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  “No problem, my friend. I will let you know if I hear anything else.”

  He left Oleg in his office. Viktor took the elevator down. The building was empty except for Oleg and a security guard in the lobby. He nodded at the man who nodded back.

  His driver had waited for him outside. He climbed in and pondered the situation with Alia. Was there a safer place for her? His club was a fortress. His apartment was one also. Hard to get into unless you had the key. He had other doors he could close and barricade himself upstairs with her.

  He’d bought the place from a drug dealer. Well, not actually the drug dealer. It had been part of a police auction. He’d paid a fair price and then made a donation to the Police Benevolent Society.

  Everyone had been happy with the arrangements made. In all of his years in the apartment, he’d never had to close those doors. They acted as fire doors also, but he hoped he wouldn’t have to use them.

  He had an escape route off the roof, but he hadn’t been down that way in a while. He might want to check it to see if it was still safe.

  Chapter 10

  Alia’s nerves were humming. She’d tried to take a nap, but she couldn’t sleep. A combination of nervousness and excitement stopped her. Viktor wasn’t home either. He’d had some meeting that he needed to take.

  Odd for a Saturday evening. Who would be conducting business on a Saturday? She wished he’d been here. He would have been able to calm her down. Instead, she paced the apartment. At times, she turned on the television. She couldn’t find anything to watch.

  She had another hour before she was due to go on stage. Viktor bought her some new clothes to perform in, but she wasn’t ready to get dressed.

  Fidgeting, she felt like she could jump out of her skin. She didn’t know how many people had shown up tonight. She wanted to sneak down to Viktor’s office and peek into the club, but she thought that might make her more nervous. Maybe it was better not to know until she was on stage.

  Kent wasn’t due to arrive for a half hour. She’d go meet him downstairs when the time came. She hoped Viktor would be back in time. He’d promised he would be.

  Alia thought she was going to explode from all that she was feeling. She’d sung in church, but that was different. She was getting paid and that fact put more pressure on her.

  The front door opened. Viktor walked through as she paced.

  “Hi,” she said.

  She strode to him, then gave him a kiss. His return kiss was lackluster, but she may just be sensitive at the moment. “How was your meeting?”

  “Okay. Did you eat?”

  “I can’t eat. I have butterflies,” she said.

  “You should have something in your stomach.”

  “I’ll come up between sets and eat.”

  He frowned down at her. “Okay.”

  “You going right to work?”

  “I need to shower, then I’ll go down.”

  “You’ll be down when I start?”

  He put his hands on either of her arms. “Yes, Alia. I’ll be there. No worries.” He kissed her nose. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  He left her in the living room. She watched him go. He was clearly preoccupied. Had she done something to make him mad? She frowned, then followed him into his bedroom. He was picking out a tie for tonight.

  “Why not the blue striped one?” she asked.

  He put it on the pile of clothes on his bed. Odd that he had already been in a suit, but felt the need to shower. What had happened at the meeting? Was she crossing a line by asking?

  It was never fun walking on eggshells. He took off his clothes as she watched. If she wasn’t five minutes away from getting dressed for her show, she’d take advantage of him being naked.

  He strode to the shower that was already running. He stepped into it. She sat on the edge of the claw foot tub.

  “You okay? Viktor?”

  “I’m fine Alia. Just a lot on my mind. I do run a large empire.”

  Yes, he did. And she should give him some slack. “Right, sorry.”

  She heard him sigh, then he poked his head out of the shower. “Sorry. I’m sure you’re nervous. I just do have a lot on my mind.”

  “You can talk to me.”

  “I’m not ready to share, but it is nothing you have to worry about.”

  She nodded. “I need to go get dressed.”

  She did and Viktor was tying his tie when she was ready to go downstairs. He looked handsome of course. All of his clothes were tailored so they fit perfectly. He had a nice body to wrap them around, anyway.

  The butterflies began in her stomach again. Viktor smiled at her. “You look beautiful, Alia.”

  “Thanks.”

  He held out his hand. “You ready to go down?”

  “Yes. I’m glad you’re here.”

  He nodded. “You’ll be fine. I glanced into the club before I came up. The place is packed. Even more so than a usual Saturday night. They came to hear you.”

  “Not sure if that makes me more nervous or less.”

  He squeezed her hand as they walked down the steps. “You’ll be wonderful.”

  She was glad he had faith in her. Sacha’s comments came back to her. Tempted to ask Viktor about them, she instead chose to let them go. If he was happy with her, that’s all that mattered. Sacha’s old world ways didn’t suit her.

  He’d have to find a Russian girl. Viktor had her and apparently, he didn’t want a traditional relationship.

  She greeted Kent out in the hallway. Viktor left her with him as Arkady asked to speak to him.

  “You ready?” Kent asked.

  “I guess as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “You are going to knock them dead, Alia. You are such a natural singer and a natural entertainer. I’ve met so few in my career,” Kent said.

  His words buoyed her. She could do this. “Thanks, Kent. Not sure where this is leading, but I’m happy to have a job.”

