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He nodded. “Yes. You.”
“I’m…” She struggled to find the words to describe her warring feelings, then lifted her chin. “I’m fine of course. I’ll transfer the money into your account a couple of weeks after I have access to it.”
Moving money too soon after her father’s death would raise suspicion.
Roman had sent his account information via encrypted message, and for once in her life, she’d had a feeling of control. There would be no seeking her father’s approval for the wire transfer — no seeking his approval for anything ever again.
“Thank you,” Roman said. “I’m sorry you’ve had to make this decision.”
She looked up at him, suddenly curious. “Are you?”
“Yes.” He sounded sincere. “I won’t lie and say I’m sorry you made it, but I am sorry you feel the need to make it. I understand being forced to play your hand. We have that in common.”
From all she’d heard of Roman’s father, Valeriya couldn’t disagree.
“Soon we’ll both be free,” Valeriya said.
“From your mouth to god’s ears.” Roman turned to leave, then stopped. “For what it’s worth, I really do think you’re a magnificent woman.”
She smiled. “A pity you’ll never know for sure.”
“My loss is another man’s gain.”
She stared after him, wondering if it would ever be true.
21
Ruby
“You don’t like it?”
Ruby startled at the sound of Vera’s voice, then followed Vera’s gaze to the sandwich on Ruby’s plate.
“What? No! It’s delicious,” Ruby said.
Vera scowled from where she was cleaning up in the kitchen after a marathon cooking spree to stock Roman’s refrigerator and freezer with home-cooked meals.
“You don’t eat the things you like?” Vera asked.
Her Russian accent made Ruby smile. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking about my daughter.”
Vera walked around the island that ran the length of the designer kitchen and took a seat next to Ruby at the dining table. She was wearing her uniform of slacks and a blouse, her gray hair pulled back into her trademark bun, so tight it looked painful.
Vera put a hand over Ruby’s, her dark eyes sympathetic. “It is not natural for a mother to be separated from her child.”
“That’s exactly how it feels,” Ruby said. “Unnatural.”
“Roman will fix this,” Vera said. “He will make it so you’re with your daughter again soon.”
His name hit Ruby in the chest like a backdraft. It had been five days since they’d had sex on the sofa and she’d been angry at herself ever since.
She’d worked so hard to keep her distance in the three weeks she’d been at the loft and it had all gone to shit because of one late-night fuck.
Now she couldn’t stop thinking about him, couldn’t stop replaying the way his hands had felt on her body, the way his cock had felt buried inside her, completing her like a long-lost puzzle piece she hadn’t known she was missing.
Worst of all was the memory of his kiss, his lips both supple and demanding, claiming her mouth like an invading general who planned on taking no prisoners.
She drew in a breath. “I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. My ex-husband is… difficult.”
