Considering I’m not straddling a motorcycle this morning, I wear a light-green pencil skirt, a pink and green blouse, and new kitten heels—a green pair that look absolutely perfect with the outfit. I should feel guilty accepting the shoes, although Alexei hadn’t exactly given me a choice.
I shiver as I think about the morning in the shower. What am I going to do about him? I’ve known the guy less than a week, and he’s planning our future. Worse yet, I’m tempted to jump right into that future, which I know will be a disaster.
Around my neck, I wear an absolutely gorgeous amethyst pendant, which I should not have accepted. Not that he gave me a choice. He’d already left the apartment when I found the gift in my dresser. I considered not wearing it because it’s just too much. I can’t imagine what it costs. And yet, there’s something in me that doesn’t want to hurt his feelings, and I think that would.
Why am I concerned about Alexei Sokolov’s feelings?
I slap my hand against my forehead as I walk down the steps toward my driveway and then pause as I note three men waiting for me. “Good morning, Merlin, Percy, and Wally,” I say, my instincts humming. “What’s up?”
Merlin’s dressed in a three-piece suit with a gold-colored bow tie that he tugs on. His cloudy blue eyes narrow on me. “We need to talk.”
I glance at Percy, who’s my favorite gardener in the world. “Okay. Do we need new mulch?”
Percy sighs, moving his narrow frame. “Before I retired, I worked for the Russian Bratva. In fact, for more than five decades, I worked for Alexei’s father.”
I step back, my body seizing. “You were a mobster?” Percy is one of the kindest and sweetest men I’ve ever met, and he’s a god with rosebushes. “Are you kidding me?”
He gulps. “I was just an accountant, but I know who Alexei is, and I’m not sure you do.”
Merlin looks down at his scuffed shoes. “Oh, I need a polish.” Then he shakes his head as if bringing himself back to the present. “I hacked into his prison records, and I have to admit Alexei was a model prisoner, although he was heavily covered by the Twenty-One Purple gang. They don’t do anything out of goodwill. You know that, right?”
“Actually, I’m not all that familiar with gangs.” I look at Wally. “What do you have to do with this?” As far as I know, he worked as a salesman his entire life.
He shifts his feet. “Since we’re all being a little bit honest here, I think we should update the security on this entire house.”
I pat his arm. Unlike the other two, he’s shorter at about five-foot-six and weighs over two hundred and eighty pounds. I’ve tried to work out with him because I’m worried about his heart. But so far, according to Doc, his numbers are all good. I know he takes blood pressure and cholesterol medicine, and I make a mental note to buy him some CoQ10, which is a vitamin everyone who takes a statin should use to protect their joints.
“I’m a little short on funds,” I tell Wally. “I can’t afford to update the system again.” He has friends who own a security business, which is how I received a deal on the system we have now.
He reddens slightly, and his jowls jiggle. “I worked in security for years.”
“Tell her the truth.” Merlin elbows him in the ribs.
Wally winces. “All right, I was with MI6. I can create and install any security system you want.”
The reality of the statement crashes through me. “Wait, wait, wait. Wait a minute. You’re telling me that you were in the mob—” I point first at Percy and then at Wally—“and you worked for MI6? Are you kidding me?”
“No,” Wally says glumly. “After Percy found you, he kind of reached out to several of us who were looking for a good place to live. We all had dangerous jobs and didn’t plan on living until retirement.”
I glance at Merlin. “I already know you were a hacker, you spent some time in prison and then worked for a government agency, but that’s all I know.”
“That’s all you’ll ever know.” Merlin smiles.
I think of my other four boarders. “Is Felix really a doctor?” He has been giving me medical advice for quite some time.
“Of course, he’s a doctor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to write you prescriptions,” Merlin says. “Now, Rosalie, concentrate on the moment at hand. We don’t have much money, but we still have great contacts. I can get you out of town into a safe house in no time if you want.”
I can’t believe this. It’s doubtful my other boarders have any idea about these men. “How dangerous are you guys?” I ask, more out of curiosity than fear. They’re family, as far as I’m concerned.
“Considering we’re all over eighty, I wouldn’t worry too much,” Percy says dryly. “But if the occasion rises, we can protect you.”
This is too much. “I appreciate that,” I say, “but I can protect myself.” I look down the driveway, where Garik awaits patiently next to the Mercedes.
Percy follows my gaze. “Rosalie, if you want a life outside of the local Russian mob and away from Alexei, now is the chance. You probably won’t get another one.”
His words rattle me, but I’m not leaving town. “I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself.”
Relief crosses Percy’s face. “All right. Looks like your choice is made. I’m glad. I didn’t want to move.”
