“Ballsy but clever,” Ivan said.“Where will you have your meeting?”
“It needs to be at a place with ties to none of you,” Edwina said before Mikhail answered.“And you need to ensure that monster returns Clarice’s child.Once that happens, you can get them somewhere safe.”
All three men stared at her this time.
“The child is innocent, and as much as I’m not happy learning about Clarice, it doesn’t sound as if this was her fault.We need to take them out of the equation.”
Mikhail nodded, the sensual gleam in his eyes making her shift in her chair.Edwina pushed carnal thoughts away and dealt with her traitorous body.She could go for a few hours without dragging her husband to bed.She glanced in his direction and bit back a smile when he double-winked at her.
“What have you done to him?”Ivan blurted.
“Nothing,” Edwina said.
“Stop teasing my wife,” Mikhail said.“Suggestions for meeting places.We need more than one, and given that Smirnoff has the boy, we’ll insist the meeting occurs today.”
Edwina nodded.“That might make it look as if Clarice has successfully persuaded you to do as he wants.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Mikhail said.“Okay, fire suggestions at me.I’ll call Smirnoff when we have four or five neutral properties.”
“Are you going to tell your grandfather?”Ivan asked.
“No, he has been interfering and trying to shunt me in Smirnoff’s direction.He can’t see that the new way is safer for the family, and we have staff who are loyal to us.I prefer to keep him out of negotiations because I don’t trust him.”
Edwina topped up everyone’s coffee while the men tossed suggestions back and forth.Once satisfied with the shortlist, Mikhail pulled out his phone and the business card Clarice had given him.
“Everyone remain silent, no matter what he says.Your feline hearing should mean you catch everything.”
Edwina nodded, curious about what a Bratva leader would sound like.She wasn’t kept waiting long.A harsh voice answered Mikhail’s call.
“Smirnoff,” he barked.
“This is Mikhail Lermontov,” Mikhail said.“We should talk.”
“Ah, Lermontov, I’ve been waiting for your call.”Smug satisfaction oozed into the room.
Edwina’s eyes narrowed, but she remained silent like the other eavesdroppers.
Mikhail tensed.“I believe we should meet today.”
“Come to my estate,” Smirnoff said, that satisfaction still ringing through his voice.
“No,” Mikhail said, and rattled off the short list of properties they thought might suit their purpose.“I prefer to meet in a public venue.Each of the places I mentioned has more privacy.They should suit our purposes.”
Smirnoff picked the coffee shop close to Clarice’s apartment, which surprised Edwina, but perhaps it was a sign.
“Excellent,” Mikhail said.“Please bring Clarice’s son with you as a sign of your goodwill.”
Edwina marveled at his even tone.He sounded as if he was conducting a business meeting and had no interest in the outcome.
Smirnoff paused, and she could practically hear him weighing his options.“I would expect something in return.”
“Why?”Mikhail said without hesitation.“From what I hear, you’re the one who wants something from me.You should do me a favor to show your sincerity.”
Smirnoff paused again.Finally, he capitulated.“I’ll bring the boy.”
“Alive,” Mikhail said.
“What kind of monster do you think I am?”came the silky voice.“Two this afternoon.Don’t be late and do nothing stupid.”He hung up.
