Chapter Ten Anya
I reluctantly follow Skylar and our escort through to the private elevator for the VIP section, where Oleg, Pavel, and Artem wait.
The three men turn when the elevator pings open—the behemoth gestures for us to exit before following and positioning himself against the wall.
I recognize that he’s guarding the only entrance to the room.
The first thing that hits me is how muted the music is, and then I notice that the room is enclosed by glass.
Of the dozen girls whom I saw partying up here earlier, only three remain.
They’re seated on a sofa in the corner, chatting.
I ignore them to focus on the men studying us.
“Anya, it’s been a while,” Pavel says, stepping forward to take my hand. “Who is your friend?”
“Skylar Prince,” Skylar says, holding her hand out.
“You look familiar,” Artem says as he sidles up next to Pavel to take Skylar’s hand.
“She’s famous,” I say, glancing at Oleg as he glares at Skylar. “She has a YouTube program called ‘A Prince Among Women.’
‘You’re an American?” Oleg asks.
Skylar nods. “I am.”
“What are you doing here in St. Petersburg?”
“I’m doing what I do best. I’m travelling throughout Russia and filming segments for my show.”
“How did you two meet?” Pavel asks.
“She was outside my dance school. We got to talking and hit it off. We’ve been spending time together.”
“That’s right, I heard you were a ballerina,” Artem says to me. “You just earned a big part, didn’t you?”
I was a little surprised that he already knew about my role as the Lilac Fairy, but rather than question him, I nodded.
“Congratulations! This calls for champagne,” Pavel says, gesturing toward the man who escorted us.
“Oh, well, I’ve already had…” I start, but Pavel waves me off.
“Just one glass. We must celebrate.” Pavel takes the bottle from the man and pops open the cork. He pours us each a glass and then holds his up for a toast. “To our beautiful and talented Anya, whoever wins her will be the luckiest man in the world.”
I balk at his toast, but school my features to hide my true feelings. “Thank you. I guess that means you know about my father’s plans?”
“Of course,” Oleg says. “We expected it. We were all sorry to hear about your brother. He was a good friend, and we will miss him. However, your father has to look to the future. Without Alexi, he needed to find an heir. You’re a bonus that sweetens the deal.
To the future!” he says, raising his glass in a toast.
“Yes, the future,” I murmur before taking a small sip. The bubbles, which I usually enjoy, almost burn going down. My throat closes up as the tears threaten. My future is no longer mine.
Skylar must see the misery in my eyes because she wraps her arm around my waist and whispers in my ear. “You have time, we’ll figure something out. Don’t let them see your fear.”
She’s right. That’s one thing I know never to do.
Show fear. Fear is a loss of control. Showing fear gives others control.
I can’t sacrifice my control. If I do, then I truly will be lost. The situation is still fluid.
Alexi could still be alive and even now might be on his way back to St. Petersburg.
I have to hold on and do as Skylar suggested. I need a plan.
“Well, thank you for the nice words, but I’m not sure I want to be a consolation prize,” I admit, wanting to see how each man reacts. Skylar is right. We’re here on a fact-finding mission. I need to take control rather than let my fear control me.
Pavel lifts one eye as he smirks at me. “Maybe you are the prize, and taking over Stepanov Industries is the consolation? Have you considered that?”
I shake my head. “You don’t need to placate me. We all understand what my father is offering. His business holdings are the real prize. If only Alexi were here. I can’t help but think someone planned Alexi’s disappearance. I just don’t understand how anyone managed it.”
I notice the glances the men share and remember that the day Alexi disappeared, he was on his way to a meeting. Was it possible that the meeting was with these men? I know he often met with the sons of the other families to discuss business and other concerns.
“Alexi was meeting with all of you that day, wasn’t he?” I ask Artem. His eyes widen, but he slowly nods.
“We were supposed to meet that day, but he didn’t show. We didn’t know anything was wrong until your father called to ask us if we’d seen him.”
“Where were you meeting?”
