Page 58 of Scarred Ruin

Instead of opening the note, I curled my fingers and pulled my hand away. “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

“Oh, come on. Everyone is curious since it’s not your birthday.”

“No, it is not. Tell them it’s none of their damn business.” Yes, my tone was biting as hell because I was furious.

“Seriously. Are you angry with him? I overheard John say something about how you handled the guy from the city building department. Wasn’t he going to deny the project sight unseen?”

“Yes, Mr. Abbott had a stick up his butt the size of a redwood.” Which was true, but I knew the flowers weren’t meant as a thank you. I walked around my desk in a wide arc in my attempt to avoid looking at them. They were gorgeous, constantly drawing my eye. No one had sent me flowers in years.

If Steve had been forced, he would have picked a couple of daisies from the side of the road after they’d been run over by a semi.

“So the project isn’t dead in the water.”

“No,” I admitted. “I was certain he knew I was good friends with the head of the City of Charleston Department of Human Resources and Organizational Development, who happened to be dating the man’s boss.”

Julie walked further into my office, her mouth hanging open. “You used blackmail?”

Smiling about slipping into that gray area Hope had mentioned was easy. Call me a bad girl for the day. “I did.”

“Well, there you go. I think Mr. Aristov is eternally grateful.”

“Maybe you’re right. Don’t forget we have a team meeting at three. Maybe you should casually remind everyone.”

Julie chuckled. “I get the hint and will do.”

I didn’t wait for her to close the door before I tore open the envelope. How many more games would I need to play with the man?

For my angel-khranitel’

Max

That was it.

No invitation to dinner. No ‘thank you’ for the blackmail.

But his choice of words said everything I needed to know.

He believed he owned me.

I closed my eyes while tapping the card onto my other hand. If I didn’t reclaim my autonomy right now, he would take my silence as agreement that he owned me.

While the gesture was lovely, the sentiment very nice, I wasn’t fooled easily. Besides, my rational side was screaming I couldn’t go through my life having bodyguards. That was ridiculous. Who lived that way?

The only thing I could do was to hit this head on. My fingers were curled, ready to toss the flowers into the trash. Until the amazing scent reminded me doing so would be foolish.

I snatched my phone from my purse and before I lost my nerve, I dialed his number. Wouldn’t you know that it went straight to voicemail.

“Mr. Aristov. I believe we have some business to discuss. Please call me at your earliest convenience. Thank you.”

I ended the call satisfied. I’d been very professional without highlighting my fury.

When he called, I’d be ready.

Now it was time to get my head wrapped around work and leading my team into the next week.

Except that he didn’t call.

By the time the meeting was only ten minutes away, I’d grown highly frustrated, finding it nearly impossible to concentrate on work. I headed out of the office to freshen up before talking with the crew, instantly noticing one of the men was loitering in the upstairs lobby. He was checking his phone, trying to act like he belonged.