“I seem to amuse you,” Edwina said.“I’ve noticed your lips curving three times when you hardly ever crack a smile.”
“Why don’t you check on Mikhail, then come and join us?I’ll keep the important conversation for your arrival.”
“Fine.”Edwina strode along the passage and noiselessly opened the door to Mikhail’s room.He was still asleep, breathing deeply and evenly, and she took heart from that.She closed the door and retraced her steps.Murmured voices came from the lounge, and she stepped inside.
“No, we don’t want refreshments,” Bridget snapped.“Go away and let me speak to Roscoe.”
“I’m not your slave.”Edwina walked farther into the room and took a seat opposite Roscoe.
“You let the hired help listen in on your private conversations?”Bridget’s glare was hot enough to singe Edwina’s hair, but Edwina didn’t cower.She had dealt with her grandmother, and it would take more than Bridget sniping at her to make her turn tail.
“How can we help you?”Roscoe asked.
Bridget cast her a scornful look before focusing on Roscoe.She stretched her lips into a smile, but it was patently insincere.
Neither Edwina nor Roscoe spoke.Instead, they waited for Bridget to get to the point.
“My husband is missing,” Bridget said finally.
Anger rushed through Edwina so fast and forcefully she felt dizzy.Mikhail was her mate.Hers.And this woman was not going to get her grubby hands on him.She’d protect him with everything she had while he was vulnerable.
“Did you want to hire us to find him?”Roscoe asked.
Bridget made a rude sound.“I’m not stupid.You’re a close friend.I think Mikhail disappeared because of you.You’re hiding him from me.His wife.”She thudded her hand against her chest, her gaze fierce.
“He’s not your husband,” Edwina said, unable to hold her tongue any longer.
“Who are you?”Bridget demanded.
Edwina ignored the question.“You’re not married to Mikhail.You’re telling everyone you’re married, but it’s a lie.”
Bridget angled her chin, her gaze full of ire.“We exchanged vows six months ago.”
The woman didn’t enjoy being challenged.Maybe if she poked and prodded, Bridget would become angry enough to blurt out helpful information.
“Where did you marry?”Edwina shot back.“Who designed your wedding dress?Why wasn’t your marriage reported on the social pages?”
“I don’t have to answer your questions,” Bridget spat.
Edwina noticed the bright color appearing on the other woman’s cheeks.Excellent.Her plan was working, and when she glanced at Roscoe, she received a slight chin lift.His lips twitched, and a sense of comradeship filled her.She belonged here.Bridget did not.
“Perhaps he decided he’d made a mistake,” Edwina said.
Bridget bared her teeth.“We love each other.”
A snort escaped Edwina before she could halt it because this was a big fat fabrication.Mikhail loathed everything the Smirnoff family stood for.Crime paid for Bridget’s designer clothes and expensive jewelry.
“Mikhail isn’t at his estate.My father’s men have checked and spoken to Mikhail’s mother.She doesn’t know his location, and I believe her.She was upset.You’re Mikhail’s friend, and you know where he is.If you don’t take me to him, I’ll inform my father, who will take matters into his own hands.He won’t display my patience.”
“Is that a threat?”Edwina asked.
“A promise,” Bridget said sweetly.
The door opened behind Edwina without warning, and her heart sank when Mikhail ambled inside.He appeared more alert than earlier, despite his crumpled clothes.
“Mikhail!”Bridget was on the move and throwing herself at him before Edwina could react.She curved her arms around his neck and pressed close.
Edwina’s leopard growled, low and mean.
