“Yes, I had some things to handle from here,” I answered as she crossed the distance from the stairs to where we stood.
“Good morning,” she whispered as I took her hand and turned back to the small group.
“My wife,” I told Mila, whose eyes were on Alina.
“The forensic accountant,” I told Alina. “Mila Petrov.”
I had recently mentioned to her that Roman had recommended a forensic accountant to me.
“Mila?” Alina asked the young woman. “Batch 6, Group 9?”
“I was wondering where we must have met,” Mila rushed, her expression softening into a wide smile. “Alina!”
Alina’s soft hand left mine as she embraced Mila.
“We met in a first-aid class many years ago,” Alina explained, smiling up at me as they ended the hug.
“Yes. What a small world,” Mila uttered.
“It is. I’m surprised myself,” I said before clearing my throat, taking Alina’s hand again.
“I believe my brother has explained the current status of things to you.”
“He did give me a basic explanation, yes. But nothing detailed yet,” she answered, nodding at me, her face back to being serious.
“Okay. Sergei and Killian will give you a detailed rundown after you’ve seen the documented facts. You’ll set up in my office here,” I told her, pointing to the door I’d walked out of on the left.
“Okay.”
“Is there anything you need?”
“I can’t say yet. Until I’ve seen the records and all,” she answered.
“Okay, then,” I answered, telling Sergei. “Help her set up.”
“Let’s go,” he told her, and she nodded. As she followed him, she glanced back at Alina, who smiled at her.
“Boss,” Killian uttered, nodding before following them.
I squeezed Alina’s hand in mine, effectively bringing her attention to me.
“We were friends back then. I can’t believe we met again. Here,” she gushed.
“Well, you’re laughing. That’s the highlight for me.”
She looked away before gazing up at me again. “Can you believe I didn’t know his name was Sergei until I heard you call him just now?”
“You didn’t?”
“I’m not always with you,” she pointed out, and I nodded.
“Enough talk about other people,” I remarked, moving from beside her to her front, lifting her hand to my lips and kissing it.
“I’ve not had the opportunity to greet you good morning,” I told her, my eyes boring into hers as I lowered my head. “Until now.”
My lips claimed hers in a slow kiss, and she melted into me, bringing a hand to my chest.
“Morning, baby,” I greeted, my hands brushing her hair down when we finally broke apart for oxygen.
