“I told you to fuck her, not completely lose your head to her.”
He was right. I had lost my mind.
He shook his head. “I have never seen you this crazy for a woman. Why the hell do you want her out there so badly anyway? She belongs in your bed, nowhere else. You want to put a hit out on her? Don’t you know the battles we’re currently in the midst of right now?”
I want to give her the chance to meet her mother, was what came to mind. However, I didn’t say it out loud. Then I would have to admit that not only had I gone out of my way to uncover it, but to ensure that her mother would be attending the event tonight.
Perhaps she didn’t know the woman, in which case no harm would be done since she wouldn’t even be able to recognize her, but if she did, what happened from then on would be up to her. But now with Alex’s cold but completely rational rebuke, I was starting to wonder if I should have waited. Until it was safer.
But fuck it all. Why should I wait? I wanted to see her, to touch her, to have her by my side. I looked at Alex. “Don’t fucking talk to me like that,” I spat.
He chuckled. “You only pull out the authority card when you know you’ve messed up. That’s good then. Screw your damn head back on. Stop letting that girl turn you into a pussy.” He got out of the car before I could swing my fist in his direction, and strolled across the tarmac towards the waiting Bombardier Global 7000.
With a sigh, I did the same, and soon we were in the air.
I changed on the plane so as soon as we arrived in London I was driven straight to the Grosvenor House hotel. I stepped out to the flashing of cameras and a bright red carpet welcome. It was the annual Fulfilling Dreams charity ball hosted by the Mayor of London’s office. It was in my best interest to be here and to splash the occasion with as much money as I could throw at whatever nonsensical plans they had brewing. Tonight would be nothing less than two million.
A beautiful usher met me with a dazzling smile and offered to lead me to my table.
I had other plans. “Await my plus one instead,” I told her. “April Winters. Make sure to show her straight to her seat and alert me on her arrival.”
My order was taken, and I turned around to the approach of the smiling face of affluent real Estate Mogul, Akshay Khan.
Chapter 33
April
I have no business being here.
I stood in a brightly lit hallway. True, I was no less lavishly decorated in my stunning Chanel dress than anyone else in the place, but they all seemed to know what they were doing and where they were going.
The men, with gorgeous diamond-embellished women on their arms gilded by, while I stood alone, wondering what I’d gotten myself into.
I took two deep breaths…and felt even worse so I was about to leave, when I saw her.
I froze.
My mother was here. She had a man and an elegantly dressed young woman with her… and they were coming towards me. Our eyes didn’t meet as they went by. I was still in shock, so I subtly started to follow them. They joined a cluster of dignitaries who they smiled and shook hands with.
“Can I help you?” someone asked.
I jumped and turned around.
An impeccably dressed usher in a dazzling sequined gown met my eyes. “Do you have your invitation card, Madam?”
“Uh, no.”
“Perhaps you are meeting someone?” Her eyebrows rose and her voice sounded a tad colder.
“Yes. I’m meeting Mr. Yuri Volkov.”
She glanced down at a clipboard she was holding. When she raised her head, she was all smiles again. “You must be April Winters?”
“I am.”
She smiled. “I’ll show you to your table.”
I followed, and was led to a table meant for eight. It was elegantly set with bouquets of blood red roses, and tall candles. My mind was in turmoil. I couldn’t believe she was here. What were the chances?
I told myself to hold my head up and enjoy the night no matter what happened and accepted a champagne flute from a tray carried by a passing waitress.
I settled in and with my eyes, I sought out my mother. I found her easily. I didn’t feel any emotion as I watched her smile and talk to people. A few minutes passed, then I realized that she was my mother in name only. I wanted nothing from her. Not even recognition. If nothing else, this night showed me that I could close that door once and for all. I drained my drink. I would give Yuri a few more minutes and then I would take my leave.