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Andy’s statement about the weather told me that something was off, but I couldn’t get details just yet. It confirmed my gut feeling that I was missing something.
We rode the elevator to my office. I wanted to look through my files in my office. I threw the jewelry box down on my desk as I sat and started leafing through files on my desk. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for, but I knew I would know it when I saw it. I needed as much information on Salvadori’s brother as I could find.
After half an hour with still no luck, I called to Viktor. He stuck his head inside my office, “Yes, Boss?”
“I think we should take the helicopter home. I still have a bad feeling.”
“I already called it, sir. It’ll be here in 10 minutes, ready whenever you are.”
“Thank you, Viktor.” I smiled to myself, knowing they were already taking every precaution to keep us safe and protected, which ultimately meant that Sephie would also be safe and protected. She had been on my mind the entire afternoon. I was still in shock over what she had endured in her short life. She had every reason to be hateful, to be mad at the world, to see the evil in everything and everyone. Instead, she was exactly the opposite. She practically exuded love and happiness. She had moments where her past would show up and her light would dim but only briefly. She was incredibly strong. I was in awe of her. The more I learned about her, the deeper I was falling for her.
I stood up from my desk. It was time to go. I needed to feel her in my arms.
Chapter Fifteen
Sephie
When I came out of the gym, Andrei was facing the door, looking more nervous than a man of his size ever should. I chuckled. He raised his eyebrows, looking expectantly at me. “So…?”
I pointed both of my thumbs at my chest and asked, “Who’s your favorite?”
He inhaled sharply, “She’s interested?”
“Bubba, she’s just as smitten with you as you are with her. She’s had a crush on you since she got here. Thank God I stepped in. You two would be in your sixties before you ever had a conversation about this.” I grabbed his hand, walking back down the hall toward his bedroom. “We’re waiting in here until she leaves the gym. I need to have a coaching session with you on how to talk to girls anyway. Then, you and she are spending time together, alone, while I cook dinner for everyone.”
“But, sestrichka, I can’t leave you alone until Boss returns.”
“I’ll be in the next room. You can even move the couches, so I’m in your line of sight. It’ll be fine. I’ll tell Adrik that it was my idea, so he doesn’t yell at you. Come on, you have like one chance to be alone with her, so fucking take it,” I said as I pointed my finger at him.
He laughed as he shook his head at me. “Yes, ma’am.”
After we heard Tori walk past his door, we ventured out toward the kitchen again. As we walked by the doors to the back patio, I had an idea.
“Do you have a pocketknife?”
“Da. Why?” he asked, reaching into his pocket to produce his knife. He held it in his palm.
I grabbed it, then grabbed his arm, pulling him after me. “Come with me. I have an idea.”
“I don’t like your ideas when you’re armed. Misha was right. You’re feisty.”
I stopped and glared at him for a moment, then smiled, “That’s fair. Totally fair.”
We walked to the garden. I waved my hand toward the flowers and said, “Pick one. Don’t think too hard about it. Pick the one that catches your eye first.”
He immediately walked to a rose bush. The roses were a mix of yellow, orange, and pink. It was beautiful and unique.
“These are my favorite. Don’t tell anyone.”
I smiled at him, “You’re a secret romantic. I love it.” I used his knife to cut one of the biggest flowers off the bush and handed it to him. “Now, you’re ready.”
He took the rose from me. He did not look ready. He still looked terrified. I felt bad for laughing at him, but it was such a funny picture. This huge man that has likely killed people and not thought twice about it was having a full-blown panic attack about talking to a woman. A woman who was clearly into him as much as he was into her. This shouldn’t be an issue, but alas. Here we were.
“Andrei, look at me.” He glanced up at me, fear still evident in his eyes. “Talk to her like you talk to me. I’m no different. Think of her like you think of me. Instead of jumping straight into her pants, think about being friends with her first. I know you like her, and she likes you, but you guys don’t really know each other yet. Start with that. That’s the easy part. Don’t overcomplicate things or you’ll end up making yourself crazy. You know, like you’re clearly doing right now.”
He exhaled loudly. “You’re like my relationship coach now.”
I chuckled and jumped on his back. “Your relationship coach spider monkey that needs a ride to the house.”
