His mate and his mother getting along would make it all better. Make it easy. He didn’t ever want to have to choose between his mother and his girlfriend. Alia finally emerged from the bedroom. She looked wonderful as always. She had a nice sense of style.
“Ready?” he said.
“Ready, though I have the sense that I’m going into a wolf’s den.”
“It won’t be that bad.”
“I hope not.”
He held out his arm and she took it. He led her down the steps. The car was waiting outside. Viktor had opted not to have Arkady come with them. He was pretty sure his mother’s high rise building was as secure as the Pentagon.
They drove and the driver parked the car in the underground parking lot. Then they rode up to the eighth floor.
Alia had the wine in her hand. Viktor squeezed her other hand. “You’ll be fine.”
“Thanks.”
He knocked on his mother’s door. She answered it as if she’d been waiting on the other side. Of course she would know he was in the building. She was that way.
“Viktor.”
She gave her son a hug and a kiss.
“Hello, Mama.”
He kissed his mother back on both cheeks. She smiled up at him. “You look healthy, Viktor.”
He reached behind him, tugging Alia. “I’ve brought someone for you to meet, Mama.”
Alia smiled at her. “Hello, Mrs. Kozlov.”
“This is Alia,” Viktor said.
His mother looked her over, but did not use her poker face. Her smile dimmed. “Nice to meet you, Alia.”
If Alia noticed, she didn’t react. She just handed his mother the wine. “Thank you for inviting me for dinner.”
“Come in,” his mother said.
His mother’s apartment, the one he bought for her, had floor to ceilings windows. He envied them since his place had no view. He’d thought about buying an apartment in this building but then he’d have to commute to work. With Alia in his life, maybe he should reconsider it.
Thought he spent a lot of time at work, he liked the flexibility of living upstairs from the club. A decision for another day.
His mother led them to her living room.
“You have a beautiful home,” Alia said.
“My wonderful son gave me this,” she said.
“What a generous son,” Alisa said.
She smiled at Alia.
“Sometimes too generous. I asked Sacha to join us,” his mother said.
“Oh?”
Was this an ambush? He liked to have his mother to himself for their dinners. They could do a family dinner another time. He didn’t say this, just smiled at his mother. Sacha had issue with Alia and Viktor wasn’t sure his mother approved of her, either.
He hoped his mother would give her a chance.
Sacha didn’t ring the doorbell. To him, he was the man and he could walk into his mother’s house. Viktor had mentioned it to him on more than one occasion, but he’d been ignored.
“Hello, Mama. Kak dela?” Sacha said.
His mother answered in Russian that she was fine. Viktor cleared his throat. It was rude to speak Russian in front of Alia. His mother had taught him that, but here she was doing it. She could have answered Sacha in English.
He knew his brother had done it on purpose to put Alia in her place. If this continued, Viktor was leaving. He wasn’t going to have Alia treated that way. Not even by his mother.
“Could we keep it to English?”
Alia’s smile never dimmed. She was a trooper.
“Sure, Viktor. It’s just nice to speak our native tongue,” Sacha said.
He shook his brother’s hand, but didn’t acknowledge Alia. She didn’t look too disturbed by it.
“Drinks?” his mother asked.
“I’ll take some wine. Alia?” Viktor said.
“Wine is fine,” she said.
Sacha went to get the drinks. The rest sat on the couches in the living room. His mother directed her attention to Viktor as if Alia wasn’t there. His mother wouldn’t say anything directly about her dislike of Alia, but Viktor could feel it in every word she said to him.
“Mother?”
“Yes, Viktor?”
“Alia is singing at my club.”
“That’s nice. How is your club doing?”
He balled his hand into a fist, but Alia rubbed it open. That was sweet of her. Sacha came back with the wine and some glasses. He poured Alia’s last, even though, as the guest, she should have received hers first.
That was the last straw.
“Mama, I think we’ll be going.”
He would speak to his mother later. He refused to make a scene in front of Alia.
“You just got here, here, Viktor,” his mother said.
He rose and pulled Alia with him. “Both of you have been rude to my guest. I will not have it. She is with me and that’s that. Neither of you have any say in who I spend my time with.”
He pulled Alia out of there. Once on the elevator, he turned to Alia. “I’m sorry for that.”
“I don’t know what to say. You stood up for me. With your family.”
“Why would I do anything else? I’m a grown man. They cannot tell me who I can see. They also cannot be rude to my guest, either.”
“No one has ever stood up for me like that.” She put her head on his arm. “Thank you.”
“I’m with you Alia, and they’ll have to get used to the idea.”
Chapter 13
With her third Saturday night under her belt, Alia began to feel more confident about her abilities. She felt more relaxed onstage and her between-songs prattle was much more natural. She thanked Kent, then walked offstage.
As had become their custom, after the last set, Alia met Viktor in his office. Sometimes they made love on his desk. Sometimes they just talked. He was pleased with her performance almost as much as she was.
