“But if you’d gone back to Atlantic City after Paul’s funeral, you wouldn’t have learned to really fly like you’re doing now.”
Gaby bowed her head. “Would you still say that if you thought I’d flown completely off course?”
“You’re talking about Anatoly, aren’t you. What’s that little adage? By their fruits you shall know them?”
“I’ve tended to go along with that philosophy all my life,” Gaby said. “But I told you what happened right after the accident.”
“You mean about his foreign friends taking off for parts unknown?”
“That, and the Audi.”
“He told you it belongs to the company where he does accounting.”
“What if he was lying? I can’t account for the hours when I’m not with him. I know he delivers flowers part-time, but…”
“But what?”
“I don’t know. His English is incredible for someone who wasn’t born speaking it.”
“If his grandfather did business with Americans, then he probably encouraged Anatoly to learn English. The man has a university education. You saw it on the computer.”
“I know.”
“You told me the girls really liked him. Sometimes younger people can see things adults miss. They saw nothing wrong with him.”
“That’s true. His employer and landlady are crazy about him. But I don’t know any of his friends. He hasn’t taken me around them. I haven’t heard him even mention any.”
“It’s early days, Gaby. If he’s been working two jobs all these years in order to make money for him and his former fiancée, then he probably hasn’t had a lot of time to cultivate friendships. Give your relationship a little more time.”
“That’s what Dr. Karsh said, but…”
“I keep hearing these buts. Let me ask you something. Think back to the moment you first entertained doubts about him. Go through the sequence of events. When was it, exactly?”
Gaby’s thoughts flew back to the morning of the accident. “I remember walking over to him to tell him once more how sorry I was. He was talking to the passengers who’d been in his car.
“That’s when this strange feeling went through me. They were crowded around him while he spoke. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but it was as if he was orchestrating something. He looked dark and formidable standing there.
“His friends appeared nervous, but it didn’t seem like the accident was the cause of it. Nothing was natural about the situation. I can’t quite explain it.”
Hallie exhaled a heavy sigh. “So your fear is based on a dark feeling.”
“Yes. Just for a moment I felt chilled. Maybe it’s because I’d attended that seminar about the Russian mafia accident ring. Everything the detective told us to watch for seemed to fit Anatoly and his foreign passengers, right down to the new black Audi.
“But later, when he showed up at my apartment with the roses, all traces of that darkness had gone. He’s done nothing since to make me suspicious.”
“Yet you still think he could be in the mafia.”
Gaby took a shuddering breath. “What if he is, Hallie?”
Quiet reigned for a few moments. At last Hallie said, “Then naturally you couldn’t trust anything.” Her brow furrowed. “I can see you’re convinced something’s wrong, so maybe you’d better listen to yourself.”
“You think there’s something wrong, too, don’t you!”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with me, Gaby. I’ve lived with you long enough to know how stable you are. For you to have these kinds of reservations, despite the fact that your uncle couldn’t find anything wrong, tells me you’re probably being warned.”
Gaby nodded. “I’m scared, Hallie. Really scared.”
“Now you’re making me nervous. Last night I watched him watching you. Even if the man’s guilty as sin, he’s got it bad for you. I hate to say this, but you’d have a difficult time getting rid of him if you tried to call it off now. Especially since you’ve made plans to move into his apartment house.”
“You’re saying I could become another victim, like Irina’s mom?”
“In the sense that mafia boyfriends tend to be territorial and consider that they own you? Yes.”
Another shudder racked Gaby’s body. “I’ve played right into his hands, Hallie. It’s the stuff movies are made of. A criminal finds the woman he wants, then charms her until she’s crazy about him, willing to do anything for him.
“When she’s proved her loyalty, the man’s true colors start to emerge. By then, she’s in too deep. I’m already in too deep!” Gaby cried softly.
Hallie’s concern turned her expression sober. “If he’s a liar, then it wouldn’t do any good to ask him point-blank if he’s been lying. Conversely, you could hurt him a lot if you told him you were afraid he was involved with the Russian mafia and he wasn’t. As I see it, there’s only one thing to do.”
“I know what you’re going to say.”
Hallie nodded. “After we find out about Irina’s mother, you’re going to get on the next flight to New Jersey. Sit down and have a long talk with your uncle Frank. He can hire a couple of good private detectives to have Anatoly’s activities monitored. Plan to stay under the protection of your family until there’s word one way or the other.”
“But my clients!” she cried, aghast.
“That’s easy. Make arrangements with a couple of colleagues—I know you’ve met other immigration lawyers here—to transfer your cases to them. They’ll probably be thrilled for the extra money. As an incentive, you can even offer them free use of your office for a while.
“Ask Anita Garcia to start work now, instead of at the end of the month. She can help make all the arrangements. You can work with her long distance.”
“That’s true. Oh, Hallie. I can’t believe it’s come to this!”
“I don’t want to believe it, either. But your instincts are telling you Anatoly isn’t who you think he is. You need to act while he’s still in the honeymoon phase of your relationship. He’s not suspicious yet because so far you’ve given him everything he wants.”
