Page 7 of Some Like It Royal

She googled the information and looked up a number for the law firm. Waiting to be connected, she glanced at herself in the mirror and shook her head. “Dreamer.”

“Grange, Dubbin and Grange. How may I direct your call?”

“Martin Grange, please.” She slipped off the heels and put the cell phone on speaker while the receptionist transferred her.

Another woman came on the line. “Martin Grange’s office.”

“Yes, I would like to speak to Mr. Grange. My name is Alyx Dagmar.” She unzipped the dress and stripped it off—trading the expensive costume for capris and a clean tank top. She’d stopped at the fitness club next to the restaurant that morning. A regular customer managed the location and let her use the showers for free when they weren’t crowded.

“May I tell him what this is in regards to?”

“Daniel Voldakov.”Voldakov.It sounded Russian. The name, not the man. Perching on the edge of a chair, she stuffed her feet into her sandals.

“This is Martin Grange.” A question hung suspended amid the statement.

Alyx picked up the phone and thumbed off the speaker before putting it to her ear. “Mr. Grange, my name is Alyx Dagmar. I wanted to ask you some questions about Daniel Voldakov.”

“All right.” The attorney kept his tone neutral, but wary.

“First, is he your client?” She dragged her purse over and fished past the pepper spray and Taser for lip gloss.

“Yes, I represent Mr. Voldakov. If you are planning a nuisance suit, I can assure you that won’t be necessary. We can settle this amicably.” The man sounded aggrieved.

“I’m not planning anything at the moment. Would you describe Mr. Voldakov to me?” She didn’t bother to disguise the bite in her tone. He’d already admitted to representing her blond stalker. Applying the gloss, she checked her teeth and studied her appearance. She didn’t wear much makeup to conserve her supplies. It rankled that she wasted some for this fake audition.

“Mr. Voldakov is about six foot one, blond hair, blue eyes. He has a small circular scar at the corner of his right eye. Is he there currently?”

Heh. Looks like his attorney isn’t thrilled with him either.

“He’s in the theater.” She zipped up the purse and slung it over her shoulder. “Does Mr. Voldakov actually own a software company?”

“He does. Spherecast Technologies.”

“And he’s raking in the bucks stateside but can’t make it in the European market?” She followed the hallway to backstage and through a side door into the audience. Daniel stood exactly where she’d left him, arms folded across his broad chest. The frown wrinkling his brow smoothed when she appeared.

“I’m not comfortable discussing Mr. Voldakov’s finances with you, Miss Dagmar.”

“Fair enough. Are you aware of the proposal he made to me?” She walked up the aisle, aware that Daniel could hear her. A muscle ticked in his jaw.

“I am. I apologize for his enthusiasm, but he genuinely means well.”

“Does he? And this investigation he did into my background, did he go through your office?” She stood in front of Daniel, meeting his gaze defiantly.

“Again, I’m going to have to decline to discuss Mr. Voldakov’s private affairs with you.”

The corner of her mouth quirked. The attorney’s annoyance had focused on her instead of his client. She put him on speaker and held the phone out so Daniel could hear. “I’m with Mr. Voldakov now, Mr. Grange.”

“Daniel?”

“I’m here. Tell the lady whatever she needs to know.”

“I think we should discuss this further. Why don’t we make an appointment?” The poor man really did not care for being put on the spot, but she kept her gaze firmly on Daniel, looking for any sign of deception or avoidance.

“No. Just answer her questions.”Point to Daniel.

“Very well. Yes, Mr. Voldakov’s company is facing stress from competitors to access the right permits and licenses to sell in the European Union.” Nope, the attorney wasn’t one little bit happy.

“Is it because of the product or is he trying to shortcut his way through regulations?” She lifted her eyebrows as Daniel cocked his head, a mild look of incredulity on his face. Yes, she did have an education and wasn’t afraid to use it.

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