When he returned to his seat LingLing was drinking a glass of wine. "Is she asleep?"
He pressed the button next to his seat, "I will have a glass of vodka...bring the bottle."
LingLing set down the wine glass and ate a piece of sliced fruit. She savored the juicy piece of pineapple then said, "Niko, you shouldn't be so obstinate. Can't you see Sydney and I are helping you? It is obvious you have feelings for the little girl, wouldn't it be good if you could have her? Only Sydney can control Alexi."
The thin man brought the glass of vodka and bottle. Viktor gulped down the fiery liquid and poured another. "I only want her to be safe. She reminds me of Anya and it was her misfortune to catch Alexi's attention."
LingLing bit into a strawberry and the juice covered her lips. She ran her tongue over her lips then said. "I have trained many women and Meredith Winslow is a rare natural beauty. What man wouldn't want to see her pure and innocent face flushed with lust as they pressed her down on a bed."
Nikolai's eyes were like an enraged beast and he clenched his fists. "What do you plan to do with the little girl?! Send her to that perverted bastard's bed! No fucking way will I allow you to do that!"
"Calm down. No. But her beauty will lure Luc Zaranski into a trap."
"Explain."
"I am hosting a party at my art gallery in Kazan. The Gold and Jade Phoenix statue you saw me holding in Sydney's office will be auctioned. Luc has been wanting that rare piece for his collection so naturally he will attend. As you know he has a penchant for beautiful women... but very few people know he has a hand fetish.
When he sees the little beauty playing the piano he will be enthralled. I have never seen more delicate and jade-like hands." She sipped the glass of wine then continued, "I noticed her hands when she was playing the piano at Ivan's Club."
"So even if I didn't agree to this job you planned on using the girl?"
"Bingo. If you refused, Sydney was going to contact Sizan."
Nikolai's's eyes were filled with disgust at the mention of Sizan.That prick wouldn't do a thing to protect the little angel! The selfish bastard would use her as a tool then leave her there and escape without a second thought!
LingLing ignored the killing intent surrounding him and said, " So it was the girl's good fortune that you changed your mind. Now she will survive and you can have her. Alexi is a cruel and heartless man, he would only ruin the girl. I think that would be such a waste of her beauty and talent."
Merri slept through the flight and Nikolai woke her up when they landed. Merri sat up on the bed and he smiled while gazing at her adorable appearance. Her long black hair was messy and her blue eyes were hazy. She blinked a few times then rubbed her eyes, "I was asleep the entire flight?"
He handed her a water bottle and she took a sip. Merri sighed, "Ahh..I was thirsty." She stood up and saw her reflection in a mirror on the wall. She blushed as she smoothed her tangled hair, "Is it okay if I freshen up before we get off the plane?"
"Of course."
Nikolai walked out into the forward cabin. The thin man was holding LingLing's luggage and she picked up her purse. "Bring the girl to my apartment in the morning. Well, I will pick her up at the hotel. I am taking her shopping."
He agreed because he will need the time to check out Luc Zaranski's compound. Nikolai knew Merri would be safe because although his looks are unassuming, the thin man is a highly skilled assassin. Sydney personally selected him as his wife's bodyguard.
Merri washed her face and brushed her teeth. I can't believe I looked like such a mess when I woke up! Ahhhh! After she combed her hair she straightened her clothes and put on her shoes.
Nikolai entered the cabin, "Ready?"
Merri nodded and he grabbed both their suitcases and Merri said, "I can take mine."
He refused and they exited the plane. A black Mercedes was parked not far from the plane and a muscular man opened the back door.
Merri looked around, "Where is Miss Sun?"
"She has her own driver."
"Oh."
Merri nervously glanced at Nikolai, suddenly feeling shy. I can't believe I am in Russia with him!
He waited until Merri was in the car then, speaking Russian, told the driver they were not going to Alexi's villa, to take them to the Imperial Hotel.
When they arrived at the hotel the driver took their luggage and followed them into the hotel lobby. Nikolai frowned as he spoke to the woman at the desk then reluctantly took the room card from her bony hand. He wondered if Merri would misunderstand because due to an exhibition there was only one room available.
Staying with her at Alexi's villa was out of the question and he was hesitant to send her to LingLing's apartment. I will give the little angel a choice and let her decide.
Merri stood to the side waiting for him, marveling at the opulent furnishings. She was in a daze staring at the elegant crystal chandeliers and the paintings hanging on the walls.
When Nikolai approached Merri, he wrinkled his forehead. "Unfortunately, the hotel only had one suite available. If you aren't comfortable sharing a room, I can have the driver send you to LingLing's apartment for the night. Tomorrow I can find another hotel."
Merri's heart skipped a beat..we will be sharing a room! Oh my God! She composed herself and replied, "It's late..I don't mind."
