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I have been texting her for hours, and I’m pretty much in stalker mode now. I want her to tell me she’s okay because if she’s okay, then maybe we can be okay.
Sitting alone at home, I stare at my phone. She’s read the texts but not answered. I sigh and decide to draft a slightly more honest text. The simple solution is to go to the expert.
I knock on Natalia’s door and explain the situation before handing her my phone.
I know you’re reading my messages.
I’m sorry I interfered with your date last night. It was really condescending. To be honest, I was jealous that you would be into someone like Mikhail because that means I’m the bottom-of-the-barrel choice now. I know you said you wanted nothing to do with me, but I really want to make it up to you. I’m sorry for last night, and I would love to see you again to make it right. If you’re willing, meet me at the pier tonight. There’s a carnival in town, and I promise a fun night. I remember how you used to love carnivals.
Ev.
“Ev?” I look at her, scandalized. “And you already sent it without me approving it. I look like some emotional wreck of a man.” I stare at my sister, who smiles smugly.
“My older brother comes to me about a girl he hurt, that he can’t stop thinking about and that he desperately wants to prove himself to. No matter how fucking badass you are in the Bratva, you’re an emotional wreck of a man when it comes to her.”
She has a point, but I keep my grumpy face, grumble to myself, and leave, saying, “If she doesn’t reply, I’m coming for you.”
I try to focus on the work I need to do in my office, trying not to check my phone constantly. I even set her a unique sound so I can ignore other messages.
An hour passes until she finally messages, and I almost fall over reaching for the phone that has somehow made it to the outer rim of my desk. I open the message and read it quickly.
“What did she say?” Nat asks from the doorway.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. It worked.” I smile brightly. “She’s coming, and I can pick her up at six.”
Natalia pretends to be impressed and then laughs. “Have fun. I’m going out now. I have plans with some friends that involve me getting a tan.”
I look up sharply. “Please take a guard with you…at Ivan’s house….”
“I heard,” she interrupts me. “I will take two guards, don’t worry.”
I watch her leave and decide to get ready. I don’t want to dress as a businessman, so I put on a form-hugging white tee and a pair of jeans. I wear my Nike shoes but leave my stubble, which has gotten long.
I walk back to my office, where a guard is waiting for me. I frown. “And now?”
“One of our northern warehouses was raided. None of the blues on the payroll know anything about it, and they’ve confiscated everything, boss.”
Those warehouses are well-kept secrets. You’d have to be told about them to know where they are. I nod. “Get me a list of the cops involved in the raid. Maybe they can join our payroll.”
I glance at my watch. I have just enough time to go to my barber, and then I can fetch Shirley. My men drive me into New York City to this out-of-place barber. There are high-rise buildings on either side of his two-story office. He lives on top of his shop on the ground floor.
I walk in, and he glances up. “Cutting it close, Mr. Volkov.”
“No pun intended.” I smile. “A quick haircut and some beard maintenance, please. I am going out this evening.”
“In the chair, please.”
My guards stand nearby as Charles works his magic. I relax as he scalps, cuts, shapes, and otherwise makes me look a lot younger than I am. I stare into the mirror. Surely there wasn’t that much gray in my hair and beard before? I shake my head. It is my birthday soon. A sudden thought strikes me. I should throw a celebratory party and invite the Sorvinos and, therefore, Shirley.
It’s genius, but I think Natalia will have to put it together. I’m useless at that sort of thing. That would also give her something to keep her busy.
At six sharp, I’m outside Alessandro’s home. Instead of driving with my guards, they are following in another vehicle. I want privacy with Shirley, and I don’t want stories getting back to Ivan.
I stand outside the car and watch as Shirley walks toward me wearing tights, trainers, and a knitted jumper. She also has a fluffy scarf wrapped around her neck.
I offer her a smile and my hand, she takes it, and I help her into the car before I get into the driver's side. I wait for her to buckle up before I drive toward the pier.
She doesn’t say much, and the silence is a little awkward. When we arrive, I help her out of the car. She seems different. I don’t know why, but something about her screams that she isn’t the same as she was the last time I saw her when she got in that cab.
