Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
ARMAN
I watch their interaction with interest. Luka has trained the security cameras on them and opened the microphone. We can hear everything they say, which isn’t much, and my heart breaks for Ellie. She is doing a good job of keeping her emotions under control, which I respect. However, I see the pain in her eyes as her mother completely blanks her.
“Interesting.” Luka whispers beside me as we both study the scene.
“The bitch doesn’t even know what her daughter looks like.” I add harshly, and he nods.
“So Gabrielle isn’t the reason she’s here.”
“It appears so.”
I breathe a sigh of relief because if Nikolai is here to meet Marsha, it’s doubtful his intended target is the woman who has somehow caught my attention.
“Will you tell her?” Luka asks casually and yet I can’t give him an answer to that. I haven’t worked it out yet and as they step into the elevator, I lean back and fix him with a blank stare.
“Any news on Nikolai?”
“He’s currently heading toward Roden’s club by foot.”
“Anyone else of interest in there?”
“No. The club is empty.”
“Keep me informed.”
Luka makes to leave and I say quickly, “Keep your eyes on Marsha when she leaves.”
He nods and as he leaves the room, I set my attitude accordingly.
A gentle knock on the door alerts me they are here and as the door opens, I see Ellie’s furious expression as she directs an extreme look of hatred my way but says pleasantly, “Miss Steele to see you, sir.”
I point to the chair I set by the wall and say dismissively, “You may wait over there.”
I swear if eyes were daggers they would be piercing my heart right now and yet I gaze past her coolly and stand, offering Marsha my hand.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Miss Steele.”
“Arman. I was so sorry to learn of Andrei’s passing. He was such a close personal friend of mine and will be sadly missed.”
I shake her hand and gesture to the seat opposite my desk .
“Thank you for your condolences, Miss Steele. Please take a seat.”
She smiles expectantly as she sits before me and I waste no time in getting to the point.
“I attended one of your organized parties the other evening and wanted to run a few things past you.”
“I heard.”
Her eyes flash. “It appears that you canceled the escort I booked for you, preferring to arrange your own.”
I’m surprised word never reached her about her daughter’s attendance and wonder why the club members kept it from her after my request.
“That is true. It worked for my father, so you could say I’m carrying on the tradition.”
She leans forward.
“His date was in my employment, Mr. Romanov. I must stress that Burning Roses provides screened escorts for a reason, to protect our members. Please don’t take matters into your own hands again.”
Her words are delivered with a smile and I shrug. “We both know Veronica Scott-Stanley was more than just a paid escort. Please don’t insult my intelligence.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” She fires back with a shrewd smile. “She also happened to be employed by me, so she ticked all the boxes. Now, if you have a particular companion in mind, I can take them on under exclusive contract to you, but unlike your father and Veronica, it is in everyone’s best interests if she is free to mingle as required.”
“Of course.”
I lean forward. “My escort for the evening was Gabrielle Adams. Would you like me to arrange a meeting for you so you can add her to your books?”
“Is this a joke?” She gasps, the shock on her face is interesting and I say coolly.
“I never joke, Marsha. So, will you sign her up under the non-exclusive contract you require?”
“You are a wicked man, Mr. Romanov.”
I’m shocked when tears fill her eyes and she whispers, “If you are trying to hurt me, then shame on you. Gabrielle Adams – is – was, my daughter, and she died three months ago.”
For a second, I have no words and as I glance at Ellie, she appears to be in shock. Her expression is one of devastation and Marsha sobs, “It was a car wreck. She never stood a chance, and the car exploded on impact.”
Gabrielle is staring at her in horror and I say gently, “How did you find out?”
She sniffs. “A cop came to my house. He told me she was traveling with my mother and they crashed into a fuel truck. They identified their bodies from their dental records.”
I’m speechless and Ellie is somewhere else entirely. She is struggling to take it in and I cough. “Um, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“I never even got to say goodbye.” Marsha sniffs.
She appears to recover very quickly and says in a brighter tone.
“So, Mr. Romanov, Arman. The woman who accompanied you must have been another one named Gabrielle Adams. It’s a common name, and I’m guessing it was a coincidence. The members were quite taken with her, so I would be happy to sign her to Burning Roses.”
I don’t know what to say because I’ve reached a dead end. There is nowhere left to go, and then Ellie shifts from her seat and walks beside me. She stares at Marsha closer and says defiantly, “I am Gabrielle Adams and my grandmother died of cancer. She also happened to be your mother and you never even attended her funeral. ”
I study Marsha for her reaction as Gabrielle throws a grenade into the room and the shock on her face mixes with fear and for the first time since meeting this woman, I watch her break.