Page 83 of The Pakhan

He’d taken away my phone and my internet. He’d insisted either he or Mom drop me off and pick me up at school and there’d been no after-school activities. None. I hadn’t gone to the homecoming dance that year or any of the holiday events.

Had I learned my lesson?

Hell, no. I’d simply gotten much more creative with my lies, which was likely one reason I was so good at pretending to be Pink Flamingo and not Caroline Randall.

As Vadim remained outside the locked door, I had to put on the performance of my life. That included acting more hurt than I was.

Yes, Daniella’s words stung. There was no way around it, but I tried to put myself in their shoes. Finding out a girl basically their same age was having a passionate tryst with their father wouldn’t be easy for anyone.

Later, I could get pissed. The window to try to find info while helping Joshua was short. He’d wanted me to meet him in a little less than an hour. I had to work quickly if I wanted to do that undetected.

I’d caught a break, noticing the room he’d nonchalantly tried to ignore while I’d gleaned as much information as possible before he’d closed it off.

I was a bit of a novice when it came to the various types of security systems. I’d never expected to find myself literally breaking into anyone’s home or business. I wasn’t that kind of thief.

However, in doing my research, I’d learned that there were some highly effective and entirely different systems that were virtually undetectable. With the money I knew Vadim had made, he could more than afford the cost. But if I could get in, I could at minimum temporarily turn it off, which would allow me time to leave in my car.

I had the keys. He hadn’t thought to take them away up to this point. Was it possible I would be chased? Yeah, but I’d paid some attention to the soldiers outside and their schedules. Their actions and shift in personnel were like clockwork, true military precision.

If my luck continued, I might have a few minutes to get away clean.

Was that even possible? Well, I was determined to try.

A nervous laugh was already bubbling to the surface. I’d been alone for a couple of hours, which was a long time to be pacing the floor.

“Are you okay?” Vadim asked.

“I’m perfectly fine.” I opened the door, noticing the look of relief on his face. “I’m sorry about what happened.” He was the picture of testosterone, so handsome in a dark gray suit and power red tie that my breath was taken away. “You’re all dressed up.” I don’t know why I said the words or even made the statement. I’d seen him mostly dressing to the nines my entire life. However, there was a difference in his outfit, including the use of a pocket square. I didn’t even know men did that any longer.

“I have business that requires immediate attention. You have no need to be sorry. None. Daniella should never have acted that way.”

“She had every right. You should have talked to her before Sofiya told her. That way it wouldn’t have been a complete shock when she came in and saw us together. I am their age. I was the girl playing in the pool with them while the adults were drinking frosty beverages and treating us like the kids we were.”

“Ouch. You make me sound old.”

I shifted to his tie, correcting the knot where it should be. When I patted his chest, the moment felt awkward. He was also wearing strong men’s aftershave that reeked of power.

“You’re not old, Vadim, but this is reality. You need to be a little understanding with both of them. They are your daughters.” I wanted to offer advice, but I also needed to get him out of the house.

He smirked but his eyes were glistening. “You’re offering me parental advice?”

“Well, I do think you need something to help you navigate the treacherous waters.”

He burst into laughter. “I’ll accept that. I need to head off. Francois is coming by in an hour or so to take you to the secure location I mentioned. I’ll join you there later. That’s as long as you’re certain you’re going to be alright.”

“Stop worrying. How many times do I need to tell you that I’m a big girl?’

His nostrils flared. “You certainly don’t need to do that.” He cupped my face, his hold possessive. “I don’t need to remind you that the situation is still extremely dangerous.”

“I know. I’m not going to do anything stupid. Okay? Stop worrying.”

“Sometimes I think what I do best is worry.” He pulled my head closer, kissing the top. “I’ll meet you later and we’ll at least enjoy dinner out.”

“Okay. I’d like that. Be careful, Vadim.”

“Why are you saying that now?”

“I dunno. I just have a bad feeling.”

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