Page 11 of Scarred Ruin

Her comeback provided introspection into her personality, even more so than when she’d decided to follow her instincts on the darkened street that fateful night.

“Then I must admit your colleague would have been given an appropriate lesson in diplomacy.”

I’d catalogued his movement from the moment he’d noticed her arrival, much like I continued to do with everyone else in the room. Being cautious was a necessity, especially after the two recent attacks.

Both Sergei and Kristoff were in attendance, instructed to try to maintain an inconspicuous presence. While also wearing the required black-tie attire, their appearance clearly indicated they’d not accepted the invitation for the caviar and champagne.

My second and third in command were used to playing bodyguard, trained to handle nearly every scenario. However, tonight they appeared more as brutal soldiers than illustrious guests.

The aura in the ballroom exuded wealth and power. While civil conversations were being held, there was a clear hierarchy of those in attendance. I’d become masterful in observance over the years as required by my position and there were a number of uncomfortable guests included with those who believed their investments would provide them with a boost on their otherwise unsavory reputations.

My men were constantly scanning the crowd, more concerned than I was that another incident would occur even though I hadn’t RSVP’d to the event. In truth, they were furious that I’d decided only a few hours before to attend, scrambling to pull their tuxedos out of mothballs so they wouldn’t stand out as my enforcers.

I’d made the last-minute decision when seeing her name on the list.

Only minutes before her late arrival, Sergei had attempted to convince me to leave. The concern for my safety was justified, but I’d never been the type of man to fall prey to fear or threats of any kind.

Besides, my instinct told me the lovely woman standing in front of me was a catalyst of some kind. Whether by her successful rescues or with her disguising her true intent with my family, she was now someone I required learning every detail about.

Her life. Her friends. Her enemies.

Everyone and everything vital to her existence.

At this point, what I’d found had been clearly academic. She didn’t have so much as a parking ticket, her credit scores over eight hundred, her bank account maintaining a decent savings, and her social media benign.

Although a nagging feeling remained that she’d scrubbed some information from Facebook given the date stamps. I could be wrong, but it was something that I’d need to look further into.

“Yes, well, a girl can’t be too careful with anyone she is curious about spending time with.”

“Zhenshchina, stol’ plenitel’naya, prosto obyazana nosit’ koronu.” In remembering words whispered by my grandfather, I was momentarily driven back to a time I’d prefer not visiting. Yet the saying was appropriate for the moment.

“You have me at a disadvantage,” Isabel said almost casually. “Which I admit I don’t like.” While her cheeks held a light flush, she didn’t appear intimidated by my presence.

“How so?”

“I’m fairly fluent in Spanish, have a decent handle on French, and while I’ve been laughed at more than once, I do remember most of the education provided me while enduring two years of Latin.”

“Latin?” Her answer was as surprising as everything else about her.

She nodded, carefully taking a flute of champagne from the tray of the passing waiter. Why did I have a feeling she was using the glass as a prop? Perhaps I did make her nervous after all.

“Yes, my high school guidance teacher insisted that if I wanted to become a doctor, which was on my radar for all of ten minutes, I needed to study Latin.”

“Yet you’re an architect.”

“I will let you in on a single secret. I had a crush on my teacher. He was… divine. However, being unfamiliar with Russian, I must admit I don’t appreciate not knowing what has been said about me.”

“Then allow me to translate. A woman so enchanting should be required to wear a crown.”

There was a clear spark in her eyes along with a touch of annoyance. She’d obviously had men attempting to lure her into compromising positions with use of flowery sentiments.

Which she wasn’t inclined to believe or accept.

“A fascinating comment coming from a man insistent on defying the norm.”

Seeing a lift of my eyebrows, she laughed.

“A man dressed in all black is either intending to send out dangerous vibes or is someone who determines which if any rules he will follow.”