“Here. I catered lunch for all of us. We waited for him, but as Artem said, he never showed. It wasn’t until later that we learned the military picked him up and drafted him into the war against Ukraine. Then he just disappeared.”
“Wait, you heard the military picked him up? How? When?”
“Um,” Pavel says, glancing at Oleg for help. Since Oleg is glaring at Pavel, I don’t think Pavel will be getting much help from him.
“That was a rumor going around,” Artem chimes in. “We heard it from some tourists who say they witnessed it.”
I frown at his statement. I hadn’t heard anything about this. Did they really hear this story, or are they just making it up?”
“Do you think he never made it to Ukraine?” Skylar asks.
Artem shrugs. “I don’t know. We’ll likely never know. I’m sorry.”
I nod my appreciation, even though all I want to do is curl up and sleep. Sensing my regression back into depression, Skylar takes control of the conversation.
“So, you all met and discussed business?” Skylar asks. “Does that mean you’re all in importing and exporting, too?”
“No, my family is into private and business security,” Oleg says. “While Pavel owns this place and other nightclubs.”
“And my family has several art and antique galleries,” Artem explains.
“So, why would you meet to discuss business?” Skylar presses.
“Our businesses often overlap,” Oleg explains smoothly. “Artem and Pavel often hire my firm to supply security for special events.”
“We often use Alexandr’s import and export business to bring in new products or deliver products we’ve sold,” Artem says. “It’s why we’re all so close. Our families have been in business together for generations. Family is everything.”
“That all sounds fascinating,” Skylar says. “I would be very interested in doing a segment on each of you, if you could spare the time.”
“A segment?” Oleg asks, suspiciously.
Skylar bobs her head. “That’s what I do.
I travel the world and post about my experiences on social media.
I create content for several channels. One of my channels covers businesses from around the world.
My followers would love a tour of a Russian nightclub, especially if the young, charismatic owner gave the tour. ”
Pavel smirks, but bows toward Skylar. “It would be my pleasure to provide a tour of this nightclub and my other ones, if you’re interested?”
“I am interested, very interested. Especially, if you give me access to behind the scenes. Like this VIP room. It’s very secluded but still right in the middle of all the action.
I’d also be interested in any specialty drinks your bartenders have created or in information about the music you play.
I could come up with a list of ideas and run them past you? ”
“That would work,” Pavel agrees.
Skylar turns her attention to Artem. “I’d love to create a show on your art and antiquities business. I have a group of followers who love learning the history of places I visit, especially if I cover the art. Do you also represent new, up-and-coming artists?”
Artem grins at Skylar. “We do. We’re having a showing in two weeks that you might be interested in. If you’re going to still be with us.”
“I will be. I plan on spending at least another month in St. Petersburg. It’s so lovely here. Besides, I have to stay long enough to see Anya perform.” She grins at me before turning her attention to Oleg.
“As for you…”
“I can’t imagine anyone being interested in security,” Oleg waves her off. “We’re not the least bit interesting.”
“Not true. I have several female followers who adore books on hot security guys. They’ll be panting to get a look at you and your men—hot, Russian men with the strength to survive in a harsh environment.
I bet you have some former military in your employ, right?
That’s a whole other fetish my followers adore.
I think we could do a great segment on the challenges you face here in Russia compared to those of your counterparts in other nations.
I know you can’t go into specifics or anything confidential, but you can’t tell me you don’t have stories you use to wow women.
I won’t believe it if you say you don’t. ”
Skylar is in full-on flirt mode. I appreciate how she’s garnered their attention away from me.
Their fixation on her gives me a chance to study each of them.
Their gazes are intense, and the gleam in their eyes is more predatory than I would be comfortable being on the receiving end of.
I know Skylar can take care of herself, but my gut tells me it is time to leave.
“I hate to break up the party,” I interrupt. “But I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day. I need to get my sleep because practice starts on Monday, and then it's fourteen days of grueling practice before we open.”