Page 62 of Torn Souls

CHAPTER 21

KIRILL

“Mr. Volkov,” Betty’s sickly-sweet voice coming through the intercom on my phone has me gritting my teeth, “Mr. Chambers is on line four for you. He says it’s urgent.”

Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I shoot off a text to Huck, Baker, and Maxim to let them know Chambers is calling me. It’s been a week since Maxim and Oaklynn’s date was interrupted by her father and Lev.

I was expecting this call sooner than a week later. I’m surprised he made it even 24 hours. Not taking an opportunity to call and try and goad me probably took a lot of restraint. There’s no doubt in my mind he was spending that time with Lev planning.

It’s not like I’ve gotten any updates on my fake financial portfolio. He’s no longer even trying to use that as a pretense. Which is just fine by me. I’m more than happy to get straight to the heart of the matter instead of playing these games.

Without responding to Betty, I pick up line four and put it on the speaker, just as the guys stride into my office, closing and locking the door behind them. Huck rigged the phones so no one can pick up a line once it’s been answered from any of our office phones, which means Betty is out of the loop if she was stupidenough to listen in to any of our phone calls.

That woman is on her last legs. After what she tried to insinuate about our woman, I almost ordered her death. But then Angelo called and there were other matters to worry about. The only reason Betty is still breathing is because it’s better to have your eyes on someone you don’t trust than cut them loose and leave them to their own devices.

Every day she isn’t reprimanded, she gets more comfortable. I’m sure her time will come. Sooner rather than later.

But today is not that day.

“Richard,” I smoothly greet him, sounding completely unbothered because I am.

He’s the kind of man who thinks too highly of himself. It’ll get him killed. By me.

“When I saw my daughter a week ago with your brother,” he sneers the words as if Maxim is some powerless boy instead of a man capable of great destruction, “she informed me that invitations were at the printer. I still haven’t received it, and I’m concerned.”

“I assure you the wedding preparations are proceeding without incident.”

He scoffs and I can’t help but grin. Getting under his skin is fun. I don’t owe him a damn thing, and he knows it.

“I would hate to imply that I don’t believe you, Mr. Volkov,” his voice drips with barely contained sarcasm, “but I would like an update on the wedding planning. I would like to see what has been decided and be looped in on any concrete plans. I’ll gladly offer my help if need be. I know my daughter can be,” he pauses for dramatic effect more than anything else, “flighty.”

I clench my hand into a fist and my jaw sets at the insult he’s just laid at my feet about Oaklynn. Not reacting to the disrespect is not easy.

Our woman is anything but flighty, but Chambers doesn’t really know anything about his daughter. He never did. That’s his loss.

“I’m not opposed to you being involved,” I keep my tone measured, “as long as you understand all final decisions will be Oaklynn’s. It’s the only wedding she will ever have. I want her to have everything she’s ever dreamed of.”

“Of course,” he concedes though I can hear the strain in his voice.

“Has the ring you designed come in yet?”

I smirk at the guys and pull the box out of the top drawer. Oaklynn wasn’t lying to her father about the ring. I had no idea that she would come into our lives when she did and I wasn’t prepared. I am now.

There’s no way I was going to allow a subpar ring to ever grace her finger. It was delivered yesterday, and I can’t wait to see it sparkling on her finger. But that won’t be until after her father is dealt with, at least.

Mikhail is another problem. But I can only deal with one thing at a time.

Unless something goes down which has Chambers and Mikhail in the same place at the same time. I just don’t see that happening any time soon. Not if he was seen meeting with Lev.

As much as it pains me to admit, they are far too smart for that.

“It has,” is the only answer I give him.

He doesn’t even deserve that much.

“Good, good,” he responds distractedly. “I’d like to meet with you about the wedding planning. Does the office work for you?”

I look up and meet Baker’s gaze who rolls his eyes and lets out a silent huff of annoyance. This guy thinks we’re stupid.

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