The Price Of His Redemption

Her head was still spinning with all her father had revealed that afternoon. The family business was in serious trouble and they needed this anniversary party to go ahead next month. For that to happen, though, Daniil’s acceptance of his parents’ invitation must be secured.

Libby couldn’t think about her father’s business troubles now.

She went through her huge bag and pulled out a fresh ivory wrap and put that on over her leotard and changed from leggings into a grey tube skirt. Her blonde hair was already tied back but messy so she brushed and retied it and pinned it up. Her face was devoid of make-up and she looked far younger than her twenty-five years. Somehow she didn’t think fresh-faced would appeal to such a sophisticated man but Libby didn’t have an awful lot in her make-up bag to work with. Some mascara made her blue eyes look bigger and she added some lip gloss too.

She’d just have to do.

Libby knew she didn’t stand a hope with him. A man who had cut ties with his family so dramatically that he’d changed his name was hardly going to want to turn things around on her say-so.

And, anyway, Libby was the last person to tell someone else what they should do.

She, herself, didn’t like free advice.

She’d be working in the family business if she did.

Resigned to being sent away even before she’d got out the first sentence almost took away the fear of meeting him.

Yes, she’d just say what she had to and then walk away. She would not allow herself to be intimidated.

Snooty Pants at Reception must have deemed Libby looked suitable now because she picked up the phone and informed him that his 6:00 p.m. appointment was here. ‘However, as I said it is—’ He must have interrupted her because she didn’t finish explaining again that it was Libby rather than Lindsey who was there. ‘I’ll send her in.’

As Libby finally went to head for the door it would seem that she’d jumped the mark.

‘You can leave your bag here.’

She was about to decline but again she realised it wasn’t a suggestion so she put her bag down and headed for the door. As she was about to raise her arm she was halted.

‘Don’t knock, it irritates him. Just go straight through.’

Libby felt like knocking just for the hell of it!

And knocking again.

And then knocking again.

The thought made her smile.

Widely!

And that was how he first saw her.

Smiling at some secret joke, because, Daniil knew, nothing his PA would have said would have put her at ease.

She was a dancer.

He knew that not just from her attire but from her posture as she closed the door behind her, and she was fighting her dancer’s gait as she walked a little way towards him and then paused.

As she stepped in Libby blinked. She was standing in a postcard view of London. She might just as well have bought a ticket for the London Eye, though there would never have been someone quite as delicious sitting opposite her there!

He had dark hair, dark eyes and pale skin and there was a livid scar across his left cheekbone. He sat straight in his seat at a very large desk, watching her with mild interest.

Despite the huge office, despite the vast space, he looked so formal and imposing that he owned every inch of it.

‘Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr Zverev,’ she said, while privately, such was his impact, she rather wanted to turn and run.

‘My, my, Mr Tennent,’ Daniil said. ‘What a high, clear voice you have.’

His own voice was deep and his words were dipped and richly coated in a chocolaty Russian accent, and as she realised he was alluding to the appointment being with her father her smile stretched further and she lost her fear.

‘And, oh, Mr Tennent,’ Daniil continued, his eyes taking in her slender bare legs, ‘what smooth skin you have.’

She stood before him and, no, Libby wasn’t scared in the least. Still she smiled.

‘I think we both know, Mr Zverev...’ she started, and then halted as she properly met those cold grey eyes that pierced her. She sent a silent apology to the women she had so merrily scorned for getting involved with him. She had never understood women who could simply leap into bed with a man but she had to wrestle to hold on to her conscience, for he was so beautiful, his stare so intense and so sexy that he could possibly have had her then.

She had to clear her throat so she could continue speaking, and she had to recall their words just to find her thread.

Yes, that’s right...

‘I think we both know, Mr Zverev,’ Libby said, ‘that you’re the big bad wolf!’

CHAPTER TWO

SURPRISINGLY, WHEN SHE was so bold as to call him the big bad wolf to his face, Daniil actually smiled. ‘Indeed I am.’

Libby caught her breath. Those hooded, guarded features briefly relaxed, that deep red sulky mouth stretched and the cold grey eyes softened. Not a lot, just enough that, for a brief second, he didn’t look quite so formidable.

