Page 96 of Claim Me
And I knew in my heart that’s where this was headed.
What I’d learned about his world in three short days was that there were no happily-ever-afters. As the brooding Russian with the killer smile had told me more than once.
I was nothing but a weakness.
CHAPTER 26
Kazimir
Sunlight danced off the crystalline chandelier hanging precariously over the baby grand, creating a reflective glow in vivid colors. I glanced disinterestedly toward the pompous man rattling off concerns he’d been hesitant to relay with Marissa present. Only with my encouragement had she finally left the room.
Attorneys had never been high on my list of trustworthy people, less so today given his arrogant attitude and insistence Marissa was too fragile to make important decisions.
“Therefore, I’m advising Ms. Valentine that she has grounds to dispute Charles’ will. That will be placed in writing since she’s in a very vulnerable stage. Mr. Valentine was obviously under duress when making the changes only a few days prior to his murder. I’m certain there isn’t a court system in the entire country who won’t question the timing, Mr. Dmitriyev.”
“Is that so?” I asked coolly, keeping a smirk on my face.
“Yes, that’s my opinion.” He adjusted his suit for the fourth time.
I took my time responding.
“I’m curious. Are you accusing me of killing my friend, Mr. Whitman?” I asked as I crowded the hefty man’s space to the point where he was sweating like the pig he was. I’d purposely kept my hands in my pockets, yet I could tell by the pained look on his face he took my question as intended.
A threat.
He cleared his throat, taking a purposeful step back until he immediately hit the wall behind him. “I’m simply suggesting the timing couldn’t be a coincidence.”
Laughing softly, I kept from advancing any further. The man’s cologne was enough to give me heartburn. “While I believe Marengo is a beautiful resort, I assure you the operation isn’t worth killing for. I’d be very careful making any insinuations around me or my family including Ms. Valentine, Douglas. Doing so won’t bode well for your continued career. While I’m certain both Charles and Marissa have found value in your recommendations, I do not. Therefore, you are fired.”
Maybe I was being presumptuous, but at this point, I was finished with playing nice with anyone in this town. There were too many loose ends, too many people my instinct told me had ties to Popov. Too many people were capable of doing substantial harm to Marissa’s life.
If not eliminate her life altogether.
“You can’t fire me. I was hired by the estate.” His smile was filled with contempt.
While I’d yet to find any direct connection to Popov, there was no room to take any chances. I also just didn’t like his attitude.
My annoyance was increasing. “As you said within the first thirty seconds of meeting with me, I’m a rich man with influential ties. I can do anything I like. I assure you that your time will be appropriately compensated.”
“This is Ms. Valentine’s decision, Mr. Dmitriyev. Not yours. I’m certain even in her fragile state of mind, she’ll realize my services are necessary for her welfare.”
“Mr. Dmitriyev speaks for me as well.” Hearing Marissa’s voice brought an instant smile to my face. She walked to my side, her gaze concentrated on the floundering attorney. She laughed as if enjoying herself tremendously. Meanwhile, I sensed both her anger and the same boosted annoyance riddling me with vile thoughts. “I assure you I’m not fragile, Mister… Whitman. What I am is determined to ascertain who was responsible for the murders of my parents and brother. When I do, I assure you their deaths will be avenged. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about what happened, now would you?”
He seemed befuddled. “I… Absolutely not.”
“Mmm… I asked because it would seem you pressured my brother several times claiming he had a decent buyer and was a fool not to take the offer seriously. Lo and behold, I learn that buyer was Vladimir Popov. Now, I don’t know the man very well except by reputation, which is… What are the correct words? Highly unscrupulous.” She allowed her smile to wash over him like a soft blanket.
Meanwhile, I was enjoying the tough as nails side to her. She certainly didn’t need my help in crucifying the man.
Poor Douglas. I knew the underarms of his cheap suit were permanently stained with the stench of his heavy perspiration.
“I… I don’t have any dealings with Mr. Popov.”
“Well, I admit that’s not something I’ve had time to discover, but I assure you I will. As part owner of the Marengo, I need to keep a clear head for details. Of course,” she cooed, “after my fragile mind is taken care of. Now, I will let you in on a little secret.” She sashayed closer to him, her closeness pushing his nerves to the edge. “The last thing my brother said to me before he died was that I could trust no one but Kazimir. What I didn’t realize was that he was warning me about the heightened corruption in this town. I took the warning to heart. You can see yourself out, Mr. Whitman. One more thing. Don’t call me again.”
Her voice was strong, her will even more so.
He opened his mouth as if to spout off something stupid, but refrained from pushing me into action. Finally, Douglas huffed and it took him a few seconds to grab his things. When he finally left the suite, he did so by slamming the door.
