Her Russian Hero (International Romance Series) (27 page)

From the first row of the
assembly, Roussov fixed her with a sardonic gaze. She cringed. With an
impulsive bravado, she forced a smile and waved in an emphatic gesture toward
him. “I should not forget to thank Colonel Roussov for signing the important
permit needed for the equipment’s release.” She paused for a second and widened
her smile. “Of course, it was signed in Russian and I didn’t understand it but
it served its purpose.” Everyone laughed at the joke.

She got a standing ovation and
was asked to cut the blue ribbon blocking the laboratory’s entrance. Just
before the ceremony, Nicolai had hooked it on both ends of the door opening.
She performed as graciously as possible, eager to get out of people’s scrutiny.

The guests lined up to enter the
lab. Kadelov guided the personalities from bench to bench. Cecile watched from
afar as the chemists, Americans and Belarusians, gave a demonstration under the
watchful eyes of Paul Miller and Jeffrey.

Someone clasped her shoulder. She
turned, expecting to see Sergei. It was Roussov again. She wrenched away and
stared at him with anger and frustration. A grimace twisted his mouth. “I
wanted to congratulate you on an excellent speech.” He clutched her arm,
keeping her rooted in place, forcing her to listen. “You were right, the permit
served its purpose and our dinner too. For me at least.”

“What do you mean?” She spat her
question, striving not to wince at the hardly veiled threat.

Sergei was closing in on them.

“Here comes your protector.”
Roussov scoffed and followed the line of onlookers toward the instruments.

“What did he say this time?”
Sergei’s cherished voice was unrecognizable, bitter and icy.

“Sergei, please, I’ll explain
everything tonight.” She sighed, wishing he could trust her. “He wanted to
congratulate me on my speech.”

“Really? How touching. What was
the meaning of you including him in your acknowledgments? Cecile, do you owe
him something?” She saw his jaw stiffen and his eyes narrow in suspicion.

“No, of course not. I was
scorning him. I hate him as much as you do.”

At that moment a group of
reporters surrounded them. “General, Dr. Lornier, can we have an interview?”

Cecile blinked, not sure if she
should accept or not. The general acquiesced. “Dr. Lornier will be happy to
answer your questions.” The cameraman asked her to stand next to an instrument
and the camera flashed several times.

“General, would you mind standing
next to Dr. Lornier? That would make a nice picture with a caption like ‘An
exceptional American-Belarusian working relationship’.”

Cecile gasped, about to protest
but Fedorin slid next to her and half-smiled. “Go ahead.”

She remembered Kadelov had donned
his good suit for such a unique opportunity. “Wait, if you want an exceptional
reportage, you should include the other protagonists of this project, Mr.
Gordon and Dr. Kadelov.”

Someone went to fetch John and
the Belchem director. Together they held a press conference, answering
questions about the project and the future of the contract.

“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen,
it’s already two o’clock,” Cecile said, ending the interview. “Refreshments and
appetizers are now served in the hall. Please, go and help yourselves.”

They removed their cameras and
videos and shuffled away.

Cecile straightened her back. She
was tired and emotionally drained. “I’m going to the hotel. I need a nap to
recuperate before the reception.”

“And I need to talk to you,”
Sergei said with total disregard to their entourage.

At that moment, Nicolai and Paul
joined them. “My
Generalle
, the two ministers are leaving and want to
thank you.”

The general grabbed her elbow.
“Dr. Lornier, come with me, please. All thanks should be directed to you.”

He elbowed through the crowded
laboratories and corridors and whisked her toward the hall, their little group
following on their heels. “Although, I wonder if you haven’t received some
secret help.”

She stopped in her tracks and
stared at him.

“They’re looking at us, Cecile.
Come.”

At the front door, the two
ministers showered her with compliments and assured her of their eternal
gratitude. “If you ever need anything, Dr. Lornier, don’t hesitate to call,”
the Minister of Defense said with an enthusiastic handshake.

The Minister of Environment added
his appreciation. “This project is the culmination of several years of dreaming
and planning. You made it a reality.”

John couldn’t miss an opportunity
to promote his next contract. “Minister Letovin, in a few days, I will be happy
to present you with the second phase of our project, a contract for
environmental cleanup.”