But very quickly that changed and it was down to business.

‘Take a seat,’ he instructed.

Libby did, crossing her ankles and resting her hands in her lap.

‘Would you like some refreshment?’ he offered.

‘No, thank you.’

‘You’re sure?’ he checked.

‘Quite sure.’ Libby nodded, just as she realised she was terribly thirsty, yet she felt uncomfortable knowing what she was about to ask him and cross with her father for the position she was in.

Daniil reached across his desk and opened a bottle of sparkling water. It was chilled, she could see that from the condensation on the bottle, and, suddenly very thirsty, Libby heard the delicious fizzing sound as he opened it and then the lovely glug, glug, glug as he poured it into a heavy glass.

He didn’t offer again.

Bastard.

But then he pushed the glass towards her, and with a slight roll of her eyes she took it. ‘Thank you.’

He poured his own and she glanced at his hands—even they were beautiful, his fingers long and slender, his nails short and manicured.

‘So?’ Daniil said.

Oh, yes. She dragged her mind back to the reason she was there. ‘My father is very sorry that he couldn’t make it this evening. He was involved in a car accident earlier today.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Daniil said. ‘He wasn’t seriously injured, I hope?’

‘Oh, no.’ She was surprised at the concern in his voice. ‘It’s just a mild concussion...’

Daniil hid his smirk as her voice trailed off and he watched as Libby frowned. It was a very mild concussion. In fact, the doctor had come in just as Libby had been leaving and had told Lindsey that he could go home.

If this meeting with Daniil had been so pressing, so vital and urgent, then surely he could have made the effort and come?

‘He needs to rest for the next forty-eight hours,’ she said, though suddenly she felt as if she was convincing herself instead of him. ‘As you know, he’s an events planner and—’

‘And the event that he is planning will not go ahead unless I attend.’ Daniil broke into her chatter.

‘Yes.’ Libby took a sip of her water. ‘Sir Richard is very adamant that without his son there...’ She looked at Daniil and saw the tiny rise of his eyebrows and she had the feeling he was laughing at her, though his lips did not move. ‘Well, it’s their fortieth wedding anniversary. That’s quite an achievement these days.’

‘What is?’ Daniil checked.

‘A forty-year marriage.’

‘Why?’

Libby blinked at his question. ‘Well, I guess if it’s a happy marriage then it’s quite an achievement.’ She shot out a nervous laugh—he picked up on everything.

‘I guess it is something.’ Daniil shrugged. ‘I have never made it past forty-eight hours...’

His eyes held hers, really held hers, and to her astonishment Libby realised that there was a warning there. A delicious warning perhaps, and Libby’s own eyes narrowed at something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

One—she pondered, was he flirting with her?

Possibly, she conceded. A lot of work would have gone into honing his technique so he was just idly practising perhaps.

Two—if he could be so direct then so would she.

‘There was that German supermodel...’ Libby wagged her finger at him. ‘You lasted two weeks with her, I believe.’

‘You’ve done your homework,’ Daniil said approvingly. ‘Ah, yes, Herta. I followed her to a photo shoot in Brazil, not because I was lovesick, more that I had to check something...’ His gorgeous index finger went to his Adam’s apple.

‘Sorry?’

‘I kept thinking—she was so tall and that voice of hers was so deep...’

Oh, my God, he was shocking.

‘And was she...?’ Libby croaked.

‘A she?’ Daniil said, and nodded. ‘She definitely was. Thank God.’ He let out a low laugh and Libby forgot what planet she was on. It was Daniil who had to bring her back to earth. ‘Go on,’ he said.

She had two big guns to use on him and a very impatient target. She could almost sense her time with the great man was about to expire.

‘Well, as you know, Lady Katherine is unwell,’ Libby said. ‘Extremely unwell.’

‘Not so unwell that she can’t throw a party,’ Daniil pointed out.

‘No, but...’

‘But?’

She tried to trip or even make a tiny jiggle on his guilt switch but he just coolly stared back at her as she spoke. ‘Well, there might not be a forty-first.’

‘Is that it?’ Daniil frowned.

‘Sorry?’

‘Your attempt to persuade me?’

