Chapter Seventeen Vladimir
Dominic and I leave Alexi at the hotel to make some calls.
He has a few people he trusts to keep his resurrection a secret while they assist him in discovering who set him up for death.
Dominic and I arrive at Alexandr’s house at the specified time to find Skylar and Anya ready to go.
Once they’re seated in the limo with us, Skylar takes control of the situation.
“I spoke with Cleo last night. She claims you’re a good guy,” Skylar says.
I grin at the suspicion in her tone. Cleo may have put in a good word for me, but it’s obvious Skylar still has her doubts.
“I’m not a saint, but I try to be a good guy,” I smirk.
“You tried to kidnap Cleo. That’s how she met Hex.”
I nod in agreement. “I did attempt to kidnap Cleo, but not because I wanted to hurt her. My father thought he could use her to pressure her father into bankrolling his projects. When I learned about his plan, I intervened. I think business dealings should be between the men and women making them. Bringing innocents into it is not something I approve of.”
“But you’re willing to force Anya into marrying you if Alexandr selects you to replace Alexi?” Skylar pushes.
Anya flinches at Skylar’s words. Studying her, I see the fear she’s desperately trying to hide.
“You’re assuming that I approve of Alexandr’s decision.
” I’m speaking to Skylar, but I’m watching Anya.
When Anya lifts hopeful eyes to mine, I’m struck again by her beauty.
Anya has delicate features, but she exudes strength.
She has perfect posture and holds herself in such a way that I could easily see her ruling a country with dignity and intelligence.
I’ve never met someone who naturally emulates royalty to such a degree.
“You don’t approve of what my father is doing?” Anya quietly asks.
“I understand why he wants to find someone to take over for him when he retires. Your father has built an impressive business. What I don’t understand is his decision to include you in the deal.”
“He wants to ensure that the business stays within the family. He expects it to go to my children.”
“Yes, I figured that out. I think he could accomplish this without upending your life,” I say.
Her expression turns quizzical. “You think I don’t want to marry?”
“I think you are someone who has dreams. Someone who wants to decide if and who she’ll marry.”
Anya studies me before responding. “I do have dreams. One day, I would like to marry and have children, but before I do, I want to dance. When I landed the role of the Lilac Fairy, I thought I was one step closer to my dream of traveling the world and performing with a troupe. Now…”
“Now, you think your dream is over instead of beginning?” I acknowledge with a nod. “Have you told your father?”
Anya shares a look with Skylar before shaking her head. “I can’t. This is too important to him. Losing Alexi almost destroyed him. I can’t disappoint him by going against his wishes. I love him.”
“If you told him how you feel…” Skylar starts, but Anya shakes her head.
“I can’t do that. It will crush him. He believes he’s doing the right thing for his business and for me. He counted on Alexi being alive to take care of them both. His dying changed things.”
The hitch in her voice has me wanting to pull her into my arms and soothe her by telling her the truth about Alexi. If I weren’t worried about putting her in danger, I might have relented. However, until we know who tried to kill Alexi, I won’t put Anya in the crossfire.
“So, this party tonight, what do you know about the others who will be attending?” I ask Anya to distract her from thinking about Alexi. “Have you met any of the men your father is considering?”
“I’ve met them all,” Anya admits. “The night I learned about winning my role in The Sleeping Beauty, Skylar and I went to a dance club. All three men were there. They invited us to join them in the VIP section.”
“What are they like?” I ask both Skylar and Anya. Dominic shifts next to me. As my second-in-command, he wants to learn all he can about the men who might be responsible for the attempt on Alexi’s life.
“I don’t know what to say,” Anya hedges. “They’re powerful men.”
“They’re spoiled playboys,” Skylar snaps. “They come from money, and they enjoy the life their fathers’ money can give them. All three of them play at their jobs. They act like every other trust fund baby I’ve ever met.”
“How do you really feel?” I ask Skylar with a grin.
“Yeah, don’t hold back now,” Dominic chuckles.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m serious. I watched them that night, and each one of them only talked about the perks they get for being who they are.
Pavel was the worst. He uses his father’s nightclubs to pick up women.
I talked to a few of the girls who were in the VIP section with us, and they said Pavel and his friends are there every night. ”
“The three of them?” I ask.
