She shakes her head. “Sorry, you just look familiar. Have we met before?”
Vladimir smiles at her, and I have to suck in my breath. He’s gorgeous, and that smile should be illegal. He looks like he should be on the movie screen rather than standing in my father’s study.
“I don’t believe we’ve met before,” Vladimir says. “You’re American.”
“I am. So are you,” Skylar says. I can hear the suspicion in her tone, but she doesn’t change her expression from idle curiosity.
“I’ve lived in many places, but my home and my heart are in New Orleans,” Vladimir says. I frown at his mention of his heart. Does this mean he’s married and his wife and family are in New Orleans? I glance at his hands, but he’s not wearing a ring. Not all men do, so that doesn’t confirm or deny my suspicions. I imagine that a man as handsome as he is has to be married. She’s probably a model or a wealthy socialite. I feel like a child sitting in my father’s chair, wearing sweats and no makeup. Without makeup, I appear even younger than my years.
“New Orleans?” Skylar says in surprise. “That’s where I’m from originally. I was just there a few days ago visiting my friend, Cleo.”
“Cleo Golubrev?” Vladimir asks, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
I glance at Skylar to see that she’s sporting a similar expression. “Yes. How do you know Cleo?”
The door opens behind us to allow Nadia to enter, along with Dominic. Dominic carries a tray holding cups, saucers, and a teapot. There are also small plates and a tiered serving dish filled with pastries. He places it on my father’s desk, then steps back to allow Nadia access. She begins filling cups and plates before handing them to Skylar and me.
“I can’t reach him,” my father says, brushing Nadia’s arm as he returns to his chair. “Thank you, Nadia. I’m sure the tea will benefit the girls.”
“Dominic and I could search for him,” Vladimir offers.
“Would you? I would appreciate it. He’s been with the family for years. His father was our driver before him.”
I give them the route that Rurik takes to and from the theater, while Father gives them some suggestions on where Rurik might go when he’s waiting to pick me up.
“Wait, how do you know Cleo?” Skylar asks as Vladimir and his friend move toward the door.
Vladimir glances back at Skylar and grins.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: VLADIMIR
As soon as we’re in the car, I tell the driver to head over to the theater. He follows the directions Anya provided. As we search for Alexandr’s car, I pull out my phone and call Alexi.
“I take it you were the heroes who saved Anya?” I ask when he picks up.
“Yeah. After I walked the path I took that day, I wanted to go by the theater. I’m glad I did,” Alexi says.
“Did you recognize the men?”
“No, but there were Russians. We’re driving around looking for Rurik. I know he wouldn’t have left Anya alone. Something must have happened to him.”
“We’re searching for him, too,” I say. “Anya and her friend made it home safely. They’re with your father. We told Alexandr that we’d search for Rurik.”
“Where have you looked?”
I give him the directions we’re following, and Alexi tells us a few places he’s going to look before ending the call. We’ve been driving around for almost an hour before Alexi calls back.
“We found the car. Rurik was knocked out and put in the trunk.” Alexi gives us directions to where they are. When we arrive, Rurik is sitting inside the car with the door open. Alexi isnowhere to be found. As I pass the vehicle we’re renting, I see him sitting in the back. I nod as I pass by.
“You’re Rurik Andreyev?” I ask.
He nods. Someone gave him a bag filled with ice cubes. He has it pressed to the back of his head.
“What happened?”
“I was at a stoplight when a man rushed the car and opened my door. He knocked me out before I could defend myself. That’s the last thing I remember. Is Anya okay? I was supposed to pick her up.”
“She’s at home, and she’s safe,” I assure him. “Some men attacked her, but their efforts were thwarted. Do you want to go to the hospital? We can get you there. I can call Alexandr and let him know we found you,” I offer, taking out my phone.
