Page 67 of Devious Madness

“Is my new number in there?” Megan asks as I scroll through the contact screen. All of my contacts have already been put on the phone. Same with my social media aps.

“Yes.”

“How’d you get all this moved over without my phone?” I look up at him.

“Lev handled it.” He shrugs, like he doesn’t bother himself with the details of such trivial matters.

“Does Rurik have this number?”

“He does.” Alexander nods. “His number is programmed in already.”

Before I can ask any other questions, the door opens again, and a cart is wheeled in with lunch.

“Rurik said you’re to eat your whole plate.” Alexander says to me then heads to a large round table where the other men have already taken their seats. Apparently, they’re having a lunch meeting.

I roll my eyes. “He’s such a worry wort.”

“Well, you did lose a little weight while you were gone,” Megan says softy.

“Yeah.” I touch my stomach. “I was trying to save every penny, so I might have skipped a few meals.”

“A few a day?” She presses.

“I’m home now, and he won’t stop shoving food at me, so whatever I lost will find me real quick.” I laugh as two plates are wheeled to us on a makeshift table.

“Okay, so I told you all of the things that happened while you were gone. Now, it’s your turn. Spill. What actually has been going on with you and Rurik since he picked you up?”

“Picked me up? He kidnapped me, Megan. You sent a Russian mafia enforcer to kidnap me.” I try to sound stern, but I’m laughing by the end of it.

And by the time I’ve replayed the events of the last week, we’re both half laughing and half ready to cry.

Several hours later, we’ve eaten lunch and dinner as we waiting for Rurik. The men file in and out of the office. At some point after dinner, music filters into the room each time the door opens. It’s low, but I can hear it. Megan assures me we don’t want to go downstairs.

Nothing but trouble, she says.

“Mira,” Alexander says after finishing a phone call. Lev flanks his side as they make their way to us.

My stomach knots with the serious expression they’re both holding.

“Lev is going to take you home.” Alexander gestures to the large man dressed in what I think is an Armani suit.

“Where’s Rurik?” I push up from the couch.

“He’s going to be late; he’ll meet you at home.” Lev gives a non-answer.

Another skill I think they’ve all gone to some special school for.

“Is he all right?” I press. “Why hasn’t he called me?”

My new cellphone has been sitting on the coffee table, and not one message or call has come through.

“He’s been dealing with something.” Alexander looks to Megan. “The car is being pulled up; get your things.”

“Why can’t we drive her home?” Megan asks, yawning.

“Because Rurik lives the opposite direction, and Lev is going that way. He’ll take her.”

Megan looks to me with a roll of her eyes.

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