***
Christina
Neither Tim nor I want to bother Ivan, to remind him of his lunch appointment he needs to leave for in less than five minutes. Tim is supposed to go too as it’s a working lunch with Dmitri Markhoff.
A discussion of a possible joint venture. Markhoff has lessened his workload in favor of spending time with his wife and kids. He isn’t as interested in doing deals that would require a lot of his attention. But he thinks the investment is too lucrative to pass up, so he’s trying to interest Ivan to go in, as long as Ivan does the heavy lifting.
The door that is so rarely closed opens just as Tim tells me he’s sending the message to Ivan. “Tim, stay. Clear my schedule for the rest of the day. Christina, come.”
Tim and I trade glances. Ivan not coming back into the office? I don’t argue, just grab my purse and a notepad. I’m relieved the tension in him has lessened. When I went into his office, fear gripped me for a hard minute to see him so obviously upset but doing his best to hide it.
We have barely settled into the car when Ivan’s phone rings. He sighs heavily as he answers it. Before he even opens his mouth, I can hear Gemma yelling. I have talked to her and Hannah briefly, their affection for their brother clear. Right now, it’s obvious Gemma is freaking out.
“There is nothing for you to be concerned about. I am handling it.”
I’m doing my best to pretend like I’m not wondering what the hell he’s talking about.
“Nothing will be ruined. Have I ever let you down before?”
I can hear Gemma crying but not what she’s saying.
“Enough, you are going to make yourself sick. Do not talk to Aari, he has not been able to rein his sister in thus far. To demand he do so now will only upset him. I told you, I will take care of it. This is not your concern. Worry about the cake and the flowers and allow me to worry about Mishka.”
Who is Mishka?
“I will not allow her to ruin a single hour over the next few weeks, let alone either of your wedding days.”
Whoever she is, she’s pissed him off. I almost feel sorry for her.
A soft sigh unlike anything I have ever heard comes out of him.
“Gemma.”
It’s a whisper.
“Gemma—”
Still just as soft. The crying stops, I hear her say his name.
“I will never allow anyone or anything to hurt you as long as it is in my power.”
Something twists deep inside me. I believe him, without a single doubt. He would shield her from anything, I can’t help but envy Gemma.
“I already have a plan. Trust me. Do you trust me?”
A pause as his head goes down.
“I love you too. I will call you later.”
Ripping my eyes off him is painful. He looks so different than he normally does, almost human as he runs a hand through his hair. Even when he had been in the plain shirt and sweatpants he could have walked out of a magazine. His hair always falls perfectly, those broad, wide shoulders back and straight, as if he were a conquering general. This is an Ivan I would never have thought existed, and I want him even more.
“I apologize you had to hear that,” he rumbles as he tucks his phone into his pocket.
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize. Your sister needed you. Did you want—”
The car door opens. Lawrence is waiting with a curious expression on his face. I hadn’t even realized the car stopped.
As we enter the restaurant Ivan’s hand brushes across my back, guiding me, and I jump at the electric shock it sends through me. I want to die when I see Ivan’s mouth twitch up with the smallest of smiles. Jerk.