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“Last question,” Maria’s voice rings out. “Do you have any plans for a honeymoon?”
Maxim’s hand, warm and steady, covers mine and a heady rush coasts over my skin. For some reason, I don’t want to play our game anymore.
“I have something very special planned for Kira. A surprise.”
“Ooh, that sounds lovely,” Maria coos as I steal back my hand.
He’s saying it for her benefit. Like his put-on charm and those politician-perfect smiles, his smooth words are another layer masking who he really is. But I will uncover that truth.
Maria informs us she has everything she needs and then thanks us warmly for the interview. She shakes Maxim’s hand.
When she turns to me, I gesture towards the door. “Let me escort you out,” I offer.
Maxim's eyes narrow as if questioning my motives, but he doesn’t say anything, and I don’t offer an explanation.
As we walk through the hall towards the entranceway, Maria turns to me. "You know, I've covered Maxim for years, and I’ve never seen him like this. So alive."
I don’t know what to make of her revelation. Obviously Maxim is a great actor when he wants to be.
“Like what? How was he before?” I realize this is the perfect opportunity to get some answers, not only about Maxim’s past. As a journalist, she might know something about my aunt.
“There’s a spark that’s been missing for a long time. But I see it again, and it’s all because of you.”
I’m about to ask her why he lost his spark in the first place when a dark shadow appears out of nowhere.
“Mrs. Tokarev, I trust you got everything you required,” Nadya says, inserting herself between us.
Maria smiles, but I sense an underlying annoyance. “I did. Thank you for arranging everything. It’s been such a delight to meet the wonderful Kira that everyone is so curious about.”
I don’t want to miss the chance to pick Maria’s brain. “Maybe we can meet for coffee one?—”
“Thank you again for your time,” Nadya interrupts me. “I have arranged a limo for you. It’s waiting outside.” The older woman gestures towards the door, leaving no room for argument.
Maria takes my hand in hers. "It was truly a pleasure, Kira. Thank you." With a final nod, she turns and leaves, her steps echoing through the foyer.
As soon as Maria is out of earshot, I whirl around to face Nadya. "Stay out of my business," I snap, my frustration boiling over. "I don’t need you to monitor my every move.”
Nadya steps closer, her gaze sharp, fingers absently playing with the cross around her neck. "You have no right to befriend a journalist. It’s not onlyyourreputation at stake," she fires back with a stern tone. "You'd do well to remember that."
“And you’d do well to remember that I'm the lady of this house, and I certainly don’t answer to you.”
Nadya's eyes narrow, and she lets out a slow, measured breath. "We’ll see about that," she says, her voice laced with thinly veiled contempt. "I was here before you, and I’ll still be here long after you're gone." With that, she turns and walks away, leaving a tense silence in her wake.
A realization dawns on me, sharp and unbidden. Nadya must be in love with Maxim. It's the only thing that makes sense, the only reason she'd act so possessive over him.
I’m quite sure Maxim doesn’t reciprocate her feelings, but the whole thing is so weird. I really need to hurry up and dig harder into Maxim’s connection with my aunt’s murder.
And the mayor’s dinner party in a few days is the perfect place to do some digging.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
KIRA
“Doesthat man ever give you a moment to yourself?” Liza shoots Roman a disdainful look from across the living room. Not that Roman’s noticed. He’s busy pacing, alternating between talking and typing on his phone. It's been like this all morning.
“Ignore him. He’s too busy with whatever is going on to care about what we’re doing.” I shift, reaching for the pot of tea and pouring us each a cup.
It’s not like he doesn’t give us space, but I understand her annoyance—having him shadow me everywhere is irritating. On the bright side, at least it's not Pavel. That would be a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone.
