Gabriel glanced toward it.
“Rose liked that feature too.”
For the first time, something resembling amusement touched his expression.
“I can see why.”
He nodded once.
“I’ll leave you to settle in.” Gabriel exited with Jared.
The apartment fell quiet after they left.
Not empty.
Just mine.
***
“We’re here.” I allowed the women entry to the building and took a long breath, letting it out slowly as I waited for them to arrive. I opened the door and Dottie swept into the room, carrying a tray of coffees with enough outrage to power a small city. Behind her came two more women, one I was sure was Raia from the brief descriptions Dottie’d given me, and the beautiful, gentle smile from her almost perfect Madonna lips.
The other I had no idea, but she was tiny. Probably half a foot shorter than me, but the confidence that poured off her in waves told me she was someone of some substance. She held wine bottles in her hands and held them up like it was an obvious choice for 11:30 AM.
“Oh, thank God,” she said, setting everything on the kitchen counter. “You’re alive.”
“I’m beginning to suspect everyone knew where I was except me.”
“Correct.”
“You don’t seem troubled by that.”
“I am troubled by many things,” Dottie said. “Mostly men. And your father. And apparently international organized crime, which was not on my bingo card this month.”
I stared at her.
She stared back.
“Hi. I’m Raia.” The beautiful woman with the long wavy hair held out her hand. We were about the same height, but where she was almost waiflike, I was all curves. More Jessica Rabbit than runway model.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Raia, I’m Polina, but I’m sure you knew that already.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Raia said warmly.
“Start talking.”
“Dottie—“
“No.”
She held up a hand.
“You disappeared.”
Another finger.
“You were nearly kidnapped.”
Another.