She was eager to see him, as he’d been away most of the day. She’d been doing schoolwork, but had handed in another paper. Her grades were good and she finally liked school.
On her way to the door, a man stopped her.
“Alia?”
She stopped. She didn’t recognize him, but she figured he should be okay. The bouncers didn’t let just anyone into the club. “Yes?”
He handed her a card. “I’m James Finster.”
“Nice to meet you.”
His card said he was a booking agent. She wasn’t sure what that was.
“I heard about your singing and the person who said you sang like an angel didn’t do you justice.”
She wanted to blush. “Thank you.”
“Is this your first professional gig?”
“Yes.”
“Can I buy you a drink? I’d like to talk to you about the future.”
“Future?”
So far, she’d been such a sparkling conversationalist.
“Yes, I book acts for concerts and fundraisers. I also hire musicians and backup singers for session work. I’d like to have you under contract.”
“I don’t know that what means.”
He put a hand on the small of her back and guided her to an empty table. The waitress came by. James ordered a drink. She asked for some club soda.
The waitress left.
Alia was tired and exhilarated and wanted to just see Viktor. He always made her feel better.
“I think you have a lot of talent and I think you can be a star, but you need some more experience. I book acts for various venues as I said. I’d like you to be in my stable of talent. I wouldn’t be your agent. I would deal with your agent.”
She didn’t have an agent. She didn’t know where to get an agent.
“Or you could have a manger. Either one.”
This man might have been talking another language. She blinked at him a few times.
“I know this is all confusing, but you check out my website, you’ll understand. I’m not asking for an answer now, but pleas
e consider my offer. You’re talented, and people would pay you well to hear you sing.”
“What kinds of venues?”
She didn’t know what to ask. This was all sudden and she was tired.
“Fundraisers. Conventions. Larger clubs.”
Viktor appeared at her side. She didn’t see him, just felt his presence behind her.
“I’m Viktor Kozlov, the owner of this club.”
James stood and shook Viktor’s hand. “I was just talking to Alia here about some business.”
“It sounds like you are trying to poach my talent,” Viktor said.
He was smiling, but she could see the tension in his stance.
“Not exactly. I want to expand her horizons. She doesn’t have to make any decision right now.”
“Good. How did you get in here? This is a private club.”
“I was given an invitation by Kent, her piano player. I hope that was okay,” James said.
“Yes, that was fine. What do you do?”
“I book acts for various venues. As I told Alia, it would be conventions and larger clubs.”
“I see. You have a card?”
Alia handed hers to Viktor. He perused it.
“You seem legit and you have an invitation to be in my club, but I’d prefer Miss Adams not make any decision right now,” Viktor said.
Was he speaking for her? “I’m not making any decisions now. I’ll look into what you do and contact you another time.”
“That’s all I’m asking,” James said.
Their drinks arrived. When James went to pay, Viktor waved away the waitress. “The drinks are on me.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Alia’s drinks were free so the gesture wasn’t that magnanimous. She chose not to point that out. She wanted Viktor to leave. This was her business.
“Do you often come into clubs to recruit talent?” Viktor asked.
“No, but Kent said that Alia was an amazing talent. He wanted me to hear her. He wasn’t wrong.”
“Yes, she is talented.”
“Could we not talk about me like I’m not here?” Alia said.
Both men looked at her, surprised.
“Viktor, how about you wait upstairs? I’ll be up when I finish my drink and my talk with Mr. Finster.”
Viktor’s one eyebrow went up. She’d never spoken to him like this, but she did have a brain in her head. She was safe, so he didn’t need to be all Neanderthal on her. He nodded at them both then left.
“He’s protective of his investment,” James said.
“Something like that. Tell me a little more about your business.”
He spoke for the next half hour. Good. Alia was happy to make Viktor wait. She knew he was at the window upstairs, his temper getting the best of him. She’d done nothing wrong, so he had no reason to be mad.
If he was jealous, he’d just have to get over it. The man left after that. Alia eyed his business card. She’d check it all out in the morning.
Olga came by with her tray. “Can I get you something else?”
“No, thanks.”
“You going to see Viktor/”
“When I’m good and ready,” Alia said.
She’d grown to like Olga.
“Good for you, Alia. Russian men can be so overbearing. Viktor is better than most, but still. You put him in his place.”
Olga left, laughing. Alia wasn’t playing a game. She was composing herself. She didn’t want to fly off the handle, but Viktor had made her mad. Yes, he was protecting her and yes, they were lovers. That didn’t give him the right to rule her life.
***
Viktor was sure steam was coming out of his ears. Alia had dismissed him. Sacha came into his office. He had no desire to talk with his brother.
“I saw that, Viktor. Are you going to let her get away with that? You are the man.”
Viktor’s anger dissipated. If Sacha thought he should discipline his girlfriend, then clearly it was wrong. Sacha had a mean streak and was that old style Russian man that Viktor had refused to become.