The Minister of Environment
rubbed his hands. “Wonderful. Mr. Gordon, Dr. Lornier, please stop by my
office. I would love to learn more about this second phase. Major
Generalle
,
it seems that we will keep you continuously busy.”

Cecile glanced at Sergei. His
eyebrows wrinkled in a frown when his boss slapped him on the back. “A new
contract, interesting. Fedorin you have not updated me yet. You know I like to
be informed as soon as possible. Come ride with us to the ministry and give us
some details.”

Sergei turned toward Cecile and
bowed. “Dr. Lornier, duty calls. I will see you at the
Hotel Nievol
this
evening. We will continue this celebration and discuss the next phase in more
detail.”

Did he mean the next phase of
their relationship? She didn’t like the spark of anger she detected in his
gaze.

“General, thank you for your
help. Thank you for everything,” she said, pleading with her eyes. If only he
could stop tormenting her with his questions.

Chapter Twenty-One

Cecile watched Sergei and the
officers leave, then went inside to fetch her coat. She needed to go back to
her room and escape the poisoned web Roussov had woven around her. As she
crossed the door of the Belchem Lab, she heard her name. Rob caught up with her
on the front steps. “Cecile, do you want me to call Tania?”

Without turning her head, she
shrugged. “No need. I’m taking a taxi.”

“Fine I’m coming with you.” He
looped an arm around hers and pulled her toward the street. “I bet you never
had time to explore the beautiful Liberty Park.” She shook her head and he
continued as if he hadn’t noticed. “Let’s stroll for a while. The weather is so
exceptional for mid-December.”

She let him drag her away.
“Already mid-December. We missed Thanksgiving. Pretty soon it’ll be Christmas.”

“I hope you will allow the
chemists to go home for the holidays. Paul and Jeffrey have families waiting
for them.”

“Of course, they can leave as
soon as they want. The most difficult part of the project is over. The chemists
also can go. They’ll come back later to continue the training. I assume you’ll
be going back too.”

Rob shook his head. A smile
tugged at his lips. “I’m staying. I like Belarus a lot. Actually I like a
lovely Belarusian young woman. “

“Really?” Rob and Tania?
Difficult to believe.

“Tania is amazing. She’s gorgeous
and she knows how to make a man feel special. No woman has ever regarded me as
a hero. Tania does.” He threw Cecile a sarcastic look. “She’s certainly not
trying to compete with me.”

“Well, I’m so happy for you. No
hard feelings on my part.” She had her general and wanted no other man in her
life.

“I’m glad to hear it. How about
you, Cecile? Will you stay here for Christmas or go back?”

Her mouth pursed. For the first
time in her life, she couldn’t make a decision. She threw a sideways glance at
her companion then stared at the frozen pond where children skated and played.
Everything was so peaceful in this park while her mind roared with frightening
speculations.

“I don’t know. I honestly don’t
know.”

“I was keeping a watch on you
today. Paul pointed at Roussov. I saw that devil approach you twice. I couldn’t
reach you through the crowd. Did he threaten you?” He squeezed her gloved hand.
“Cecile, you know you can trust me.” God, Rob was showing the same
consideration he had when they first got engaged. Tania had brought the best
out of him.

“I know, Rob. Roussov was
spitting his venom, words full of hatred, resentment, sarcasm…I don’t know if
they were directed at me or at the general.”

She repeated the brief
conversations.

“Nicolai said Roussov’s vendetta
with the general has been going on forever. Fedorin can take care of himself.”

She sighed. How could she explain
it? She had this bad feeling gnawing at her.

Rob eyed her. “Apparently, the
Major General may also take good care of you. I was not the only one keeping
watch today. Every time Roussov approached you, Fedorin was on his heels. I
think he loves you, Cecile. Don’t lose him.”

“Oh Rob, he told me he loves me.
He’s even asked me to marry him. First, I said no. I couldn’t imagine myself
living here. Later, I discovered I couldn’t live without him. And I said yes.”

“So where’s the problem? And why
do you look like a ghost?”

He wrapped his arms around her
and hugged her. “Relax and smile, Cecile, things will be fine. Can I be the
first one to congratulate you?”

