Page 20 of The Councilor

“Understood and not one I’ll take lightly,” Vadim added. “You both know I’m not any good at extending olive branches.”

“Learn, my friend. If you want to keep your family perpetually safe. Learn.” I meant what I said. Our world was still brutal in every aspect, the possibility of living a long, full life akin to winning the New York lottery.

Maybe the city had been at peace too long but in my mind, my recommendation was a solid one.

Only I was like Nikolay, refusing to volunteer. How could I stand a wife if I couldn’t tolerate even the thought of being in a relationship?

Raphaella

If the drink had been anything other than a professional meet and greet with the new employee, Aleksander certainly hadn’t shown it. The next two days had gone by in a whirlwind, working with the man more fast-paced than I’d envisioned. I’d learned a lot, eager to discover more.

The man was respectable, patient, and unfortunately, still good looking. The fantasies had expanded both nights. The two mornings I’d awakened hot and sweaty, the vivid dreams lingering in the forefront of my mind long after I came to work.

I was finally back at my desk, grabbing a bottle of water and a breather. I’d brought in a couple of personal things, already feeling like this was a good choice. The single picture was of my brother, sister, and me together a couple of years before. It was rare we’d been photographed together, my brother a typical teenager while Sophia was currently in her boy-crazy phase. I couldn’t remember ever going through that. Granted, she was a few years younger, still trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life. My brother knew and had since he was a kid.

A brilliant kid.

I stared at the stack of paperwork, some of which I needed to enter into the computer system, groaning at the volume of work. But I’d pressed the man, ensuring him I could handle just about anything. It was obvious he’d taken me at my word.

When my cell phone rang, I stiffened. The girls wouldn’t call me while I was working unless it was an emergency. I had to look. Instantly, my blood chilled as I looked at the screen. Seeing my father’s private line was likely to ruin my day. But it was much better to take the call than try to avoid it.

My father was nothing if not tenacious. “Hello, Dad.” It was more of a clipped greeting than usual.

I could tell he sensed it, huffing in the background. “New job. New attitude?”

“Don’t go there, Dad. I am working and very busy. What do you need?”

“Your presence at dinner tonight.”

That request I hadn’t been prepared for. “I have plans.”

“Break them. This isn’t a request. I’m telling you that you will be here tonight. Seven sharp.”

“Is something wrong?” I always worried about my brother and sister, their youthful attitudes often getting on my father’s nerves. He loved his kids. I knew that. He’d doted on the three of us while growing up. But there was something about the strain in his voice I didn’t like.

“Nothing is wrong,” he snapped. “I need to talk to you. That’s it. Seven o’clock.”

Before I could agree, he hung up. Shit. I loathed going home for dinner. I couldn’t stand the pomp and circumstance of it or the dressing for dinner requirements. I was thankful I’d worn a dress with a suit jacket today. Maybe it would be presentable enough for his strict standards.

I tossed the phone and held my head in my hands. Something was terribly wrong. I could feel it in my gut. Now I would do little but worry for the next four hours. Great.

So much for getting away from family.

CHAPTER 7

Raphaella

I’d once loved my father’s house a long time before, running up and down the stairs, playing hide and seek. Even my father had joined in on several occasions, acting as if I couldn’t be found. I’d never forget how often he’d made me fly, spinning me around as if I was the queen of the world.

For some reason, my heart was heavy as I walked inside. The place was the same, my mother and father decorating to the hilt for various holidays, my mother’s love of fresh flowers something that had remained. There were always beautiful vases in the house.

It was a good memory I had with her, which were fewer and further between. We’d picked flowers from various garden sites together, even wildflowers in the wild. She’d given me the love as well.

There was no sign of my brother or sister, both still living at home. Sophia was of an age she could venture out on her own, but she didn’t have the same spirit I did. Plus, I had afeeling our father was even more conditional with her. Money was important in this city, our trust funds well established. It wouldn’t be long until I could get my hands on mine, which I knew was the last tether my father had with me. That likely bothered him significantly.

I smoothed down my dress before heading to the dining room. I don’t know why, but seeing just two place settings caused my skin to crawl. Not that the entire family was usually together except on special holidays like Easter and Christmas dinner, but where was my mother? Maybe I didn’t want to know at this point.

I found my father in his office, nursing a drink while standing in front of the window. At least he hadn’t noticed me yet, concentrated heavily in thought. I hated the fact I was nervous around the man, but my instinct told me something was terribly wrong.

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