Page 183 of Dark Angel
Halston stopped in her office to drop her laptop. She hung her coat on the hook behind her door, slung the crossbody over her. She remembered she hadn’t turned the ringer on her personal phone off. Stopping in the restroom, she entered a stall, reached into her crossbody and silenced it.
In the lounge, as she got busy pouring a carafe for Petrov, Natasha entered.
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Halston said. “You must be busy.”
“So busy,” Natasha replied. “Many big projects.”
While putting together a tray for Dmitri Petrov, he walked into the lounge. “I just sent you a text.”
“Just now?” Natasha replied.
“Yes,” Petrov said. “Are you doing any better?”
“No,” Natasha said. “I miss him every day. Nights are worst.”
Halston felt like she was eavesdropping on a personal conversation. She wanted to leave, but Natasha was standing in front of the cupboard where the mugs were kept.
“Minka, did you know Natasha was engaged?” Petrov asked.
“Yes, she mentioned it.”
“Her fiancé was gunned down in cold blood.” Petrov’s eyes turned cold. “A wonderful man. You would have liked him, Minka.”
“Yes, sir,” Halston replied.
“I’m meeting with Bulgrov,” Dmitri Petrov said to Natasha. “Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight?”
“How sweet,” she replied.
Petrov put his arms around her, pulled her close and hugged her, then kissed her forehead.
Feeling like she was in the middle of an intimate moment, Halston pulled the creamer from the refrigerator, but still couldn’t get near the cupboard because, now, they were both in her way.
After Natasha broke away, she shot Halston a smile. “Is he the best brother or what?”
They’re related?
Halston glanced from one to the other. “Of course.”
Natasha had introduced herself as simply Natasha. Even so, they didn’t have to have the same surname to be related.
“We work together on projects in Moscow,” Petrov said.
“And in America!” Natasha exclaimed.
“Our work is important,” Petrov added.
“Themostimportant,” Natasha said.
“We block Minka,” Petrov said as he moved away.
“Thank you.” Halston stepped toward the cupboard, but Natasha didn’t budge. “Excuse me.”
After stepping aside, Natasha started watching the newscast, the day’s top story being the power outage.
“This is crazy,” Natasha said as Halston prepared Petrov’s tray. “Many cities no power.”
“Never at home,” Petrov said.
