Page 21 of Hostage of the Russian (Nikolai Bratva Brides #7)

Azriel stood outside the sleek glass building, smoothing down her pencil skirt for the third time in as many minutes.

The morning sun reflected off the chrome and glass facade of what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate consulting firm, complete with tasteful signage and well-dressed professionals streaming in and out of the lobby.

“Morrison & Associates,” she read aloud, checking the address on her phone one more time. This was definitely the place Kostya had suggested, though she still wasn’t entirely sure how he’d managed to arrange an interview so quickly after she’d mentioned wanting to put her degrees to use.

The lobby was adorned with marble floors and modern art, the kind of place that screamed wealth and success. Azriel approached the reception desk, her heels clicking against the polished stone.

“I’m here for an interview,” she told the impeccably dressed receptionist. “Azriel Hartford, ten o’clock appointment.”

“Of course, Ms. Hartford. Please take the elevator to the twentieth floor. Someone will meet you there.”

The elevator ride felt endless, her nerves building with each passing floor.

She’d been on plenty of interviews during her college years, but something about this felt different.

Maybe it was because she genuinely wanted this job, needed the independence it would bring, and the chance to prove she could succeed on her own merit.

The twentieth floor was even more impressive than the lobby, all polished wood and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the Chicago skyline. A woman who looked to be in her forties approached her with a professional smile.

“Ms. Hartford? I’m Janet Mills, HR director. Thank you for coming in today.”

“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Not at all. Your resume is quite impressive.” Janet led her down a hallway lined with conference rooms and offices. “The hiring manager is waiting for you in the corner office. He’s very much looking forward to meeting you.”

They stopped outside a door with frosted glass, and Janet knocked before pushing it open. “Ms. Hartford is here for her interview.”

“Send her in.”

Azriel’s blood turned to ice at the familiar voice. She stepped into the office and felt her jaw drop as Kostya looked up from behind a massive mahogany desk, wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that made her mouth go dry.

“Thank you, Janet. Please hold my calls for the next hour.”

The door closed behind the HR director with a soft click, leaving them alone. Kostya leaned back in his leather chair, a slow smile spreading across his face as he took in her appearance.

“Ms. Hartford, is it? Please, have a seat.”

Azriel remained frozen by the door, her mind reeling. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Language, Ms. Hartford. This is a professional environment.” His eyes danced with mischief as he gestured to the chair across from his desk. “Please, sit. We have a lot to discuss.”

She moved on unsteady legs to the chair, her professional composure warring with the desire to either kiss him senseless or throttle him. Maybe both.

“You didn’t tell me you owned this company.”

“You didn’t ask.” He picked up a folder from his desk, presumably her resume and application materials. “Now, let’s begin. Tell me why you’re interested in working for Morrison & Associates.”

“I’m interested in working somewhere legitimate, which apparently this isn’t if you’re involved.”

“I’m hurt.” He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Morrison & Associates is perfectly legitimate. We provide consulting services to various businesses throughout the city.”

“What kind of consulting?”

“The kind that helps people solve problems.” His smile turned predatory. “But we’re here to discuss your qualifications, not mine. I see you graduated summa cum laude with degrees in psychology, criminal justice, and business administration. Impressive.”

Despite her shock at finding him here, Azriel felt herself slipping into interview mode. She’d worked too hard to let this opportunity slip away, even if it came with complications she hadn’t anticipated.

“I believe my educational background gives me a unique perspective on human behavior and organizational dynamics. I’m particularly interested in applying psychological principles to business consulting, helping companies understand what motivates their employees and clients.”

“Fascinating.” Kostya leaned forward, elbows on his desk, and she couldn’t help but notice how the movement made his suit jacket pull across his broad shoulders. “And how do you handle high-pressure situations?”

“I work well under pressure. I’ve had to learn to think quickly and adapt to changing circumstances.”

“Experience with difficult clients?”

“Extensive.” She met his gaze steadily. “I’ve dealt with some very challenging personalities.”

“I imagine you have.” His voice dropped slightly, taking on a husky quality that made heat pool in her stomach. “Tell me about your greatest weakness.”

