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When it comes to everything else here in Atlanta, specifically with the Steele family, things are going flawlessly. They let us know what they need from us, and we make sure to deliver by the dates they’ve set in place. Between our two families, we don’t have anything to worry about. The Umarovas are powerful in our own rite, but the Steeles have power associated with their name as well.
It really makes me think that while I’m still here in Atlanta, I should be looking into things for Emily. Ludvik is doing a good job with the connections he has, and I know if anything turns up, he’s going to tell me… but I can at least support Emily in other ways.
Until Ludvik comes back with more information, I can’t really do much. All I can do is twiddle my thumbs and wait, but Emily’s going to be facing her family very soon to let them know about the baby in the first place. From everything she’s said to me, her parents won’t be supportive or have welcoming arms. They were raised a certain way, and that means things are more difficult than we’d like.
I hope they don’t try to ostracize her for her choices. She was only a child when she made them. A scared, desperate child at that. I can only imagine what would’ve been running through my mind if I were in her shoes. In my opinion, it’s only natural that Emily went to her aunt for help because who else can you trust besides family? It’s unfortunate that events have played out the way they have, but no one can go back in time and turn the tables.
I’m going to do what I can for Emily, whether that means digging deeper with Ludvik or simply being by her side. We’re going to get through this mess together, no matter how rough it gets.
“The concierge did ask me to relay a message to you. They wanted to know if you’ll be extending your stay or if the last day of booking is the final day you’re here.”
“It’ll be the final day,” I tell Ludvik, and the fact Emily hasn’t told me about her decision plagues my mind. I pray she wants to go back to Grozny with me, but if she doesn’t, I’ll make sure to find another way the two of us can be together.
No matter what it takes, I’m not giving up on how great we are together.
Chapter Fifteen
Emily
Today has been the worst fucking day at work ever. I mean it too! I’m not exaggerating in the least bit. Michael’s been nothing but a total fucking asshole, and when I say he’s been an asshole, I mean a royal one. He made another sexual remark toward me under his breath this morning. It was so low that only I could hear it as he walked by, and then he stared at me like I was the star of an upcoming wet dream. It was disgusting and exhausting at the same time.
Kim and I have been working on a project together, which has been a total delight. Out of all my coworkers, Kim is my favorite, hands down. Not only does he have the best fashion sense, but I can talk to him about anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s personal or business. He’s always got some sort of reply for me.
“What’s with your sour puss attitude?” Kim asks as he rounds the corner, seeing me staring down at my desktop.
I look up at him and try not to glare, but I feel like one’s been stuck on my face for half of the day already. “I’m just over the boss, literally. I’m tired of how much of a pervert he is, and it’s disgusting. I feel like I don’t even have to say that. Of course, it’s disgusting when he does the same shit to me. This is exactly why I needed to get away in the first place, and it’s why I’m seriously thinking about Lom’s proposal,” I huff, releasing every bit of pent-up energy that I have.
“Um, I’m sorry… what did you just say? Did you say a proposal? Did Mr. Dark Possessive Handsome propose to you, Emily?” Kim raises both of his brows and stares at me until I make some sort of effort to speak.
“No, not the kind of proposal you’re thinking about. Lom told me that he’s moving back to Grozny, and he wants me to go with him.”
There’s a thick silence quickly growing between the two of us.
“Sweetheart, why in God’s name are you even debating that? He asked you to move across the world with him! If that isn’t a major romantic gesture, then I don’t know what the hell is. Fuck, I have a hard enough time getting men to give me their number… and you have some handsome man wanting you to move across the world with him. Are you even hearing yourself right now?”
The more Kim speaks, the more I realize how big this is, not just for me but for Lom too. Everything I know about his past points to him being the biggest playboy around, and he asked me to move with him. Maybe all I needed was for Kim to knock some sense into me. I’ve even had the worst time deciding on whether or not I was going to actually go to Grozny, but the positives heavily outweigh the negatives in this situation.
Out of nowhere, Michael motions for me to come into his office, and as much as I want to tell him to go fuck himself, this could actually be work-related. “I’m being summoned,” I tell Kim and roll my eyes as I walk away from my work bestie.
I push on Michael’s door, and I’m not even in his office for more than two seconds before he barks out a demand. “You need to work overtime tonight.”
“I don’t, actually. I have plans, and there is a previous obligation that I can’t back out of.”
Michael stops staring at his computer and looks right at me. “If you value your job here, you’re going to make sure you can attend tonight… and if you can’t, then I don’t know what to tell you. Actually, I do. You’ll have to make it up in other ways.” Michael grazes his eyes over my body, up and down slowly until his eyes are right on my knockers. God, this dude is despicable.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but I’m not a prostitute you hired off the streets. I won’t be doing anything you insinuate I should be doing, now or later. I’m done with this place.” I march out of his office and head straight for my desk. I pick up my purse and grab some of my personal belongings, stuffing them in my oversized tote as best as I can.
“You’re fired, Emily! Do you hear me?!” Michael screams at the top of his lungs while standing in the doorway of his office.
“Fired? I quit, Michael. There’s a difference between the two. I, for one, am not going to stay employed at a place where the head honcho constantly feels the need to comment or stare at my ass and boobs. I’m also not going to deal with your bullshit insinuations because I can’t fucking stand it anymore. This is a workplace, not an escort marketplace!”
I throw the stapler I bought and the pens I brought into my purse and make eye contact with Kim. He has “you go, girl” written all over his expression. In fact, I think he might be a bit proud of how I’m handling myself right now.
Michael doesn’t know what to say to that, so he keeps his mouth in a small “o”, and then before he can say another smart-ass thing to me, I’m walking down the hallway toward the elevators. I’m done with this company, and now there’s nothing holding me back from moving with Lom to Grozny.
***
I think about heading home, but I don’t want to head home just yet. I need to get some shit off my chest, and I really need to vent. As I unlock my car and slide behind the wheel, I decide to go to Lom’s hotel suite.
