Page 184 of Mafia King’s Dangerous Vow

Yuri shakes his head but doesn’t engage.

Aleksander’s grip tightens slightly on mine. “If we buy it, you could work on it. We could also stay there occasionally.”

“I’m not sure designing a bratva lair would look good on my portfolio.”

“I suppose we could be restrained with the signage then.”

My phone rings before I can answer. I swipe to pick up. “Hi, Maya.”

“I’m sorry to bother you on a Saturday,” she says. “Mrs. Albright wants the dining room to function as a library without hurting resale.”

“That’s reasonable. Make it reversible. Built-ins on the long wall, no damage to the paneling, keep the chandelier centered, and use a table that can read both ways.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Send her two versions. One warmer, one more formal. And remind her that a room people actually use is not a downgrade.”

“I’ll do that.”

From the front seat, Mikhail’s spine has straightened.

It is not dramatic. Maybe no one else would notice. But Aleksander notices, and so do I.

Maya says something about lead times, and I make a note to check the finish sample on Monday. When I end the call, Mikhail is looking out the window as if the Saw Mill River Parkway has become unexpectedly fascinating.

“The Albright project?” Aleksander asks.

“Yes. Maya has it handled.”

Mikhail makes a low sound that could be agreement or disagreement. The back of his head gives me nothing.

Aleksander’s thumb stills against mine. Then his eyes meet mine for half a second before shifting, barely, toward the front seat.

I take a sip of my latte and let the silence sit for one beat longer than kindness requires.

“If the Woodstock house is as bad as you say, I may bring Maya to look at it with me.”

At that, Mikhail turns just enough for me to catch the flash in his eyes before he hides it.

There and gone.

“No,” he says.

Aleksander’s voice is mild. “No to the house?”

Mikhail faces forward again. “No to bringing civilians into safe-house assessments.”

“She’s an interior designer,” I say. “Not a civilian casualty.”

“Same difference, if the house is what Yuri thinks it is.”

Interesting.

“I can’t take on the whole project myself. The house needs a designer.”

“It needs gasoline.”

“Mikhail,” Aleksander says.