Page 47 of The Russian Retribution

Slow and sensual has never been so amazing.

I should have better control. Viktor would kill me if he found out.

But as she turns to face me and gives me a nervous smile while smoothing her hands down the bodice of the dress, I know it’s the truth.

“I love the detail,” Faina says. “Do they have this in anything that’s not yellow? With your hair, the colors might blend too much, and we want you to stand out.”

“Blue,” I say as Anastasia’s eyes lock onto mine. “If they have that dress in blue, you would kill everyone with one glance.”

“Blue,” she repeats softly.

“Oh, yes.” Faina nods quickly. “A cornflower or sky blue would be amazing. Let me go check!”

As Faina hurries away to find someone who works here, I’m left alone with Anastasia and the moment presents itself in a way that I could give her a thousand compliments.

If only my phone didn’t ring at that exact moment.

Viktor.

“Sorry, I have to take this.” I flash her an apologetic smile and stand, then hurry out of the room and step through one of the glass doors so I can talk while keeping an eye on her. “Hello?”

“Where the hell are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been trying to contact Anastasia for twenty minutes and she hasn’t picked up. Now I’m having to call you just to find out where she is.”

“Didn’t you read the note I left? We’re shopping.”

“Shopping?” Viktor nearly chokes on the word. “At a time like this?”

“What’s the issue?” I hiss. “The gala is a month away and we’re working toward solving everything, right? So she’s going to need a dress unless you want everyone in New York to hear that the Remizova gala crashed and burned because the guest of honor turned up in jeans?”

“If she even gets that far,” Viktor mutters.

Of course. He’s so convinced of her guilt that he’s certain she’ll be dead or arrested before gala night.

“Viktor, you need to start looking at things more clearly. Every day we waste on this pursuit is another day the real killer gets away from us and is free to target someone else. And that includes you.”

“Why are you so sure she’s innocent?” he spits.

“Why are you so sure she’s guilty?” I snap right back. “You never told me how these suspicions started. You just asked me to trust you and I did. But I’ve been around her. I’ve been involved in her day to day for months now. I know her, and I’m telling you that you’re looking in the wrong place.”

“A great pair of tits is all it takes to turn your head, huh?” Viktor snarls. “Do I mean nothing to you? Have I not slaved away to provide for you and support you through all your endeavors in life? You wouldn’t even be in this position if it weren’t for me.”

My grip on the door handle grows painful. “Viktor, I am always grateful for everything you have done for me, and this doesn’t change anything. I know you miss Sergey and I understand your desire for revenge. It’s a desire I support, trust me. Someone killed ourPakhanand has been trying to kill our Godmother. I am right there with you on all of that, but this time, I need you to trust me.”

The curtains part once more and Anastasia appears in the same dress, but this time, it’s a gorgeous light blue.

“Anastasia is not your killer.”

“Bullshit.”

“Then tell me what you know!” I hiss, fighting to keep my voice low. “Tell me why you’re so convinced because if you don’t… I’m done.”

“What?”

“I’m done. I’m not doing this anymore. I’m not investigating her, I’m not spying. I’m done with it. It’s a waste of time and has been from the start.”

---