Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
And really, no one on earth was.
Papa and I had been texting steadily, and Facetiming almost every day, at least before I had left Moscow. His condition was improving. His doctors had not said that a complete reversal was possible, but I still held out hope that a miracle was happening. If nothing else, they had bought him precious time.
Precious time that I longed to be spending with him, though it was not part of our arrangement. Perhaps soon, I could visit him. I would ask Anton the next time we spoke of my father.
I was so grateful that he was no longer in pain. I could see it when we video chatted with each other. He looked more relaxed than he had in years. I knew he did not fear death, per say. But he did not want to leave me alone without family.
Something had given him hope. I must honor my father and let myself feel hope to. Hope that everything would actually work out for the best. My dear Papa’s health… my music career… perhaps even my complicated relationship with my equally complicated master’.
I was feeling good again as I left my room and joined Anton in the main lounge area of the suite. He was so still and quiet, deep in thought and looking out the window. He turned to look at me and froze. His eyes were shocked, then he blinked, and his gaze changed. Now it was filled with warm, male appreciation.
“You look incredible, Mishka. You are remarkably lovely in that color.”
He might be overstating, but I knew that he meant it. I felt beautiful in that moment. I smiled shyly.
“Thank you. For the dress. It is lovely.”
“Hmmm,” he started but then stopped, saying nothing.
“What is it?”
“The dress is benefiting from your beauty, not the other way around, Mishka.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling heat fill my cheeks. It was a good thing I had not applied blush that morning, or I would look like a performer, ready to take the stage.
“Shall we? Or would you like another drink?”
“Not right now, thank you,” I said, a bit indignant. Must he tease me about the drinks? We both knew quite well that I hadn’t expected them to be so strong.
The truth was, I was quite tipsy.
He offered me his arm. I took it. I was not surprised that once again there were four men waiting in the hallway outside. As we passed, I saw that there were two more waiting by the elevator. I knew that two would stay behind to watch the suite, and four would travel with us, in addition to the limo driver, and the drivers for the security team. One SUV would be in front of us, and another behind.
Anton had assured me that he often traveled with more security, not less. It was strange how quickly I was getting used to his ways. As much as it was strange, and we were a spectacle, the men were actually very good at blending into the background.
But I could not help imagine walking with Anton, like normal people, a normal couple in love, would be a dream… a dream that could not happen, I reminded myself harshly. Remember who he is. Remember what he is.
He might be interested in bedding me, and he clearly was, but I had no idea what else he intended or what he planned to offer me.
He escorted me out and then we were sliding into the limo. I was in a haze as he smiled at me, and we were off, this time to Brooklyn. We drove over a bridge. I stared out the windows while he smiled at me, pointing to famous landmarks out here and there. We spent the morning strolling hand in hand through the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, which were spectacular, and quite romantic.
We had lunch at a tiny restaurant nearby, in Park Slope. It was barely visible from the street, and had apparently been there for fifty years or longer. It was warm and unassuming. Anton ordered for us both, including an expensive bottle of red wine that made the waiter’s eyes widen for a moment.
I was still feeling warm and loose from the Bloody Mary’s. Normally I would have refused, but it felt like we were on a holiday. I decided to throw caution the wind and indulge him and myself. The wine was delicious. And when we left, they brought another bottle of the same vintage out, opened it, and handed it to Anton. He carried it to the limo with a smirk.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I joked. But I was astonished.
“If we are going to day drink, we might as well keep the party going,” he said with a wink.
And keep the party going, we did.
We drove around, stopping here and there to go into shops and bars. Before I knew it, we were pulling up outside an enormous building I had only seen in pictures.