Page 38 of Little Blue

I can’t allow this to continue. That’s four hundred thousand I won’t get back.

I also can’t allow this to go unpunished. Men are turning, loyalty is fading, and something toxic and fast spreading is brewing.

An example needs to be made. “Tomorrow.”

“And the girl?”

My eyes lift from the screen to my friend. “Irelynn?”

He nods. “Are we bringing her?”

“No.”

His brows shoot up fast. “You’re leaving her? Here? Alone?”

“She will have Luka and Boris.” I don’t like it, but bringing her into the United States so soon after her capture feels like a dangerous idea. If she slipped away…

Misha’s grin begins to stretch. “Should I take that to mean we won’t be staying long?”

I peer down my nose at him. “You can take it to mean you won’t have time to swindle some blonde with tanned legs into your bed. Unless you wish to fly commercial.”

“Swindle.” Misha barks in mock offense. “I fight them off like rabid dogs.”

It’s my turn to chuckle. “If you say so.” He follows me to the door of my office, and as I exit, I turn and say, “I want eyes on Popov. Someone we trust. Everything he does. Every shit he takes, I want to know about it.”

All joking aside, Misha nods. “On it.”

We part ways, him to get to work on getting eyes on Popov, and me to find the little woman I left sleeping in my bed.

I’m at the base of the stairs when I hear Polina’s distinct shriek of winning joy, followed by a wind-chime laugh that perks my ears. With one foot on the first step, I pause, listening. When I hear it again, I pivot and head for the kitchen.

I move quietly into the doorway, leaning against the frame as I take in the sight before me. My woman and staff sitting around the table, playing a game with dice, shouting like fools. Although Polina can speak English well, as all my staff and men are required to, when she gets excitable, her English becomes more broken. She’s blabbering between English and Russian now, and Irelynn is watching her with bright eyes and a half smile on her lips. She’s entranced, and her pale cheeks are flushed with enjoyment and—is she drinking?

Next to an untouched cup of tea is the same highball glass that Polina and Daniil have sitting in front of them. I’m well aware the strength of Daniil’s drinks, and if my Little Blue has had more than one, she’s going to be well on her way to thoroughly imbibed.

I frown, recalling the way she’d told me she doesn’t drink.

That’s the moment Luka spots me. I’ll have to have a talk with him about his spatial awareness while he’s been charged with her safety. I’d hate to have to end his life because she got so much as a paper-cut.

When he tenses like he’s going to make my presence known, I lift my finger to my lips and shake my head once. He settles back in his chair, looking significantly more tense than before.

He’s going to give me away.

About two minutes later, frowning at Luka, Daniil’s eyes do a sweep of the space to land on me. Surprise fills his eyes before a knowing grin smooths it out.

Then something almost cunning takes its place. I raise a brow, settling in for the show as Daniil asks, “Another drink, malyshka?” Little girl.

Her head swivels as she presses her palms to her cheeks. “I’m already on fire and I feel like I could float away on a cloud.” She’s only slurring a little. How many has she had?

Polina gasps, eyes wide. “You only had the one.”

“I don’t drink.” She lifts her shoulders and I feel myself frown, because whatever she’s wearing is huge. She points an accusing finger at the empty glass. “That was strong.”

Fuck, but she’s cute. I wouldn’t be surprised if she started hiccupping bubbles.

“It will help you sleep,” Daniil says.

“I’ve already slept so much. It’s all I’ve done.”

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