Page 28 of Perfect Stalker

I step inside, mouth dry. Ivan sits behind his massive desk, looking every inch the powerful CEO, but there’s a tightness around his eyes that betrays his calm exterior.

“I have a prospectus…” I say, setting the folder on his desk. I’m awkward and nervous, with my attention no longer focused on the project that excited me just moments before.

He doesn’t even glance at it. “How much did you hear?”

I swallow hard. There’s no point in lying. “Enough to know someone named Alexei Morozov is in Atlanta, and that you’re worried about my safety.”

Ivan’s jaw clenches. He stands, moving around the desk to tower over me. “You shouldn’t concern yourself withBratvabusiness.”

“I overheard it, not eavesdropped, but—” Anger fills me at the rebuke. “Shouldn’t I? When it directly affects my life?”

“Jenny—”

“No.” I cut him off, surprising us both with my vehemence. “You don’t get to brush this off. Who is Alexei Morozov? Why is he a threat? What the hell have you gotten me involved in?”

His eyes flash dangerously. “Watch your tone.”

“Or what?” I challenge, stepping closer. “You’ll fire me? Go ahead, but I deserve answers. You’ve dragged me into this world of yours. The least you can do is tell me the truth.”

For a long moment, we stare each other down. Then he exhales raggedly and some of the tension leaves his shoulders. “Sit down. This is a long story.”

I perch on the edge of a leather armchair, my anger giving way to apprehension. He pours two glasses of vodka from a crystal decanter, handing one to me before taking a seat across from me.

“Alexei Morozov and I have a...complicated history. He was another protégé of Vyacheslav. We were once allies, working together to expand our territories in Russia, but Alexei wasn’t suited for the lifestyle. I told our mentor that, asking him to give Alexei a safer, administrative-oriented role, and Alexei thought I betrayed him for power. He disappeared for a few years only to resurface with his own gang and determined to take me down. We’ve had…skirmishes for power ever since.”

I take a sip of vodka, welcoming the burn. “And now he’s here in Atlanta?”

Ivan nods grimly. “It seems he’s decided to expand his operations to America, and he’s starting with my territory.” He gives me a rueful smile. “Perhaps because I tried to decimatehim in Moscow a couple of years ago when he was targeting my territory. It wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped.”

“But why involve me?” I ask. “I’m just your assistant. I don’t know anything about your...other business dealings.”

A muscle ticks in Ivan’s jaw. “You’re not just my assistant, Jenny. You’re...” He trails off, seeming to search for the right words. “You’re important to me. Alexei has realized that, and he’ll use any leverage he can find against me.”

My stomach twists. “So, I’m a pawn in your power struggle?”

“No,” he says sharply, glaring at me. “Never a pawn to me. You’re under my protection. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I laugh bitterly. “Your protection? I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t sign up to be caught in the crossfire of a mafia war.”

“I know.” His voice softens. “And I’m sorry for that, but it’s too late now. You’re involved whether you like it or not.”

Fury rises in me again, hot and choking. “Because you decided to pull me into your world? Did you ever stop to think about what that might mean for me? The danger you’re putting me in?”

Ivan’s eyes narrow. “I’m keeping you safe.”

“Safe?” I stand, pacing the office. “How is this safe? Having a target on my back because of you?”

“My men are trained to handle threats like Morozov,” Ivan says, his tone maddeningly calm. “You have nothing to worry about…including Stephen”

I whirl to face him. “Nothing to worry about? Are you serious right now? You just told me that a dangerous criminal istargeting me to get to you, and you think I have nothing to worry about?”

Ivan stands, closing the distance between us. “Jenny, I promise you?—”

“Don’t.” I hold up a hand, stopping him. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You can’t guarantee my safety. Not when you’re the one who put me in danger in the first place.”

Hurt flashes in his eyes, quickly replaced by firm determination. “I will do whatever it takes to protect you. You have my word on that—and with or without me, you’d still be in danger from Stephen, so don’t pretend getting my protection doesn’t benefit you.”

I flush, realizing he’s right. Stephen was a problem I let into my life before Ivan ever saw me for the first time. Still, I resent being dragged intoBratvabusiness. I open my mouth to utter a retort, but before I can, the intensity of Ivan’s gaze captures me, pinning me in place.

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