Love Thy Enemy (Red Stone Security Series) (Volume 13) by Katie Reus Page A

process, she didn’t like to broadcast that painful part of her life.
    Now…she had a chance to own her childhood home, a place that held so many wonderful memories. It felt wrong to take Ivanov up on his offer because it was such a huge gift.
    And after doing some research—some of which Lizzy had helped with—she’d found that yes, he was pretty ruthless when it came to business, but he didn’t appear to have his hand in any illegal things. Lizzy said at least not anymore, but that he may have at one time. He also gave a lot to charity, specifically ones that supported education and literacy. Which shouldn’t matter. But it did.
    Even after meeting with him yesterday she’d wondered if her judgment was off, if he really was just like his father. But from everything Lizzy had found it seemed as if he’d hated the man. And he’d seemed so sincere when he’d been talking to her yesterday. She couldn’t help but wonder if her judgment was off because of her growing attraction to Viktor.
    She picked up her phone again and dialed his number. It rang once and she almost hung up but he answered immediately.
    “Hello?”
    “Mr., uh, Viktor. It’s Dominique Castle.”
    “I know.”
    “Oh, right. I…just wondered if the offer to see the house was still open?” Because even if she didn’t take it, she still wanted to see it. Maybe it would give her a sense of closure on that part of her life.
    “Of course. Did you want to see it tonight? I can meet you there or pick you up.”
    His question and offer made her pause. She desperately wanted to see it, but… “I can drive there myself and I’ll be telling a friend where I’m going and who I’m meeting with.” After yesterday, some intrinsic part of her trusted him, but meeting with a man she didn’t really know somewhere alone in the evening? Yeah, she was going to be smart about it.
    Thankfully he didn’t seem insulted at all as he let out a short, amused laugh. “Good. I’ll be bringing my assistant as well. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
    She couldn’t believe how easy this was, how accommodating he was being. She’d expected to have to wait—and she hadn’t expected the small thrill at the idea of seeing him again. Which felt insane. “Thank you.”
    Once they disconnected she stared at her phone, wondering what the heck she was doing. Viktor Ivanov wasn’t a man she should be attracted to, but she couldn’t wait to see him face to face. And it had nothing to do with the house.
    * * *
    Viktor stepped out of his office, not surprised to see Lucy still at her desk. He knew she had plans to leave soon since it was well after seven, and he hated to ask her to work even later but he wanted her with him for this meeting.
    “Lucy, would you mind coming with me to visit one of our properties? I’m meeting a woman there and think she’d feel more comfortable if you were with me.”
    “Is this the same blonde from yesterday?” Lucy asked, her smile just a little mischievous as she stood.
    Over the last couple months Lucy’s relationship with him had become a little more relaxed. He’d never had employees comfortable enough to treat him like anything other than a boss and he’d never had female friends. But he liked the dynamic of their relationship. “Maybe.”
    “I knew you liked her,” she said, her smile growing wider as she pulled her purse out of one of her desk drawers. “I saw you checking her out at the Chef event. I’m never wrong about these things.”
    Lucy was far too observant—which was one of the reasons he’d never regretted hiring her. “It’s not like that.” Even if he wanted it to be. “We are…acquaintances.”
    She snorted as Abram stepped out of his office, a frown on his face. “Where are you two going?”
    “To show Dominique the house.”
    Lucy’s eyes widened slightly. “The one right on the beach you had Rita cancel all those rental reservations for? That place is gorgeous. Are you selling it to