Page 58 of Lethal Legacy

God, even the memory of it has me biting my lip and rubbing my thighs together.

It clearly didn’t affect him the same way, if he could leave so abruptly.

If it wasn’t for the rules of his damned contract, I’d already be in the elevator, knocking at his door and begging for a second chance to prove to him that I can do more than simply obey orders.

Feeling Dimitry’s eyes on me, I thrust the thoughts from my mind. I can’t afford to think about having sex with Roman when his children are arriving any minute now.

The flight number shows on the arrivals board as having landed. I stand up. “Dimitry. Can I ask you a favor?”

“You can ask.” His eyes continue to scan the room.

Wow.Dimitry is a tough nut to crack.

“I know you have to keep an eye on everything. But I’d like to meet the children the first time without too much... fuss.” I remember all too well what it was like as a child to walk out of customs and into a huddle of security men. No matter how casually they were dressed, how unobtrusive they tried to be, still I felt as if I was walking out withRussian oligarch’s daughtertattooed on my head.

“They don’t know who you are.” Dimitry still hasn’t looked at me.

“Actually, they do.”

That gets his attention.

“I asked Luis to message Ofelia, Mikhail, and their security detail in London to ask if I could contact them directly. I set up a group chat with them and sent a photograph of me wearing these clothes this morning, so they’d know what to look for. Luis verified it with their security team, so everyone is on the same page.”

Dimitry frowns. “Can I see the messages?”

“Sure.” I hand him my phone. The plane is still taxiing down the runway. I watch the screen and Dimitry’s face as he scrolls through the messages, trying and failing to read his reaction.

Mary Poppins:Hey, humans. Figured you’d rather avoid any fuss, so if it’s ok with you, I’ll get Luis to meet us with the car. My name is Lucia by the way. Here’s a pic so you know what I look like. In case you can’t tell, I’m really not good with selfies.

The photo is a full-length one of me in the light pink sundress I’m wearing now, pulling a rather droll face.

Ofelia:K

Mickey:Who’s Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins:Man, I’m clearly old. See link.

The link connects to a YouTube clip from one of the Poppins movies.

Mickey: ??

Ofelia:Lose the umbrella

Mary Poppins:I always do. I lose stuff all the time.

Ofelia:Thought you were supposed to be the responsible adult

Mary Poppins:Been working on that for a while, clearly still a long way to go

Ofelia:If you’re that useless why did Roman hire you

Mary Poppins:I’m an excellent liar.

Ofelia: ??

Mickey: ??

Ofelia:This is us just in case you get lost.

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