"What? You'll think about how big my … ego … is, or bringing the fireman in?"
Glazov leaned in and pinned Novak with a withering glare. "The fireman. But that doesn't change the rules on this job. My enemy's blood will be on my hands."
Chapter Ten
Kathleen white-knuckled the steering wheel. She glanced in the rearview mirror before changing lanes, and followed the black SUV onto the main drive that led to her home. Following close behind her was a second black SUV, the tail-end of the Bratva security detail that had joined her on her return trip home from the library.
As she waited for the security gates to swing open, she flexed her fingers and took a slow, deep breath. Having a close family was a wonderful thing … unless you had something to hide. Especially if you were trying to hide it from a Russian mobster who was known for knowing, well … everything. His children took after him with respect to the Glazov powers of intuition and perception, but her husband took that gift to a whole new level.
She knew she wasn't ready to face him, but there was no putting it off. A couple of glasses of wine and she'd be prepared for anything he brought to bear. After years of being married, he still struck a chord of fear in her. When Alexander Glazov walked into a room, he was the room. Maybe a shot of vodka with the wine would do the trick.
She took one more deep breath and exited the car.
Time to put on your game face. It's show time, girl.
She made her way through the foyer and headed back to the commercial kitchen where the kitchen staff prepared for the evening meal.
"Alonya, I'll be having dinner in my room tonight. I have a bit of a headache. If you could have a chilled bottle of vodka and some wine brought up, I would appreciate it."
"Yes, Mrs. Glazov. Will the Pakhan be joining you?"
I sure as hell hope not.
"I'm not quite sure yet, dear."
Kathleen hurried up the steps to the master bedroom and immediately made her way into the shower. If only the water could wash away her anxiety about the information she had uncovered at the library. After her shower, she'd let the vodka do its job and then she'd be able to relax.
She rushed through the shower and threw on her robe, towel-drying her hair as she left the bathroom. Once the towel was in the laundry hamper, she turned and was relieved to see the chilled vodka she had requested. She tossed back the shot that was resting next to the bottle. The slight burn felt good going down and immediately took the edge off her nerves. So, she had another.
She poured a glass of Pinot Noir and took a sip as she pondered what to do with the newfound intelligence she'd gained on the Glazov empire. Yes, knowledge is power – unless that knowledge came in the form of a brutal truth she never asked for or wanted. She sure didn't feel powerful; she felt scared and confused. Maybe the truth was overrated.
She padded over to her sitting area with the wine glass tilted to her lips. The plush carpet felt decadent beneath her feet. Tucking a silk scarf into the pocket of her robe, she took a particularly long draw from her wine glass. Her mind made up, she strode on slightly wobbly feet into her husband's home office in the adjoining room before she could change her mind.
Her eyes darted around the room to ensure she was alone. No one else was in the room, of course, but, nonetheless, Glazov's commanding presence permeated the space, his energy palpable as she admired the dark wood furnishings and masculine décor. She could even pick up a trace of his unique scent wafting through the air – a combination of his cologne and that delicious aroma that was all him, all man.
Her awareness of him was so strong that, even though it was beyond irrational, Kathleen wondered if he might materialize at any moment-like a vapor walking through walls, ready to catch her in the act. She giggled as she thought to herself that maybe there was some truth to what the people believed about him being a supernatural entity. I mean, there was no doubt the man had a sixth sense.
In an effort to squelch the anxiety that was prickling the back of her neck, she pulled the silk scarf from her pocket and sauntered over to the security camera that was mounted in the corner of the ceiling. Glazov usually kept the security cameras in this office and the master bedroom turned off because he couldn't abide the possibility of anyone seeing his wife undressed or worse yet, watching him fuck her. Talk about a man coming unhinged … when it came to Kathleen's body, he was certifiable.
"Shhhh … " she giggled as she raised a finger to her lips. She remembered the first time Glazov had seen her on the security footage from his previous gambling house in New York. Even though she knew perfectly well this camera was never turned on, she couldn't resist tilting her head up and blowing a kiss for old times' sake as she entertained herself with the fantasy that Glazov was somehow watching her.