Chapter 148 151

Chapter 148 151
ALEKS

“You look way too cheerful,” Jennifer tells me as she walks into the room. “I thought this was a strategy meeting, not a celebration.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Is that bitterness I’m hearing?”

She rolls her eyes and Demyan smiles, elbowing her in the arm. “He just had a great time at the wedding. Or maybe it’s fair to say he had a better time after the wedding.”

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter.

Jennifer smirks. “You and the missus are getting along well, then?”

I glare at Demyan. “You’re such an old gossip.”

He laughs. “This is a good thing, man. Who would have thought that you and Olivia would actually be something?”

“The word ‘something’ is doing a lot of work in that sentence, my friend.”

Demyan rolls his eyes. “Don’t play coy. I see the way you look at her.”

“She’s carrying my child.”

“Don’t give me that shit, either!” He waves his hand in front of my face like I can’t see. “You’re the only one blind to the truth.”

“Actually, sobrat, you’re the—”

Jennifer jumps in between us to ward off the incoming spat. “Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do once the baby comes?”

I sigh and let my fist fall by my side. “Hargrove will be dealt with long before then.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Well, it’s what I answered. As long as I’m don, we’re not meeting up to have a fucking tea party and gab about each other’s personal lives.”

“I like tea,” Jennifer retorts. “And my life doesn’t allow for girlfriends. You two are the next best thing I can get.”

“If that’s the case,” I say, “let’s talk about the two of you then. Demyan, when is your ex getting remarried?”

“Low blow, asshole,” he grumbles.

“And you,” I turn to Jennifer, “given any thought to when you’ll see Robert again? Time to mend fences, don’t you think?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “I’m done with Rob.”

I shrug. “I don’t know about that. He might pop in to see the baby from time to time. He is the uncle, after all. And you’re something of an aunt, aren’t you? You two might just bump into each other. Very serendipitously, I’m sure.”

Her glare heats up. “If you’re trying to play matchmaker…”

I snort. “Trust me, the last thing I want to do is set you up with that idiot.”

“He’s not an idiot!” she snaps defensively.

I raise my brows at that. I don’t even need to say anything.

Jennifer sighs and crumples forward. “Okay, fine. You’ve made your point. This is no fun. We’ll leave you alone about Olivia.”

Demyan seems less eager to agree to that, but he nods along as well.

“Let’s get down to business, then.” I open up the file in my hand and spread its contents across the table. “I have Hargrove’s schedule for the next few days. Galas, benefits, a few appearances at charities around town. But no honeymoon.”

“He’s probably scared to leave the city,” Demyan suggests. “He knows that things with the case are at a sensitive point.”

“Wouldn’t want to be out of the country when shit hits the fan,” Jennifer adds. “Has he contacted you recently?”

I know from the inflection in her voice that she isn’t talking about Hargrove.

“He did,” I say. “He remains entirely too cautious for my liking.”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course he is. They have protocols. They can’t make any decision without getting approval first.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Demyan suggests. “It gives us time to fine-tune our strategies.”

Before I can reply, there’s a sharp knock at the door. Jennifer gets up and goes to answer it. She looks back over her shoulder. “Aleks, it’s your mother.”

I tense but nod. Jennifer waves Yulia inside.

“I’m sorry,” she says as soon as she sees us gathered around the war table. “I’m clearly interrupting.”

“I wouldn’t have let you in if you were,” I answer. “Sit down, Mother.”

She sits down between Demyan and me. Her eyes fall to the empty whiskey glasses on the table, but she doesn’t comment or ask for a drink herself.

“I’m here because Hargrove just called me,” she says.

Jennifer and Demyan both perk up.

I’m more cautious. “And?”

“He’s pissed,” she says bluntly. “Extremely pissed that you crashed his wedding.”

I smile. “Good.”

“He seems to think I was aware of your plan and didn’t warn him in advance.”

“He’s upset with you?”

“He’s more than just upset with me,” she sighs. “He claims he doesn’t trust me anymore. He claims that I’m working with you against him.”

I shrug. “Which is the truth.”

“Of course it is, but he shouldn’t know that,” she snaps. “Why didn’t you tell me about your plan?”

“It was spontaneous.”

“You still could have informed me when it was happening. I could have fired him off a cursory warning at the last minute. It’s not like he would have been able to stop you either way,” she says. “But it would’ve preserved the work I’ve put into mending things with him.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” I admit.

“I have many good ideas,” she says icily. “But you insist on keeping me out of things.”

I lean back in my chair and sigh. “I’ve never been one to put all my eggs in one basket.”

Under his breath, I hear Demyan snort, “I can think of one basket you put all your eggs in…”

Jennifer elbows him. I ignore him pointedly. “Did Hargrove say anything else?” I ask my mother.

“Aleksandr…” Her voice cracks. She takes a breath and attempts to calm herself enough to speak properly. “He claims he has enough evidence to take you down.”

“He needs to come up with a new line.” I roll my eyes. “He’s claimed that for quite a while now.”

“You need to take him out before he tries anything,” she pleads.

“I’m way ahead of you.”

She stops short, blinking. “What?”