Relief settled over Anatoly as he continued to dance with Maggie. The class carried on, oblivious to their private conversation, though he was sure there was talk of Markov’s presence here tonight. Not everyone knew he was a criminal, but the tension had been palpable and everyone had heard that Maggie was a detective who wanted to question him.
Sadly, he felt they may have made things more difficult for Roxanne, but that couldn’t be his concern now. They had only just met and the case was the larger priority.
He couldn’t fault Maggie for trying to put pressure on Markov, even if the thought of her going toe-to-toe with the crime boss scared him more than anything in life or unlife ever had before.
At the same time, if he could find another angle for her to come at the case, he would gladly provide it. The last thing he wanted was her tangling with someone so dangerous.
As Maggie laid her head on his shoulder, Anatoly glanced over her at Roxanne. He couldn’t help but wonder how she was involved with such a man as Markov, but it was not his place to question her so he kept the thought to himself. It was clear to him they were at odds, though why and how were a mystery he decided to let go of.
He kissed Maggie’s hair gently, murmuring sweet nothings to her in Russian as the slow song continued. Despite the interruption, this was turning out to be a good night or at least so he thought. The way Maggie was holding him, leaning against him, it certainly felt like he had made the right decision in bringing her here.
“What did Markov say to you?” Maggie’s voice was timid and soft, sounding very unlike her.
The vampire rubbed her back reassuringly, trying to convey with simple touch that she was not in trouble for asking. She could ask him anything and he would answer. There would never again be secrets between them.
“I will not repeat it word for word, but in essence, he instructed me to keep you on shorter leash.” Even saying that much tasted foul and riled anger up in his chest like a roiling storm at sea.
Maggie’s head jerked up, a frown creasing her otherwise smooth brow. “That asshole!” she whisper-yelled, drawing the gaze of another couple who glared and danced in the opposite direction. Maggie didn’t seem to care, but she added more quietly, “What did you say back?”
He didn’t answer right away as shame washed over him. Instead, he guided her head back to his shoulder, stroking her pale, golden hair. “You must understand, I am not sort of man who is easily angered. It is emotion I do not like to give credence to. However, I do not take disrespect to you lightly. I am not proud to admit, response was… unkind.”
To his surprise, she let out a snorted giggle.
“What is funny?” he asked, genuinely at a loss.
She turned her face toward his neck, her lips and nose brushing his skin. “I’m sorry, I’ve never heard you speak an unkind word before. The thought that you could is rather funny.”
“Is not,” he countered, trying not to sound too abashed.
“Is too,” Maggie shot back without missing a beat.
He pulled back to look at her, saw that she was grinning from ear to ear, and he couldn’t help but smile, too. They shared a soft laugh as the song finally came to an end and Roxanne called for everyone to face her.
Ending the embrace was difficult for Anatoly when all he wanted was to hold her close until the sun came up. There would be time for that later though; right now they were supposed to be having fun and he was determined now to see that smile remain on her face for the rest of the evening.
The class moved into another short break and Maggie stepped away to use the lady’s room, leaving Anatoly to his own devices. He was content to wait for her nearby, hands in his pockets as he listened to the selection of big band music that was now playing. He distinctly recognized the smooth vocals of Frank Sinatra and couldn’t help but sway along while he waited.
He was still standing there, lost in his own thoughts, when Roxanne approached him. Suddenly nervous, he greeted her with a friendly, “dobryy vecher,” and hoped she wasn’t about to throw them out or something.
“So, you didn’t mention your girlfriend was a detective over the phone.” She cut right to the chase, her dark, almost black eyes boring into him.
“I did not know I needed to mention her profession,” he replied, feeling as though she had just put his back up against the wall. “Is unusual for dance studio to require that information, da?”
Roxanne regarded him for a long moment, her head tilting and dark hair falling over her shoulder. “Fair enough, I suppose. But level with me… Is this a stakeout or a date?”
Anatoly frowned. “Is date as I said,” he insisted. “I do not make it habit to lie.”
The words felt a little hollow given how untruthful he’d been with Maggie early in their relationship, but this was different. They had both been taken by surprise when Markov appeared and even Anatoly couldn’t blame Maggie for wanting to go after him. Her sheer determination and backbone were qualities he rather loved about her.
A smile spread over Roxanne’s face. “If you say so, I will trust you, but if you are using me…” She trailed off, the pleasant expression never wavering.
“Not at all. I only want Maggie to have best birthday possible. Sincerely.” He put his hand over his heart as he spoke, hoping to convince her.
“Excellent. Then, I hope you enjoy the rest of the class.” With that, she flipped her black hair over her shoulder and was gone as quickly as she had appeared.
Chapter Forty-One
By the time their dance class had ended, Maggie’s feet were grumbling even in her most comfortable pumps. However, she felt that overall she rather enjoyed the experience and wouldn’t mind learning more in the future. Especially if she and Anatoly were to go together again.
