Page 40 of Sin Wager
The interrogation continues for another thirty minutes. Batya asks about Misha's intentions, his financial stability, his plans for the future. Misha answers every question with patience and directness, never showing irritation at Batya's protective instincts. It makes me melt against him until my head is lying on his shoulder.
I watch him handle my father's scrutiny with growing admiration. He doesn't try to charm or deflect. He doesn't get defensive about the age gap or make excuses for his wealth. He simply answers the questions honestly and lets Batya draw his own conclusions.
"And you can provide for her?"
"More than adequately."
"Good." Batya nods once, apparently satisfied. "Vera needs stability. Security. She's been carrying too much responsibility for too long."
"I agree."
Elvin has been quiet through most of the conversation, but now he speaks up. "I like him," he announces. "He's not intimidated by you, Batya, which means he can handle Vera when she gets stubborn."
"I'm right here," I protest playfully, but all three men ignore me.
"Plus," Elvin continues, "he looks at her the way a man should look at the woman he loves. Even when she's not looking."
My breath catches at the word. I glance at Misha, but his expression remains carefully neutral. Love… Could he? But maybe it's too soon.
After another few minutes of conversation, Batya excuses himself and leads Elvin to the bedroom, and I walk Misha toward the door. The air in the hallway is cool against my face as we step onto the landing.
"They like you," I say, still processing how smoothly that went.
"Your father's a good man. Protective. He should be suspicious of someone like me."
"Someone like you?"
He cups my face in his hands, thumbs brushing across my cheekbones. "A man as old as I am falling for his beautiful, sacred, precious daughter…"
Before I can protest the compliments, his mouth finds mine. The kiss is hungry, desperate, full of the tension that's been building since Pavel's death. I melt into him, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer.
When we break apart, I'm breathless. "Thank you," I whisper to him, "for meeting them."
"It is my deepest pleasure." He brushes a strand of hair away from my face. "I'll pick you up for work. Don't go anywhere alone."
"Misha…"
"Promise me."
"I promise."
He kisses me again, softer this time, then starts down the stairs. I slip inside and lock the door behind me, then rush to the window to watch. Misha walks calmly toward his car and climbs in. I have a giddy grin as I watch him. I'm still standing by the window when Batya appears beside me in his robe.
"He's gone?"
"Yes."
Batya is quiet for a long moment, then says, "Vera, I need you to listen to me."
"What?"
"That man is not what he seems."
I turn to face him. "What do you mean?" I don't think Batya understands. Misha is the best thing that's ever happened to me.
"No one is that perfect. No one handles pressure that well, answers questions that smoothly." Batya's voice is gentle but firm. "He's playing a role."
"You're wrong."
