“I’m sure we do not,” I say. “There’s no way Alexei is returning to prison. If you want to reach an agreement with him about the company, why don’t you just do it above board? If Hendrix isn’t charging the crystal strongly enough, I’m sure Alexei would love to get involved again.”
She tsks her tongue. “Alexei is dangerous and will kill both my son and me if he remains on the outside. It’s who he is. Be a smart girl and at least see that much.”
I do know that he can kill, but I don’t think he would just murder them for power and money, although the crystals might be another draw. I’ve seen the craving in his eyes when he’s talked about them, though I’ve pretended I haven’t. I’m well aware of how badly Alana needs to charge the aquamarines, even though she seems to be turning some of that over to her cousin. I can’t help but wonder if she’s able to charge garnets with Thorn, but that’s a question for another day.
Lillian takes a deep breath. “I’ve made a good offer. Don’t make me testify against him again. That was grueling the first time.”
“This is an insane offer,” I mutter. “No way will he agree to return to prison.”
Her chin lifts. “He killed David Fairfax, Rosalie. The evidence convicted him, and nobody bribed the judge or prosecuting attorney. Not for Alexei’s case, anyway. He’s handsome, but the jury will see the killer lurking beneath the surface.”
I need to read over her testimony again. It had been disastrous the first time.
“Please talk him into taking Hendrix’s deal.” She stands, grasps her purse, and plunks it on my desk. “It’s not right, but Hendrix is buying the loan for your home.”
“The mortgage I took out?” I ask.
“Yes.”
What a jerk. “That’s fine, but I’m almost current with payments. So he can own a loan all he wants, but I will pay and keep my home.” How am I going to get caught up?
She winces. “I’m sorry, but Hendrix believes there are a couple of acceleration clauses in the original contract.”
That’s true. I had really needed the money, and I hadn’t qualified for the best of loans. “This could be considered blackmail or extortion,” I say quietly. “If you think I won’t have Hendrix arrested and charged, you have not read me correctly.”
She shakes her head. “Just think of you and all those old men out on the street. If I were you, I would convince Alexei to take the deal. Ten years of his life, and then the company’s his.” Which would give Hendrix a decade to raid all of the company funds and quite possibly put a hit out on Alexei in prison. I don’t know a lot about hits or how they work, but I’m afraid Hendrix is capable of it.
Lillian grabs her purse, and it opens, spilling contents across my desk. “Darn it,” she says, reaching for two gold-plated lipsticks and a small pill bottle.
I read the label. “You’re on prenatal vitamins?”
She shoves everything back into the bag and steps back, pushing her hair out of her face. Her very red with a hot-looking-blush face. “That’s really none of your business.”
I think of the interaction between her and her attorney in court earlier. “I guess I should say congratulations?” I look at her. “Are you sure?”
“I’m only forty-five,” she says, and she stops talking as if not quite sure what to say. Wow. She truly does look older. Losing her son must be why. Obviously she wants to keep the pregnancy a secret. The baby isn’t related to Alexei, so he or she won’t have an affinity with the amethyst crystals that run in his blood. Perhaps she really does want to be free of the company to start over somewhere else.
“I’ll extend your offer to Alexei, but I believe his answer will be no,” I say. “Sorry, Lillian.”
“Please try, Rosalie,” she implores. Then she turns and bustles out of my office.
Man, I can’t imagine what it was like for Alexei growing up with that family. I shudder and then grasp my purse and stride out the door, shutting off the light before heading to the elevator. I’ll have to get a taxi home.
“Rosalie. Hey.” A mammoth of a man looks up from the waiting area and tosses a magazine onto the table. I look at the vacant reception area and then back at him, my heart rate rocketing. He holds up a hand. He’s dressed in faded jeans and a black T-shirt.
I squint closer. “Garik?”
He smiles. “Yes. Alexei has some business to take care of tonight, so I’m on you.”
I blink. “You’re on me?”
“Yes. I have a car. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
I find the high-handedness of Alexei irritating. “That’s all right. I can make my own way.” I stride to the elevator and push the button. Unsurprisingly, Garik steps next to me and enters the elevator.
“I don’t need or want a ride home, nor do I need a bodyguard.” I look up a good foot to his hard-cut face. His nose has been broken before, but it’s still impressively straight with maybe a slight bump. “Go away.”
“I don’t think we have a choice in that,” he says mildly. “I have one job, and that’s to make sure you get home safely.” He shrugs. “It’s up to you how I accomplish this feat.”
