He doesn't even blink. "I think your husband would want to be part of this conversation." He's still smiling. "Why don't you fetch him? I'll wait."
The word makes my skin crawl. Fetch. Like Alexei's "pet."
But I can't afford to react. Can't show him he's gotten to me.
Because this man knows. He knows what I did. And he's here to—what? Blackmail us? Kill me?
I force my voice to stay steady. "Who are you?"
"Artem." He extends his hand. "Artem Orlov."
I don't take it. The name is familiar, but I can't place it. My mind is racing, and I'm struggling to keep my thoughts straight.
"What do you want?"
"Just to talk." He looks me up and down. Not in a sexual way. He's assessing me, and I wonder if I'm lacking. "You're very pretty. I'm sure that helped. Alexei liked pretty things. Never thought they could be vicious."
The words hang in the air.
He knows.
He knows, and he's here and Saint is in a meeting and?—
"I'll get my husband." The walls are closing in, and I feel like I can't breathe.
"Please do." He sits. Makes himself comfortable. Spreads out his arms like he's the King. "I'm very interested in meeting the man who married such a... capable woman."
I back out of the room, close the door, and run to Saint's office as quickly as I can.
I don't knock. Just burst in.
"Saint—"
He's mid-sentence with three captains, and he looks up, annoyed. "Gemma, I'm in the middle?—"
"There's a Russian in the parlor." My voice is shaking. I want to say more, but I can't. We covered everything up, but apparently, not well enough.
Everyone goes very still, and it feels like the air in the room weighs a ton.
Saint stands slowly. "Name?"
"Artem. Artem Orlov."
Saint's face goes white. In fear? Anger? I'm not sure.
"Get out," he says to the captains. "Now."
They scramble. Leave without question.
Saint's already moving. Gun from his desk drawer. Phone out.
"Marcello. We have a problem. Artem Orlov is in my house." He listens. "I don't give a fuck how he got past security. He's here."
He hangs up. Looks at me.
"Stay behind me. Don't speak unless I tell you to. And Gemma?" His eyes are hard. "Do not, under any circumstances, admit to anything. Understood?"
I nod.
