A Bride for Kolovsky by Carol Marinelli Read Free Book Online Page B

knewRachael was hard work—I made it sound like I was doing them a favour. But in fact I wanted her away from them, and hopefully for one of the teachers to see what was going on.’
    â€˜Which they did?’
    â€˜She had some bruises on her arms,’ Lavinia said. ‘And they were worried about some of the stuff she’d been saying. She was taken into foster care on Friday. I thought I’d get her—I really thought it would be automatic—now I’m being assessed .’ She shrilled out the word. ‘I’ve got my own record with them,’ Lavinia admitted. ‘I was bounced in and out of care for most of my childhood—’
    â€˜And that goes against you?’ Zakahr checked. ‘You are responsible now—you have a good job…’
    â€˜I didn’t always,’ Lavinia said, and she was so weary with it all, so tired of trying to justify herself, she simply stopped. To Zakahr she would be honest. ‘The “modelling” that I used to do—after my mum pulled me out of school at sixteen—I was actually a stripper for a few years. Then I did some dancing…’
    â€˜I’m assuming not classical?’
    There was nothing derisive in his voice, no shock in his eyes—all he did was listen—so much so that Lavinia even managed a wry smile.
    â€˜Steer me away from all poles!’ she said to his bland expression. ‘I just can’t help myself sometimes.’
    â€˜You modelled as well?’
    â€˜That’s how I ended up at Kolovsky—it was a fashion week, the agents were frantic, Kolovsky were a bridesmaid short… It was luck, really.’
    â€˜You’d still be dancing without Kolovsky?’
    â€˜God, no,’ Lavinia said immediately. ‘I’d all but given up on Mum by then—I still gave her some money for Rachael, but it all went on gin. I was looking for another job. This one, though, paid far more than I’d dreamed. It was a Godsend.’ She caught his eyes. ‘I know I haven’t made the best impression, but I really do need this job—now more than ever. Two years as Assistant PA, a recent promotion to PA…’ She gave a tight smile. ‘Well, it beats an unemployed ex-stripper.’
    â€˜Have you taken legal advice?’
    â€˜What can a lawyer do?’ Lavinia asked. ‘It’s up to the authorities.’
    â€˜A lawyer can ask questions.’ Zakahr thought for a moment. ‘You say Kevin is good with his sons?’ Lavinia nodded.
    â€˜So why not Rachael?’
    â€˜Maybe he prefers sons…’ Lavinia started, then changed her mind. ‘He seems to dote on the new baby, though, and she’s a little girl.’
    â€˜Get advice.’
    Lavinia rolled her eyes. It was all very well for Zakahr, with his billions, to suggest a lawyer. ‘I’ll just keep working on Ms Hewitt!’ She smiled over to him, but Zakahr didn’t smile back. In fact he was annoyed—not with Lavinia, but with his brothers, with his so-called family.
    Hell, he’d known Lavinia a couple of days and already knew her story. She’d been Aleksi’s lover—surely he should have sorted this out for her? And what aboutNina? They had lawyers galore at Kolovsky—surely someone could have stepped in?
    â€˜You need to speak to someone,’ Zakahr said, reluctant to be dragged into a problem that wasn’t his, but unable to stay quiet.
    â€˜What I need,’ Lavinia corrected, ‘is to keep my job. So, thank you for listening, and I promise after a good night’s sleep I’ll be back to my usual self!’
    He rather liked her un usual self! Still, that wasn’t the issue.
    â€˜Listen to me, Lavinia. You can’t deal with this without a lawyer.’
    â€˜I am dealing with it,’ she insisted. ‘I know the system well enough—Ms Hewitt was my own case worker years ago. You know, it really is