“What’s his new weakness?” He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but a rush of adrenaline surged through him.
“Not a what, a who. A blonde woman. I’m not sure who she is yet. She met with him today at one of his hotels. Abram seemed to know her too. Viktor fired one of his security for saying something to her. I don’t know the whole story, but Viktor also threatened him with dismemberment if he even looked at her again. That’s what I heard anyway. After she left, he cancelled all his meetings and worked out for three fucking hours. It was like he was in a rage.” There was a touch of fear in his voice.
This could be what he’d been waiting for. “You don’t know her name?”
“No, but I snapped a picture of her when she left. She’s fucking hot. Tall, blonde, killer body and full lips I could imagine sucking my dick.”
He rolled his eyes. He didn’t give a shit what the woman looked like, just how he could use her against Viktor. “Send the picture to me.”
“I’ll text it as soon as we hang up.”
“This is good. Keep me updated if you see her around more. I’ll wire you our normal fee.” This information was definitely worth what he paid the man.
“Thanks.” He could hear the glee in his contact’s voice.
The man only cared that he got paid, which was good for him. As long as that loser kept feeding his stripper and God knew what else habit, he’d keep feeding him information.
He just hoped this woman truly was a weakness to Viktor—that he’d finally found something to use against the untouchable Ivanov.
Chapter 6
Dominique picked up her cell phone, then set it down. Again. Next she picked up her glass of white wine and took a sip as she stared out over the balcony of her condo. The complex’s pool was surprisingly quiet this evening.
She’d been on autopilot again today at work and for the first time ever had actually been counting down the clock until she could go home.
Her friends had their own stuff going on right now and even though she knew she could talk to them about anything, she didn’t want to. She’d always kept her past private and while she figured her boss knew about her family, considering Red Stone’s vetting process, she didn’t like to broadcast that painful part of her life.
Now…she had a chance to own her childhood home, a place that held so many wonderful memories. It felt wrong to take Ivanov up on his offer because it was such a huge gift.
And after doing some research—some of which Lizzy had helped with—she’d found that yes, he was pretty ruthless when it came to business, but he didn’t appear to have his hand in any illegal things. Lizzy said at least not anymore, but that he may have at one time. He also gave a lot to charity, specifically ones that supported education and literacy. Which shouldn’t matter. But it did.
Even after meeting with him yesterday she’d wondered if her judgment was off, if he really was just like his father. But from everything Lizzy had found it seemed as if he’d hated the man. And he’d seemed so sincere when he’d been talking to her yesterday. She couldn’t help but wonder if her judgment was off because of her growing attraction to Viktor.
She picked up her phone again and dialed his number. It rang once and she almost hung up but he answered immediately.
“Hello?”
“Mr., uh, Viktor. It’s Dominique Castle.”
“I know.”
“Oh, right. I…just wondered if the offer to see the house was still open?” Because even if she didn’t take it, she still wanted to see it. Maybe it would give her a sense of closure on that part of her life.
“Of course. Did you want to see it tonight? I can meet you there or pick you up.”
His question and offer made her pause. She desperately wanted to see it, but… “I can drive there myself and I’ll be telling a friend where I’m going and who I’m meeting with.” After yesterday, some intrinsic part of her trusted him, but meeting with a man she didn’t really know somewhere alone in the evening? Yeah, she was going to be smart about it.
Thankfully he didn’t seem insulted at all as he let out a short, amused laugh. “Good. I’ll be bringing my assistant as well. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
She couldn’t believe how easy this was, how accommodating he was being. She’d expected to have to wait—and she hadn’t expected the small thrill at the idea of seeing him again. Which felt insane. “Thank you.”
Once they disconnected she stared at her phone, wondering what the heck she was doing. Viktor Ivanov wasn’t a man she should be attracted to, but she couldn’t wait to see him face to face. And it had nothing to do with the house.
*
Viktor stepped out of his office, not surprised to see Lucy still at her desk. He knew she had plans to leave soon since it was well after seven, and he hated to ask her to work even later but he wanted her with him for this meeting.