Page 43 of Blood Mosaic

“Hmm.” Anna took the box reluctantly. “It will taste better tomorrow.”

“Mama,” Tatyana said, jumping in. “Why don’t we make some tea?”

“No, she’s correct, of course.” Oleg’s eyes were warm and his voice wrapped around Tatyana like a cashmere scarf. “Your mother must be a baker. Smetannik is always better if it is chilled overnight. In fact” —Oleg straightened and shifted hisshoulders back until his tall frame seemed to fill the room— “I have some business to discuss with Tatyana while Mika takes a look around the house to improve the security for you and your daughter, Ms. Vorona.”

Anna sniffed and held on to the box. “She says someone broke in, but I don’t see anything missing.”

“That’s Mr. Arakis’s specialty. He’s a security expert.” Oleg finally looked at Tatyana. “I wonder if it would be better to leave Mika to his work while we speak about the accounts. I haven’t eaten this evening, have you?”

Tatyana wasn’t able to answer before her mother jumped in.

“Are you here as her boss or something else?” Anna asked. “Is that appropriate? Asking her out on a date and pretending it’s for work? She’s not stupid. You think she can refuse you? What kind of company do you run?”

“It’s fine.” Tatyana stepped toward her mother. “Mr. Sokolov traveled all the way from Odesa. If he wants to eat while we talk about the accounts, I’m happy to join him.” She glanced at Oleg. “I know it’s aworkingdinner, not a…” She could barely say the word because the thought was terrifying. “Not a date. Obviously not a date.”

“I wouldn’t presume that a lovely young woman like your daughter would be interested in an old man like me, Ms. Vorona.”

Old man? Was he joking?

“I’ll get my coat,” Tatyana said. “Just give me a moment. I’ll get my coat and my briefcase.”

“Briefcase?” Oleg narrowed his eyes. “Ah yes.” He reached back and snapped his fingers again.

Kiril handed Oleg a large bag with ribbons for handles.

Oh no. No no no.

“I saw that your computer bag was shabby, so I took the opportunity to get you a new one,” Oleg said. “For work.”

A bag with ribbons like that meant money. So. Much. Money.

And there was no way she could reject the gift graciously while Oleg Sokolov was standing in her mother’s living room, wearing a cashmere sweater and a wolflike smile.

“Thank you.” Tatyana reached out and took the bag, which had cream-colored tissue paper sticking out from the top. Whatever it was, it probably cost more than her car.

Anna humphed. “Not a date. Of course not a date. How could I possibly think it’s a date?” She muttered something under her breath and walked to the kitchen. “Security man, if you’re going to poke around my house, I’m going to make tea.”

Chapter Eleven

“You know I’m returning this bag.” Tatyana was sitting back in her chair, her eyes fixed on Oleg as he watched the sommelier pour two glasses of red wine.

“You’re keeping the bag.” He glanced at the soft V of flesh visible at her neckline. She was wearing a blue-green wrap dress that was both professional and sexy as hell. He really needed to buy Lorala some flowers. “Lorala picked it out to go with your new wardrobe.”

“I’m not going to pretend that I do not like these clothes, but I need to pay for them.” She leaned forward as the sommelier left the table. “People at SMO are going to think I’m your mistress if you keep paying for things. I’m working for you now and?—”

“You’re working for Elene. If I tried to fire you, she wouldn’t let me.” Oleg waved a hand. “You’re going to keep the clothes and the handbag and you’ll continue staying at the hotel. Shopping for a wardrobe or looking for an apartment would distract you from your main objective, which is finding the money Zara stole from me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I won’t have my fellow employees thinking that you’re favoring me because?—”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Tatyana.”

“You think they won’t notice? Do you buy every new hire fancy clothes and handbags? Do you fly to their houses because they had a break-in?”

“Of course I don’t. And I’m obviously favoring you. There’s no point in hiding it.” Oleg tilted his head to the side. “I hired you as an independent contractor, and you’re working on commission.”

Tatyana shook her head. “And?”

He leaned forward, matching her posture. “None of my employees are independent. None of them bargain with me for their position or their pay. Most of the employees at SMO don’t even know who I am.”

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