CHAPTER 6: IVAN

I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect Lucia to head out without me, especially since Antonio gave me a heads up that it can be really difficult for her to take instructions. 

I imagine being a spoiled brat, she thinks she's above taking orders, but in a world like ours where nothing is as it seems, a single mistake can send you to your early grave. It won't be long before the news about my marriage spreads like wildfire, which a lot of people won't be happy about because my hold on the city and Russia will only become stronger after the wedding. Eventually, more trouble will come and if I lose my guard for one second, I could lose a lot. Including my wife to be.

Which was why I told Antonio to inform her that I would be picking her up for dinner today. I intended to use the opportunity to make up for my rude behavior the other day, but her disobedience only reinforced why I shouldn't have considered acting nice to her at all.

I had Pavel keep an eye out in front of her apartment building to avoid wasting my time going inside. When he informed me that she had already left, as I predicted, I drove straight to the restaurant.

If we're going to be tied down together for the next couple of years, she's going to have to learn to obey simple instructions. I'll make sure of that.

I couldn't help but have my lips peel back in distaste at the sight of her in the reception. But even at that, as I approached where she stood with the hostess, with her back to me, I couldn't ignore the way her hourglass figure looked in that gorgeous dress. It fits almost like a second skin. With her well defined waistline beckoning, I placed my hand on her lower back, just above her heart shaped ass, as I guided her into the restaurant.

The dinner wasn't as bad as I had imagined before leaving my home – probably because I'd left in a foul mood. I mean, sure, I've had a couple of dinners and lunches with the Romanos in the past, but this one was different because, for the first time, it wasn't business-related.

For most of the dinner, though I was invested in my discussion with Lorenzo, I couldn't help but be aware of Lev's chat with Lucia. In fact, I heard almost every bit of their conversation, including the part where she asked Lev about my age.

I don't know how freaked out she'll be to find out that I'm ten years older. Not that I was too keen on interjecting a reply to her question, anyway.

When I looked her way for the second time tonight, it was at the tip of my tongue to ask her if she had her body done with how defined and toned she is. Then again, her thighs match perfectly, so it could be real. I was just being curious; I didn't even expect her to reply when I finally asked, not knowing if she would be offended or not.

Shortly after, I received a call from Nikolai saying he got a lead on my missing shipments and that he was following up on it.

Finally!

I don't know how he got his hands on such info since he was supposed to be waiting for me outside but in all, I'm definitely giving him a raise if the lead gets us closer to finding the men responsible for the theft. 

I was leaning on the wall, at the end of the hall, throwing out instructions to Nikolai when I saw Anna's reflection through the window. Sighing, I concluded the call and turned to face her, wondering how she knew I was here.

One thing I've come to understand about women is that they don't like taking orders even when delivered in the nicest way possible. I made sure to be concise with my instructions and also nice when I told Anna we couldn't continue the friends with benefits thing we had going on since I was going to be a different man in a few months. 

Apparently she didn't get the memo because the morning after I had arrived at my parents house, a maid walked her into my office saying it was an emergency. 

The only emergency I know when it comes to Anna has to do with sex. Which brings me back to wondering how she always knows where I am. I can't say I complained when she went down on me that afternoon but the post nut clarity hit soon after we were done.

Don't get me wrong, she's really beautiful and all of that but we aren't compatible enough to go beyond just sex. 

"How did you find me, Anna?" I said to her as I pushed away from the wall and walked past her.

"That doesn't matter, sweetie" Typical her.

"Leave." I said with a finality in my tone and thankfully she got the message. With a huff, she walked ahead of me and disappeared into the ladies room. 

Feeling the burning stare behind me soon after, I have no doubt that Lucia saw Anna and is now thinking I'm some kind of man whore. I can only imagine the thoughts running through her head as she walks back to the table to pick up her purse to leave. I guess the normal thing to do would be to call her back, explain what actually happened and assure her that I'm not a cheater, but I've never corrected false notions women seem to have of me, and I don't intend to start today.