Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

“Where is he?” He demanded. “I don’t give a fu*k if I haven’t got an appointment. I want to see Mr Petrov.”

“And I’m afraid Mr Petrov is very busy right now.” Lucy said icily. Even at five-two she was formidable. Alexei saw how taut her body was and knew she would launch an attack of her own within moments. He hurried to her side and laid a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s okay, Lucy. I’ll see Mr Widecombe. Ivan, start the call without me.”

“Yes, Alexei.”

Widecombe was breathing heavily, fury focused on Alexei. Ivan glanced uncertainly at Alexei before going to his office. Lucy went back to her desk as Alexei indicated for Widecombe to enter his office. Then he turned to Lucy and switched to speak in Russian.

“Wait two minutes and then call security. Have them ready to escort him downstairs.”

“With pleasure, Mr Petrov.”

Lucy gave him a smirk as she sat down. Alexei then entered his office, keeping the door open. He wasn’t taking any chances; while he could easily take Widecombe without breaking a sweat, he didn’t want a lawsuit coming his way.

Widecombe swung around on him. He was dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt which showed off his physique. The guy kept himself in good shape but Alexei could see it was more about vanity than anything else.

“What’s this I hear about you dating Maya?”

Alexei paused. This he hadn’t been expecting.

“News travels fast. We only made it official this morning.”

“My source tells me you’ve been together longer than just this morning.”

Widecombe was furious. Alexei couldn’t understand what was going on. He folded his arms with a frown.

“Aren’t relationships a little longer than they’re supposed to be? Usually you make the relationship official when you know it can work.”

“Spin it all you want.” Widecombe said dismissively. He jabbed a finger at Alexei. “The point is you stole her from me. Maya and I were about to make a go of it before you got in the way.”

This Alexei hadn’t been expecting. He had thought Widecombe was a jealous man and Maya said there was nothing going on between them. Had she lied to him?

She can’t have. Maya wasn’t that sort of person.

“She never said anything about that. In fact she said you were bothering her and she didn’t like it.”

“I bet she didn’t.” Widecombe snorted. “The moment she saw you, the dollar signs were there loud and clear and she thought she could get a free ride. I make a lot of money but you make a helluva lot more. She doesn’t want to be a photographer all her life. She just wants someone to take care of her.”

Alexei thought he was dreaming. He shook his head.

“I think you and I know two different people. Maya is a hardworking person and it shows. Photography is her life.” He knew that for certain. “I believe Maya when she said she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

Widecombe stared at him as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He looked incredulous as he shook his head.

“She’s got you wrapped around her little finger, hasn’t she? Maya and I were meant to be together and you ruined that.” He stalked towards Alexei. “You’re going to regret taking my girl.”

From his stance and his body language Alexei took this to be a threat. He resisted the urge to snarl and grab at the infuriating boy. That was all he was to Alexei, who was a good ten years his senior.

“I think Maya made it perfectly clear that she didn’t want anything to do with you.” He said stiffly. Then he stepped to the side, glancing into the outer office. His two burly security guards were standing by Lucy’s desk waiting. “Are you going to leave under your own steam or am I going to have to throw you out?”

“Don’t bother. I’ve had my say. I’m going.” Widecombe made to leave but stopped and turned, barely inches away from Alexei. “Maya will be with me soon. Then you’ll be a thing of the past.”

Alexei almost laughed at the threat. It sounded virtually comical. But as Widecombe left, the security guards following close behind, he wondered if he should discount Widecombe from the running. Maya was a beautiful woman and could have anyone.

But she had chosen him?

If that was the case, why did he feel dread in the pit of his stomach?

*****

“Miss Featherstone?”

Maya looked up. She was leaning over Howie checking the frames of the model she had just shot. Her mind was on whether to tell the poor girl’s agent that she wasn’t up to standard and she should consider a different career move or to recommend her for extra coaching.

So she was still focused on her work when she saw the huge man standing by the table. Straightening up so she could look up at him without hurting her neck, she frowned at him.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“I’m sorry to bother you.” He spoke flawless English but with a heavy Russian accent. “I’m Ivan Mikhailov. I’m a friend of Alexei Petrov’s.”

So this was the friend Alexei had spoken of in glowing terms. Maya was surprised to see him. She hadn’t realized Ivan was so big and bulky. He could easily be a model himself with his jet black hair curling close to his head, his sky-blue eyes and flawless skin. He wore the suit like a model as well. Maya wondered if she could get him in front of her camera.

“Oh, hi.” She rubbed at her eyes. “Sorry, I’m a little out of sorts. It’s been a long day.”

“It’s only half past twelve.”

“And I’ve been at work half an hour but if feels like forever.”

“I know the feeling.” Ivan gave a slight chuckle. He glanced at Howie, who was giving Ivan blatantly interested looks. “Can I speak to you a moment?”

Maya didn’t have a moment but she guessed that this was important. Had something happened to Alexei? She touched Howie’s shoulder.

“Howie?” When she realized Howie wasn’t paying attention she pinched the back of his neck. “Howie!”

“Ouch!” Howie slapped a hand to his neck and glared up at her. “What was that for? Can’t a man look without being told off?”

“Not when you’re supposed to have your ears switched on.” Maya picked up her cell phone and slipped it into her back pocket. “Could you get the next model in and set up? I’ll be two minutes.”

“No problem.”

Maya glanced at Howie as she led Ivan backstage. He was still staring after them. She giggled.

“I think you’ve got an admirer there.”

“Sorry, I don’t swing that way.” Ivan’s eyes twinkled. “But it’s nice to be appreciated. Although I’d prefer if it was a woman.”

Maya laughed.

“Modest, aren’t you?”

“Not much.”

They reached a dressing room that was reserved for Maya’s belongings. They wouldn’t be disturbed in there. She let Ivan in first and closed the door. She turned to him.

“What’s wrong? Has something happened to Alexei?”