The Russian's Greed, Cap Daniels [free children's online books txt] 📗

he returned, thebeautiful Russian with her husband’s credit card had vanished.

Slightly modifiedversions of Armond greeted her at five more shops over the remainingninety minutes, and she left each of the shops empty-handed but withsix spectacular diamonds firmly ensconced in her mind. They ranged inprice from sixty-five thousand to nearly one hundred, and Anya knewevery detail of each of the six stones.

When the driver pulledto the curb at Sixth Avenue, Anya was surprised to see a man behindthe wheel she didn’t recognize. He leapt from the car and held therear door for her. “You must be Ms. Burinkova.”

The demeanor of the newdriver gave her a chuckle. “What happened to other driver?”

“He had an earache,and Mr. Volkov isn’t tolerant of people who look for an excuse toget out of work.”

She smiled and slidonto the opulent rear seat. They pulled through the automatic door inthe nondescript warehouse and stopped at the door to the offices.

Anya stepped from thecar, and the driver held the door attentively. “Thank you. I’llbe sure to tell Mr. Volkov how kind you are.”

Without a word, the manbowed slightly and closed the door.

The office door emittedan audible click as she approached, and she pulled it open andstrolled through.

“Ah, my angel hasreturned. Come inside and tell me about your shopping trip.”

Anya was amazed by theman’s ability to sit idly by and order the death of an employee oneday while appearing to be the kindest, most sincere man alive on thenext.

He poured tea, and theysat together on the sofa in his office. “You found four diamondslike I asked, correct?”

She shook her head.“No.”

His demeanor fell.“What do you mean, no? You read my instructions, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I read them.What happened to first driver?”

“What difference doesthat make?” he growled. “Why didn’t you follow myinstructions?”

“The driver,” Anyasaid. “What happened to him?”

Volkov narrowed hisgaze. “He complained that you were demanding and claimed you putout a cigarette in his ear. Did you do that?”

“I was not demanding.I have grown accustomed to being pampered by your staff, and I enjoythis. He did not open door for me, and he spoke harshly to me. Iasked him to be kind, but he refused, so, yes, I put burningcigarette inside his ear instead of inside eye.”

Volkov tried to maskthe amused smile. “Indeed, but the question remains. Why did younot find four diamonds as I instructed?”

She took a long sip ofher tea. “I found six instead of only four. If we are doing what Ihope, it will be much easier to pair four diamonds if I have six tobegin.”

He took her face in hishands and kissed each cheek twice. “Where have you been all mylife, and how is it possible for your mind to hold so muchinformation?”

“I have been waitingfor you to come for me, and now, you are here. I must tell you of thestones.” She widened her eyes and played the role of her life. Withexaggerated excitement, she poured out every detail of the sixstones, growing more animated with every word. By the time she’dfinished, her face was flush, and her breath was coming in shortbursts.

Volkov beamed. “Youare perfect for this job. I remember when I first studied gems. I wasjust as excited as you every time I held a brilliant, rare stone I’dnever seen before.”

“It is all soexciting,” she said. “I can find matching diamonds from insidevault for the ones I found this morning, yes?”

He patted her thigh. “Ilove your excitement, but the stones you’ll be matching haven’tarrived yet.”

Sensing the openingshe—and Agent White—needed, she took Volkov’s hand. “Whenwill they come? Sascha is bringing these diamonds, yes? My friend,Gwynn, talks of him always. She would love to see him again. Is thispossible?”

He paused, seeming toconsider her question. “Gwynn . . . She is the contract attorney inConnecticut, correct?”

Anya caught the attemptto tear at their cover story. “No, New Jersey, but I know you aretoo busy to remember details of other women. You’ve not forgottenme, have you?”

He traced the back ofhis hand lightly against her cheek. “I could never forget everydetail of my angel.”

She feignedembarrassment and looked away. “Perhaps you could tell Sascha myfriend would like to see him again when he brings diamonds.”

“Actually, he doesn’tcome into the city very often. You know how those scientific typesare. He loves to be near his work.”

“That is too bad forGwynn, but I still have you.”

She pulled at his leg,encouraging him to come closer, but he lifted her hand from histhigh. “I told you that I never mix business with pleasure. Nothinggood can come of it, so, as much as I enjoy your attention, we mustkeep that outside of the office. Inside these walls, I am abusinessman and nothing more.”

Changing tack, shefolded her hands into her lap. “I understand this, and I am sorryfor being so excited about the diamonds, but they make me feel likeanimal inside. Nothing has ever had this effect on me before. I loveyou for bringing such beautiful things into my life.”

“You are welcome, myangel, and I am happy you are happy.”

Daring to push theconversation even further, she asked, “Speaking of beautiful thingsthat make us happy . . . When can we see Anya dance again?”

29

SLUSHAYKAMEN'

(LISTEN TO THE STONE)

Volkov’s gaze fellto the floor of his office at the sound of Anya’s question. “Idon’t know. I have left several messages, but she won’t return mycall. She’s still angry with me.”

Anya turned in her seatto face him more directly. “I am certain she isn’t angry withyou. She is only a child, and she has so much responsibility with theballet company. How long will she be in New York? I would love to seeher dance again.”

“I’m afraid thatwill be challenging. They are scheduled in Chicago, Atlanta, andMiami on this tour, but I don’t know the dates. We will be verybusy after we pick up the diamonds . . .”

Anya stopped listeningafter his diamond comment. “Perhaps we can see her dance again nexttime she comes to New York. But I understand, the diamonds areimportant. When will we pick them up?”

Seeming to surrender toher questioning, Volkov said, “When Shel finishes cutting andpolishing them.”

Anya leapt