Skylar nods.
“What about Oleg and Artem? Did they mention anything about their family businesses? Oleg’s family owns a security firm, right?”
“They do. I asked him about what his company does. He gave me the company line, which matches word-for-word what's on their website. I checked. When I tried to push him for more details, he claimed he couldn’t tell me anything more because it would be a breach of security. I hadn’t asked him anything that would be considered confidential.
He just didn’t understand enough about the business. ”
“What did you ask him?” I prod her.
“I asked what kind of security they provided for their clients. For example, I asked whether they offered bodyguards or extended to computer and network security. I was considering doing an episode on the challenges faced by security firms in Russia versus those in the United States. I explained that while I thought their services would overlap, he might be able to give me some information about where they differ.”
“And he wasn’t interested?”
“I think it was more than that. He stared at me as if he didn’t know how to answer, rather than someone trying to protect their secrets.”
“Were you really considering doing a show on his business? I could see doing an episode at the nightclub or Artem’s art gallery, but a security firm?” Dominic asks.
Skylar snorts. “No, I wasn’t considering it. I was trying to get the three men talking, and usually bringing up my show does the job. Everyone fancies seeing themselves on television, even if it is just a podcast.”
“Why were you trying to get to know them?”
“Because they are the ones my girl here might have to marry. I wanted to help her get to know them, and maybe we could identify which would be the better choice.”
I study Anya, who flushes at her friend’s statement. “You want to find someone who would support your career in ballet?” I muse.
Anya shrugs. “I don’t imagine I’ll get that lucky. If I have to get married, I hope it is to someone who doesn’t make my life miserable.”
Anya’s words cast a pall over our group as we make the rest of the trip to the boutique in silence.
I study Anya’s profile as she stares outside the window.
She appears stoic, but I can see the occasional tremor in her bottom lip.
I could kill Alexandr for forcing this situation on her.
I feel a twinge of guilt as I realize I’m contributing to her stress.
All I have to do is tell her that Alexi is alive.
However, I keep my mouth shut and shift my attention to the storefronts that we pass.
Anya is suffering, but her suffering has an expiration date.
The driver drops us off in front of a boutique with mannequins displaying several stylish, elaborate dresses. Skylar is in the lead, frowning when the door doesn’t open. She turns to look at me. “They’re closed.”
“They are,” I agree, stepping forward to knock on the glass.
A woman rushes forward and unlocks the door. “Mr. Zoloth?”
I smile and nod. “Yes, I’m Vladimir Zoloth. Thank you for closing the shop so we can shop in private.”
“It was my pleasure,” the woman beams at me. “I take it you’re shopping for these young women?”
“They need dresses for a special dinner tonight. If you could assist them…”
“Of course, come this way,” she says, walking away.
Anya follows her, but Skylar turns to me. “You paid to close the shop down?”
“I didn’t want to take any chances. Someone tried to grab you and Anya yesterday. I thought it was prudent to lock the store down so you could shop in peace.”
Skylar looks at Anya, and I can see the relief on her face. “That was smart. Anya needs some peace.”
Dominic and I take the only seats available in the store.
They are facing the dressing rooms. We chuckle as the girls dash in and out, showing each other their dresses.
Their critique of the styles is brutal. Skylar finds her dress fairly quickly, so she focuses on helping Anya.
Dominic and I soon grow bored as we wait for Anya to decide.
I can tell she’s reluctant to pick something.
She looks beautiful in every dress, and I’m about to say this to her when she steps out in a dress that sucks the breath out of my lungs.
Blue silk, the same color as her eyes, wraps around her frame like a lover.
It drapes over one shoulder, leaving the other bare, highlighting her toned arms and elegant neck.
The material creates a waterfall over her hips and cascades to the floor, offering delectable glimpses of toned thighs and taut calves.
The sound of Skylar laughing snaps me out of my trance.
I glance at her to see her and Anya watching me.
“I think he approves,” Skylar smirks at a blushing Anya.
“Do you approve?” Anya asks softly.
The woman before me is exquisite. Any man would consider himself lucky to have her on his arm. The thought of her being nothing more than that has me wanting to punch something. Or someone. I turn and walk away before Anya can see the anger and pity in my eyes.