Chapter 20 #2
A moment of tension settled in. If the situation were involving any other family member, I would have suggested the same thing, but her possible betrayal hadn’t entered my mind. “Fuck.”
“I know you like this girl. I get it. However, you might need to put security on her. Just to ensure she isn’t working with Liam who in turn is doing Papadakis’ biddings. Maybe that’s why we haven’t heard a peep from Viktor or Petros.”
“I have a man on her. And Viktor is just trying to determine the right way to strike. In the meantime, I had to find a new food distributor at triple the cost.” I was finished talking about whether she was guilty of betraying me. I could tell by now.
He laughed, shaking his head. “I was going to chat with you about that. That will take a huge cut into our profits.”
“Yeah, but you have that fabulous pop singer on your payroll for a couple months. What’s her name, Lainey Rose?
Maybe this time she’ll honor her contract.
” The woman was the hottest singing sensation in the world.
It had been a coup that my cousin had managed to convince her that a residency would be good for her career.
It was also a major win for our corporation and something we didn’t want to fuck up.
We were businesspeople after all. We liked making money.
“She had some personal shit to deal with. We survived. I was kidding with you, Alex. Stop being so serious. We all do what’s necessary for business operations to run smoothly. But I can’t stress enough that women are very… cunning.”
“You don’t need to beat around the bush. I’m not sixteen and in love for the first time.”
He stared me dead in the eye without smiling.
“You could have fooled me, but you’re not fooled so easily.
If you think she’s in danger, protect her.
If you think she might be using you, have her followed and use the information to your advantage.
I’m not suggesting you hurt her, but you’ll know whether to distance yourself. ”
What struck me the hardest hearing his words was that I didn’t want to leave her alone. I craved being around her. Touching her.
Kissing her.
Fucking her.
Well, shit. Maybe I had lost my perspective already.
“Don’t worry. I have every intention of keeping her safe. Whether she likes it or not.”
He burst into laughter. “No wonder she’s not too fond of you. I take it you didn’t mention that either.”
“Hell, no. Maybe you’re right, cousin of mine.”
Sasha kept the grin on his face. “I always am. You deserve to find that right woman and settle down. However, you need to be careful.”
“What about you? Aren’t you eager to get back out there?”
His smile faded. “I’m fine. I’m happy being Nina’s dad and nothing else.”
“So it’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Someone has to keep you in line.”
Maybe he was right. I glanced out the window at the beautiful skyline of the city. Maybe I just needed to shut down my emotions to protect myself from possible treachery. That was the smart thing to do. Just brush her off.
If that was the truth, then why were my hands clammy? Why hadn’t I been able to sleep? Why was it that thoughts of her and Emily had crowded into my mind at least twice an hour?
Well, fuck. Because I had it bad for her.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
Halle
The harsh glares continued from almost every firefighter in the station. Granted, at least both Mark and Jeff had asked me about Emily, but the others had kept their cool demeanor.
Why was it that one public date with a powerful man had suddenly made me the enemy? I knew the answer. Because they were loyal to Sean and therefore loyal to Liam and the entire O’Leary family. The O’Learys had been a part of the landscape of firefighters for at least three generations.
They also hated the Russian influence. I’d even heard Sean say more than once the Dmitriyev family were bad seeds.
It’s funny how I’d mostly ignored the rhetoric during our marriage because it hadn’t interfered with my life.
I’d also learned early on that the Irish stuck by the Irish.
The O’Shaughnessy family had settled in the Southwest a hundred years before and were considered mortal enemies of the Dmitriyevs.
I’d done some research while taking up a perch in the hospital. While the information had been limited, I’d been able to put a few pieces together.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pick Emily up from school today,” I told Kristine, trying to shield my voice. “Since it’s her first day.” I’d cried when I’d put her on the bus while she’d been excited, even trying to comfort me instead of the other way around.
“You don’t want her taking the bus.”
I drummed my fingers on the kitchen table.
“I don’t want her suddenly approached by some horrible reporter.
Plus, I just feel the need to keep her close.
” I knew I was being followed, suspecting Alexsey wanted to ensure I wasn’t pestered.
