Page 55 of Steal My Heart

“I hate that answer,” I tell her bluntly.

“Sorry, but this is all very fluid. Think of it like jazz versus classical music. We’re playing jazz here. Improvising?—”

“Is that what happened when you got yourself arrested? Improvising?” I challenge.

She crosses her arms, raising her chin in defiance. “That has no bearing on this job.”

“No bearing on this job?” I repeat incredulously.

Knock. Knock. Knock.“I’m not eavesdropping on your business; I need my permission slip signed for school tomorrow,” Al calls through my office door.

“Come in,” I call, and Al enters. Turning to Maks, I tell him, “? ???? ????? ????????? ?? ??????.”I want to know the details of her arrest.

“? ?????? ??? ???.”I’m working on it.

“???????? ??????????,” I tell him through my teeth.Work harder.

“Did you know my brother learned Ukrainian just so he could talk in code to his little lap dog?” Al tells Remi, giving Maks the evil eye.

“That’s enough,” I chastise my sister. “Let’s see this permission slip.”

Al hands me the form, and I read it carefully before signing. “Maks will escort you on this field trip until I can find you a new bodyguard.”

“Forget it, I don’t want to go anymore.” She wads up the form and tosses it in the trash before storming out. “Night, Remi,” she calls.

“Night, Alessandra,” Remi calls back.

Having endured too much drama for one day, I resist the urge to rub my temples.

“Remi, do you have any other questions about the plan?” Maks asks her.

“You wouldn’t happen to know where the mayor keeps his phone on his person? That would save me from feeling him up at the party.” She says it in a joking manner.

My jaw tics. “Do you plan on tongue-fucking this mark?”

“How bad do you want the phone?” Challenge flashes in her eyes.

“How bad do you want to test me?” I menace, leaning forward in my chair.

Maks nervously clears his throat. “At public appearances, we’ve noticed it on a phone clip attached to his belt.”

Remi considers. “Here’s what I’ll need.” She lists off items that have no business belonging in the same sentence.

“Maks, get what she needsafteryou drop Remi and me off.”

“Drop us off where?” Remi asks.

“You’re at the disadvantage again,” I tell her with great satisfaction.

Remi

We pull into the alleyway behindThe Boardroom, and I’m ushered through the back door and into the empty building. “Is your restaurant closed?” I ask.

Angelo nods. “For a private event.”

“What private event?”

He motions to the stage. “You wanted to practice the set. I thought you might like to do that on an actual stage. But first, let’s have a bite to eat.”