Pavel lifts one eye as he smirks at me. “Maybe you are the prize, and taking over Stepanov Industries is the consolation? Have you considered that?”
I shake my head. “You don’t need to placate me. We all understand what my father is offering. His business holdings are the real prize. If only Alexi were here. I can’t help but think someone planned Alexi’s disappearance. I just don’t understand how anyone managed it.”
I notice the glances the men share and remember that the day Alexi disappeared, he was on his way to a meeting. Was it possible that the meeting was with these men? I know he often met with the sons of the other families to discuss business and other concerns.
“Alexi was meeting with all of you that day, wasn’t he?” I ask Artem. His eyes widen, but he slowly nods.
“We were supposed to meet that day, but he didn’t show. We didn’t know anything was wrong until your father called to ask us if we’d seen him.”
“Where were you meeting?”
“Here. I catered lunch for all of us. We waited for him, but as Artem said, he never showed. It wasn’t until later that we learned the military picked him up and drafted him into the war against Ukraine. Then he just disappeared.”
“Wait, you heard the military picked him up? How? When?”
“Um,” Pavel says, glancing at Oleg for help. Since Oleg is glaring at Pavel, I don’t think Pavel will be getting much help from him.
“That was a rumor going around,” Artem chimes in. “We heard it from some tourists who say they witnessed it.”
I frown at his statement. I hadn’t heard anything about this. Did they really hear this story, or are they just making it up?”
“Do you think he never made it to Ukraine?” Skylar asks.
Artem shrugs. “I don’t know. We’ll likely never know. I’m sorry.”
I nod my appreciation, even though all I want to do is curl up and sleep. Sensing my regression back into depression, Skylar takes control of the conversation.
“So, you all met and discussed business?” Skylar asks. “Does that mean you’re all in importing and exporting, too?”
“No, my family is into private and business security,” Oleg says. “While Pavel owns this place and other nightclubs.”
“And my family has several art and antique galleries,” Artem explains.
“So, why would you meet to discuss business?” Skylar presses.
“Our businesses often overlap,” Oleg explains smoothly. “Artem and Pavel often hire my firm to supply security for special events.”
“We often use Alexandr’s import and export business to bring in new products or deliver products we’ve sold,” Artem says. “It’s why we’re all so close. Our families have been in business together for generations. Family is everything.”
“That all sounds fascinating,” Skylar says. “I would be very interested in doing a segment on each of you, if you could spare the time.”
“A segment?” Oleg asks, suspiciously.
Skylar bobs her head. “That’s what I do. I travel the world and post about my experiences on social media. I create content for several channels. One of my channels covers businesses from around the world. My followers would love a tour of a Russiannightclub, especially if the young, charismatic owner gave the tour.”
Pavel smirks, but bows toward Skylar. “It would be my pleasure to provide a tour of this nightclub and my other ones, if you’re interested?”
“I am interested, very interested. Especially, if you give me access to behind the scenes. Like this VIP room. It’s very secluded but still right in the middle of all the action. I’d also be interested in any specialty drinks your bartenders have created or in information about the music you play. I could come up with a list of ideas and run them past you?”
“That would work,” Pavel agrees.
Skylar turns her attention to Artem. “I’d love to create a show on your art and antiquities business. I have a group of followers who love learning the history of places I visit, especially if I cover the art. Do you also represent new, up-and-coming artists?”
Artem grins at Skylar. “We do. We’re having a showing in two weeks that you might be interested in. If you’re going to still be with us.”
“I will be. I plan on spending at least another month in St. Petersburg. It’s so lovely here. Besides, I have to stay long enough to see Anya perform.” She grins at me before turning her attention to Oleg.
“As for you…”
