“Of course not,” I said, like he was completely off the mark. “A year and a half.” He smiled. “Ah, my mistake.” After a beat of silence, I told him, “Moscow’s secrets.” The quiet words filled the room. “I came for its secrets.” He watched me for a long time—so long, my heart slowed beneath the weight of his gaze—and then he stood and came around his desk. “Do you have somewhere to stay?” I shook my head. “T will have Albert find you a room.” With that, he headed to the door. My manners rebelled against accepting his generosity, but a greater part of me was thankful. My head still hurt, and I didn’t want to wander aimlessly around Moscow looking for a ride and a place to stay. Though something else inside, something curious and breathless, wouldn’t allow him to walk away yet. I got to my feet and blurted, “Do you have a fondness for opera?” He stopped and slowly turned to me. “How did you guess?” It took a moment to realize he was teasing me. I opened my mouth to respond but ended up pulling my bottom lip between my teeth to hold in the genuine amusement. His eyes flicked to my lips for just a second, and my pulse dropped into a vat of gasoline and fire. I swallowed. “Do you happen to know of an opera house nearby?” I wasn’t going home without knowing more about my mother and her family. Maybe I could find some information at her previous place of employment. “There are several, but the Moskovskiy is the closest.” “The Moskovskiy,” I repeated, so I would remember it. “Tt’s not in the best part of town anymore.” His restaurant wasn’t exactly in the best part either, but I didn’t voice the thought. Ronan regarded me for a second, and, seeing the determination on my face, something obscure clouded his eyes. “I will take you. Tonight, at eight.” Then he left me without another word, and I couldn’t help but think .. . Maybe Moscow wasn’t so bad after all. OceanofPDF.com