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“That doesn’t give you the right to break into his apartment.” I plant both hands against Andrei’s chest and push, but he doesn’t move. The solid muscle beneath his shirt makes it painfully clear that I could use every ounce of strength I have and accomplish nothing.

“You entered my office because you believed it might help you find Connor,” he says, looking down at my hands. “I entered his apartment for the same reason.”

“That isn’t the same.”

“Isn’t it?”

The question leaves me without an answer I’m willing to give him. Andrei lowers his arms and steps back because he chooses to, not because I made him.

“You watched me ask questions all night when you already knew exactly why I was here,” I say, clenching my fists before he notices how badly they’re trembling.

“I knew who you were. I didn’t know what Connor told you.”

“He didn’t tell me anything because I missed his call.” The words slip out before I can stop them, and guilt presses against my throat. “He called Tuesday night while I was helping a customer. By the time I called him back, he was gone.”

The hardness in Andrei’s eyes eases. His hand rises toward my face, but he closes his fingers before he reaches me and lets it fall to his side.

“That is not your fault,” he says, his voice losing its earlier edge.

“You don’t know that.” I look away and curl my fingers around the locket at my throat, rubbing my thumb across the silver heart.

“I know Connor chose not to tell you what he was investigating.” Andrei waits until I look at him. “That choice was his, not yours.”

Andrei’s jaw tightens as he studies me. “You told me Connor was your brother, but you let me believe you came for the tasting.”

“Because I didn’t know whether you were responsible for his disappearance.” I lift my chin, refusing to look away even as my pulse races.

Andrei goes motionless, and I realize there’s no harmless way to accuse a man like him of making someone vanish. He looks dangerous in a way the chandeliers, expensive wine, and family teasing allowed me to forget.

“If I had taken your brother,” he says, his accent deepening around each word, “you would not have passed my gate without knowing I wanted you here.”

My pulse pounds beneath my locket. “That isn’t a denial.”

“No, Cassandra. I did not take Connor, hurt him, or order anyone else to do it.” He steps nearer again, leaving less than a foot between us. “I’m trying to find him, but I will not hand you information while you lie to me and search my offices.”

“Then stop making me search.” I square my shoulders and hold his eyes, refusing to let his size or anger silence me. “Tell me what Connor was investigating.”

Andrei studies me without answering. His eyes move toward the shredder before returning to my face, and the knowledge behind them makes my stomach tighten.

“Whatever it is, I can handle it,” I tell him.

“Can you?” he asks, his voice low.

“I don’t care what it is. I need to know.” My fingers close around the locket at my throat. “I want my brother back.”

Something in my answer breaks through his resistance. His jaw loosens, but concern remains in his expression as he steps closer.

“Your brother came to me because someone is stealing from my company.”

8

ANDREI

Cassie’s fingers grip the silver heart at her throat. The defiance remains in her blue eyes, but the anger beneath it gives way to confusion. She knows nothing about the forged invoices or suspicious loans. If Connor shared any part of his investigation with her, she wouldn’t be looking at me as though I’ve opened a door onto an entirely different problem.

That doesn’t make her innocent of every possible involvement. It only confirms that she came here searching for answers rather than trying to protect the person responsible.

“Stealing how?” she asks, stepping away from the wall. “Money, wine, equipment, or information?”