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There was an informal dining room off the main living room area and a small buffet had been set up with chafing dishes. I closed my eyes as I inhaled and opened them again to find Marat grinning at an older woman who was carrying a tray of coffee.
“Oh, Mr. Volkov, you are such a flirt,” the older woman said and giggled as he took the tray from her and kissed her weathered cheek.
“You wound me, fair lady! Come now, you know you are my best girl, Rosa,” he told her with false sincerity.
She seemed to know all about him and his shenanigans, and whacked him with her tea towel for his efforts. Good for her. Her eyes flashed to mine, and she nodded nervously. I smiled at her, and she blinked before smiling back.
“Oh, this one is polite. Not like the others,” she whispered to Marat, but I could still hear her.
“Good morning, or should I say, afternoon, Sofia. Rosa, this one is Adrik’s, not mine,” Marat corrected her, and relief filled me.
I didn’t want to be just another one night stand. Even if I kinda sorta was. Shit. When this was over, it was going to crush me. But even knowing it, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting him and needing him. Speaking of which.
“Is Adrik here?” I asked, but Marat’s face clouded over.
“Sit down. Let’s eat,” he said, and I wanted to refuse, but my stomach was growling.
I made a plate, joining Marat at the table. He looked worried and kept his phone next to his cup of coffee.
“Adrik is gone. He had to leave the country,” he started.
“What?”
“There was a problem at one of our mines, and he needed to go in person to take care of it. He got the call very early, Sofia, but he did not want to wake you.”
“When will he be back?” I asked.
“I don’t know. These things depend on a lot of different moving parts. There are government officials involved, corporate enemies.”
“Geez. The business world seems every bit as cutthroat as the criminal world,” I murmured and covered my mouth with one hand.
“Ha! You might be right. Going legit was not as difficult a transition as one might think. And yes, the powerful operate very much like the mafia,” Marat confided with a frankness I hadn’t expected.
“I don’t, I mean, I can’t stay here without him,” I said, wiping my mouth after I finished eating.
“Sofia, no. I’m sorry, but he won’t want you to leave,” Marat replied.
“You can’t keep me here. And since we don’t know when he will return, I don’t feel right.”
“Just wait a few days, okay? Let’s wait to hear from him at least. Will you do that?”
I nodded my head and stood up, like the weak person I’d somehow become. I was hurt that he hadn’t bothered to wake me to say goodbye, and I was desperate for some kind of confirmation that what we shared wasn’t something I’d just imagined. Was it just fate that took him from me the one night I said yes and stayed? Or was it an excuse?
Marat had some people go to the penthouse to collect my things, but all I really wanted was my laptop. Still, it was nice to have clothes and my skin care regime with me. February was bitterly cold.
All the forced heat made my skin dry, but that was nothing compared to how hollow my heart felt. I stared at my cell phone, waiting for a reply I knew was not coming.
Day One
Adrik? Marat gave me your number. Can you give me an update?
Day Two
I’m still here. Waiting.
Day Three
I miss you. Can you call or text, so I know you are safe?
