Page 55 of Dancing With Delusion

“She is fine. A little quieter than I’d like, but she’s opening up again, which is a good sign. She’s comfortable and settling in well.”

“And her meds?” I ask. “Is she taking her meds?”

“Of course. She was prescribed Xanax on arrival and didn’t fuss.”

I relax slightly. “Great. That’s good. When can I see her?”

I hear a buzzer in the background. “Mr. Volkov, that’s my next client. Look, I’ll be honest, I don’t think Victoria is quite ready for visitors just yet?—”

“She’ll want to see me,” I cut in.

“And in time, we’ll make sure that happens, but right now, I think it’s best that she has no visitors.”

“What about a call?”

“I’m so sorry, I really do need to go.”

“Can you tell me where the hospital is at least?”

“I’ll call you in a few days with an update.” She disconnects, and I pull the phone away from my ear and glare at it like it’s somehow responsible for what just happened. “Fuck,” I mutter.

“Everything good?” asks Marshall, coming up behind me.

“Yes. It was Harriet.”

“Victoria’s therapist?” he asks, falling into step beside me. “Great. Are you going to visit?”

“No.”

“But—”

“Not now, Marshall,” I grit out, and he slows, leaving me to go to my meeting in peace.

My meeting takes an hour longer than I’d expected it to, and when I step out, I put a call into Nik. Since our run-in at the hospital, he’s been avoiding me wherever possible. He answers on the second ring. “Where the hell are you?” I demand.

“Do you need me?”

“I asked a question.”

“I’m just heading to Kat’s.”

“I’ll meet you there.” I disconnect and slide into my waiting car. “Stop by V’s,” I tell Marshall.

I march through the bar to Vivian’s office and enter without knocking. My father is leaning over Vivian’s shoulder, staring at her open laptop, and I note how cosey they seem. They glance up in unison, and Vivian smiles, sliding her chair back and causing my father to step back to avoid being hit. “Dmitry, what a lovely surprise.”

“I spoke to Victoria’s therapist,” I say, staring directly at my father. “She seemed to rush off when I asked about visiting.”

“It was likely she knew you wouldn’t take no for an answer and got off the call,” he replies dryly. “Can’t you just listen to me for once and get your head in the game? Vivian has some amazing ideas for the bar that you need to hear, and the families have noticed you haven’t been home so far this year.”

“I am home,” I say firmly.

“You know what I mean, Dmitry. You’re absent and it’s being noticed. Now, Victoria is in the best place possible, so please stop worrying about her and take more notice of the businesses.”

“I need to pay the fees,” I state, and he frowns. “For the hospital. You didn’t give me any paperwork, and I’ve made no payments.”

His mobile rings and he glances at the screen before muttering something and heading out the room, leaving me alone with Vivian.

She gives me a sympathetic smile as she rounds the desk. “You look worn out,” she says, gently rubbing my upper arm. “Sit down, have a drink, and forget about business for a moment.” I suddenly feel so exhausted that I find myself lowering onto the plush couch and burying my face in my hands. A minute passes before she sits next to me, holding out a half-glass of whiskey. “Your father can be hard, but he means well.”

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