“She’s an influencer, or something similar. She produces a travel vlog geared toward women. She travels the world and shares vacation tips for single women who travel. She gives them pointers on staying safe. It’s called a Prince Among Women.”
“You watch her show?” Dominic asks with a smirk.
I cuff him on the back of his head. “No, I don’t watch her show.”
“She is hot,” Dominic says.
“She’s friends with Cleo, my brother’s woman,” I say. “Hex mentioned that she was out of the country and hadn’t been in contact with Cleo. He said Cleo was concerned because she left suddenly. I find it odd that she’s here when all this shit is going down. It seems too coincidental.”
“You think she’s here for a different purpose?” Alexi asks. “Is she a danger to my sister?”
“No, I don’t think she’s a danger to Anya. You said she fought the men off today and protected Anya, right?”
Alexi nods. “She was pretty impressive. Anya was, too.” He smiles at the memory. “Anya kicked her attacker in the crotch. He went down like a rock. Anya may look fragile, but she’s strong. Her legs are as powerful as a jackhammer. Her friend had some good moves, too. But if she teaches women how to protect themselves while traveling, you’d expect that, right?”
“Yeah, I don’t think she’s a bad person, but the coincidence bugs me. She’s here during a pivotal situation with the Bratva, and she’s right in the middle of it. I’d like to know how she became friends with your sister,” I muse.
“Want me to find out?” Dominic asks.
I shake my head. “I’m going to call my brother and ask him what he knows.”
Pulling out my phone, I retreat to my bedroom and place a call to Hex.
“I was wondering if I’d hear from you,” Hex says when he answers the call. “Where are you?”
“St. Petersburg, Russia,” I tell him. “We’re staying at the Grand Hotel. Our ship landed this morning.”
“And how did our father enjoy his trip?”
I chuckle darkly. “He complained about his accommodations up until the minute we asked him to disembark in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.”
“Can’t imagine a more fitting end,” Hex says. “What about you? Have you risen from the grave yet?”
“I have. I met with Alexandr Stepanov and told him what Maxim had tried to do. He made all the right noises about how he would never have condoned his kidnapping Delphine and the girls, but since he’s offering his daughter’s hand in marriage along with control of his empire, I’m not sure how much I trust his word. He may believe that the two situations are entirely different, but I don’t. We didn’t get a chance to discuss it because his daughter, Anya, showed up and interrupted our meeting. She told us that someone tried to kidnap her and her friend. They escaped. However, I thought you’d be interested in her friend. It’s Skylar Prince.”
Hex sucks in a breath. “Seriously? What is she doing in Russia?”
“I don’t know. It’s one of the reasons I called. Did you know Skylar was here?”
“No, but I don’t pay attention to Skylar’s schedule. I’ll talk to Cleo when she returns and let you know what she says. Do you suspect her of something?”
“No, I just don’t like the coincidence of her being here at this time and befriending Anya, who is at the heart of this situation. I know it is supposed to be a small world, but this seems awfully small.”
“I agree. It could just be a coincidence. Skylar travels to many places. I’ll contact you once I speak to Cleo. She and Delphine are out with Lake’s woman.”
“Lake has a woman?”
“You met her, Olivia.”
“Right. How did your trip to Ireland go?”
Hex spends the next fifteen minutes telling me about the meeting between Dixie and Sigil. I’m glad to hear that he wasn’t sanctioned for faking my death. Hex also tells me about the recruits he’s brought over from Ireland, Dixie’s adopted brothers. When I hang up, I realize that the stilted relationship between Hex and me has morphed into something more akin to family than strangers. I’m grinning when I return to Dominic and Alexi.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: ANYA
“What do you know about Vladimir?” Skylar asks when we get to my room.
I shrug. “I don’t know anything about him. Today was the first time I met him. You know as much as I do. Why?”