She swallowed. She did think of her other big gun, that there was a letter awaiting him if he went and something about Sir Richard not giving Daniil’s inheritance to his cousin, but, hell, Libby thought, how tacky was that, so she chose not to use it.

‘That’s it.’ Libby sighed and gave in. ‘I’m not very good at trying to persuade people. I tend not to bother, in fact.’

‘Well, just so you know, your technique is all wrong,’ he said. ‘First, you should have given me all the shit, just laid it out on the table for me.’

‘Such as?’

‘You should have told me that I would have to go by my adopted name if I attended—Daniel Thomas—and that I would be expected to give a speech...’

Libby sat with her mouth gaping, realising he was streets ahead of her.

‘Then,’ Daniil said, ‘when you had my emphatic refusal, then you should have tried to persuade me and talk me round by pointing out my mother’s declining health and such things.’

‘Would it have worked?’

‘Not on me,’ he said. ‘I’m just letting you know, for future reference, that you were working backwards with your technique because, had I dubiously agreed, there was still more you had to ask of me. You hit me too soon with the sob story.’

‘Well, then, it’s just as well this isn’t my usual kind of work,’ Libby said, and peered at him. He completely intrigued her. He was a stunning mix—arrogant and hostile yet somehow approachable.

‘Tell your father the answer is no—I shall not be attending my parents’ wedding anniversary celebrations.’

‘Because?’ she asked.

‘I have no reason to, neither do I wish to share my decision-making process with you.’

‘Was it always going to be a no?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then, why did you agree to see my father?’

‘Well, he insisted that he had something to say that might change my mind. I notice that you didn’t mention my inheritance going to Cousin George.’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘I have no reason to, neither do I wish to share my decision-making process with you.’ Libby parroted his words but he just smiled.

‘You know you want to really.’

She did!

‘Well—’ Libby shuffled in her seat ‘—I happen to think that’s blackmail.’

‘That’s my parents’ favourite sport,’ Daniil said. ‘Anyway, I don’t need a draughty old mansion on my hands. I loathe the place. I certainly have no wish to ever own it.’

Libby hated that she’d been talked into doing this, she really did. ‘Look, I’m very sorry for interrupting you, Mr Zverev.’

‘That’s it?’

‘Yes.’ Libby beamed. ‘I’ll pass on your response to my father.’

‘If he is annoyed at not getting his way, know that he would have lasted one minute with me. You can console yourself you did better than he ever could have.’

‘Why?’

‘I liked watching your mouth.’

‘You can’t say that.’

‘Why not? You demanded to see me, you came into my office without a proper appointment, you don’t get to dictate how I behave in here.’

He stood and she just about folded over in her seat as six feet two of heaven gracefully walked across the floor and retrieved his jacket from a stand. Well, he sort of flicked it off the hook and then slipped it on, all in one lithe motion.

‘There’s water,’ Daniil said, ‘and over there is a fridge with some nice contents. The bathroom is through there...’

‘Sorry?’

‘You’re still sitting and I’m clearly on my way out so I assumed you were staying.’

‘Oh!’

Even standing was a challenge with him in the room. Her legs had forgotten their role, and so had her head because she even bent down to retrieve her bag, which, of course, wasn’t there.

‘That’s right, I left it at Reception.’

He made her seem slightly mad.

She felt slightly mad.

As she stepped out of his office it was like walking out of a ten-hour back-to-back session at the movies and blinking at the light.

Libby picked up her bag and gave Snooty Pants a smile then headed for the elevator but she jumped in quiet surprise when she realised that he was standing behind her.

‘I thought that you’d have a special elevator,’ Libby observed. ‘One that only goes up.’

Yes, she thought, he would take her to heaven.

They stepped in and the doors closed and Libby waited for the most excruciating elevator ride of her life to commence, but instead it turned out to be the best ever.

He was checking his phone and then he looked up to where she stood. She was leaning against the wall, gazing at his stunning face, intrigued by his scar.

‘Do you want an early dinner?’ he said, and, just like that, he offered her a delectable slice of his time.

‘Dinner?’

‘Well, I’m hungry and I guess you didn’t have time to eat in your haste to get to your critically injured father.’

Libby’s lips twitched into a smile.

