"Roman's generosity." Radinka set a package in her lap and opened it. "Ah, yes. These are lovely.
Do you like them?" Nestled in white tissue paper was a red lace bra and panties.
"Wow." Shanna picked up the bra. It was a lot fancier than what she usually wore. And a lot more expensive. She checked the tag. Thirty-six B. "It's the right size."
"Yes. Roman left me a note with your sizes."
"What? How did he know my bra size?"
"I suppose you told him while you were hypnotized."
Shanna gulped. Jeez, maybe she had sung opera in her underwear.
"Here." Radinka fumbled through her handbag. "I believe I still have the note." She passed the paper to Shanna.
"Oh, my." It had to be the last thing he had written before his death. Shanna scanned the note. Size 12. 36B. Roman had indeed known her sizes. Had she told him under hypnosis? What else had she done? Get her some brownies. She caught her breath, and tears welled in her eyes.
"What is wrong, my dear?"
"Brownies. He's so sweet." Correction-was so sweet. "He didn't think I needed to lose weight?"
Radinka smiled. "Apparently not. I left some brownies in the kitchen, but if you want any, you should hurry. The daytime guards were drooling over them. Those men will eat anything."
"Maybe later, thank you." Shanna was starting to feel hunger pangs, but each time she thought of eating, she was haunted by the image of Roman struggling to carry her down the stairs.
"Let's see what else we have." Radinka whipped open the rest of the boxes.
There were more matching sets of lacy underwear, a blue chenille bathrobe, a salmon-colored tank top and matching blazer, and a blue silk nightgown with matching slippers.
"This is better than Christmas," Shanna murmured. "It's really too much."
"Do you like them?"
"Yes, of course, but-"
"Then it is settled." Radinka stacked the boxes. "I'll take these up to your room and leave a note in Roman's office for him to see you when he wakes up."
"But-"
"No buts." Radinka stood and gathered the boxes in her arms. "I want you to go to the kitchen and eat. I told one of the guards to fix you a sandwich, so they're expecting you. Then I want you to have a nice, hot shower and put on some fresh clothes. By the time you're done, Roman will be awake."
"But-"
"I am too busy to argue. We have a million things to do at Romatech tonight." Radinka marched from the room with the packages. "I will see you later, dear."
Sheesh. Shanna had a feeling Radinka Holstein was a dragon lady at work. But she did have beautiful taste in clothes. It was going to hurt to return most of them, but it was the right thing to do.
Did she dare venture out of this house? It would hurt a lot worse if the Russians caught her.
After Shanna ate her sandwich in the kitchen and tried her best to ignore the pastry box of brownies on the table, she went upstairs to her room. She opened the door and peeked inside. The bed was empty. Shopping bags and boxes were piled at the foot of the bed. She took a long, hot shower.
Then, dressed in the chenille bathrobe, she went through the bags and boxes. It should have been fun, but she grew increasingly sad, knowing that the man footing the bill had just died.
Guilt needled her. She couldn't accept all these gifts. And she couldn't stay here. She needed to contact the U.S. marshal, Bob Mendoza, and then she needed to start a new life somewhere else. A place where she knew no one, and no one knew her. Again.
God, it was depressing. As part of the Witness Protection Program, she could never contact family or old friends. But she craved companionship. She wanted love. She hadn't realized how much until she had met Roman. Damn. It wasn't like she was asking for too much from life. She only wanted the same thing a jillion other women wanted-a career she was proud of, a husband who would love her, and children. Beautiful children.
Unfortunately, desperate times had altered her goal in life. Now each day was a survival test.
She wandered toward the window and its ugly aluminum shutters. She located a switch behind the curtains and flipped it. The shutters opened and dim sunlight entered the room.
The view was lovely. Below her was a tree-lined street and in the distance, Central Park. The sun was setting in the west, casting purple and pink streaks into wispy clouds. Shanna stood at the window and watched. A feeling of peace descended on her with the night. Perhaps she would live through all this. If only Roman was still alive.
