Page 40 of Dancing With Desire

“Of course,” I say, holding out my arm towards the house. “Please, come inside.”

I wait until they file past me and head up the steps, then I hold Victoria back. “Are you okay?” I ask, and she gives a slight nod before rushing after them.

Inside, Roger looks around the entrance hall with a surprised expression. I notice Cassandra keeps her head lowered, but her eyes are scanning the room too. Poppy makes no secret of the fact she’s impressed as she spins in a circle murmuring, “Wow.”

I lead us into the living room, and Poppy immediately goes over to the bookshelf, scanning the titles in awe. “Drink?” I ask as Annie, the housekeeper, appears in the doorway.

“Tea, please,” Cassandra almost whispers.

“Got anything stronger?” asks Roger, eyeing the drinks cabinet.

“Of course,” I say, nodding to Annie, who disappears to make the tea. I head over to the cabinet. “What’s your poison?”

He moves closer, his eyes greedily taking in the various bottles. “Scotch,” he says, watching as I reach for the two-grand bottle of vintage two-thousand-three Highland single malt scotch whiskey. I pour a measure and hand him the crystal glass.

He takes a sip and nods in approval, “Nice.”

“You didn’t say you were visiting,” mutters Victoria.

He turns to her, narrowing his eyes, and she wilts again. “Do we have to announce it? We wanted to surprise you.”

“It’s just, I have work,” she lies. “And Dmitry needs to be somewhere.”

He turns back to me. “Don’t let us keep you.”

“It’s fine,” I reply, going to Victoria and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Please, take a seat.” They all sit, and I pull Victoria down on the couch beside me.

“Have you heard from Marcus?” asks Roger.

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “He left ages ago, and I haven’t seen or heard from him.”

“Strange. We’ve been calling, and he hasn’t returned them. It’s like he’s disappeared off the face of the earth.”

“You know what he’s like,” she mutters, shrugging.

“He’s never gone this long,” says Cassandra. “Not without at least texting me.”

“I don’t know what to tell you,” says Victoria on a sigh.

“He hasn’t paid our rent,” adds Roger.

“They’re threatening to kick us out,” says Cassandra.

“Maybe he got sick of supporting you,” Victoria suggests.

“He wouldn’t abandon us,” spits Roger, knocking his drink back. “He wouldn’t see Poppy out on the streets.”

“You’ll have to get a job,” Victoria states.

His eyes burn with rage. “Sorry?” he murmurs, his voice low and dangerous, like he’s daring her to repeat her words.

“It’s just, if he’s not around, how else will you pay?” She fidgets nervously, and I place my hand over hers to reassure her.

“That’s where we thought you could help,” he says, looking around the room.

“I can’t—” she begins, and I gently squeeze her knee.

“Of course, we’ll help,” I cut in, ignoring her glare burning into the side of my head.

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