‘And then,’ Daniil continued, ‘there would have been all the shock and relief of finding out that he only had mild concussion.’

She laughed. ‘No, I didn’t have lunch.’

‘So do you want dinner?’ Daniil checked. ‘But on one condition.’

They stepped out and walked across the foyer. She glanced at the receptionist who hadn’t been going to let her in and Libby was tempted to poke out her tongue.

‘What’s the condition?’ she asked.

‘Know that I shan’t be changing my mind.’

‘About?’ Libby frowned and then answered her own question—oh, yes, the reason she was there. ‘I get that.’

They walked out and a car with a driver standing outside was waiting for him.

‘How did he know you were on your way out?’

‘Cindy would have rung down to alert him that I was leaving.’

Cindy!

Well, yes, she would be called that.

As she climbed into the car, one of the many things that Libby was thinking about was how much money she had on her and what the balance on her credit card was.

Her mother had always warned her to have enough money for a taxi ride home and she also wanted to know she had money enough on her card to pay for dinner.

He was, she had read, prone to walking off in the middle of a meal, or a holiday, or a photo shoot in Brazil. When bored, he did not push through politely.

He could leave at any moment, and she accepted that—this was transient and temporary.

She wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Now they were out of his vast office and in the smaller surroundings of a car, his size was more noticeable. Tall, his shoulders were wide, but as he had put on his jacket she had noted just how flat his stomach was.

She was small but he made her feel tiny as she sat beside him. ‘Where are we going?’

‘Somewhere nice,’ he said.

Nice was a roped-off club that drew a crowd even on a Monday evening.

And it was very nice not to have to queue.

‘Did you have a reservation?’ Libby asked, as they were shown straight in and through.

‘No, I never book anywhere,’ he said as they took a seat. She put her bag on the floor and they put their phones down on the table. ‘How can you know in the morning what you will want that night?’

Second warning bell.

She glanced around and people were staring at them.

She felt a little like she had when she’d done work experience at the library and the real worker had gone to lunch. Someone had asked her a question and had expected her to know the answer.

‘I don’t really work here,’ Libby had wanted to say as she’d tapped away on the computer.

‘I’m not really with him,’ she wanted to correct the curious onlookers.

Except, to her absolute delight, tonight she was!

Oh, she knew it was a one-off, that she was here by default only, but it was such a lovely turn of events that she decided to simply enjoy it.

‘What would you like to drink?’ Daniil asked, as she read through the cocktail menu.

It was overwhelming.

Like him.

Just breathing normally was an impossible feat with him so near.

She gave a slightly helpless shake of her head, which was probably terribly unsophisticated but it was all she could manage.

‘Champagne?’ he checked, and she nodded, but when he gave the order and she heard just what champagne they would be drinking she knew she had better hold on to that attention span of his because her credit card would not be able to cover it.

The champagne was poured and the ice was truly broken when Libby’s phone rang and Daniil glanced down and saw from Libby’s caller ID that it was her father calling.

‘Answer,’ he said.

She did so.

‘I’m sorry, Dad, I did speak to him but the answer’s still no.’

Daniil watched her as she talked.

His invitation to take Libby to dinner had surprised him. She was nothing like his usual type, which was generally close to a foot taller and quite happy to sit bored and silent, just pleased to be seen out with him.

Libby Tennent didn’t sit. She squirmed in the chair as she chatted, one hand was playing with her hair, her eyes were rolling and she was frantically blushing as she spoke with her father. ‘No, I’d say that there’s no chance of him changing his mind.’

Daniil watched.

‘No, I wouldn’t try calling him if I were you, Dad,’ Libby responded when her father suggested he do just that. She gave Daniil a little wink. ‘He’s a very cold person.’

Daniil smiled and took a drink of his champagne.

‘No, I think you’re just going to have to accept that his answer is no. How are you feeling—?’ she attempted, but he had already rung off.

She put down her phone and raised her palms in the air then looked up when Daniil started counting.

‘One,’ Daniil said, and Libby frowned. ‘Two...’ Just as she was about to ask what he meant, his phone rang. ‘I still don’t know how he got my private number.’

