I quickly step away, just as the doors open. “No, I’m fine,” I snap, a little rudely.
He mistakes my rudeness for shock or stress or whatever and reaches out to touch my arm.
“You’re safe now, Kat. I promise,” he says, calm and caring.
Yulian leads me into his penthouse and guides me to the sofa. He heads into the kitchen, and I watch him make me a cup of tea, quiet, focused. I’m trying to figure out what his angle is.Although I’m pretty sure I already know he’s up to no good—I just don’t know how yet.
He’s not volunteering his real name to me. He could easily tell me who he is, now that I’m back here. He’s hiding it on purpose because he thinks I don’t know yet.
Well, maybe it just hasn’t come up yet because of all the shooting and rescuing?
Don’t be ridiculous. He didn’t rescue you from a plot he created. It was only meant to look like he rescued you to trick you into trusting him.
“Here you go.” He sets a tray of tea down on the coffee table in front of me. “Sugar?”
“One, please.”
I can’t look at him. Looking at him makes me think about the other night, and thinking about the other night is very distracting. I hate the fact that he’s so freaking gorgeous.
Yulian sits next to me on the sofa, close enough to feel the warmth of his leg against mine.
He reaches up and tucks a stray curl behind my ear. “Are you hurt at all, Kat?” he asks tenderly.
“No, I don’t think so,” I mutter. “Although, if you didn’t happen to be there…I don’t know what might have happened.”
“Sometimes when you’re in shock, you might not realize you’re hurt till later. I just want to be sure.”
I glance down at my body, brushing my hands over my legs, then my arms, then my sides. Once I’ve checked everywhere, I shake my head. “Nothing hurts, it was just…it was scary, that’s all. Youkilledthem,” I mumble the last sentence, part accusation, part question. It was both terrifyingand mesmerizing to watch him take control of the situation so efficiently. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t turn me on. He made me feel safe, being so capable while my guards were too far away and stumbling over their own feet.
He was so efficient because he planned it all, Kat. Don’t fall for his charm and his care.
I sigh heavily, picking up the cup of tea because I need a distraction and something to do with my hands.
“We can just sit here for a while, Kat. Take your time. Sip your tea. I’m right here with you. There’s no rush for anything.” He leans back on the sofa, stretching his arm along the backrest, around where I’m sitting.
I lean back, too. I need to think. It’s not ideal, though, sitting with his arm curled around my back like a protective layer of security that I really want.
Drink your tea. Think about how to get away. Don’t think about how good he smells or how sexy he is or how incredible he made you feel the other night.
“Yulian, I’m so lucky you were there. My family is going to be so grateful that I’m alright.” I try to speak casually, to sound unbothered in mentioning my brother, but what I’m really trying to do is make it clear that I still don’t know that he’s an Andreev.And he can’t know that I’m a Krolik.I keep sipping my tea, savoring the flavor. He really does make a damn good cup of tea.
“We don’t need to worry about anything right now, Kat. Take a moment, take a few deep breaths. All that matters is that you’re safe,” he answers, brushing off my question.
I clench my jaw, annoyed, but needing to keep up the show of ignorance regarding what danger I might be in.
“I’m really tired,” I sigh, setting my empty teacup down. “And my muscles are aching. Would you mind if I had a hot bath to try and relax?”
He smiles, a gorgeous, wide smile that sets dimples in his cheeks. “I’ll run you a bath. I can also order some takeout. There’s a really good Asian place just around the corner here.” He stands up, leaning over me, and softly touches my cheek. I lean into his hand and smile. Butterflies dance in my stomach, and for a second, I can pretend that this is just a normal, tender moment.I wish it were.“Relax until it’s ready. I’ll come get you.”
“Thank you, Yulian. I really appreciate it,” I smile sweetly.
But as soon as he’s out of the room and I hear him walking up the stairs to his bedroom, I’m on my feet and running for the door. It’s locked, unsurprisingly. I bolt to the kitchen counter to grab his keys, run back to the door, and try each one in the lock, swearing and muttering under my breath because none of them are working.
“What the hell!” I huff, frustrated and nervous. What the hell are all of these keys for? I jam another into the lock, but it doesn’t fit.
Last time I snuck out of here, the door wasn’t even locked. In our feverish passion, I guess he didn’t bother with it. This time, I am not so lucky.
Is there any other way out of here? A back way? A secret elevator? I’d even settle for a freaking fireman’s pole at this point.
