Page 81 of Diamond Don

“I don’t have your number.”

He presses a farewell kiss to my forehead. “Yes, you do. Check your phone. I saved it in it before handing it back to you.”

Bemused, I shake my head, as I watch him walk away, quickly catching up to his nemesis with his long strides. I waste no time pulling out my cell phone from my bag. I search through my contacts list, but my confusion grows once I don’t find any new entries under the letter “N” or “S.” I swipe up on the screen, curiously glancing at the various names. An unfamiliar entry catches my eye—your boss, it says. I laugh as I roll my eyes before entering the large house and searching for the bar area.

It wasn’t a lie that I didn’t want to try to balance my way onto a boat while wearing my nude heels. But the real reason I avoided following the two men has nothing to do with my shoes. If I am to have the displeasure of running into the stronzo, then I’d like to face him by myself, as far away as possible from Nik’s watchful eyes.

However, as I walk through the finely decorated house—politely nodding and smiling at the numerous guests who make eye contact with me—I don’t spot him or any of the men from his inner circle.

Not allowing myself to feel completely relaxed and relieved just yet, I finally locate the bar area.

“A martini, please,” I ask the redheaded girl working behind the bar. “Extra dirty.”

The bartender nods at me, and I sit on a bar stool, waiting for my drink. As discreetly as possible, I scan my surroundings for any sign of the Italians. That’s when Vladmir takes a sit next to me.

“There you are,” he grunts, like he usually does, as I have come to learn during my employment with Nik.

“Here I am,” I say. “Didn’t know you were looking for me.”

“Nikolai told me to keep an eye on you until he returns.”

“Oh. I see. Sorry about that.” I don’t want to inconvenience him.

“What are you sorry for?” he grunts again. This time, seemingly in confusion.

I shrug. “Well, I’ve learned Nik can be a little over-the-top sometimes. Very overprotective. I’m sorry you were handed babysitting duty because of me.”

Vladmir glares at me, seeming even more confused. Maybe even a little repulsed by me. “He’s the boss. It’s not up to me—or you—to criticize his orders. The orders are the orders.”

It’s my turn to stare at him. This might be the longest sentence I’ve ever seen him utter. Still, it’s obvious the man doesn’t like me. That’s fine by me. The feeling is mutual.

“Right. Sorry about that, I guess,” I say at last, smiling at the bartender in thanks as she hands me my drink. Vladmir has his own glass of clear liquor. Vodka, I’m sure.

I wait for Nik’s henchman to say something, but he doesn’t. It’s clear he’s not interested in making conversation with me.

“So,” I say, sipping my beverage, “I assume you’ve been working for Nik for a long time.”

“Yes,” he says. I expect him to elaborate on his answer, but he doesn’t, of course.

“That’s nice. You must know him pretty well.”

This time, he doesn’t even acknowledge me with a verbal response, simply raising an eyebrow and staring blankly ahead.

I sigh.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Did you know Maxim well, too?”

This question gets a reaction out of him. “I’m not here to make small talk with you,” he chides me.

“Aw, come on, Vlad. It’s just an innocent question. I’m just trying to kill time with you while we wait for the boss-man to return from his little field trip. No need to get upset about it.”

“Nikolai ordered me to keep you safe—not indulge your idle gossip.”

“Gossip? Who said anything about gossip? Like I mentioned, it’s just an innocent question. You can’t blame me for being curious about Maxim. He’s the reason I’m in this situation, after all.”

“No, you’re in this situation because you’re a shameless thief.” He takes a healthy swig of his drink.

“Boy, you don’t like me much, do you?”

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