Page 26 of King’s Promise

“Anya and her family are taking care of it.” I sigh and pour more cognac from the crystal bottle sitting in front of me. I never thought about living away from home permanently. I used to come to London to oversee things for Dad but was able to return home when I wanted. Now, I’m grounded here. I miss Mama, having taken her for granted as I grew older. I miss my night life at the clubs. Keeping track of Anya in uncertain times requires time and energy when I’m trying to manage a merger of our family’s businesses.

“How are Dmitry and Roman?” I ask. I miss them giving me shit all the time.

“Trouble, as always.” She sighs and I’m sure she’s remembering us younger. “I miss your presence; you tend to keep them in line the best.”

I chuckle. “Well, I’ll be seeing you next week.”

“That you will. I’ll bring pearls for Anya to wear at the wedding and welcome her to the family. How are you two getting along?”

“Fine.”

“She must love the house. She always had her head in the clouds, I’m surprised she wants to be an attorney.”

“You know?”

“Oh course, it’s good for you to be with a woman who won’t give into your every demand, it will keep you on your toes.”

“Sure, one more person for me to keep in line.”

“It’s late, I have to go. I’ll see you next week,” she tells me she loves me and hangs up.

I ponder our conversation. I wonder if Anya has memories of her childhood in Russia. The small town where our fathers grew up is all she knows outside of London. This explains why she’s so modern and adventuresome, she’s more European than Russian. She’s had freedoms most from our town never experience.

It’s late, and past my bedtime when my phone rings. It’s Pavel.

“What now? It’s late.”

“I got a call; Anya is at Club Royal. Our doorman texted as they went in. Some girl was with her.”

“Her sister?”

“Hell if I know. Doubtful, dark haired. Anya and Katerynia are both blonde.”

“How did she get out of the house? Fuck!” I exclaim. “I’ll check her room, pick me up immediately.”

I fly up the steps taking two at a time and burst through Anya’s bedroom door to find Katerynia in her bed, eating a candy bar and watching TV. Her eyes grow wide with surprise.

“Where is Anya?”

“At a club, with a classmate.”

“When did she leave?”

“Over an hour ago. I’m sorry.” She stands. “Wait, how did you know? No one came by the room. Is she okay?”

“I don’t know, she’s on her own, at night, with no guard. You tell me,” I yell in frustration. “I’m going to get her. You stay here and don’t leave this room!”

Katerynia shrinks under my voice. I slam the door behind me so hard it rattles the frame.

I grab a suit jacket from my room and am out the front door as Pavel pulls up in our black SUV.

“Fuck, do we have any intel on who she’s with?”

“No, the staff is looking for her as we speak.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I strike the dashboard as Pavel floors it to our club.

Pavel parks illegally on the street and we hop out charging into the club like our lives depend on it. My heart is in my throat, what if something happened to her? Who is she here with? Is she secretly meeting a man?

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