Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
TATIANA
I ’m not sure why I’m so nervous. I have no reason to be, and as we head into the room, the police officer stands and nods respectfully.
“Mr. Romanov, Miss Pavlov, please forgive our intrusion in your day.”
“What’s this all about, officer?”
Titus gets straight to the point, and the officer smiles at me with a hint of concern in his eyes.
“Perhaps we should take a seat.”
My heart is fluttering like a bird caught in a cage and as I sit beside Titus, he takes my hand and I appreciate the comfort it gives me.
“I am here to inform you that Leonardo Raikin took his own life last night.”
I gasp as the tears spring to my eyes, and it takes a moment for my mind to catch up with my reaction.
“But how, he is in the hospital?”
I’m so confused, and he says with no emotion, “He unhooked the machine that was keeping him alive in the night and it failed to send the alarm to the nurse’s station. He was dead before they realized.”
Titus stills beside me and asks coolly, “Then why are you here, officer?”
I glance between them, unsure what is going on, and the officer says with distaste.
“Because of what we discovered when we searched his apartment.”
He throws me a pitying glance and my heart beats relentlessly inside me.
“It appears he was overly obsessed with you, Miss Pavlov.”
“Me?” I still don’t understand, and the officer pulls out an iPad and offers it to me.
I stare in disbelief at the photographs he has taken and note images of me decorating the walls of Leo’s apartment.
“What is this?” I ask as Titus takes the iPad and scrutinizes the evidence as the officer shrugs.
“It appears he was planning something. We found proof that his obsession was getting worse. Photos of you with others were cropped to show only you. There were diary entries stating what he would do when he brought you to the apartment. We discovered a room consisting of a small narrow bed with restraints fixed on the walls, a bucket for human waste in the corner and the windows boarded up. His diary spoke of the time he would bring you there and hold you until you fell in love with him.”
I’m in shock and start to shake when the officer adds, “There were calls to florists on his telephone records and subsequent investigations revealed he paid for bouquets to be delivered to every performance, always the same one.”
“White roses with a black one in the center.” I add, my voice steady, but my nerves definitely not.
“Yes.” He says simply and then he hesitates, causing me to stare at him fearfully as a flicker of distaste passes across his face.
“There are recordings.”
“What recordings?” Titus says quickly, and the officer sighs heavily.
“Of his thoughts of you, Miss Pavlov. While he pleasured himself.”
I feel sick and Titus squeezes my hand and says in his reassuring, deep voice.
“Thank you for informing us of the situation. Is there anything you require of us?”
The officer fixes me with a sympathetic smile.
“There is nothing. The object was to inform you of the situation and reassure you that the threat against you is over.”
“Thank you.” I smile gratefully, still trying to wrap my head around what’s happened and as Titus shows the officer out, I shiver.
It was Leo. He sent those flowers with the notes and when he came to my dressing room that night, his purpose may have been to take me to that room.
I’m shocked at what I’ve heard and as Titus heads back into the room, he drops down in front of me and takes my hand, staring with concern into my eyes.
“Are you okay, malysh?”
“I think so.” I attempt to smile.
“I can’t believe he was so deranged. Creepy, yes, but not psychotic. And to take his own life. I kind of understand that because faced with a lifetime in a wheelchair and unable to dance, why live anyway?”
Titus nods, but I note the storm building in his eyes and a shiver of trepidation passes through me. Something is wrong. I’m not sure what, but he doesn’t appear happy and I expect it’s after being exposed to Leo’s sick mind.
“Tia.” His voice is soft, almost caressing, and I peer at him nervously as he whispers, “For your own safety I will arrange a leave of absence from the Bolshoi.”
“Why?” I gasp, not understanding what’s happening and Titus says gravely, “My reasons are based on what the detective said.”
“But Leo is dead. He is no longer a threat.”
“But he was planning something concerning you and until I unravel the facts behind that, I would prefer to know you are safe.”
He says softly, “Any threat is taken very seriously in my world, Tia. Sometimes we don’t have all the facts, only the ones they want us to. I am right to be cautious. It’s how we operate, and until I have uncovered the entire truth, I don’t believe you are safe.”
“Titus.” I pull away and tears pool in my eyes as I gulp, “But I must dance. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane.”
“Then dance here. It won’t take long to uncover the truth and trust me when I say I have no desire to interfere with your profession. You are a ballerina, it’s what you do and I will not take that away from you, no matter what happens.”
“The engagement?” I ask, bewildered by what’s happening, and he shakes his head. “No, Tia. Our marriage. Because in two weeks’ time we will marry at the Kremlin and there is nothing we can do to change that from happening.”
“Marry?” I’m stunned and yet as I stare into his eyes, I am not afraid. I should be appalled and protesting for my freedom, but instead a prickle of excitement passes through me. I wonder when things changed, and I began to see Titus Romanov as a man I don’t want to be without for a second, instead of the dark stranger who took over my life and never gave me the choice to say no.