He took the call from Lindsey and was about to give his usual cold, brusque response, but, maybe because he knew that he’d be sleeping with his daughter in, say, an hour or so from now, Daniil was a touch more polite than he would usually be.

‘Lindsey, I am sorry to hear about your accident. I’m blocking your number now. Don’t try to get hold of me again.’

He rang off.

‘I feel so bad for him,’ Libby admitted. ‘As well as cross with him for sending me to try to persuade you. I told him I didn’t want to.’

‘So why did you?’

Libby gave a tight shrug. ‘He pointed out that, unlike June, my sister, I do nothing at all for the family business.’

‘What does June do?’

‘She’s a chef.’ Libby sighed. ‘Who married a chef.’

‘A very handy daughter to have for an events planner.’

Libby gave a glum nod. ‘Unlike me.’

‘What about your mother?’

‘She works with my father.’

‘Do you get on?’

‘We do but...’ Libby gave another tight shrug. ‘I’m far too demonstrative for the lot of them. You know, sometimes I’m sure that I’m adop...’ She swallowed down the most appalling faux pas but Daniil just gave a wry smile.

‘At least I knew that I was.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Libby winced. ‘That was thoughtless.’

‘What is it with the English and guilt?’ he asked. ‘It doesn’t bother me a bit, and there’s no reason for guilt about your father—it’s not your fault his business is about to go under.’

Libby shot him a look.

‘How?’ she asked. How did he know?

‘Does he usually chase up every non-attendee with such vigour?’

‘No.’

‘Clearly this party is very important to him.’

‘It is.’

‘Guilt and manipulation are terrible bedfellows,’ Daniil said. ‘My parents must know that your father is desperate, so they used him to get to me. In turn, he knows that he’s getting nowhere, so he guilts you into coming to see me, hoping I would not be able to say no to your lovely blue eyes.’ He wagged his finger at her. ‘Tut-tut, Libby.’ Then he gave her a thin smile. ‘So are you close to your parents?’

‘For the most part,’ Libby said. ‘I think all families have their issues that drive each other crazy but if you love...’ She hesitated as she remembered that Daniil was estranged from his parents. ‘Do you care about them at all?’

‘No.’ He shook his head but offered no elaboration.

‘Were you ever close to them?’

‘I never let myself get close to anyone.’

She frowned, but said nothing at first. It wasn’t for her to correct him, it wasn’t for her to say he was wrong. She had stepped into his world uninvited and she didn’t make his rules or get to tell him how he should be.

‘Why?’ Libby asked, and from the blush spreading on her neck both knew she wasn’t just discussing his lack of relationship with his parents.

‘Because it leads to expectations that it might last and, in my opinion, nothing lasts. Libby...’ Daniil was incredibly direct. ‘You do understand that whatever happens tonight won’t change my mind about attending my parents’ party?’

‘Yes.’

He didn’t believe her for a moment. ‘You’re sure?’ he checked.

She nodded.

‘Because,’ he warned, ‘that would be very foolish of you.’

‘I know,’ she said, ‘and I hope that you understand that your expensive champagne won’t buy a night in bed with me.’

‘Yes.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Yes.’ Daniil nodded. ‘But my charm might.’

Libby laughed.

He was bad but it felt so good.

‘What about you?’ he asked. ‘You know about my two-week record, what’s your record in a relationship?’

Libby thought for a moment. ‘Eighteen months,’ she said. ‘Though the last six don’t really count.’

‘Why?’

‘We were seriously limping along by then.’ She thought back to that time—the constant knot in her stomach at the juggling of too many balls. It had been a relief when the relationship ball had finally fallen and she could fully immerse herself in dance. ‘Apparently I was too focused on my career.’

‘Instead of him?’ Daniil checked, and Libby nodded. ‘That’s his issue.’

‘Perhaps,’ she sighed. ‘I keep telling myself that.’

‘Then, it’s time to start believing it.’

The waiter came and Libby ordered the French onion soup as her main and Daniil asked for two steaks and a green salad.

When they were alone she looked back at him. ‘Two?’

‘I have a big appetite,’ he said, and then admitted that he was curious about her order. ‘I’m surprised that you didn’t ask for them to leave off the cheese and bread. Isn’t that what most ballet dancers do?’