“I think it was more than that. He stared at me as if he didn’t know how to answer, rather than someone trying to protect their secrets.”
“Were you really considering doing a show on his business? I could see doing an episode at the nightclub or Artem’s art gallery, but a security firm?” Dominic asks.
Skylar snorts. “No, I wasn’t considering it. I was trying to get the three men talking, and usually bringing up my show does thejob. Everyone fancies seeing themselves on television, even if it is just a podcast.”
“Why were you trying to get to know them?”
“Because they are the ones my girl here might have to marry. I wanted to help her get to know them, and maybe we could identify which would be the better choice.”
I study Anya, who flushes at her friend’s statement. “You want to find someone who would support your career in ballet?” I muse.
Anya shrugs. “I don’t imagine I’ll get that lucky. If I have to get married, I hope it is to someone who doesn’t make my life miserable.”
Anya’s words cast a pall over our group as we make the rest of the trip to the boutique in silence. I study Anya’s profile as she stares outside the window. She appears stoic, but I can see the occasional tremor in her bottom lip. I could kill Alexandr for forcing this situation on her. I feel a twinge of guilt as I realize I’m contributing to her stress. All I have to do is tell her that Alexi is alive. However, I keep my mouth shut and shift my attention to the storefronts that we pass. Anya is suffering, but her suffering has an expiration date.
The driver drops us off in front of a boutique with mannequins displaying several stylish, elaborate dresses. Skylar is in the lead, frowning when the door doesn’t open. She turns to look at me. “They’re closed.”
“They are,” I agree, stepping forward to knock on the glass.
A woman rushes forward and unlocks the door. “Mr. Zoloth?”
I smile and nod. “Yes, I’m Vladimir Zoloth. Thank you for closing the shop so we can shop in private.”
“It was my pleasure,” the woman beams at me. “I take it you’re shopping for these young women?”
“They need dresses for a special dinner tonight. If you could assist them…”
“Of course, come this way,” she says, walking away.
Anya follows her, but Skylar turns to me. “You paid to close the shop down?”
“I didn’t want to take any chances. Someone tried to grab you and Anya yesterday. I thought it was prudent to lock the store down so you could shop in peace.”
Skylar looks at Anya, and I can see the relief on her face. “That was smart. Anya needs some peace.”
Dominic and I take the only seats available in the store. They are facing the dressing rooms. We chuckle as the girls dash in and out, showing each other their dresses. Their critique of the styles is brutal. Skylar finds her dress fairly quickly, so she focuses on helping Anya. Dominic and I soon grow bored as we wait for Anya to decide. I can tell she’s reluctant to pick something. She looks beautiful in every dress, and I’m about to say this to her when she steps out in a dress that sucks the breath out of my lungs.
Blue silk, the same color as her eyes, wraps around her frame like a lover. It drapes over one shoulder, leaving the other bare, highlighting her toned arms and elegant neck. The material creates a waterfall over her hips and cascades to the floor, offering delectable glimpses of toned thighs and taut calves. The sound of Skylar laughing snaps me out of my trance. I glance at her to see her and Anya watching me.
“I think he approves,” Skylar smirks at a blushing Anya.
“Do you approve?” Anya asks softly.
The woman before me is exquisite. Any man would consider himself lucky to have her on his arm. The thought of her being nothing more than that has me wanting to punch something. Or someone. I turn and walk away before Anya can see the anger and pity in my eyes.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: ANYA
The hungry look in Vladimir’s eyes should scare me, but instead, it creates a fluttering of pleasure deep inside me. Those icy blue eyes turn into a summer sky as they heat my skin. The tiny hairs on my arms rise as I watch him studying me. When I first tried on the dress, I admit it made me feel beautiful, but Vladimir’s expression has me feeling like I’m stunning. I feel like a goddess with infinite powers over mere mortals.
Skylar’s chuckle breaks the spell. “I think he approves.”
“Do you approve?” I whisper.
His eyes snap to mine, and I see so much emotion in them that I take a step backwards. I can see the lust in his eyes, but there’s more there. Pity? Anger? Rather than speak, he turns on his heel and walks away. I glance at Dominic, who stares at his boss’s back.
Dominic turns his attention back to Skylar and me. “I think you broke him.”
His words relieve some of the tension. “Maybe I should just get one of the other dresses.”