“Not yet. And keep my secret.
Let’s go back to the hotel. I need to have a nap before the reception. Thanks
for listening.”

“Anytime. If you can take a bit
of advice, put on a lot of makeup tonight. You look too pale.”

* * * * *

The restaurant of the
Hotel
Nievol
had been transformed into a ballroom ablaze with the shimmering
lights of the huge crystal chandeliers. Surrounded by the American delegation,
Cecile glided into the room partially filled with military men.

The Major General and his colonel
came to greet them. Sergei’s eyes softened and gleamed with warm appreciation.
He bent over her hand. “You look ravishing.”

She had combed her hair in a
twist high above the back of her head. She’d also followed Rob’s advice and
used green eyeliner on her eyelids and pink highlight on her cheeks.

She glanced at Sergei. Her heart
twisted with anxiety. Had he suppressed his earlier anger?

Holding her elbow, he led her to
the U-shaped table. “Come. We should be at the head of the table for the
toasts.”

She felt embarrassed—not
professional enough and too feminine— in the green shirt scooped at the neck
and the silk skirt that swished when she walked. When consulted, Tania had
insisted that she should wear it. Too tired to argue, Cecile had agreed.

They paused in front of the
middle table. John and the U.S. ambassador followed them and soon the Ministers
of Defense and Environment joined for the first toast.

Cecile had swallowed two aspirins
before getting dressed and had decided to avoid alcohol tonight. People lined
up along the two endless tables. Many of the guests came with their wives and
Cecile began to feel less conspicuous among the male contingent.

Nicolai requested silence. The
Minister of Defense delivered the first toast to Dr. Lornier. Three hundred
people lifted their glasses to honor her. She nodded, smiled brightly and
brought the glass to her lips without drinking. Sergei noticed and started
protesting. She stopped him by grabbing his hand under the table. “Please,
don’t insist. I’m not feeling well.”

“The vodka will help.”

“Not this time. Don’t worry, I’ll
toast with everyone but I won’t drink.”

At that moment, Roussov entered
the room. Her jaw dropped and her morale began to sag. Beside her, Sergei
scowled and squeezed her hand with an iron grip. “If he just looks at you, I’ll
punch his face. Don’t leave my side.”

How dare he order her like that?
She didn’t like Sergei’s tone but was too tired to protest.

The toasts succeeded each other.
Soon it was her turn to present one. She glanced at the dignitaries surrounding
her as she reached for her glass. They looked at her, waiting. Whom was she
going to hail?

She grabbed the microphone.
“Gentlemen, I have been impressed by your zeal to improve your country. But no
man can do anything without the help of…” She paused and saw the heads
straining to listen and the eyebrows rising in question. “Without the help of a
smart and loving woman. Gentlemen, a toast to your wives and the ladies of
Belarus.”

Seconds of silence were followed
by a thunder of applause as they downed their vodka.

“Absolutely true, my love.”
Sergei gave her a sizzling look that melted her apprehension and made her knees
wobble.

He filled a platter of hors
d’oeuvres for her. She ate and began to relax and enjoy herself. Roussov hadn’t
tried to approach her.

The evening proceeded amid fun
and toasts. By ten o’clock the ministers, their wives and many guests came to
thank her and took their leave. The assembly began to ebb.

One of the reporters who had
interviewed her in the morning accosted them and handed Sergei a newspaper.
“Colonel Roussov asked me to give Dr. Lornier a copy of the evening edition.
There is a nice picture of her on the front page.”

She raised her head and saw
Roussov waving a hand at her before disappearing out of the restaurant. Sergei
opened the newspaper and sputtered a word she didn’t understand. The reporter
gasped and scampered away.

“What? What is it, Sergei?”

“This.” He spread the paper under
her nose. She felt about to collapse.

Displayed on the front page,
occupying half the sheet, was a picture of her and Roussov. She was smiling,
his arms surrounding her shoulders and his head close to hers.

She stared at Sergei and
swallowed hard. She’d never seen such fury on his face. His eyes shot blazing
daggers at her and his clenched fingers lowered to his side. “How could you,
Cecilya? How could you?” he asked with a controlled rage.