When they arrived at the suite he opened the door and Merri followed behind him into the lavishly decorated room.
He set down the luggage. His usual expressionless face was about to collapse looking at the sole double bed in the room. "You can sleep in the bed. I will sleep on the couch."
"No..no...I slept on the plane I am not even tired. I will take the couch."
"You must be hungry, the dining room is closed at this hour, I will order room service. What would you like to eat?" We can discuss the bed situation after we eat. I need a drink to calm my nerves.
"I'm not picky, anything will be fine." I have to pinch myself.. This must be a beautiful dream! I am in a hotel room with my crush in an amazing city!
He called and ordered a variety of food, unsure of what Merri would like to eat. When he hung up he noticed Merri staring at him with an infatuated look in her eyes. Damn that LingLing for bringing the little angel along! It will take all my self control to spend the night in this room with her! I should have sent her with LingLing but I don't throughly trust that poisonous woman.
Merri's phone rang and she hesitated then answered. Claire sounded frantic and Merri hurried to the balcony. Claire was beside herself with worry and sounded anxious,"Where are you? I ran into Myles downtown and he said you unexpectantly had to go out of town for your job. You wouldn't be home until Monday. What job?"
"Umm..are you sitting down?" Merri giggled, "I know this will sound crazy but I am in Russia. You know the man I teach...you met him in the garden of the Riverside Mansion. He invited me to go with him on a business trip and I couldn't resist..."
Claire was schocked and dropped her phone onto the carpet in her apartment. She bent over quickly and retrieved the iPhone. "You...you are you crazy?"
"Maybe..." She looked into the hotel room at Nikolai's tall muscular figure. He had taken off his suit coat and tie, the black silk shirt he was wearing hugged his broad chest. "I like him...I like him so much."
Claire is more experienced with men and her hand on the phone was trembling. "Merri, what were you thinking? A man you barely know invited you on a trip to a foreign country and you readily agreed? The bastard must want to take advantage of you!"
Merri laughed, "I am the one who wants to take advantage of him! I think he asked me to go because I confessed last night and he rejected me."
"What! That makes no sense at all."
"I don't care why he invited me. I am happy to be with him. He is a rare gentle and kind man. Not to mention the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on!"
Claire remembered her initial meeting with Nikolai She was also very attracted to his incredibly handsome face and perfect body. She pursed her lips into a thin line then continued, "Even so...what do you know about him?"
"He owns Green Leaf Construction and..well... I know he wouldn't harm me. He has been a complete gentleman."
"Merri...you have no experience with men! He could be putting on an act to lure you into bed."
Merri had a wide smile exposing her cute dimples, "I wouldn't mind...but unfortunately I don't think he thinks of me in that way. He said I remind him of his little sister. My battery is dying I will call you tomorrow."
Claire scrunched up her nose, "You better! Don't make me worry about you! I am going to ask my brother what he knows about him!"
After Merri hung up, she opened the sliding door and saw the table. There were several meat dishes and sides of rice and vegetables. A man in a gray and white unfirom was holding a bottle of vodka and pouring it into a glass next to Nikolai's plate. He set down the bottle and in Russian asked, "Miss, would you like a glass of wine?"
Nikolai responded also in Russian, "Yes." Satisfied with the dishes he told the man to leave.
Merri was really hungry and her eyes were glued to the appetizing array of food, "Everything looks so delicious."
He had a slight smile looking at the greedy look in her pretty blue eyes, "The food at this hotel is very good."
He poured another glass of vodka and his dark eyes were shining with a hint of pampering as he gazed at Merri eating the Beef Stroganoff. He knew she would enjoy the local delicacies. The little girl looks like a cute hamster with her cheeks puffed out as she devours the food. He had an amused expression as she scooped up a spoonful of Borscht, for such a tiny girl she has quite a large appetite.
Episode 44: Nikolai Needs To Vent
Worried about LingLing's plan for Merri, Nikolai didn't eat much dinner, his stomach was in a knot. He was frustrated that he was forced to bring the girl he loved on a dangerous job to be used as bait. He was consumed with the desire to kill them all and run away with the little angel.
Merri tried to coax him to try the delicious food but he said he ate on the plane while she was sleeping. His mind was in chaos and his heart was filled with turbulent emotions staring at the innocent and pure beauty across from him. He drank several glasses of vodka unable to reconcile himself to the fact Merri was poisoned. I need to get the jade dragon and the antidote as soon as possible!
Merri was used to Nikolai's taciturn personality and didn't want to annoy him by chirping. She quietly finished most of the food then leaned back in the chair and drank a glass of water. "I am so full!"
Nikolai looked at his watch, "LingLing will take you shopping in the morning. It was a long flight you should bathe and get some sleep."