Page 25 of Dark King Daddy

Mikhail took it. His grip was firm. “Daniil.”

“Anton.”

Anton shook my hand next. His gaze moved over the entrance, the men at the doors, the parked vehicles. He approved of nothing openly.

“Ksenia.”

“Daniil.”

Her voice was warm. Her expression was not.

She looked beyond me toward the lobby. “How many entrances reach the third floor?”

No greeting beyond my name. No polite delay.

“Three.”

“Elevator?”

“Locked. Key access only.”

“Stairs?”

“West stair is controlled from the lobby and third floor. East service stair has guards at both ends.”

“Kitchen access?”

“Restricted.”

She stepped closer. The scent of her reached me. Something clean with a trace of geranium beneath it.

“Restricted how?”

“No staff on the third floor except one waiter.”

“Who?”

“Leonid Gusev.”

Recognition moved through Mikhail’s expression. “He was here when Lev bought his first share in Volna.”

“He was,” I said. “He has served both families for years.”

Ksenia did not look reassured. “That makes him familiar. It doesn’t make him safe.”

Anton glanced at her. Mikhail’s mouth shifted at one corner.

I should have objected. Instead, I liked the question.

“He was checked when he arrived,” I said. “He has no phone. His service route begins in the kitchen, passes the west guard station, and ends at the Birch Room. He will not enter the rear passage. He will not remain inside after serving.”

“And the plates?”

“Prepared under supervision.”

“The room?”

“Swept twice.”