“Mrs. Baranov, what are you planning on doing?”
I eyed Keenan who was eyeing me with the ladder in hand. “I’m painting this ugly ass wall. What else would I be doing? Silly.”
He coughed down the squeak of surprise. “Couldn’t you have requested someone to come and paint it? Professionals and…”
“While Marek is gone? Hell no. They would have had to go through background checks and then a whole slew of people would need to watch over them. They would come in and paint and I wouldn’t be able to do anything but watch from the peep hole. If he even allowed it while he wasn’t here to watch everything.” I put my hands on my hips after I set the ladder down. “No. If I find something I feel like needs to get done, I’ll do it myself for now.”
Pulling all the paint supplies to the canvas, I opened up the first can to make sure that it was the right color. Sure eno
Marek: I just landed in Moscow. We had to stop in Dubai for a layover.10 minutes later. Marek: I know you’re up, Ria. Answer me.An hour later. Marek: Ria.That was right now. Gulping, I typed back. Ria: Sorry. I didn’t have my phone on me. I’m glad you made it safe. Marek: I told you to keep your phone on you at all times, Ria. It’s a backup in case something happens. Even if you’re in the penthouse.&nbs
I had music playing softly in the background as I was hunched over, painting the giant suction cups that were lining the Kraken’s tentacles. I’d been at the painting for hours. Something about being able to paint without worrying someone was going to catch you was marvelous.That was until I full-body jumped when the door started to open. Luckily my brush wasn’t near the canvas but I glared at the door.“Woah, hey, I’m just dropping off packages here, Princess. No need to look so hostile.”I snorted. “Ever heard of knocking?”“Ever heard of ‘you have people guarding you so you don’t get privacy’?”My eyes narrowed. Yeah, Vlad was throwing up red flags right and left. I didn’t move from my seat across the room. I still had the knife but it was sitting on the easel right now. I watched as he placed the boxes on the table.“I made sure we have enough guys
‘Peanut butter sprinkled donuts with chocolate drizzle. A vanilla iced coffee with extra syrup. Extra sugar. Hash browns, two of them. And lastly, a plain English muffin only toasted with butter.’There was a pause on the screen.‘You know…you could just use the password instead of my breakfast order.’I rolled my eyes. ‘You change the password too much. It’s easier this way.’‘Ha ha. Alright, Kharon, what do you want? Whose computer are you using?’Before they could continue to ask questions I typed. ‘Don’t go digging in here. At least not yet. I need you for a personal job.’‘Mmmmmmm, I dunno. Seems suspicious.’‘You’re the last one who should be saying that.’I waited for a moment but all I got was a ‘very well.’ If that was as good as
I looked up at him and he nodded inside, waggling his eyebrows.“Um…it was…what was it…it started with an A right?”“Anastasia, yeah. She walked in just now. And we need to get your key card.” His smile got wider. “Up for a little drama?”Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “I’m not here to cause drama, Vlad. We just need to get the key card. So let’s get it and go back up. I want to hang up the painting I finished yesterday and work on the second one today.”He nodded but it was a bit too exuberantly. We stepped back into the grand entryway of the building and I continued to marvel at all the delicate little odds and ends that brought the posh room together. A woman was standing at the counter now, all three of the employees behind the counter were at attention. All reflecting the same frown on their faces.“I’m sorry, ma’am. We don’t know who you are and you do not have authorization. We cannot tell you if the person you are looking for us in right now.”The woman scoffed and tossed he
Marek: ‘Good morning.’Ten minutes later.Marek: ‘Ria?’Another ten.Marek: ‘I’m going to tape the phone to your hand when I get back.’Marek: ‘Ria seriously.’I pursed my lips and opted to call him back rather than text.“I swear, Ria, I gave you a simple instruction. To keep your phone on you at all times.”Sighing, I laid my head down on the table. “I know. I’m sorry. I was downstairs and…”“You went downstairs. With no way to track
The next day was pretty much all just painting. I took a break when Vlad let a woman in. She seemed shocked to see me but quickly went about her business I decided to take some tea to the balcony. It really was nice. Taking breakfast out here seemed like a good idea.My phone rang and I picked it up. “Marek.”“I’m sorry. I should have warned you Victoria was coming today. She comes every week.”“Keenan warned me last night. It’s okay.”He sighed. “Still, I apologize.”“Apology accepted then.”Marek snorted. “Do you need anything?”I sipped my tea. Always straight to the point. Never how are you, just what do I need. “I’m fine. I have your information if I do.”“Right.” There was a long pause. “I should be back Saturday.”I hummed. “That’s fine. Is there something you would like me to p
*** Marek’s POV ***I looked at my watch again. It was already eight in the morning over there. I’d texted Rosaria at six and still nothing. I knew she was up late but that didn’t mean she didn’t get up. She was going to make me lose my mind.Pacing in the office, Aleksei was sitting on the couch reading the local paper. He tapped the paper.“Page five. Only page five. Your sister should have made a bigger stink.”I pinched the bridge of my nose. “We weren’t supposed to make the paper at all. It’s Casmir’s stupid zhena. Had she not realized she wasn’t going to get more by just making a ruckus…”This whole thing ended in a messy situation. Apparently, my sister was in love with Niklaus, the eldest Petrov brother, who was married already. She agreed to marry Vladimir to help hide his secret that he was gay. Turns out the love of his life was one of m
“Kam…”“I’m on my way, brat. Have your men let me in.”I nodded to Aleksei who started to type. He looked at me again. “There will be someone to escort her. The premises has been cleared. There were only seven of the them. They used an apartment on the 26th floor to then climb up the side of the building to the top. We don’t have camera that high up.”“The speakers?”“Bluetooth. One of their phones was connected. Zann confirmed one of the phones they stripped from the ones in the living room had music playing.”“The cameras?”“Looped.”I hadn’t told Rosaria or given her access to the camera’s set up in the house. My hope that she wouldn’t be freaked out about it. Though, I will admit tuning in a few too many times to watch her paint for hours at a time.“Mrs. Baranov!” Despite his worry a