Page 30 of Deadly Devotion
“I’m sorry, I have to take this.” Aleksandr steps out into the hallway to speak to the caller.
Chewing on my lower lip, I debate telling Dimitri I already know about the apartment. He’ll want to know how I received this information, and that’s a problem. Convincing myself that it’s now or never, I tell him.
“Dimitri,” I begin nervously, “I know about the apartment. I know someone broke in and ransacked it.”
“Hmmm, and how did you find this out?” he ponders, walking around the desk to stand before me.
“Well…let’s just say I got my hands on a cell phone and called Sandy. But in my defense, Aleksandr hasn’t let me contact her at all! And she’s mysister. I needed to know she was okay. And he just wouldn’t listen to reason…“ I shrink in my seat, waiting for the backlash.
After a moment, he leans on the desk, crossing his arms in front of him. “I understand,” he replies coolly. “What did she tell you?”
I relax my shoulders and relay what Sandy told me. “She said she called the police, but they can’t do anything about it without evidence of who broke in. She said the apartment was torn apart, but nothing was taken.”
“I took her to the apartment to gather some belongings. Unfortunately, we don’t know who broke in. We assume it was Mikhail’s killer.” He cracks his knuckles, then paces in front of the desk with controlled anger. “Sandy is safe at the hotel. We have a crew cleaning up your apartment and installing security locks.”
“I want to see her. Will you please speak with Aleksandr? He won’t listen to me.”
“Da, I will speak with him, but I make no promises.”
Dimitri steps into the hallway, leaving me alone in the office. My stomach shakes from either nerves or the baby. I’m not sure which. All I know is that I need to see my sister. Without realizing it, I rub the bird tattoo on my wrist.
A few minutes later, Aleksandr and Dimitri enter the office. Aleksandr’s brow is furrowed, and there’s a glint of frustration in his eyes. “Did Sandy tell you anything else? Anything suspicious that might have happened before the break-in?”
“No, she didn’t. She’s been at the hotel. But she did say she’ll have to go back to work soon, or she won’t have money to pay the rent on the apartment. I can’t let that happen. We need the apartment. And if it’s not safe for her to return to work, I’ll have to figure something out. Which means that you’ll have to let me leave the mansion.” I cross my arms over my chest, ready for an argument.
“Talia, this concerns me deeply,” he said, his voice low and serious. “But I need you here.”
I hesitate for a moment, steeling myself before speaking. “And I need to see Sandy. I need to see for myself that she’s safe and make sure we don’t lose the apartment.”
He regards me with surprise, then nods slowly. “Very well. I will pay the rent for the apartment and then take you to her.”
Relief washed over me, and I was grateful for his understanding. “Thank you, Aleksandr. Can we stop by the apartment first? I need to gather some of my things.”
His gaze hardens momentarily, then softens as he considers my request. “Fine.”
With a plan in motion, I returned to my room to prepare for the trip. I was determined to ensure Sandy’s safety, even if it meant confronting the unknown dangers that awaited us outside the confines of the estate.
Chapter 20
Aleksandr
Talia’s apartment felt like a fragile refuge amid the sprawling chaos of the city. Its walls seemed to pulse with tension, shadows dancing across the dimly lit rooms. My men stationed discreetly outside kept watch, their presence a muted reassurance amid the uncertainty that engulfed us. Inside, Talia moved about, gathering her belongings with quiet determination.
I watched her from the doorway of her bedroom, leaning against the frame with my arms crossed over my chest. She moved gracefully, her chocolate brown hair cascading over her shoulders as she packed. But then her steps faltered, her complexion paled, and I sensed something was wrong.
“Are you alright?” I asked, pushing off the doorframe and stepping closer.
Her response was a weak smile, a hand pressed to her stomach. “Just a bit queasy,” she replied, her voice strained.
“Maybe you should sit down,” I suggested, my eyes narrowing with worry.
“I’m fine, really,” she insisted, though I sensed her discomfort.
Before I could press further, she excused herself, disappearing into the bathroom. The sound of retching echoed faintly through the apartment. I hesitated, then approached the closed bathroom door. “Talia?” I called out, my tone softening.
She emerged moments later, a faint flush on her cheeks. “I’m okay,” she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Must’ve been something I ate.”
“Come, sit down,” I instructed, leading her to the sofa in the living room. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”