I open my laptop and login to the school’s website, waiting impatiently as the dial circles, searching for connection. As I wait, I file through a stack of papers to the left of our computers. A phone bill, a car payment, a bank statement, and what looks to be a receipt for some kind of computer work.
That’s funny, the computer work was done for a man name Viktor. I hold the paper closer to my face. Viktor Novikov.
My heart races. Ryan didn’t mention doing any computer work for Viktor. You’d think that would’ve come up. Considering… you know… everything.
I hold the paper closer to my face, squinting my eyes as though what I’m seeing is wrong, but it’s there. Viktor Novikov. Computer programming assist. Nine thousand and two hundred dollars.
Whoa, that’s a lot of fucking money. What the hell?
I scan the paper for a date, wondering when the hell these two had time for a business transaction of this size in the last week. But this wasn’t last week. This receipt is from two months ago. My mind races with possibilities of what’s going on, but nothing makes sense.
I grab the receipt, throw on my dress, and leave the house in a panic. I could talk to Ryan, but he’s kept this from me this long. I don’t trust he’ll be honest anymore. No, my sights are set on Viktor Novikov, the man who swears he can’t tell a lie.
Chapter Fifteen
Viktor
When Everleigh comes stalking down the aisle toward me, I know something is wrong. Normally warm and pliant, today her gaze is forceful with haze and anger.
“What’s this?” She hands me a piece of paper. It’s a receipt for computer work with Ryan. Fuck. Why doesn’t he have this shit locked up?
“It’s a receipt.”
“I know,” she quips. “Why is your name on it? How do you know Ryan? Who are you?” Her forehead is narrowed and wrinkled as though she’s an angry chihuahua staking her territory.
“You’re lucky I’m still here. I have a late class, Philosophy 202. You should add the credit when you work toward your masters.”
“There’s no masters. What is this paper?” she repeats.
She’s ten minutes early for class, but there a few students already sat in their spot. Her tone is causing a scene.
“In my office,” I growl.
“No. Right here.”
I take the paper from her hands and stalk into my office, waiting until she follows, like I know she will.
“You don’t get to bark rules anymore. I want to know what the fuck is going on.” Her arms are folded over her chest as she moistens her lips.
My dick aches. Who’s wouldn’t? She’s fucking adorable all worked up like this.
I push the door closed with my foot and look down at her, but she only glances toward the closing door.
“I’m locked in your dungeon, now tell me what this is.” She strips the paper from my hands again. “Don’t bother with lame excuses. How do you know Ryan?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you,” I say, looking up at her from the desk as I sit. “I told you that.”
“Mmm… hmm…”
“The receipt is for computer programming. Ryan does work for me on the cheap, then provides a receipt, and I’m able to launder money.”
She pauses and I can see the breath is being sucked from her lungs. “How long have you known him?”
“A few years.”
“What?” She leans against the back wall. “You’ve known him foryearsand you didn’t say anything? You guys acted like you didn’t know each other. That’s lying. You said you wouldn’t lie. You lied to me.” There’s pain I her eyes, deep, saturated pain that I’m not sure I can fix.
“It wasn’t a lie. It was an omission. In my line of work, I have to be careful how I manage myself. If too much is divulged, I could be in a lot of trouble, and everyone around me could be too. I told you that as well.”