“I have a tendency to be too trusting. Sometimes I let people get closer than I should before I realize their true intentions.”

“And your greatest strength?”

“I’m very good at reading people. I can usually tell when someone is being honest with me.” She tilted her head slightly. “Most of the time.”

“Most of the time?”

“There are exceptions. Some people are very good at hiding who they really are.”

“Indeed.” He made a note on her file, though she suspected it had nothing to do with her actual qualifications. “What are your salary expectations?”

“Fair compensation for my skills and experience.”

“That’s rather vague.”

“I prefer to negotiate based on the specific responsibilities of the position.”

“Smart.” He stood and moved to the window, hands clasped behind his back.

The view from behind was just as distracting as the one from the front, and Azriel had to force herself to focus on his words rather than the way his pants fit his form perfectly.

“This position would involve a significant amount of travel. How do you feel about that?”

“I’m open to travel opportunities, as long as they’re professional in nature.”

“Of course. Though I should mention that some of our clients prefer to conduct business in more... relaxed settings. Private dinners, weekend retreats, that sort of thing.”

“I can handle myself in any professional setting.”

“I don’t doubt that.” He turned back to face her, and the intensity in his dark eyes made her breath catch. “You strike me as someone who can adapt to any situation.”

“I’ve had to learn flexibility.”

“Another valuable skill.” He returned to his desk but didn’t sit, instead perching on the edge in a way that made his suit jacket fall open. “Do you have any questions for me?”

“Several.” She crossed her legs, not missing the way his gaze flickered downward before returning to her face. “What exactly would my day-to-day responsibilities include?”

“Research, analysis, client relations. You’d be working closely with our senior consultants to develop strategies for improving organizational efficiency.”

“And who would I be reporting to?”

“The department head. Someone with extensive experience in the field.”

“Not you?”

“Not directly, no. I’m more of a... silent partner in this particular venture.”

Relief flooded through her, though she wasn’t entirely sure why. “I see.”

“Any other questions?”

“Just one.” She stood, smoothing her skirt down and noting with satisfaction the way his eyes tracked the movement. “When do I start?”

“Confident, aren’t we?”

“I know my worth.”

“Yes, you do.” He moved closer, close enough that she could smell his cologne and see the flecks of gold in his dark eyes. “The position pays seventy-five thousand to start, with performance bonuses and full benefits. Are you interested?”

Her heart leaped. It was more than she’d dared hope for, enough to give her real independence. “Very interested.”

“Excellent.” He reached for something on his desk, but instead of the expected paperwork, he pressed a button on his phone. “Janet? Please hold all my calls for another few minutes.”

Before Azriel could ask what he was doing, he was moving toward a door she hadn’t noticed before, hidden behind a bookshelf.

“What are you doing?”

“Come here.”

“Kostya, this is your office. There are people right outside that door.”

“Which is why we’re going in here.” He opened the hidden door to reveal what appeared to be a small conference room, though it was currently empty. “Janet thinks we’re discussing salary negotiations.”

“We are discussing salary negotiations.”

“Are we?” He stepped inside and held the door open for her. “Then why do I suddenly care more about negotiating you out of that skirt than talking about compensation packages?”

Heat flared in her stomach, but she tried to maintain her professional facade. “Because you have no sense of appropriate workplace behavior?”

“Probably.” He closed the door behind them and immediately pressed her back against it. “Do you have any idea how incredible you look in that suit?”

“Kostya, we can’t do this here.”

“Can’t do what?” His hands braced on either side of her head, trapping her against the door. “Can’t tell my wife how beautiful she looks? Can’t appreciate the way that skirt hugs her curves?”

“Can’t kiss me in your office five minutes after interviewing me for a job.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s completely inappropriate and unprofessional and...” Her words died as he leaned closer, his lips barely an inch from hers.

“And?”

“And I really want you to do it anyway,” she whispered.

“Good.” His mouth crashed down on hers, hungry and demanding, and she melted into him immediately. Her hands fisted in his suit jacket, pulling him closer as he kissed her with the same intensity he’d shown her the night before.