AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Boris’s voice speaks in my ear. “It’s payback time, you little shit.”
Everything goes black.
CHAPTER 37
Arianna
Ipretend to be walking the venue, checking in on everything, but in reality I’m pacing. Dimitri was supposed to be here an hour ago. He texted me when he left home, it’s a half hour drive, and… I check the time on my phone. It’s twenty to midnight. Where the hell is he?
“Good work tonight.” Tarina smiles when I glance up. “You should go join your friends and have some fun. It’s almost midnight. We’ll talk next week about your permanent position here at Leonidas.”
My heart soars. “Really? You’ll hire me on full-time?”
“Like I said, we’ll discuss the details later. But yes. You’ve put in a lot of hard work and you’ll be rewarded for it. Just be sure to stick around here until after the midnight fireworks. Then you’re free to go.”
“I’ll be here.” I beam at her as she walks away. I got the job! Inwardly I do a happy dance and thank the stars above. This is my dream and it’s finally come true.
I’m so excited. The first thing I want to do is tell Dimitri the news.
My elation washes away as I go in search of Sophia and Roman, finding them in the gaming room.
“Have you seen or heard from Dimitri?” I ask.
They glance at each other. Sophia answers. “No. Why?”
“He sent me a message an hour and a half ago that he was on his way. But he’s not here.”
“Maybe something came up?” Sophia says in a sympathetic tone.
“Maybe.” I back away from their table and send Dimitri another text. He hasn’t answered my last two. Then I message Maks as well.
Finding a quiet corner, I wait, my gaze locked on my screen. The minutes tick by, each one haunting me until a knot solidifies in my stomach. This isn’t like them. Maks is especially quick to respond—it’s his job. What could possibly have come up to keep them from replying?
My imagination summons all kinds of terrible events. But none of them—other than death or incapacitation—could result in them not having access to their phones.
Unless they’re in a dead zone. For over an hour? Unlikely.
But even if something came up at work, Dimitri would have let me know. Right?
“You look stunning tonight.” Connor’s voice settles over me. “Though you also seem distressed. What’s wrong, gorgeous?”
My gaze meets his bright blue eyes. There’s concern in them, but I can’t tell if it’s real or not. He looks devastatingly handsome in that tuxedo, his hair perfectly styled, his cologne spicy and masculine. Yet his good looks do nothing for me. My heart and body don’t respond to his presence at all.
There’s only one man I want. Only one man who stirs my emotions.
“I’m waiting for Dimitri. He’s late and not responding to my texts.” My brow pinches with worry.
Connor studies me for a quiet moment. Rocking back on his heels, he sighs. “I don’t have a chance with you do I?”
“No.” My truth comes out in a whisper.
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
Swallowing hard, I nod.
“I see.” He briefly bows his head. “In that case, I wish you two much happiness.”
He spins on his heel and disappears into the crowd. I release a relieved sigh. That encounter could have been much more awkward and difficult than it was. I’m glad whatever small thing we had between us is officially over.
