Viktor sighed. “Youdid, and you were right.”
Anya glanced back andforth between the men. “What did he tell you?”
Viktor Volkov leanedforward and snatched the cash from his partner. “He said youwouldn’t take the money up front, and he was obviously right.”
Anya stared at thebills as if she were desperate for cash. “How did you know I wouldnot take money, Sascha?”
“You are a proudRussian woman. I told this to Viktor, but he said you had become anAmerican.”
Anya smiled. “I amboth of these things, so I can now choose best of both worlds. It istrue I am Russian at my birth and proud woman when I left SovietUnion, but now I am living here in America and is very good country.I am American when is appropriate and Russian when is necessary.”
Volkov slammed his handagainst the arm of his chair. “If you will not take my money, atleast accept my invitation to the ballet tomorrow night. The primaballerina is the finest dancer in all the world, and you make methink of her every time I see you.”
Anya narrowed her eyes.“Why would I make you think of a ballerina? I am far too heavy tobe a dancer.”
Volkov’s eyes slidacross her body. “You are perfect, inside and out, and I will nothave you believing anything less. But it is not how you look thatreminds me of the ballerina, although, like you, she is stunning. Itis another of your attributes that keeps her dancing into my mindwhenever you are near.”
“I do notunderstand.”
Volkov stood andreached for Anya’s hand. She gave it to him, and he brushed astrand of hair behind her ear just as Chase Fulton had done so manytimes. “Do not worry, my pet. It will all make sense tomorrownight. It is an early performance. I will pick you up at six, and wewill again have dinner after this beautiful young ballerina bringstears to your eyes.”
The actress put on hersmile. “I love the ballet, and tomorrow night I will be on the armof the most handsome man in the Big Apple.”
“It’s settled then.It is, of course, black tie, and you will need a dress.” Volkovreplaced the stack of bills into Anya’s palm. “Tomorrow should beyour first day at your new job, but since you have shopping to do,you can start the day after.”
Anya leaned in andkissed his cheek. “Spasibo. And I will make sure you are the envyof every man in attendance at the ballet. It is too bad we cannot goto the Bolshoi.”
He ran the back of hishand down the curve of her flawless face. “Perhaps one day weshall.”
Anya beamed. “Perhaps.”
The trap had indeedbeen set, and the bait had been swallowed.
Sascha and Volkovshared a glance, and the Russian Jeweler cleared his throat. “Yes,well, I am sorry to end our beautiful evening, but, unfortunately, Imust. My driver will take you home or anywhere else you’d like togo. Consider him and the car to be yours for the night. Enjoy NewYork, and I will see you tomorrow at six . . . in your new gown.”
Gwynn and Anya slidinto the back of the car, and the driver closed the door behind them.After taking his place behind the wheel, he threw an arm over theback of the seat. “Where may I take you, ladies?”
Gwynn turned to Anyawith anticipation in her eyes, but the Russian said, “Home, please.We have a big day tomorrow.”
Gwynn’s hopedeflated, and she reached for the bar. She made short work of pouringa pair of drinks. The two touched glasses, and Anya said, “We areluckiest girls in Manhattan.”
The driver held openthe door in front of their building on the edge of Times Square.“Good night, ladies. It has been my pleasure.”
Without looking back,Gwynn and Anya climbed the stairs and glided through the door heldopen by the gloved attendant.
Once inside theelevator, Gwynn’s eyes lit up. “You really are an actress, andyou deserve an Academy Award for your performance tonight. That wasamazing.”
Anya pressed the buttonfor their floor. “It is easy to give men what they want becausethey always want the simplest of everything.”
“What does thatmean?”
Anya opened her handand held out her palm. “Veronique obviously replaces diamonds, oneat a time, with whatever these are.”
Gwynn stared down atthe pair of gleaming stones. “You lifted two of Volkov’sdiamonds! You are amazing, but don’t you think they have everystone counted? You’re going to get busted.”
“I was already bustedby your boss in Saint Augustine. That is why I am here, remember?”
Gwynn turned the lockand opened their apartment door. “No, you’re here because youchose to be. You could’ve run at any moment while we were in Miami,and escaping from Walter Reed Hospital would’ve been a piece ofcake. You want to be here. Otherwise, you’d be halfwayaround the world in some place no one’s ever heard of.”
The Russian pressed thedoor closed behind them. “Do you really believe I would choose tobe here if I could go back to my life before you and Agent Whiteapprehended me in Saint Augustine?”
Gwynn grimaced. “No,I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. It’s just that—”
“My choices are notto be here or be free.”
Gwynn shook her head.“No, that’s obvious. But I mean, you kind of like doing this withme. That’s all I’m saying.”
Anya stepped towardSpecial Agent Gwynn Davis and let their bodies touch gently. Shetilted her head barely perceptibly to the right and slowly continuedmoving toward her federal government babysitter.
Gwynn’s mouth grewinstantly dry, and her pulse raced. She bit her bottom lip inanticipation as Anya closed both eyes and the distance between them.As the Russian’s breath fell across Gwynn’s skin, she palmed thewall behind her, bracing for the instant Anya’s lips would meethers.
Suddenly, the deadboltin the apartment door slammed into the jamb with a metallic thud, andGwynn flinched as she threw her eyes open.
Anya playfully kissedthe tip of Gwynn’s nose and laughed. “What is wrong? Did youthink I couldn’t resist you, Special Agent Guinevere Davis? Did youbelieve I would press you against wall and kiss you like long-lostlover? Is this
