He glances in my direction, and I quickly look away, trying to focus on something mundane. The buildings that flash past the window as we drive through the city. The street lights are starting to turn on as the sun sets. People, walking, shopping, and going on with their lives.
But all of it makes me feel like I’m in a dream. What just happened is not mundane at all.
What the hell is going on? Did he just kidnap me? Everyone was shooting. There were dead people on the ground. Yulian shot three men. Their blood was all over the pavement. I can’t believe it. I don’t understand.
I steal another glance at him, trying to read his expression. My palms are sweaty, so I wipe them down the front of my jeans, noticing how badly my hands are shaking.
“It’s okay, I’m taking you somewhere safe,” he says, his voice reassuring, even though I don’t want to believe him.He’s evil. He’s an Andreev.
“Where are you taking me?” I demand, my voice coming out weak, the words broken and distorted.
I clear my throat and try again. “Where are you taking me, Yulian?”
He reaches out and gently touches my leg. “I told you, somewhere safe. I promise you, no one will be able to reach you there.”
For a moment, I just stare at his hand on my thigh. He notices and withdraws it, leaving a cold space where the warmth was a second ago.
I bite my lip, a little too hard, trying to use the pain to pull myself together. To focus. To figure out what to do.
He doesn’t know that you know who he is.
You can use that to your advantage.
Forcing my shoulders to relax, I turn towards him. “I can’t believe you were there at just the right time. You saved me,” I choke, swallowing away tears that I don’t have to fake because of the surging emotions inside me.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay, I’ve got you,” he says, that deep, smooth, beautiful voice washing over me. “We’re almost there. I’ll make you a cup of tea, and you can take a moment.”
He turns off the main street onto a road I recognize. I’ve only been to his penthouse once, but I realize that’s where we’re headed.
“Your penthouse? We can’t go there. You said I’d be safe,” I blurt out in mild panic. “I’ll be safe at my own home, I have guards….”
“You mean the guards who weren’t anywhere nearby when those men tried to take you? Those guards? The most useless guards I’ve ever seen in my life?” he sounds angry.
I take in a sharp breath and hug my arms around my chest.
“Please, take me home, Yulian,” I plead.
“I can’t do that, Kat. I need to know you’re safe.” His voice has a cold edge to it now. A demanding power. His statement is non-negotiable.
We turn into the underground parking beneath his building.
He parks and shuts off the engine, then turns to look at me. “Kat, do you know who those men were?”
What? Why would he ask that? I assumed they were his men, and he only took them down to sell the ruse.
“I don’t know,” I answer quietly, staring at his face, his bright brown eyes piercing into me, making my heart flutter in stupid ways.
“Come on then, let’s get you inside.”
He climbs out of the car and walks to my side, pulling the door open for me.
I let him lead me into the elevator while my eyes dart in every direction, searching for an escape route. But he’ll be faster than me, no matter which direction I run. I need to wait till his guard is down before I make a break for it.
In the elevator, riding up to the top floor, the awkward silence between us is made worse by the stupid elevator music. I swallow, and it sounds so loud in the small space.
Yulian is standing close enough that I can smell his cologne. It reminds me of his jacket wrapped warmly around my shoulders. How sweet he was that night. Then how passionate he was. How thoroughly he gave me pleasure. My skin begins to tingle with anticipation, but I rub my hands over my arms to try and brush it away. Stupid body, still reacting to him like that. I can’t be attracted to him. He’s a liar and my enemy.
“Are you cold?” he asks, stepping closer.
