I walk back over to my desk, grabbing my phone and putting it in my pocket. “I’m heading home. Let me know if anything comes up.”
“I got everything under control,” Kenji says as he falls into step with me, walking out of the office.
“You are so beautiful,”Igor says, making me cringe.
Typically, people say they saved the best for last, but this third date is by far the worst. Callum made sure all the first dates were at the same café, giving each man equal footing.
While it’s comforting to be somewhere I’m familiar with, the man in front of me causes me great unease.
The first thing he did when he greeted me was try to kiss me. Thankfully, I moved quick enough for him to kiss my cheek instead of my lips. Then he reached across the table, grabbing my hand, not letting me pull away.
Then the way he has been leering at me. It makes my skin crawl.
For a moment, I consider Kai coming in and taking me away, but I shake it off. I don’t want him in danger because of me.
Besides, I can always signal Callum if I feel like I’m in danger. I push through my unease to try and get information out of Igor for Callum.
“You’ve said that,” I murmur, looking away as if I’m shy, but really I’m hiding my disgust. “Tell me, Igor. What is it that I can expect from moving to Russia with you?”
His eyes light up. “Russia is beautiful. You will live in our home. It feels more like a castle than a home. I know how much you American women like that.”
I nod with a tight smile, not bothering to correct him. While I might live in America, I was born in Ireland. My father was moved here when I was five. Which makes me Irish American.
“You will live with mybabushkaandmamataking care of the children. Then at night you will be with me.”
There goes that leer again. I barely withhold a gag.
“Why did you make an offer on me, anyway? I don’t remember seeing you at the fundraiser.”
He gives me a knowing smile. “I wanted to be there, but my father was set to make an offer on you. When it was accepted under the condition that I come in his place, well, I couldn’t turn that down. You’re gorgeous and demure. I like that about you.”
Demure. I have been called that before, but from his lips I feel like it’s a bad thing. Like being demure equates to being easily controlled.
I’m so glad Callum has already told me the Russians are not the end game. I might have to throw myself off a bridge if they were.
“I see. All the way from Russia, though? Don’t you have men closer who may have wanted to make an offer?”
His eyes flash in anger, but he hides it quickly. “You deserve more than a foot soldier. Your father and mine have done work together in the past. You deserve the best, so that is why I am here.”
“You’re the best? Not your father?”
I flinch when his hand on mine clenches painfully. “Of course. My father wanted you, but now that my name is on the contract, you are mine. I will not share with him either.”
I grimace as my hand radiates pain. “Of course. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Somehow him calling me his does not inspire the same feelings I get when Kai does it.
No, instead it makes me feel dirty. Sick to my stomach.
“It’s time we leave,” Callum appears over my shoulder.
I glance up, seeing him glare at Igor.
Finally, he lets go of my hand. I let out a breath of relief.
“Seems our date is over. See you soon?” I ask, not meaning a word of it.
I don’t know if I can survive another date with him.
