Page 122 of Beguiled

“So he could be anyone.” I thought about my last full conversation with Tawny.

“Yes. He could be. He has the money to create a new identity that stretches back years. My guess is he’s amassed enough powerful friends he can hide anywhere and right now, my instinct tells me he’s doing so in plain sight. Which is why after we get some coffee and you get dressed, you’re going to start from the beginning and try and remember every detail. There’s a necklace I found on the roof that I’m hoping you can identify.”

He threw back the covers, kissing me on the forehead before climbing out of bed.

“Okay,” I mostly whispered.

“Which also means you are stuck with me for the time being.” He was trying to be jovial, even laughing as he headed to his closet. “No kidding this time. You’re not to leave this house unless I give the okay and with protection.”

“Okay, fine.” Was it possible what I was thinking was real?

“What’s wrong? You’re agreeing.”

“Is there a nickname for Mikhail?”

“What?” He moved closer to the bed, his eyes searching mine.

“Is there some nickname. You know, like Jeff for Jeffrey?”

He cocked his head. “Misha or Mishka. Why?”

“Do you have any pictures of Mikhail?”

“I’m sure I can find one. Why?”

I scrambled out of bed. “Did you bring me some clothes from the apartment?”

“Yes, along with everything for your cat. It’s downstairs. What are you remembering, Saige?”

“I need a picture of Mikhail. I think the man Tawny had a date with on the night she asked me to work for her might be your brother.”

“What?” He walked closer until he was so close my heart began to thud. “What makes you say that?”

“Something she said.”

“Talk to me.”

“Does Isabelle mean anything?”

His entire body tensed. “Why?”

“The name of the boat.Lady Isabelle.”

“That was the name of Kazimir and Mikhail’s mother. Why, Saige? I need to know.”

A series of prickling shocks drifted through me.

“Because Tawny showed me a picture of both the yacht and her date while he was on the phone. And she called him by name. Miska.”

CHAPTER 26

Stash

“No,” Saige said with certainty. “That’s not the man from the picture.”

“You’re certain,” I said, more in disbelief than anything.

The tension in the living room was high.