Page 90 of Santa Daddy
My gut dropped through the floor.
The lobby security guard stepped out from behind the sleek desk. Tall. Broad. Uniform tailored as nicely as the residents’ suits. Expression flat, eyes not.
“I’m just going for a walk,” I said, pasting on a smile that felt like my face was cracking. “Needed some air.”
He shook his head once. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Mrs. Zverev.”
I flinched at the name.
“Excuse me?” I asked, sweet edging toward sharp. “Since when is walking illegal?”
“Since Mr. Zverev gave explicit instructions.” His tone stayed polite, but the words were concrete. “You do not leave the building without one of his men.”
Of course he had instructions.
“Hiswife,” I said, leaning on the word, “gets to leave the building.”
“It gives you protection,” he said. “But protection comes with rules.”
Protection. Again.
Protection that looked exactly like imprisonment with better lighting.
“And if I ignore your rules?” I asked. “What then? You tackle me under the Christmas tree?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he touched the earpiece at his collar, spoke in low Russian. I caught my name.Zhena.Wife.
He listened, expression not changing.
“He is on his way down,” he said.
My stomach sank.
“He’s not here,” I said. “The panel upstairs said?—”
“He was in the garage,” the guard replied. “Private access.”
Of course he had a way in and out that didn’t involve the shiny lobby like the rest of us peasants.
The elevator at the far end chimed.
Not the one I’d used.
This one was set into a discreet alcove, metal panel beside it instead of regular buttons. The doors slid open.
Konstantin stepped out like something summoned.
Charcoal coat. Snow still clinging to the wool at his shoulders, melting in tiny drops. Dark hair damp at the temples, jaw shadowed.
His eyes went straight to the duffel on my shoulder.
His mouth thinned. His shoulders went a fraction tighter.
For one second, I thought he might actually snap in public. Show everyone in this lobby what I’d seen in the tree lot.
Instead, he inhaled once. Deep. The only sign he was wrestling something down.