  “I have some contacts, but I think you need a few performances under your belt before I bring them here.”

  “Contacts?”

  “In the music industry. I was a session musician for years. I’m retired and I do this for fun.”

  “Fun, huh?”

  “Yes and I’ve brought a few people to the attention of record executives. They trust my judgment.”

  Record executives? “You think I’m that good?”

  “Yes, I do, Alia, but I won’t send you down that road if you don’t want it.”

  “Let me think. It’s a lot to digest.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have waited until after your performance. I’ve made you more nervous.”

  “I appreciate the sentiment, Kent.”

  “I’m going to get the stage set up. Ten minutes to curtain.”

  Alia couldn’t wait to get onstage.

  ***

  Viktor entered the bar for the second time, just as Alia was finishing up her second set. She sang like an angel. The crowd had been enthralled with her all night. Even her between-song banter was spot on.

  Viktor’s skin tingled with the idea. She was going to be a star. There was no doubt about it. Someone just had to discover her. He hoped she’d remember him when she was rich and famous.

  First, he had to talk to her about the Mafia. And the contract out on her. It could wait a bit, but he wanted to tell her before they went to bed tonight. It was too important to wait, but he didn’t want to kill her obvious buzz from performing.

  She had a job as his singer for as long as she wanted it. Even if they weren’t together as a couple. She hadn’t signed any contracts, but he didn’t think it fair to lock her into one with him. He couldn’t hold her down if her star was rising.

  She’d have more money than she’d ever dreamed of having. She could take care of herself, if she wanted. That left a little hole in his heart, but he ignored it.

  He walked toward the stage, but he was stopped on the way.

  “She’s amazin
g, Viktor.”

  “Where did you find her?”

  “She’s the best act you’ve booked.”

  Some people shook his hand. Some spoke to him in Russian. All praised him for hiring Alia. Everyone felt the same as he did. He hoped he wouldn’t lose her because of this, but he couldn’t hold anyone down.

  If she was to be a star, he’d let her. Their time together would always be precious to him.

  Finally, he reached the stage. The applause was just dying down. Alia’s smile couldn’t have been bigger. He held out a hand to help her off the stage.

  “Can I buy you a drink in my office? Or would you rather drink it out here?”

  “Office. I think this is all overwhelming and I need a moment of quiet.”

  The club would be closing in fifteen minutes. The bartenders had asked for last call. With the energy running through the place, no one would want to leave. That’s why he always had the act finish well before closing. Alia would have been done fifteen minutes ago, but the crowd had chanted for an encore.

  He’d never seen that happen. He was pleased.

  The subtotal for the night was good. He expected the final total to be his best night ever. All because of Alia.

  As he walked her out of the club, many well-wishers stopper her to compliment her. Her face beamed and that made Viktor happy. This moment was priceless.

  After a few more minutes, Viktor was able to get Alia out of there. She breathed a sigh of relief when they entered his office.

  “That was unreal,” she said.

  She plopped into the chair in front of his desk.

  “Vodka?”

  “Sure.”

  “You don’t need to mix it with something?” he said.

  “I’ll take it straight.”

  He handed her a small glass then poured his own. He sat at his desk, raising his glass. “To you.”

  “Damn.”

  “No?”

  “Just drink,” she said. “I’m still processing it all. I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”

  He smiled then took a sip. She did, too. “I’ve never had a reaction like that from this crowd.”

  “No?”

  She slipped off her high heels then tucked her legs underneath her.

  “Never, Alia. They loved you. They don’t give out that affection easily. I’ve seen them boo people off that stage.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. You were a hit. You can sing here any time.”

  “That is what you hired me for,” she said.

  He chuckled. She had no idea of her potential. She could be big. Bigger than anyone around today.

  “Yes, it is. You going to be able to sleep tonight?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I have to finish up some accounting, then make out the deposit.”

  “You going to the bank tonight?”

  “No, I have a pretty secure safe. I don’t like to carry money at this time of the morning. If I’m worried, I have Arkady and Sacha do it for me.”

  “I see.”

  “Go take a shower or a bath. I’ll be up in an hour or so.”

  “I’ll wait up.” She came around the desk. He shifted his chair back. She straddled his lap. “This night was the best of my life. Thank you, Viktor.”

  She kissed him and he wanted to take her right there. Right on his desk. She had that look in her eyes, but he needed to talk to her about the contract on her life. Now was not the time.

  If he made love to her knowing that information, she might not forgive him. Instead, he kissed her back, then nudged her off of his lap. “Let me get my work done. I’ll be up.”

  She kissed him again, and slid off his lap. “Okay.”

  She picked up her shoes and slunk barefoot out of his office.

  The news of the contract on her life weighed on him. He didn’t know if he should kill her buzz tonight or wait until morning. What a dilemma.

  She had to know. She had to be told, but he didn’t want to ruin the best night of her life. Tomorrow. It could wait until tomorrow. He finished up his work quickly and was heading upstairs before anyone else needed him.

