Page 115 of Emerald Malice

“I guess you just have to endure the pain.”

To my surprise, Yelena shakes her head. “Endure? No. I believe in moving forward. In action. In purpose. Without that, we may as well have died with them.”

40

ANDREY

Laughter filters in through the open windows. If I turn around, I’ll be able to see them all, spread across the lawn, Remi frolicking between the girls while Leonty and Shura pretend they’re on duty.

It’s been two weekends straight of picnics and movie marathons and dinners. Last Saturday, there was a barbeque. I watched from my office as Shura overcooked the steaks and Leonty mixed way-too-strong drinks for the ladies. Yelena kept Natalia in lemonade since she couldn’t partake.

Misha was there, too, though always lingering on the periphery, watchful and quiet. Even Olaf, Leif, and Anatoly made their way out to join at one point or another.

I kept my distance so they could have their fun, but now, I have half a mind to order Shura and Leonty into my office right now to remind them that they’re supposed to be overseeing this shit, not participating in it.

I’m still trying to block out the sounds of uproarious laughter when my door opens and Natalia walks in.

I rise to my feet, taken aback to see her here at all. Ever since her little seduction ploy in the pool house, she’s seemed as keen as I am to keep a healthy distance between us.

“Hi,” she greets awkwardly. “Can I come in?”

“You already did.” I pretend to be preoccupied by the expanse of papers demanding my attention “Shouldn’t you be out there hosting?”

More laughter rolls in from the lawn and Natalia peers out the window. “Wow, you can really hear everything from in here. Have we been distracting you?”

“I’ve barely noticed. I stay focused on what’s important.”

Not you. Not anything beyond my work and making sure my child is safe.

As if she can hear my train of thought, Natalia juts out her hip. “You know, you could join us,” she spits in a way that isn’t really an invitation at all.

“I’m busy, Natalia.”

“Of course you are.” She turns to the door again. “I’d hate to keep you from all of your important?—”

“Did you need something?” I ask. “I assume you came here for a reason.”

She swallows, her eyes flitting towards the open window yet again. “I’m taking next Friday off work.”

“And?” I pick up a file to peruse, though I don’t read a word.

“And I thought we could have lunch. Or dinner, I guess. Whatever’s more convenient for you.” My silence has Natalia rushing to fill in the blanks. “It wouldn’t be a date or anything. It’s just a meal. I think we should talk.”

But she’s holding herself so stiffly that I have to assume that accepting her invitation would, in fact, mean something.

Talking is never just talking with Natalia.

“I’ll be busy on Friday.”

She stares at me. I don’t meet her eyes, but I feel her sharp gaze practically sawing into my skull. Finally, she sighs. “Yeah, I figured. Forget it. Bye, Andrey.”

With that, she backs out of the office, leaving me wondering what the hell she wanted from me.

I’m still trying to figure it out an hour later when Shura and Leonty walk into my office. “You wanted to see us?” Shura asks.

He has the good sense to look nervous. Leonty is buzzed and too pussy-whipped to gauge that I’m annoyed as hell at both of them.

“Enjoyed your little party, did you?”

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