Her Rogue Russian(5)

 

"Gonna take you up on that break extension now." Maxim interrupted the three of them by shouldering past Travis and wrapping his hand around Savannah's bicep. Normally she would have Judo-thrown him any number of ways for grabbing hold of her so aggressively, but she was the only one who knew just how much pressure he was exerting, and she wouldn't be the one to outwardly give the game away. Without another word, he led her out the backdoor, then half-flung her away from him again as soon as they were out sight of the others. If Savannah stumbled, she was easily able to regain her balance and turn, wearing a slightly bemused look at his rough treatment.

 

"What was that bullshit about a dating profile?" Maxim growled at her. "If you want to convincingly pull this off to the people who know me best, at least do your research first."

 

"Hey, you started it by pretending not to know me," Savannah pointed out. "I figured we were improvising here. I came here to talk to you about our cover story, and however you want to come up with one is fine."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

It was another lie, of course. Savannah hated being out of control, and she hated the fact that Maxim already seemed to guess as much about her. Better to play it off now so he felt less inclined to use it against her in the future. "And I did do my research, hotshot." She stepped closer and thrust her finger into his chest. Maxim glanced down past his bristly chin as if he couldn't believe she would risk it. "Surveillance tells me you do go out with women. A lot of women. So, it makes sense that we would have met online."

 

"I never, and will never, have a profile on a fucking date site," Maxim said as he grasped her finger and drew it away from him.

 

"You do now, actually," Savannah stated. "On several websites."

 

"What?"

 

She shrugged, trying not to betray just how much she was enjoying watching him squirm. "Andrews set it up for me. He's the kind of guy who knows all about that sort of thing, you know? Anyway, I figured it might come up, but I couldn't be sure. Just know that you're dealing with professionals, and we've got every angle of a potential backstory covered."

 

"Unbelievable." Maxim turned away from her, running the flat of his palm down the full length of his face.

 

"Hey, if I knew it would distress you this much …  well, I probably wouldn't have changed anything," Savannah admitted. "But that's what I came by to talk to you about today. Since you're onboard with going undercover together-"

 

"Not like I had a choice-" Maxim interjected.

 

"Then we need to take this team-up on a test run," Savannah finished, folding her lean arms across her chest in a show of patience. He could continue to resist the terms of their arrangement as much as he wanted, so long as he only groused about it in private. "Protocol demands that we go on a date together, Karev. Not only will this give us the opportunity to see how well we can work with one another under public scrutiny, but one or more sightings of us together will add credence to our relationship once we get you back inside the mob."

 

Maxim made no response to this, opting instead to stare off across the back lot in stormy silence. Savannah softened her stance-only by a few degrees-and maneuvered around to face him once more.

 

"So what do you think?" she asked. "How about we get that taillight fixed and ride over to that five-star Russian restaurant? What's it called? Mari Vanna?"

 

She knew full well what the name of the restaurant was, and may or may not have already called in a favor to ensure they could get a reservation there. It was the same place Madison had allowed herself to be taken on her first date with Maxim's younger brother, Vlad.

 

To her surprise, Maxim shook his head. "No. We are too likely to get noticed there by those who would report back to the Bratva, if not by active members of the mafia themselves. You want to start small on our first outing together, then you need to think of someplace else."  

 

"Fine. I can see that you don't feel like suggesting anything …  not that it matters," Savannah concluded. "What about the art museum? I know someone who can get us in for free."

 

"I suggest you reread your dossier on me," Maxim returned flatly. "That is not a place I would take you."

 

"Who says you're the one taking me?" Savannah asked, trying to keep her mounting impatience from bleeding through.