I snapped my photo and put my camera away. Even though I knew there would be more to come. I didn’t have to get this next part. I actually felt a little bad for Brent and Cole.
Ember and Grigori were a little stiff in the kiss at first—their first public kiss—but it swiftly turned into one hell of a tongue twister. Ember clenched her fists in his hair, and Grigori wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the floor and standing straight as her feet dangled. She wrapped her legs around his waist when he stuck his tongue down her throat.
I had seen this all before. I glanced at Brent and Cole, who were standing shocked in place. Instead of charging Grigori like I thought they would do, Cole ran a hand through his hair, his face turning to ice, and rested back on his chair and started flicking through a magazine. Brent dropped his head for a few moments before turning from them and started speaking with Stash, who instantly responded in a soothing tone, filling in when Brent stayed quiet when he should have responded.
Well, not what I would have expected.
I wasn’t sure if they had really given up or if they were just biding their time.
Daniil leaned back onto the couch, placing his arms on the back of it, his arm brushing the back of my head. Quietly, looking very pleased, he asked, “How did you know that was going to happen?” He was staring at them while Grigori put Ember back on her feet, even as reporters were starting to swarm them, the bodyguards doing their thing to keep them away.
“Let’s just say, unfortunately, I was caught in a certain situation and saw a lot more than that.” I didn’t say anything else. I was going to try to erase the image of Daniil’s son getting it on with Ember. It just didn’t seem right.
Daniil paused and then chuckled. “You saw him give her that hickey.”
Rubbing my eyes, I grumbled, “And a lot more.”
He laughed outright, deep and booming, turning and dipping his head down to where I stared at my lap. “Are you going to be all right?”
I sighed, rubbing my eyes again before looking at his shoulder, mumbling, “The family resemblance is uncanny.” I paused and my own nose wrinkled. “Disturbing, really.”
He laughed again, softer this time, starting to say something, but a flash blinded us.
Startled, I jumped.
Daniil stilled, then relaxed back against the couch, looking out at the person who had just taken our picture. I mimicked him, turning to see Micah Olson standing a few feet away lowering his camera. One of my biggest rivals in New York. I smiled—all fake. “Micah, I think you’re missing the action over there.” I jerked my head toward Ember and Grigori, who were answering questions.
He smiled, imitating me now, and shook his head slowly. “You know, Slugger, I don’t think I am.” He glanced in Grigori and Ember’s direction. “Moreover, I already got the shot. I followed your lead and raised my camera when you did.” He smiled again and winked, nodded in farewell to Daniil, then walked away.
I sat not saying a word. That picture was going to end up in some paper.
“Shit,” Daniil grumbled under his breath. “I should take care of him.”
“Take care of him?” I asked slowly. “Do not tell me that means what I think it does.”
He waved a hand, and then leaned his elbow against the arm of the chair, covering his mouth as he watched Micah walk away. “Not kill him, if that’s what you mean. I don’t always go the extreme route, especially where reporters are involved. They usually leave a fucking paper trail behind. It’s too much trouble.” I stared at him in shock as he glanced at Ugly Duckling and gave a tiny nudge of his head in Micah’s direction. The guard instantly moved toward Micah but stayed back, keeping an eye on him.
“What are you going to do?” I asked slowly.
Daniil sighed and straightened his pants, really relaxing as he stretched his legs. “The photo will be gone before he even goes to view it on his computer.”
I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t agree with that. I knew what it was like to have a prime photo destroyed mysteriously. For a reporter, there was nothing worse, and sometimes, it only ticked them off more. I knew my lips were pinched and my eyebrows were glued together, so I kept my face averted from any reporters and Daniil. It wouldn’t be good to show emotion again when the press was around.
Deciding quickly that it would also be best not to be seen leaving the lobby with them, I stood and grabbed my bags. Without a backward glance, I went outside to wait for everyone. Daniil didn’t try to stop me. He wouldn’t with so many people around. But Trofim was hot on my heels, not really helping the situation with Micah, who watched me leave.
In fact, Micah followed me outside. I covertly gave Trofim a look, and he disappeared somehow before Micah saw him standing a few feet away. I blinked, glancing around, and decided he had slipped into one of the little nooks in the architectural design.
Micah leaned back against the wall next to me and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply before turning his attention to me. “You going to tell me the truth now?”
“The truth about what?” I asked, staying out of his billowing smoke.
“You and Daniil. He was laughing awfully loud at something you said. Looked pretty cozy for just screaming at him this morning.” He flicked his ashes, his eyes never leaving my face.
“I had just told him I puked on Ember on purpose.” I shrugged, playing with my hair. “He found it amusing. Since he’s not someone I want to piss off—especially after being stupid enough this morning to yell at him—I gave him the full details. A little ass-kissing, you know?”
“Hmm.” He took another drag. “You’ve become awfully chummy with their group when most of your work involves bashing them.”
I leaned back against the wall, staring out at the cars being loaded with baggage. “You know the saying…keep your enemies closer.” I shrugged.