He would have a civil conversation with Alia.
Alia.
Who was still sitting at that table. Alone. Making him wait. He did not play games. He should go down and get her. Before he could, she rose from her chair.
“Leave, Sacha.”
“She needs to be put in her place.”
“Go, Sacha. I don’t want you here, your old-fashioned values here,” Viktor said.
He still held the man’s business card. He didn’t care that the man had spoken to Alia. He didn’t even care that he’d come into his club to do it. He didn’t want Alia taken advantage of. It was his job to protect her.
She didn’t need to be reckless.
She finally appeared in his doorway, clearly not repentant. Should he be? Had he overstepped the boundaries of their relationship? She closed the door behind her, but her gaze did not waver from his.
Who would blink first? This is why he didn’t like Russian girls. They would simper and apologize. He wasn’t sure he’d done the right thing.
“Viktor.”
She stood by the door, leaning against it. She looked tired. Her eyes were small, looking at him.
“Alia.”
They stood like that for a few more minutes. An American friend once told him that you have two choices in life. You can be right or you can be happy. Most of the time he chose right.
Today he chose happy.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally. “I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds.”
Her shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t wanted to fight either. “You did, Viktor. I understand that it comes from a good place, but at some point you won’t be around to protect me.”
He wouldn’t be around? She was already sure this relationship was going to end? He wasn’t so sure of that.
“I don’t know how to answer that, but let’s deal with this issue, now.”
“Okay.”
“I am sorry, Alia. I take my role as protector seriously.”
“You acted like a jealous lover.”
He hadn’t looked at it that way. “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not sure if I have a right to be jealous.”
“A right?”
“Well, we haven’t really established the boundaries of our relationship. I don’t know if I have a right to be jealous.”
“You shouldn’t ever be jealous. If we’re not exclusive, then you don’t get to feel that way. If we are exclusive, then you shouldn’t feel that way because I chose you.”
He blinked. It made sense. “I didn’t mean to come off as jealous. I wasn’t. I was just protecting you. Or trying to. Looks like you can do a pretty good job yourself.”
“You made me look unprofessional.”
He frowned. He hadn’t looked at it that way. He had made her seem unprofessional. “Guess I have a lot to apologize for.” Plopping into his chair, he rubbed a hand down his face. “I’m usually the one in charge. And I don’t really have relationships. Not like we have.”
She took a step closer to him. “What do we have?”
So she was going to ask him to define it. He sighed. If he said the wrong thing, then things would be awkward between them. “I don’t want to see anyone else.”
Her shoulders relaxed again. He didn’t want to fight. He would never back down from one, but he did his best to stay out of that.
“I don’t want to see anyone else, either.”
“I care about you, Alia. I’d like you in my life for a long time. That’s all I know at this point,” Viktor said.
“I’ll take it, then. That’s really all I need to know.” She sat on a chair. “Did you look at the man’s website?”
Just like that, they were back on an even keel. He refused to question. All was right with the world. “Yes, he seems legit.”
“Okay. I’ll look at it in the morning. I’m too tired now.”
He nodded. She rose and walked to him. She kissed him on
the lips. “Good night, Viktor.”
“Good night Alia. Sweet dreams.”
She smiled then left him to his thoughts. Damn. What had happened? He’d be a Neanderthal and she’d pushed back. The hazards of dating an independent woman. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
Why hadn’t he told her that he loved her? Because she might not have believed him. It would have sounded like an excuse to forgive him. She forgave him anyway.
And she was his. All his. She wasn’t going to see anyone else. He liked that. It warmed his heart. Sighing, he couldn’t help smiling. He wanted to escape upstairs and even if Alia was asleep, he wanted to snuggle with her.
A knock sounded on his door. Guess the staff knew that Alia wasn’t in here. “Come in.”
It was Sacha. He looked grim.
“What’s wrong?”
Sacha needed a good woman in his life.
“You work things out?”
“Not how you would have, but we did.”
Sacha frowned. “Whatever.”
Someone else knocked on his door. He wasn’t getting out of here soon.
“Come in.”
Arkady poked his head into the office. “Boss, we’re getting raided.”
“Raided? By whom?”
“Cops.”
Viktor was out of his seat before Arkady could finish. He pushed past him and ran down the steps. The customers were gone. Why would they raid now? What had he done?
He found the person who looked to be in charge. “What’s going on?”
“Are you Viktor Kozlov?”
“Yes.”
“We got a tip that there are drugs on the premises. We have a warrant to search the club.”
Viktor eyed the warrant. “Guess you’re searching then.”
Chapter 14
Alia woke and then she realized that Viktor had just climbed into bed. She glanced at the clock. Where had he been? He wrapped her into his arms.
“Where have you been?” she said.
“Sorry if I woke you.”
She patted his hand that rested on her shoulder. “It’s fine. Did something happen?”
He sighed. “The club was raided.”
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