Fallen Stars and Broken Dreams - C.C. Masters Page 0,114

is proving to be difficult to get in touch with.”

“She’s right outside,” I said boldly. “I’d be happy to go fetch her for you.”

Sergei steepled his fingers. “I think you’re clever enough to understand the situation. Come sit next to me.”

Cold trickled down my spine. Had my mother become somehow involved in the family business? Why was Sergei here today? How did he even know that I was here in New York?

I obeyed Sergei’s request and perched on the chair opposite his. The hard leather was anything but comfortable, and I was ready to jump up at a moment’s notice.

“You don’t want Richard to know about your relationship with her,” I surmised. “But why grab me right from under his nose?”

Sergei raised an eyebrow. “Has anyone come looking for you yet?”

I flushed. Richard would notice if Nina stepped away, and he’d be waiting for her to come back. Me? Not so much. They wouldn’t come after me unless my absence prevented them from leaving.

“There’s been a traffic accident just around the corner,” Sergei said as if he read my mind. “Your driver was injured and the car damaged. It’ll be at least thirty minutes until a replacement is here.”

I cringed. Apparently, he’d planned this well. This man was even more powerful than I thought if he could locate me, arrange this meeting, and sabotage Richard’s plans so quickly.

“I thought Nina hid you out of sight in an attempt to protect you,” Sergei said in a casual tone. “But she didn’t seem to care at all when I provided photographic evidence that I could get to you whenever I wanted.”

“The man in Seattle?” I asked in confusion.

He didn’t seem like a threat when he approached me for a selfie. I had no idea that intended to provide Sergei with threatening photos for my mother. He’d definitely wasted his time there, because I’m sure she’d be delighted if I suddenly disappeared.

What did Sergei want from me? Nina had already proven that I wasn’t a weak point for Sergei to manipulate. Was he approaching me because he couldn’t reach her?

“You want me to arrange a meeting for you with my mother?” I asked nervously. “In secret?”

Sergei watched me with a calculated look in his eyes. “I’m wondering if we need to. You are more than just a child now, yes? Perhaps you can be the one to help me acquire what it is I need.”

“I’m not sure,” I said nervously. “What are you looking for?”

This situation was getting stranger by the moment. What was Sergei’s relationship with my mother like? What could he possibly want from me? I had nothing of value, not even my life, apparently.

Sergei watched me closely. “Your grandmother had a map that was given to her by her husband. It was promised to me, but never delivered.”

I paled but tried to keep a poker face. “My grandfather died when I was a young child, but I don’t remember seeing a map.”

Sergei patted my knee. “But I’m certain you’ll be able to locate it for me? My sister never had an interest in such things, but Nina does.”

“I can ask her about it,” I offered.

Sergei thought for a moment and then shook his head. “No, I think you and I should keep this just between ourselves. Nina can’t be trusted any longer.”

“Um, I have no idea where Nina might keep something like that,” I said honestly.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to resort to this because you seem like a nice Russian girl who knows the value of family,” Sergei said with a sigh. “But now I feel obligated to mention that your former dance partner and his family live in my territory. You’re still fond of them, even though you live far from here, yes?”

“Yes,” I said cautiously. I knew precisely what this man was insinuating. “Obviously, I want to do this for my dvojurodnyj ded, but I’m just worried Nina might not have it”

Sergei patted my knee. “No need to worry, malen'kaya balerina, I’m sure you won’t fail me. And since we are bonding so nicely, why don’t you tell me where Svetlana’s possessions are stored? I’d like to make sure she didn’t have a copy.”

“A storage space,” I told him nervously. “After Babulya died, it was just too much. I wasn’t ready to go through her things so soon.”

“Of course,” Sergei murmured sympathetically. “Where can I find this place?”

“Uh,” I reached for my phone only to remember that Maverik had insisted that we leave them behind, not