  The deposit was safely secured. Everyone was doing what they were supposed to do.

  He peeked into his bathroom. Alia was in the bathtub. Some candles burned around the tub. He made a cheese and cracker platter and brought it to her.

  “How did you know I was hungry?” she said, when he sat on the edge of the tub.

  “I could hear your stomach all the way in my office.”

  “Do you always know what your lover needs?”

  “I pay attention. Unlike most men.”

  *

  Alia received a text message from her brother a few days later.

  “I’m on my way to my internship. Would love to see you.”

  She did a happy dance. Viktor walked into the living room just as she was doing it.

  “Good news?”

  “Deion is coming to see me tomorrow.”

  “When’s he coming?”

  “Dinner time. Is that okay?”

  “Of course. You live here, too. This is your place.”

  That thought warmed her. “Really? That’s how you feel?”

  He rubbed his hands down her arms. “Of course. This is your home. You can invite whomever to to visit you.” Then his face became serious. “I do need to talk to you about something.”

  “Concerning Deion?”

  “No, concerning you. I didn’t want to ruin your night singing in the club, so I’ve waited to tell you.”

  She sat on the couch, pulling him down with her. “What is it?”

  “That meeting I had the other night? That was with one of my distributors. He’s more than that. He also knows a lot that goes on in the Russian community in New York.”

  “Okay.”

  She wasn’t sure what this had to do with her and why he couldn’t have told her sooner. She wished he would just say it, but he had to get to it in his own time. One of his Russian quirks. He insisted he loved how Americans could just say anything without preamble.

  He was still Russian when it came to bad news.

  “He told me about a few things going on. That murder?”

  She shivered. “Yes?”

  “It was a Mafia hit. Russian Mafia, which makes the Italian one looked like kindergarteners.”

  “Oh?”

  She wasn’t sure why it mattered who killed the man. He was killed. She witnessed it. She wasn’t safe until they were caught.

  “They are still looking for you.”

  “Okay. I think I knew that. Or assumed it.”

  “Well, they now have a contract out on your life.”

  “Contract?”

  What the hell did that mean?

  “They have put a price on your head. If someone brings you in dead, they get money.”

  She gasped. “People do that?”

  This seemed so surreal that she didn’t even know if she should be scared.

  “I can keep you safe here.”

  “What about when I go to the shelter?”

  “You’ll have a driver and a bodyguard. I can’t take any chances with your safety.”

  “I’m sorry, Viktor.”

  “For what?”

  “I brought all this on you.”

  He took her hands in his. “Do not think like that for a minute. I’m glad you are here. I’ll keep you safe. It’s part of my job.”

  That warmed her, but she still felt guilty. “But if I hadn’t come in here…”

  “No, Alia. Don’t think that. You don’t have to protect me. You don’t have to save me. You’ve made me very happy and I want you to be safe.”

  She’d made him happy? It’s the first time they’d talked about how they felt. “You make me happy, too.”

  “Good. Then no talk of leaving. Please. I want you here, not matter what is going on. Okay? Don’t ever think differently.”

  “Okay.”
<
br />   He’d certainly always made her feel welcome. He’d done many thing for her. Would she ever be able to repay him? She couldn’t worry about that yet. Someday, when she was a success, she could pay it forward.

  “I mean it. Don’t go running away on me. I want you here and safe.”

  His gaze bore into her. She chose to believe him. “I promise. Okay. I won’t do anything like that. I have to stay alive.”

  “I want you to stay alive.”

  He looked like he was going to say more, but he didn’t. “I’ll tell Chef to make whatever you want for Deion’s dinner.”

  Her head spun in the rapid change of subject. She could do this. “Okay. Let me think on it.”

  “You need wine? He’s old enough to drink?”

  “Yes, but he’s a college student. Not sure he’ll appreciate the wine.”

  “I can stock some beer, too.”

  “Might be better.”

  “Viktor?”

  “Yes?”

  She cocked her head. This man was the best thing that had happened to her. How could she convey that? “You are an amazing man.”

  “I don’t think so. I’m getting some great sex out of this relationship.”

  Alia laughed. The sex was very good. Every night. Or every morning. Sometimes both. More sex than she’d ever had.

  “I have to make a doctor’s appointment,” Alia said.

  “You sick?”

  “No, women stuff, but I’m thinking I’m going to ask for birth control.”

  His face lit up. “No more condoms?”

  “Well, it’ll take a month if I go on the pill.”

  “That’s okay. I can be patient.”

  “You’re a good man, Viktor.”

  He smiled. “You’re just saying that to get me into bed.”

  She laughed. “You have time?”

  “For a quickie.”

  She stood, and then pulled him to his feet. “Let’s go, then.”

  She wanted him. Each time he reached for her, she wanted him. No one had ever been this good to her.

  “Take off your clothes and lay on the bed,” she said.

  “Oh?”

  “I’m doing all the work this time.”

  He did as she asked. She stripped then climbed on top of him. He was mostly hard, but she used her mouth and made him even harder.

  “Oh, Alia.”