Alexei ponders that for a while, seemingly weighing my words for truth. “Paul was not raised as a Petrov. My sister took him from Russia when he was a small child. If he had been raised in Moscow, I would’ve reared him in my own image. He would be a man. He would run the family business by my side.” His eyes narrow a shade. “Instead, he was raised here. And so he is still a boy. Soft. Weak. Spineless.” He spits on the ground to emphasize his point. “And yet, the Petrov blood runs in his veins. I have no sons of my own. So when he reached out to me several years ago and confided about his money problems, I was happy to offer him a position working for the family.”
“That was…” I search for something safe to say. “Very gracious of you.”
“Yes, it was.” His lips flatten into a harsh line. “But my nephew did not repay my kindness with loyalty. After only a year, he told me he no longer wanted any part in the family business. That he wanted to be a better man. Do you know why that is?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”
His eyes sharpen like knives. “Foryou.”
I suck in a breath.
“You say you had no knowledge of the Petrov family. And yet, despite your ignorance, it seems you still managed to convince my nephew to abandon his obligations to it.” He pauses heavily. “I find that… curious.”
With effort, I keep my voice steady. “I assure you, I view family as the most important thing in this world. I would never encourage my husband to cut off communication with you, or anyone in his family.”
“His mother assured me of the same thing many years ago… just before she fled Russia with her young son.” Alexei’s eyes are very, very cold. “Perhaps, if I’d trusted my instincts about Ekaterina, all this may’ve been prevented.”
Oh, boy.
This isn’t going very well.
This isn’t going very wellat all.
“During my nephew’s last trip to Russia, your husband stole something from my estate. Something very precious to me. I believe he smuggled it back on my private jet and brought it home with him. Home toyou, niece.” There’s a pregnant pause. “Do you happen to know what object I’m referring to?”
And this is where it gets tricky…
Do I lie and tell him I know nothing?
If I do… he’ll have no further use for me. He’ll most likely kill me and dump my body down the elevator shaft for the construction workers to find whenever work on this building resumes.
Do I tell him I know exactly where his precious Egg is hidden?
If I do… he’ll probably be so angry, he’ll kill me on the spot and dump my body inside one of the cement mixing vats for a wacky take on Han Solo in Carbonite.
Shelby Hunt in Cement!
Neither option sounds particularly appealing to me. In fact, they sound about as appealing as walking through a field of unexploded mines. Blindfolded. In six-inch heels. While drunk.
“Well?” Alexei prompts.
I make a split-second decision, praying it doesn’t get me killed. “It’s embarrassing to admit, but… Paul and I have been having some marital problems. He was traveling frequently, working all the time, and… well… it put a strain on our relationship.” I let tears glisten in my eyes, praying they appear convincing. “We haven’t been spending much time together lately. So, if he did steal something from you… I’m afraid I’d be the last person he would confide in.” I swallow hard, trying to make my voice upbeat. Innocent. Not like I’m lying my face off. “But I have hope things can get better between us. For the past few months, he’s been giving me the most beautiful gifts — trying to make up for his absence.”
There’s a long, silent beat. “What kind of gifts?”
“Oh! Flowers and chocolate, of course. Some lovely pieces of jewelry. And the prettiest little paperweight to keep on my desk in the study.”
“This paperweight.” His eyes gleam with interest. “Could you describe it for me?”
Yes. Take the bait, you bastard.
I tilt my head, as though recalling distant information. “It’s gold and oval-shaped, with lots of little gemstones all over it. Really beautiful. I don’t know where he bought it, but I’d love to find another one someday.”
Alexei’s eyes shift to the Evanoff brothers. “I thought you searched the house.”
“We did!”
“And?”