I cut through the crowd to reach her, but when I do, I notice her attention is elsewhere.
“Anya?” I say, drawing her attention back to me.
“I’m sorry, I thought I saw… “
I don’t hear what she says, because I’m searching the crowd. I spot Alexi moving toward the door. Anya’s next question draws my attention back to her.
“You came to the opening?”
“Of course I did,” I smile. “You were breathtaking. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you.”
The blush on her lovely face makes her appear younger than she is. I want to capture her chin and force her to look at me, but movement on her right catches my attention. Skylar is pushing through the crowd in pursuit of Alexi.
“Is something wrong?” Anya asks.
“No, but I need to go. I’ll let you get back to your fans. You were amazing. I plan on coming to your next performance just to see you again.”
Guilt courses through me as I rush away from her again, but I have a bad feeling. I push through the crowd in pursuit of Skylar, who I believe is following Alexi. I need to catch up to them before Skylar can blow Alexi’s cover.
Dominic catches up to me as I leave the theater.
“What’s going on?”
I point toward Skylar, who is hot on Alexi’s trail.
“Shit,” Dominic whispers, just as a car pulls to a stop in front of Alexi. He opens the rear passenger door and hops in. The car speeds off, leaving Skylar watching it go. Dominic and I approach silently as she takes out her phone.
“It’s me,” Skylar says when the person on the other end answers. “I thought you said Alexi Stepanov was dead.” After a short pause, she continues. “I just saw him leaving the theater after Anya’s performance. No, I know it was him. I got a good look. What’s going on?”
Whoever she’s talking to has her silent for several long minutes.
“Look, you said yourself they never found his body. There is a chance he’s still alive. If he is, then the plan changes. We need to find out where he’s staying and who he’s working with. I think someone is protecting him. No, I don’t know who, but I have an idea. I’ll stay close to Anya. She’s at the center of it all, even though I don’t think she knows it. Whoever tried to kidnap her may try again. We may need to consider locking her down.”
Dominic and I disappear into a dark doorway when Skylar ends the call. Instead of returning to the theater, she follows Alexi’s path to the street and hails a cab.
“What the hell was that about?” Dominic asks as we retrace our steps.
“I don’t know. Skylar is working with someone, and whoever that is is interested in Anya. I don’t like it.”
“Are you ready to admit you like her?” Dominic asks. “I saw you during her performance. You never once took your eyes off of her.”
I grumble, but I can’t deny the accusation.
“I don’t blame you. She was spectacular.”
I don’t respond until we’re standing outside the theater door.
“She was spectacular. Is spectacular. She wasn’t part of the plan,” I stress.
“Maybe not, but she is now. Someone is after her. Now, we know that Skylar might be a danger to her, too. I know you. You won’t allow Anya to remain in danger. You didn’t rescue Alexi and help him heal only to let him lose his sister in the process. You’ve been communicating with her and telling her not to lose hope. Maybe it’s time to tell her the truth? She might be the only person who can convince Alexi that he needs to step up.”
Dominic was the only one who knew about my secret communication with Anya. She knew me as NOLAKING. A play on words since my name translates to ruler and I’m from NOLA.
“We need to talk to Alexi. He needs to know that he was recognized. We have to stress that he has to come out and tell his father that he’s still alive.”
“Why do you think he’s so reluctant?” Dominic asks.
“Tonight we’re going to find out. Alexi needs to tell us everything. But first, I want to make sure Anya is safe. I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen to her. She’s all alone.”
