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“First day,” he says with entirely too much satisfaction. “And yet he showed up to work the next day, so I figured he had potential.” He pulls me hard against him and wraps his arms around me. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
“While dropping the kids off, I had an idea.”
“Does it involve seducing me between meetings? Because I could get on board with that idea.”
His hands slide down to my ass. I grab them and pull them back up. “Concentrate,Mr. Oryolov. That is not what I came here for. This is serious business.”
“Then you should have scheduled an appointment. Although that dolt out there probably would have fucked that up, too.”
I shake my head in amusement. “You know… I could always come back here and be your assistant.”
His eyebrows knit together but there’s a definitive smile on his face. “Hmm… I could offer you added benefits…”
“If you’re talking about the benefits I’m thinking of, then it’s a done deal.” His hands are wandering again so I twist out of his arms and put some distance between us. “But that’ll have to wait. You’re not paying attention.”
“If you wanted me to pay attention, you should have worn a different blouse.” I look down at my white silk blouse which I used to think was quite conservative. The way Ruslan is looking at me right now suggests otherwise, though. “Now, come here and—”
“This is about Adrik.”
That gets his attention. “Adrik?”
Suddenly, I feel nervous. Should I be butting in this way? Do I have the right to get involved in Bratva matters? When it comes to the family, demanding an equal voice is one thing. But Bratva business is a totally different ball game.
“Emma?”
Ruslan doesn’t sound annoyed or pissed. He sounds… curious?
I clear my throat. “It’s just an idea,” I say softly. “It’s yours to take or leave. I just thought it might help.”
He grows instantly serious. “Hold on. Let me get Kirill in here, too.” He rounds his desk to call in Kirill and I feel a thrill of excitement race down my back.
Not only is he prepared to hear me out, but he’s taking me seriously. I don’t say a word… but it means everything to me. Mostly, it means that we have a chance at a real future together. One based on mutual respect. Understanding.Love.
He will always be the alpha.
But I get to be his queen.
43
EMMA
“You don’t have to do this.”
I sigh. It’s probably the hundredth time he’s told me that in the last week. Okay, so maybe that’s aslightexaggeration. But we’ve entered the high double digits for sure.
“Ruslan…”
He shakes his head in exasperation. “I know. I fucking know. But what I don’t know is why I agreed to this crazy plan in the first place.”
“You thought this plan was brilliant when you first heard it.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “I don’t think I used the word ‘brilliant.’”
I put my hand under my chin cartoonishly. “No? Must’ve been ‘inspired’ then.”
“Not even close.”
“I’m positive I heard ‘bold.’”
