Page 26 of Tracking Shadows

She glances up at me, her expression neutral. "I can buy my own dress."

I almost laugh, the tension breaking just a bit. "No offense, Irina, but if I leave it to you, you’ll end up with something that screams 'undercover operative' instead of 'elegant socialite.'"

Her lips twitch, almost a smile, but she shuts it down quickly. "Fine. Just make sure it’s practical."

"Practical, sure," I agree, knowing full well that I’ll pick something that’ll turn heads, especially mine. I can’t resist adding, "I’ll make sure it’s something that’ll look good when you inevitably need to make a quick getaway."

She doesn’t respond to the flirtation, her focus already back on the mission. I swallow my frustration, reminding myself that now isn’t the time to push for anything more. There’s too much at stake, and Irina is all about the mission.

"I’ll be back in a few hours," I say, turning to leave, but not before giving her one last look, hoping for something—anything—to show that last night meant more than just a lapse in judgment.

But she’s already lost in her world of plans and strategies, as if I never even spoke.

With a sigh, I head out the door, mentally preparing myself for the task ahead: buying the perfect dress for a woman who’s as impossible to predict as she is to forget.

I feel completely out of my depth as I walk through the luxurious aisles of the boutique a few hours later. I’m not exactly the type to shop for women’s clothing, let alone something as intricate as a ball gown. But when it comes to Irina, I can’t trust her to pick something that doesn’t scream, “I’m here to kill you.” So here I am, holding up a sleek black dress that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and allure.

I pull out my phone, find Dmitri’s name on the favorite tab, and dial it. Valentina will be the perfect person to help me. The phone rings twice before he picks up, his face instantly brings a grin to my face.

“Alexei,” Dmitri answers. “How are you holding up?”

“Still breathing, still in one piece,” I say, keeping it light as I inspect the dress under the boutique’s flattering lights. “Irina and I are making progress. I'll keep you updated.”

“Good . . . and you’re staying focused?”

“Like a laser,” I joke, though I’m dead serious. “But listen, I need some advice. How’s Valentina? And the baby?”

There’s a brief pause, just a hint of hesitation. “They’re good. Valentina’s tired, but she’s handling it like a champ. Why?”

“Can I talk to her?” I ask, already imagining the look on Valentina’s face when she finds out why I’m calling. “I need a woman’s opinion on something.”

Dmitri sighs, probably rolling his eyes. “Alright, I’ll put her on.”

A moment later, Valentina’s smiling face fills the screen. “Alexei! What are you up to?”

“Valentina, just the person I needed,” I say, holding up the dress for her to see. “I’m deep in enemy territory—shopping. What do you think of this?”

She laughs, a bright, musical sound. “Well, that depends. Are you trying to make Irina faint or blend in?”

“Why not both?” I smirk, imagining the look on Irina’s face when she sees the dress.

Valentina narrows her eyes at the screen, tilting her head. “Hmm, it’s nice, but I don’t know . . . maybe something a little more daring?”

I blink, taken aback. “Daring, huh? You think she’ll go for that?”

“Oh, Alexei, trust me. Irina may act like she’s all business, but she’s got a side to her that loves a little drama,” Valentina says with a knowing grin. “Show me what else you’ve got.”

I rummage through the rack, pulling out a deep red gown with a plunging neckline. “How about this one?”

Valentina’s eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “Too much. You’re not trying to get her arrested for indecent exposure, are you?”

I chuckle, putting the dress back. “Fair point. Alright, how about this?” I lift a sleek emerald dress with a thigh-high slit.

Valentina raises an eyebrow. “Now that’s more like it. But the black one was better. More mysterious, more . . . Irina.”

I nod, considering her words. “You’re right. The black one it is.”

She nods approvingly. “It’s perfect. Elegant but with enough edge to suit her. She’ll love it.”

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