“Not quite. We haven’t slept together. In fact, we haven’t even had a real kiss yet, if you know what I mean.”
“So he’s just been teasing you with little ones.”
“Something like that.”
“No wonder you’re both going crazy. Are you listening to me, Gaby?”
“Yes.”
“I only spent a short time in his company last night. But it was long enough for me to be impressed by his superior intelligence. He’s no grunt.”
“No.”
“A guy like Anatoly would be in a position of authority. If he’s a mafia boss, one who’s high up in the ranks, that makes him shrewd, powerful and very dangerous to you, because he would have connections everywhere.”
“Thanks for making me feel better.”
“You wanted gut honesty from me, so I’m giving it to you.”
“Okay. Go on.”
“Don’t despair. There’s a ray of sunshine in all this.”
Pain screamed from every cell. “I don’t see where.”
“He won’t be expecting you to disappear today.”
I don’t want to disappear. We have a date later on. I’m living for it.
“Gaby?”
“What?”
“Last night you paid good money for your new apartment. This is probably the only time you’ll have the opportunity to catch him off guard. Hesitate and it might be too late to escape him.”
Much as she hated to admit it, Hallie was right.
“When we walk out of here in a little while, don’t plan on coming back until your uncle can give you the okay.”
“What about the landlord here? Our lease isn’t up for two more months.”
“Call him after you get to Atlantic City. Tell him we had to vacate unexpectedly, so he’s free to rent the apartment to someone else. I’ll pay what we owe him.”
“We’ll both pay, Hallie. Poor Mrs. Bills. What’s she going to think when I never show up?”
“She’ll be two months ahead in rent and can find someone else in a day. Right now your life is more important. Let Anatoly put his own spin on your sudden disappearance.”
“Nobody spins better than he does.” The tears spilled down her cheeks. “Did I tell you how good he is at stickball?”
“Yes. After last night, I could write a book about him.”
“He’s coming by for me at three.”
“But you won’t be here.”
“Neither will you. Not anymore. The next time I see you, I’ll have to bow or something.” By now Gaby was sobbing.
“Oh, come here, you big crybaby.”
They hugged.
Hallie wiped her eyes. “You’d better get busy packing your clothes. Knowing your boyfriend, he might just decide to drop by early.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. All I need is—”
They both jumped when they heard the rap on the front door.
Gaby’s eyes flashed Hallie a signal of distress.
“You stay in the bathroom. I’ll take care of this,” her friend whispered.
“No,” Gaby whispered back. “If I don’t make an appearance, he’ll come up with a reason to hang around until I come out. He thinks you and I are going to lunch. We’ll just let him go on thinking it. I’ll get rid of him as fast as I can.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
BY THE TIME Gaby opened the front door, she felt as if she was going to faint. She almost did when she saw Anatoly standing there with a gaily wrapped package in his hand.
A pair of white cargo pants covered his hard, powerful thighs. There was a classy elegance in the way the navy sweatshirt fit his broad shoulders and chest. The hood at the back of his neck brushed the tendrils of his dark, vibrant hair. Talk about a beautiful man…
Combined with the forbidden-fruit aspect of their association, she found him completely and utterly desirable. She could talk about her fears all she wanted when they were apart. Yet all he had to do was appear in the flesh. In an instant his male essence blotted out everything except her attraction for him.
It staggered her how much she wanted to throw herself in his arms and forget the world.
“Gabriella.” His husky voice penetrated to her insides. “If I knew you were alone, there would not be one molecule of air separating us.”
The way his eyes appeared to devour her, she could believe it. No doubt he’d registered her eyes feasting on him.
“Good morning, Anatoly.”
“Good morning. Forgive me. I know you did not expect me until three. But I could not stay away. The thought of you moving to my apartment house is all that has kept me going since last night.”
“I’m looking forward to it, too.” It was true. Even though she was going to run away from him, it was true.
Their eyes clung. “I realize you are busy getting Hallie ready to leave for the convent. If she is presentable, I would like to give her this small gift as a going-away present.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Come in. I’ll tell her you’re here.”
Afraid to linger before she willed him to touch her, she hurried through the living room to the bedroom.
Hallie took one look at her flushed face and shook her head in acknowledgment of an impossible situation.
“He has a gift for you,” Gaby said.
“Your Russian does everything right, doesn’t he.”
Gaby nodded solemnly.
Together they moved out of the bedroom.
“Hi, Anatoly.”
“Good morning, Hallie. This is for you.”
“How thoughtful you are!” She took the present from him and undid the wrapping. When she opened the lid, Gaby heard her gasp.
Inside the box lay an exquisite corsage of gardenias and white roses.
“Th-this is beautiful,” Hallie stammered. She sounded shaken. “You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”
“I wanted to. You are about to embark on a life that will not allow you to accept flowers from a man. It would please me very much if you will wear these until you reach the convent.”
