realized I could make it my career if I really wanted to.
“But more than that, I enjoy the patterns and trends found in data. Observation is…how I learn, I guess you could say.”
“Observation, huh? And what have you observed about me?” he asked, hands busy pan searing the vegetables to soften them before adding them into the roux.
“I thought we already played this game,” she countered.
“Oh, that was all superficial things my social media told you. Now that you know me better, what has your little analytical brain brewed up about me.”
Did I mention narcissism earlier? she thought with a metaphorical eye roll.
The aroma of the seasoned vegetables sizzling and the gnocchi boiling on the stovetop filled her nose. Her stomach growled at the promise of food. Instead, she took another sip of wine, trying to be careful. On an empty stomach the Malbec would loosen her tongue.
And only gods knew what would come out if that were to happen.
“I don’t think you want to know,” Anika said, a smile on her face despite her seriousness.
Levi took a sip of his water from a nearby glass before, “Try me.”
Great. “To most you’re outgoing and charming; people can’t seem to say no to you even if they wanted to since you have this way of making them feel guilty for choosing themselves. It makes sense why Romanov would want you on their team since those features make a great business person.”
The words were barely softened by her already simmering annoyance, but Levi didn’t seem to mind.
“Nothing gets by you, does it?” Levi said, his back muscles flexing as he transferred the drained gnocchi into the sauce. “I know you’ve caught things I never would’ve even known to check for.”
“Good thing your boss isn’t here to hear you admitting to incompetence.”
“I mean…incompetence is a little harsh don’t ya think?” His azure eyes flicked over his shoulder, a humorous twinkle in them.
“Your pay reflects your skills,” she joked, gesturing to his nice apartment. He chuckled as his deft hands plated their food. “How about you? What persuaded you to pursue real estate, with one of the biggest moguls of all, no less?”
Watching his reaction, she noticed his spine stiffened slightly, before his throat bobbed.
“It was more a stroke of good luck than anything.” His hands clutched a towel, wiping the messes he’d created off the pale granite countertops. “Do you need more wine?”
Avoiding my question now, are we?
Anika nodded even though her limit was quickly approaching. She toed the balance between feeling light and soft and being too far gone. “But only if you drink with me.” And answer my question.
“I was planning on it now that the sharp objects are all put away.” Glass rang as he set another wine glass down next to hers.
“Bold of you to assume I don’t have any on me.” Internally, Anika was face palming herself. Externally, the wine and promise of delicious food made her more forthcoming.
“I–well, I suppose you’re right.” His stutter made her feel slightly better as he set a plate in front of her. “But only if you promise not to not wield it against me. Unless your meal isn’t cooked to your preference, then all bets are off.”
Settling in where she sat, she avoided moving to the dining table. It was too formal for her tastes. Anika grinned as Levi raised his hands in surrender as he waited for her to take the first bite.
The creamy sauce steamed on her spoon, but she carefully sipped at it anyway.
The gnocchi melted on her tongue while the rich mushrooms burst across her taste buds.
The carrots, onions, and celery were soft and seasoned perfectly which made her opinion of Levi raise slightly.
Chives garnished the plate, enhancing the flavor of everything, and Anika could do nothing but note her praise to the man standing across from her.
“This is actually…really good.” She commended, her pretty smile enough to cause his shoulders to relax.
“I don’t know if I should be flattered that you enjoyed it or offended that you thought it’d be bad.
” He took a sip of his drink as he grabbed his own plate.
She didn’t miss the slight grimace on his face as he sat next to her.
He quickly schooled his features back into a look of playfulness when he realized she was watching.
“Flattered,” she supplied before taking another bite. “I don’t give out compliments often.”
“Good to know.”
“But don’t think your good cooking will distract me from my original question. Why Romanov Real Estate?”
His audible swallow made her smile. “What do you want to know?”
“Anything. I’ve told you all about me, it’s your turn now. Do you always mix business with pleasure, Levi?”
Levi coughed, his food settling wrong, but he was quick to chase it with Malbec. “I, erm, well, when I was younger, people always used to tell me I was a talker.”
“Never would’ve guessed.” She playfully bumped his arm.
With a laugh, he continued. “As a kid, I wanted the adults to notice me, and from a young age I figured out I could do that by speaking with them. Entertaining them in a way.
“I was always considered the life of any party—a fact my dad came to resent me for in college.”
“I can only imagine the trouble you caused.”
“I feel bad for it now, but at the time I’d told my dad that this is what he wanted for us: a college experience and education.”
“Us?”
A sheepish smile formed as he chewed. “Yeah, I have an older brother.”
“You both went to college then?” Her spoon scraped unpleasantly against the bowl.
“Yes…although he was the one that actually made it to graduation. I’d experienced it for two years and decided it was too overpriced and stuffy for my rebellious tastes.”
Anika swallowed her food. “Can’t say I’m surprised by that.”
“Yeah, no one ever is,” a faint chuckle holding more than humor slipped past his lips.
“My brother is the rule follower, but me…I thought I had life figured out. And the life I drew up for myself did not include college, so I began working random retail jobs since I was a great front-facing employee. That was how I met Alek.”
Anika’s blood froze, but she continued eating even if her stomach felt like it was lined with lead.
“He was buying out the strip mall I worked in, but when we’d met by coincidence he deemed me as someone valuable. Despite my lack of degree and flashy work history, he hired me on at Romanov. It was a dream come true. People liked and trusted me to sell. Plus I was a quick learner.”
“Lucky, indeed,” Anika commented. “Your personality seems to be the most valuable piece of your resume.”
“Truly. I’m glad Alek saw that and took me under his wing.”
Internally, Anika cringed. Levi was giving praise to a man who deserved none.
“Does his son also value you? I know there was some restructuring once Alek passed…” Anika was fishing for information.
Dabbing at his mouth with a napkin, his blue eyes bright, Levi responded, “He has no choice but to value me. His father made sure I’d have a place in the firm, my potential and experience too great to eliminate.”
Interesting. “Well, I’m glad you two get along then.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but whatever pays the bills, right?” Levi winked.
She held up her glass, waiting until he clinked his against it. “Right.” A soft pause filled the air as they sipped. “Although, working with people you like is a large proponent of enjoying your job.”
“It’s moments like this that make me enjoy my job.”
Anika’s insides clenched abhorrently. Ew. “Maybe one day, you can take over Romanov. Seems you’re destined for it anyway. Real estate is tied to good client outreach and satisfaction.”
She was pushing hard, and it could backfire—
“Are you saying you’re satisfied with my work?” he taunted.
Anika grinned into her wine, nodding.
Sure, whatever will keep you talking.
Levi smiled at her before continuing. “While that’s what I deserve, I fear Mr. Romanov’s love of control and dislike for me might make that, hmm, how do I say…difficult.”
“Never say never,” she said. “The universe has a funny way of manifesting our wants.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He fidgeted with the cuff of his shirt.
Always am.
Levi’s phone buzzed as soon as they’d finished each taking another sip of wine. Through the wavy rim of the glass, Anika watched him quickly type in his password. 2 6 4 5 2
Her brain pictured the number pad, thoughts whirring as she placed the combination together in her head. She swallowed roughly, her food settling wrong this time.
“Sorry,” he explained, mannerisms distracted, “I was expecting an important call tonight.”
“For work?”