I was both grateful and a little bit put off by his continued influence in my life, but right now I couldn’t argue with the man.
We hadn’t talked and it felt a little like both of us were taking a standoff position.
Kristine huffed. “You think the reporters would sink that low?”
“Hell, yes. I’m thinking about changing my cellphone number.”
“I wouldn’t blame you.”
“I know you have that appointment, but I just feel the need to hold her close. You know what I mean? Plus, it’s her first day. She’s growing up so fast.”
Kristine hesitated. I knew she was concerned about me. About both of us. I was so thrilled my little girl was home. She’d gotten the best care in the world and I had Alexsey to thank for it. He was never far from my mind and that was driving me crazy.
“I get it. Have you given any more thought to getting a support animal?”
The sigh erupting from my lips was even heavier than before. “Yes, and I’ve looked into the cost. Very pricy including vet visits, food. Toys. Hell, I can barely feed Emily and me.”
“Then fucking slam Liam like you should have done months ago. That’s your money!”
My sister was huffier than usual, but she was also right. “Yeah, I think I will. I’ve played nice for far too long. He can fuck off.” I was beginning to think he’d purposely stonewalled me.
“Good for you. But remember all men aren’t assholes. Like Alexsey.”
“Very funny.”
What the handsome Russian had done for us had been amazing, yet I was still angry with him.
And why? Because my entire life I’d been successful providing for myself.
Since my parents had been poor, I’d picked up the slack.
Babysitting at twelve. A fast-food job at sixteen.
Waitressing at eighteen. I’d helped provide for the household, which meant we’d been able to keep away from the seedier neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
Being married meant there’d been two incomes, which had allowed me to breathe.
But I wasn’t involved with Alexsey. He was never going to become my knight in shining armor.
Even if there was a tiny part of me, that girl who was in high school hoping her first love was her forever love, that wanted him to be.
Still infuriated with the circumstances, I tried to block out the sounds of the firehouse.
At least the morning had been quiet. I’d missed a couple of days’ work.
Thankfully, I had sick time banked up with the fire department, but bartending in a somewhat sleazy Irish bar hadn’t provided me with any benefits.
Not that tips had been great lately, but every dollar counted.
Thankfully, I hadn’t been reprimanded for running into a burning structure without backup. Maybe I should consider myself lucky.
“Look, I didn’t want to push you on this because you were so upset, but what Alexsey did was incredible. You act as if he wants to control your entire life.” Kristine had a good point.
“He acts like he does. Like he already owns me and I’ll just happily do whatever he wants, accepting every… generous gesture. That’s not me.”
“Well, maybe you’re being a little too hard on both him and you,” Kristine admonished.
“You are a hard worker. You’re an amazing firefighter and an even better woman, but for God’s sake, why do you act as if it’s you against the world?
I know what I said about Alexsey and from what I’ve read in the press, I was right to say associating with him could be dangerous, but did you bother paying any attention to everything else he and his family have done for this city, their community? ”
I chewed on my lip, which I’d been doing all morning. At this point, I could taste blood. “I know his family is a benefactor of the children’s hospital.”
“So you haven’t paid any attention to the various articles the last few days.”
“No.” I hated admitting it. Maybe I’d been terrified if I heard more good things about him I’d lose all self-control.
“Jesus. You’re my sister and I adore you, but you’re the most hardheaded person I’ve ever met.
I’m going to send you a link to what I think is the best article I’ve read.
And the person who wrote the story isn’t completely biased or being paid by the Dmitriyev family.
He gives them their share of black marks.
But I can tell you that after reading it, I wanted to be Alexsey’s princess.
And you are. That’s what makes me crazy.
He’s already fallen for you. He would do anything to keep you and Emily protected. Geez. We should all be so lucky.”
“Oh, please.”
“You know like the romance novels you refuse to read? He falls first. Just think about that. Maybe, just maybe once you’ve read the article you’ll get your head out of your ass.”
“Very funny. Are you okay with coming over this afternoon? I have a shift at O’Leary’s, but I think you’re right. I’m going to have a nice, long talk with Liam.”
Kristine giggled. “I’ll bring a couple bottles of wine for when you get off work. We’ll celebrate.”