Oh, no. Too late Gaby realized what was happening. “Hallie?” she said. “Why don’t you take them in the bedroom and put them on while you finish packing.”
“Yes. I-I’ll do that. Thank you again, Anatoly.”
She almost ran from the living room.
The second she was gone he grasped Gaby’s upper arms firmly, forcing her to look up at him. Lines of strain marred his handsome face. “I have done something wrong. Tell me, Gabriella. How did I offend her? I thought every woman loved flowers. Why was she offended?”
Gaby shook her head. “She wasn’t. I know she loved your gift, but I’m afraid it brought back certain memories she wants to forget.”
“I am so sorry. If I could make amends I would do it. Help me to understand what I have done.” He gave her arms a squeeze.
She couldn’t think with his hands on her.
“Sit down and I’ll explain.”
He gave her arms another squeeze before releasing them to do her bidding.
“Hallie used to be an airline stewardess. She met a man from Chile and fell in love with him. He and his family flew to Los Angeles, where they were married. Then the wedding party flew to Santiago, Chile, to enjoy more festivities. Both families were on the plane with them. It crashed in the Andes.”
Anatoly groaned, making it even more difficult for Gaby to continue.
“Out of two hundred people, only five survived the ten-day ordeal at the crash site in mountain blizzards. Hallie was one of them.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop them. “In that crash she lost everyone she loved.”
“That is not possible.” He sounded as devastated as she felt.
“There was a nun on board, a native Chilean. She also survived and helped the other four hang on until rescue units arrived. It was her faith that got Hallie through.
“The survivors were flown to a hospital in Santiago. As soon as Hallie’s broken leg was set in a cast, this nun found her a place to stay with a family where she could be taken care of. The two women formed a bond that I suppose only people who share such a traumatic experience would understand.”
Anatoly sprang to his feet and started pacing. “That explains so much, Gabriella.”
She nodded. “Hallie quit flying. She ended up staying down there and working for a Chilean-American concern. But her true interest was in the religious life and she became a lay nun. The other nun urged her to return to the States and get in touch with her roots before she took the step to be professed. With great reluctance Hallie came back to Bel Air, but she didn’t feel her life was there anymore. She ended up coming here to San Diego where she found temporary work with some other lay nuns. That’s when we met.”
She heard him expel a troubled sigh. “Nothing I could have given her would have brought more pain than those flowers.”
“You didn’t know, Anatoly. Hallie will cry for a while, but then she’ll recover.”
“I already have.”
They both turned their heads at the same time. Hallie had come into the room. She wore the corsage on the shoulder of her cotton blouse.
Gaby watched her walk over to Anatoly and kiss his cheek. “Thank you for the gift. You’ve given me another memory. A happy one.”
The sweetness of Anatoly’s smile melted Gaby’s heart. “I will not take up any more of your time with Gabriella. I can imagine how precious every moment together must be now.”
His gaze flicked to Gaby. It said all the things he wasn’t saying out loud. “I will see you at three.”
You’re killing me, Anatoly, her heart cried.
MAX DIDN’T REMEMBER the drive back to his apartment house in the van. What had transpired in Gabriella’s apartment just now defied description. So many conflicting emotions were bombarding him, he felt
as if he was losing his mind.
This was one time he needed a vacation badly. Instead, he had to pull himself together, because Oleg would be picking him up in a few minutes.
He’d just parked the van and had started walking out to the street when his cell phone rang. It was Gideon. He clicked on.
“You called just in time. I got hold of Oleg. Any minute and he’ll be at the corner of the street outside my apartment house. We’ll be traveling to Galena’s apartment. Did you get your hands on a picture of Svetlana?”
“I made a copy.”
“Give me a description.”
“Her hair is ash blond, straight, worn to the jaw-line. Blue eyes. She’s sixteen. Five foot seven, a hundred ten pounds. Quite pretty. Full lips. Good posture and carriage.”
“That’s Irina! She moves like a dancer. Thank God she had the courage to get away from Nikolai! As long as she’s in Girls’ Village, she’s safe for the moment. Unless, as we speculated, it’s really a holding tank where some girls are sold into prostitution.”
“I’ve had the guys checking on that. They’ve gone back in the records fifteen years. There’s no evidence of that kind of activity going on here.”
“We could stand a lot more good news like that. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean Gabriella’s not using her job as a volunteer for other purposes. Furthermore, we can’t celebrate yet when we don’t know what’s happened to Galena.”
“I hear you. Don’t be surprised if you get over there and find the apartment closed up. I hate to even think this, but she might have already paid the ultimate price.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Nikolai has to be enraged Irina got away. I’m more inclined to believe he’s still hanging around there using Galena for bait. Something tells me he’s counting on Irina to get desperate enough to try and contact her mother. In the meantime his thugs are turning the city inside out looking for her. He knows what’ll happen if she gets to the police before he can muzzle her.”
“That’s what worries me, Max. Nikolai’s running scared. It’s going to be hard to predict his next move. I’ve got a bad feeling in my gut about you going over there.”
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