Could Radinka be right, and he was simply sleeping off a large dose of anesthesia? Shanna winced.
It was awful that she couldn't remember what she'd done to the poor man. Maybe she should stick around for a little longer. Either Roman would be declared officially dead, or he would miraculously wake up. Either way, she couldn't leave until she knew for sure.
She selected some clothes and dressed. Inside the armoire, she found a television. Good. She could veg out while she waited. She flipped through channels. Whoa, here was a channel she'd never seen before. An animated black bat flew toward her, then it froze into a logo that looked a bit like Batman. Underneath was a message. Welcome to DVN. On 24/7 because it's always nighttime somewhere.
DVN? Something Video Network? And what did nighttime have to do with a network being on air? The bat logo disappeared, and another line appeared on the screen. DV7V. If you're not digital, you can't be seen. That was odd. A knock sounded at the door, interrupting her thoughts. She turned off the television and went to the door. It was probably Phil. He seemed to be in charge of the fourth floor.
"Connor!" She yelped in surprise. "You're back!"
"Aye." He stood there, smiling. "That I am."
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'm so glad to see you."
He pulled back, his cheeks blushing. "I hear ye had a wee scare."
"Oh, it's terrible, isn't it? I'm so sorry, Connor." "Now, why would ye be sorry, lass? 'Tis Mr. Draganesti himself who sent me here. He's wanting to see you."
Her skin chilled with goose bumps. "That … that can't be."
"He wants to see you right away. I'll take you up there."
He was alive? "I know the way." Shanna ran for the stairs.
CHAPTER 11
Roman Draganesti woke up with no memory of how he had returned to his bed. He was lying on top of the suede comforter with his clothes and shoes still on. He ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth. The wire splint was still there. He felt the fang with his fingers. Solid. Of course, he wasn't sure if the fang could still extend and retract, and it would be impossible to put it to test as long as the tooth was wired in place. He'd have to convince Shanna to remove the splint.
After a quick shower, he threw on a bathrobe and padded into his office to check for messages. Radinka's spidery handwriting caught his eye. She'd completed the shopping for Shanna. Good. She was going to Romatech early to make sure everything was ready for the Gala Opening Ball. Since she was now working night and day, she felt she deserved another raise. Another one? Fine.
Jean-Luc Echarpe and Angus MacKay, French and British coven masters, were due to arrive at five in the morning. Good. The guest rooms on the third floor were ready for them. Roman was planning to introduce two new taste sensations from his line of Fusion Cuisine at the Opening Ball. Five hundred bottles had been prepared for the event. Everything was looking great.
Then he read the last paragraph. Upon waking, Shanna Whelan had discovered him in her bed. Oh no. She had decided he was dead and became terribly upset. Oh shit. Of course she would think he was dead. During the day, he had no pulse. But on the bright side, this could mean that she actually cared about him.
Radinka had tried to convince Shanna that his heavy sleep was due to the anesthesia he had received at the dental clinic. Unfortunately, that theory only drove her to the conclusion that she'd killed him. Great. She was upset not because she felt any affection for him, but because she felt guilty. He could just imagine the scenario-Shanna running about the bedroom, upset, while he lay there like a dumb log. Shit.
Roman crushed the paper in his fist and tossed it into the trash. This was the last straw. He had to finish the formula that would allow him to stay awake during the day. He couldn't lie around helpless when Shanna needed him.
He punched a button on his intercom phone.
"Kitchen," a nasal voice answered.
"Howard, is that you?"
"Yes, sir! I'm glad to hear you're up and about. There was a little bit of excitement here while you were sleeping."
Roman could hear stifled laughter in the background. God's blood. You would think being master of the largest coven in North America would entitle him to a little respect.
"Not that we're complaining," Howard continued. "It's usually so boring around here. Oh, Connor just walked in."
"Howard, we have important guests coming in tonight. Your employer, Mr. MacKay, will be here. I expect heightened security during the day and absolute discretion."
"I understand, sir. We'll take good care of everyone. The Highlanders are coming in now, so I'll be going. Good night."