Andrei is still posted. Sasha’s seated at a nearby table, holding a big pretzel with two hands, a lemonade close. Roman approaches, ruffling Sasha’s hair, then placing a quick kiss on the top of his head. That contrast, the speed with which Roman shifts from loving father to cold-blooded killer then back again, will never cease to amaze me. I watch as he kneels, adjusting Sasha’s scarf, checking to make sure his mittens are still attached to his coat. I step over to the pair slowly, Andrei following closely behind.
“We still have things to do,” Roman says as he stands.
“Things?”
“The Spring charity gala,” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “You need a dress.”
“The what?”
“Come.”
He pats Sasha, then nods to Andrei, who approaches and takes a seat.
“What are you talking about, Roman?” I ask.
“I’ll tell you on the way.”
A flash of total indignation runs through me. “I can handle my own dress.”
“I’m sure you can. But you won’t.”
He starts off, his massive figure moving toward the teeming crowd of shoppers. “Come,” he says again over his shoulder.
Sasha looks up at me, swallowing a bite of pretzel. “You’re coming to the Springtime party?”
I soften instantly. “Apparently.”
Andrei flicks his eyes up to me. “I’ll be here with the little man. You and Roman take your time.”
I watch Roman continue on. The way he carries himself leaves no doubt that he knows I’ll follow, that I’ll eventually step into line with him. And I do, moving quickly and closing the distance between us. I want to know more about this party.
But despite that, one thought keeps appearing, flashing in my mind’s eye as if it’s written in neon.
What the hell did Max really want?
CHAPTER 23
AMALIE
“The Spring Gala is in ten days.”
“And you were planning on telling me this when?”
It’s hard to keep up with Roman’s long strides. For every one step he takes, I have to take four. He speaks to me as we move through the mall, his huge frame clad in a black topcoat, other shoppers moving out of the way.
“When it was necessary. I had planned on telling you recently. But certain matters had come up.”
He leaves it at that, but I know he’s referring to Kyle. I’m still not sure what kind of decision he’s made about all of that. I assume from the fact that he hasn’t thrown me out of the house that he’s planning on keeping me around, at least for now.
“Anyway, I did tell you. Just now. It’s in ten days.”
“Sounds ominous when you put it like that.”
He snorts. “It’s not ominous. It’s necessary.”
“It can be both.”
His mouth twitches a bit. “Barinov Holdings hosts it every year. It’s one of the biggest charity events in the city.”
