AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her face lights up. “Oh! What a marvelous idea. I think there’s a small park not too far from here, though we’d need to ask the security team for clearance.”
Ah, right. The security team.
They were one of the first things I noticed when I arrived. Edvard was the one who reminded me to count all the cameras, the number of windows and locked doors, and any other obstacles that might keep me from making a quick and clean getaway. When Dimitri told me he was a government official, it took all my strength not to roll my eyes. He was almost half convincing.
“Boris?” Dahlia calls to someone down the hall. A man appears who was present the day of the bombing.
“What do you want?” he asks. “I’ve got to do my rounds in fifteen minutes.”
“Natalya and I were wondering if we could take Lev and Simon to the park. Could that be arranged?”
“You would need Dimitri’s permission.”
“Oh, come now! It’s just a walk to the park.”
“I don’t make the rules.”
“Ten minutes of fresh air,” I negotiate. “That’s all we ask. You could come with us.”
“But—”
“You said yourself you have fifteen minutes.”
Boris sighs. “I really can’t—”
“What’s going on?”
We all turn to see Dimitri entering the room. He’s dressed rather formally today in a neat black suit and polished black shoes. He walks in adjusting his silver cufflinks.
For a moment, I forget to breathe.
He’s gorgeous. There’s an old Hollywood charm about him. I think it’s the slight slant of his grin, so cocky and confident and radiant that it’s almost blinding.
“We want to go to the park,” I tell him.
“It’s not safe, sir,” Boris argues. “The team needs advanced notice to scout ahead.”
I furrow my brow. “To go to thepark?”
“Our team will be spread too thin,” the bodyguard continues. “Mr. Antonov has an important meeting to get to. We can’t spare any of our men.”
Dimitri is quiet for a moment. “Who’s my first appointment with?”
“The Stokayevskis, sir. And then the Alekovs. Concerning the casino operations?”
“Call them and reschedule.”
“Sir?”
“They’re old family friends, Boris. I’m sure Nicolai will forgive me. Tell the boys to bring the car around. We can drive to the park and be back before you give yourself a stroke.”
Hope rises in my chest. “It’s not that far. We could just walk.” I gesture to Lev. “And besides, I think your father would appreciate the fresh air.”
Dimitri nods. “Excellent idea.”
I swear the vein in Boris’ temple looks like it’s about to explode. Nevertheless, he doesn’t argue. “As you wish, sir.”
Chapter 11
