“I’ll be perfect,” I promise. “I’ll make everyone think we are completely in love. But you know you’ll have to do the same.”
Kirill’s smirk returns as I try to tease him.
“I can and will,” he promises me, and the car stops as we arrive at the venue. Edik opens the car door for us, and I’m not surprised when I see Yana standing behind him, looking as intimating as ever as people milled around us on the busy New York street. I’m slowly getting used to having a personal guard,but sometimes, especially right now when she looks so lethal, it’s hard not to feel just a tiny bit intimidated.
I’m comforted by the way Kirill pulls me so closely to his side, already acting like the doting husband he promised me to be, and my tension eases a little. He takes me inside a tall, shiny black building I don’t recognize, but the moment we step into the foyer we’re greeted by opulence. Dark wood paneling, chandeliers, and antique furniture fill the sitting room.
On the opposite of the front doors stands a counter very much like a hotel, and behind it are four people in matching uniforms of maroon shirts, black vests and ties, and black slacks.
“Welcome to Anastasia’s, sir, madam,” one of the uniformed men greet us cordially.
“Good evening,” Kirill replies. “We’re here for the Yvaganov auction. Last name is Pavlovich.”
I notice that all four of the staff members still at the mention of the name, and the man greeting us even blushes a little.
“Yes sir, of course, sir,” the man replies readily. “The other attendees of the auction have all asked of your attendance. They will no doubt be excited for your arrival. Please, you and your company may take the last the elevator on the left. It will take you to your desired hall.”
“Spacibo,”Kirill replies, and puts a guiding hand on my lower back. Edik immediately moves to walk ahead of us and I don’t miss how Yana brings up our back.
“What is this place?” I ask.
“It is a club of sorts,” Kirill explains as we get on the elevator. “The auctions held here are not open to the public. Each elevator goes to a specific floor and that floor only. There is only one way in and one way out.”
“And what auction are we going to?” I ask.
“An old friend of mine’s estate auction,” Kirill replies. “He passed recently. We…we fell out of touch, and there’s a few things of his I wouldn’t mind having.”
“I’m sorry,” I offer.
I see a hint of gratitude flutter through Kirill’s eyes, and his thumb smooths a line down my lower back.
“That’s good. Acting concerned. Keep that up.”
I frown at him.
“I’m not acting, Kirill. I know what it’s like to lose a friend. It’s not easy. Even if you haven’t spoken in a while,” I reply.
Without really thinking about it, I reach up and cup his cheek. Instead of looking at me though, I see Kirill’s eyes dart toward Edik, and I turn just in time to see Edik starting intently at me.
Before I have time to question his look the elevator opens and its show time. Kirill takes my hand and tucks it under his arm, leading me into the large room. It’s not at all like a regular auction house. Instead it is set up more like a high-end restaurant, with large round tables in the middle, a bar at the back, and a stage at the front where a band might set up.
Almost everyone is seated when the elevator doors open, but the moment the people see us they were out of their chairs and heading toward us. We’re almost instantly surrounded by smiling faces of fancy dressed men and women, and the introductions begin. Some faces I quickly realize are familiar from our wedding, and I take the opportunity to say things like ‘how good to see you again!’ and ‘it meant so much to us that you attended our wedding’. This earns me a few appreciative glances from Kirill, and I can’t help but feel a little warm and fuzzy when I see them.
“Annika! Oh, I was hoping Kirill was going to bring you to this.”
I turn to the cheerful voice and am happy to see Viktoryia approaching with her husband quite close to her side.
“Dobryy vecher, Pakhan,”Mikhail greets Kirill. I’m not sure if it is custom or not, but Mikhail does not even look at me as he offers Kirill his hand.
“Dobryy vecher, Sovietnik,”Kirill replies as he takes his hand. A moment later Edik approaches, turning his back toward Viktoryia and me.
Though I thought I was fluent in Russian, the three men say things I can’t quite translate, and then Kirill turns to me.
“We have something to discuss in private,devochka.I want you to stick with Viktoryia and Yana,” he says, reaching up to stroke my cheek.
Remembering that I have to play the loving, doting wife, I simply smile and give him an obedient nod instead of demanding to know why he’d bring me out if he was only going to abandon me.
“Viktoryia, you will take care of the rest of the introductions, yes? And take her to our table. I don’t want her standing too long.”
