her feet, snapping him a foul look.
I resisted the urge to smile.
“Oh, piss off, Roman.” The woman turned to me and made it safely down the rest of the staircase. “You must be Elena! Hi!” She wrapped her arms around me.
I didn’t know what to do so I just stood awkwardly in her embrace.
“Danika,” Konstantin said, “show Mrs Falcone to the bathroom to tidy herself up, would you?”
That was a backhanded comment if I had ever heard one.
“Of course, Kostya.” Danika pulled back, holding my shoulders and scanning my face. Her reduced movement allowed me to take in her face. Softer features, with sweet brown eyes, a button nose and cupid bow lips. There was no animosity in her expression, only welcoming friendliness. “I’m Danika. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
I blinked. What had this woman heard about me? I couldn’t imagine it would be anything flattering.
Danika latched onto my wrist, tugging me forward. “Let’s go and get you freshened up. I might even have a change of clothes. Then you won’t have to sit on a plane in dirty pajamas.”
I pulled back on her grip slightly, turning to Konstantin.
Konstantin spared me a glance, eyebrows raised as if to say you should take her up on her offer.
I gripped the bottom of my dressing gown, shaking it. Dirt fell to the ground.
I sent him a mocking smile before turning to Danika. She was looking down at the mess I had made like she was convincing herself it was real.
“A change of clothes would be nice,” I said.
Danika looked back up at me, blinking rapidly. “Oh, yes, of course.” Her warmth returned, smile widening. “Follow me…”
We left the collection of men in the foyer. I resisted the urge to turn back and watch Konstantin. I wanted to figure out what was going on his head, behind that pleasant façade. Could he be convinced to not send me to Chicago? Or was it time I faced the wolves?
If he forces you onto a plane, it is not the end of the world, Elena, I told myself. You will have time in Chicago to escape and make a run for it. Or perhaps if I was patient, I could somehow manage to get away…
But then what? I had never held a job, never been on my own. I did have a small secret income…but those profits wouldn’t be enough to survive.
My mind was churning with possibilities, but it was Danika’s soft voice that pulled me out of my brain. “I’m sorry about your husband.”
We had reached the top of the landing, revealing more classical style architecture and minimalist décor. Danika hadn’t let go of my wrist; perhaps she was my first obstacle if I decided to make a run for it.
I considered her words. I’m sorry about your husband.
“Don’t be,” I said. “I’m not.”
Danika nodded in understanding but didn’t press.
As we went to turn down a hallway, I peered back over my shoulder. The Russian gangsters had grouped together, talking animatedly.
Konstantin stood with them, relaxed and confident. He was listening to something Roman the pit bull was saying, expression distant. Blonde hair caught the soft morning light as he nodded his head.
Authoritative.
The word sat in my mind, itching to be let out. I almost asked Danika for a pen.
Like he could feel my calculating attention on him, Konstantin lifted his head upwards.
I turned away before our eyes could meet.
Danika didn’t say anything, but her brown eyes searched my expression for something. When she finished her search, she gripped my wrist harder. “This way. Let’s hope I don’t get lost. I’m always getting lost in here.”
We did get lost.
About three turns and two hallways later, Danika stopped in an empty room. The thick layer of dust on everything made us both sneeze.
She put her hands on her hips. “Where are we…We went down the left wing and then—Oh, Babushka!”
I turned, expecting to see an old woman step into the room, but instead a huge brown tabby cat with beady green eyes came into the room, bushy tail swaying irritably behind her.
The cat’s attention went straight to me, not looking at all pleased with my presence. She hissed at me.
Danika clasped her hands together. “If Babushka is here, we’re near Tati’s room. That means the guest rooms are…oh, I have no idea. Let’s go and ask Tatiana.”
“How long have you been living here?” I asked, unable to wonder if Danika was just learning the space or was truly this inept