Page 89 of Wrapped in Perfection

"Is one of your brothers with you?"

"Yes."

"Which one?"

"Boris."

"Why?"

He is quiet for a moment. "So I keep my patience."

My stomach flips. "Oh. Ummm..."

"Kotik, no more questions about this trip."

I take a deep breath. "Okay. You'll let me know when you're coming home?"

"As soon as I know."

"But it will be a few days?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I will stay at my brother's, unless he gets on my nerves."

He chuckles. "Brothers will do that. But his place is big. It seems like you have your own space. I'm sure it comes with a lock."

"Good point."

There are more muffled sounds.

"Anna, I need to go. I'll call you later, okay?"

"Okay. Ummm...stay safe."

"Don't worry, kotik. I know what I am doing. I have to go now."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye, beautiful." He hangs up.

The driver texts he's downstairs. Viktor is waiting for me when I step off the elevator. His typical scowl is on his face.

"Morning," I say and smile.

He grunts, and his lips turn slightly up.

Well, that's an improvement.

I get in the car and text Dmitri. "Victor almost smiled. I think I'm growing on him."

I take out my other phone, ignore all the missed voice messages from Mitch and text messages, and program Harper, Vivian, Chase, and the rest of my family's numbers into my new phone. I send all of them a message.

"It's Anna. This is my new number. Please delete the old one."

"I want to talk to you," comes back from Chase.

"Then get me a cup of coffee ready. I'm on my way." I send it, and the car parks in front of his building. Viktor opens my door.

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