“Or it could be a trap,” Edik replies. “For your safety we need to get Annika out of the house and-”
“No,” I cut him off, stopping him with a cold stare. “We don’t do anything to her until I say. I have Yana watching her at all times and I’ve already switched Annika’s old phone for one of mine. She hasn’t stepped out of line yet but if she does, we’ll know about it.”
Edik looks at me as if he wants to argue, but he clamps his mouth shut and lets out a steadying breath.
“Very well,” he says to me at least. “But I don’t like this waiting around for her to do something. We should put her through a test.”
I have to admit, Edik has a point. Give her an opportunity to make a move and see what she does.
“The private auction tonight of the Yvaganov estate,” I say. “I was planning on going anyway. The other families will be there. I’ll take Annika with me. You and Yana will both be there towatch over us, but I’ll give Annika a couple chances to slip away. If she does, if she talks to anyone, you let me know.”
I know it won’t take much convincing for Annika to be on board with this. It has been a week since she’s moved into the house and although she seems to be happier now that she has a studio, I have no doubt that she will jump at the opportunity to leave the compound.
Edik nods, then a rare glimmer of pity touches his dark brown eyes. It instantly has me pissed off.
“What?” I snap.
“I hope she’s not a spy,Pakhan.I know you like her.”
“I like tofuckher,” I correct him as the car pulls up to the compound gates. “There’s a difference.”
I catch another glimmer of pity and now I’m even more pissed off.
“Go get cleaned up,” I order him as a guard opens the town car door for us. “I’ll handle the debriefing with Yana and getting Annika in order. We leave in two hours.”
As I make my way inside the house and toward the solarium I feel my body spark with need. Even just being in proximity of my wife makes my cock hard and blood warm, and I haven’t even seen her yet. Instead of heading inside the solarium, though, Ibeckon to Yana. She’s been there every day since I gifted Annika her studio. Staying close to my wife while still giving her space. That’s going to have to change though. Until I’m certain Annika isn’t part of this act of betrayal. Yana comes to me at once, and I have her follow me upstairs.
“What has she been doing today?” I ask.
“Same as she always does these past few days,” Yana replies. “She works on her sculptures.”
“Has she eaten?”
The question slips from my mind before I can stop it, and I feel annoyed that I even care. I have to get in front of that. Especially if she could be my enemy.
“I stop her every few hours so she can have a meal or a snack, but she’s quick about it and goes back to work,” Yana replies, then I catch a smirk on her face.
“What?” I demand.
“She’s as dedicated to work as you are. As all of us are,Pakhan.I believe she is one of us.”
Her words bring me to a full stop, and I focus my gaze completely on Yana.
“Don’t be so sure,” I reply, then fill her in on what Edik and I discovered today. I study Yana’s face as I tell her the news, and I take in a spark of surprise. Maybe even a tinge of disbelief before her face draws back to a void expression.
"You don’t think it’s her?" I ask.
"She hasn’t taken any phone calls. Even when her phone rings," Yana replies. "All her focus is on her sculpting. If she’s working as a spy, why would she ignore communication?”
I take in Yana’s words, my mind churning.
"Still. She gets no more privacy. I want her phone screened and I want you closer to her person. I know she doesn’t like it but if she asks just tell her it’s necessary."
When I finish giving Yana her new commands she just nods, and I dismiss her.
In the master bedroom I undress and make quick work of scrubbing myself clean in the shower. I try to focus on anything other than Annika being my potential enemy but evidence of her is everywhere. Her body wash, her razor, her shampoo and conditioner for those long dark blonde locks. By the time I dress in a clean suit and go to the closet to pick out a dress for her, my body feels absolutely torn between rage and the need to fuck.
I feel my mood sour further as I look through the hangers of designer clothes and notice that all of them still have their tagson. I did this for her. Bought her these nice things. Jewelry. Built her a studio- and she’s been spying on me?!
