“We’re all set for takeoff,” the pilot announced.
“Good,” Viktor said and then turned to Amanda. “Amanda, this is Devin, my pilot. Devin, this is Amanda who we are returning to Boston tonight.”
Devin smiled and acknowledged her with a nod. “Ma’am.”
“Nice to meet you, Devin,” she said.
“We’re all set,” Viktor then informed him. “You can take off as soon as we’re clear.”
“Very well.” Devin took his position in the pilot seat and radioed the control tower.
Viktor sat in the other recliner facing her.
“Is this how you came to Italy?” Amanda asked.
“No. Normally I would have but I was afraid you might ask me questions about my flight and I didn’t want to lie, so I booked a commercial flight.”
“You flew commercial so you wouldn’t have to lie to me?”
“That’s hardly the craziest thing I’ve done,” he defended himself.
“No,” she agreed. “I think buying my apartment building holds that trophy right now.”
He just grinned. “I told you I would find ways to spoil you.”
She blushed. “Indeed.”
Amanda lay down on the sofa halfway through the flight and fell asleep while Viktor looked over documents on his laptop. Just before landing, Viktor woke her so she could be seated as the plane touched down a little after 3:00 in the morning. She felt groggy and exhausted and just wished she could be in bed.
Viktor hired a car to take them to her apartment. She curled up in his arms in the backseat and closed her eyes as they drove. He told the driver to wait while he escorted Amanda to her apartment.
“This elevator scares me,” she said as they stepped in.
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“It broke down not long ago and trapped the people inside. I’m a little claustrophobic. Especially after staying at your place,” she answered half in a fog.
He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head. “I’ll have it checked out.”
“Mmm. Pays to have an in with the landlord,” she joked, with her eyes closed and her head resting on his shoulder.
Viktor took her keys and unlocked the door for her. She was half out of it and had trouble keeping her eyes open. He set her bag down inside and shut the door behind them.
“I really need the bathroom,” she said and then just wandered off.
Viktor chuckled a little as she walked away and wondered if she was coming back. He paced the dining area for a few seconds before his eyes fell on a stack of bills she had left on the table. Sitting on top was her credit card statement. He checked if the coast was clear and then picked it up. He tore off the payment stub, folded it up and stuck it in his pocket. He then moved the statement to the bottom of the pile. He turned just in time to see Amanda round the corner. He gave her a broad smile as she walked towards him.
“Thank you, Viktor,” she said and tried to smile.
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “Do you have Columbus Day off?”
“I do.”
“I’ll come that weekend.”
“Okay.”
He pulled away so he could look in her face. “I have something I want to give you.” He pulled a credit card with her name on it from his pocket and held it out to her.
“I’m not taking that,” she flatly refused.
“I can’t make you use it. But I want you to take it,” he insisted. “If something happens or you get in over your head, I want you to use it … For anything you need.”
She frowned and took it from him. “What’s the limit?” she asked, feeling curious.
“There’s no limit.”
“The bank is giving you unlimited funds?” she asked, finding that hard to believe.
“It’s like 5 million or something. I don’t remember. More than you’ll ever use.”
“Well, actually, there’s this yacht I’ve been eyeballing,” she joked.
He laughed. “I would be greatly amused if you bought a yacht.”
She chuckled. “I’m not going to use it, you know.”
“We’ll see.” He stroked her hair and kissed her. “Get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Viktor. I love you.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you too.”
She shut the door behind him and he waited to hear the door lock before walking away. He slept on the flight back to California and by the time he landed was rested enough to begin his long day of meetings over the new lawsuit they were facing.
Chapter 27
On Friday, a week before Viktor was supposed to come for Columbus Day weekend, Amanda discovered he had paid off her credit card. She went online to make a payment and saw that the only balance remaining was the groceries she had bought the week before and the tank of gas she bought two days prior.
“Oh, this means war,” she muttered while still unable to restrain a smile. She picked up her phone and called him even though it was still in the middle of the workday for him.
“Hey, can I call you back?” he answered.
“How did you pay off my credit card?” she asked, ignoring his request.
“You’re just now discovering that?”
“Yeah, I went to make a payment.”
“Well it must be very small. I’m in a meeting right now. Can I call you back?”
“Fine,” she said with an irritated tone.
He hung up without saying goodbye. She shook her head and then suddenly seemed to have a thought. She pecked away at the keys on her laptop searching the internet while she waited for him to call back, which he did over an hour later.
“Hey, sweetheart. I’m sorry I cut you off like that. I was in a big meeting with my senior staff and the lawyers.”
“Everything alright?”
“It will be, eventually. What’s up?”
“How did you get my account info?”
“Your statement was on the table when I dropped you off. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help
