“I’ll be quick in the shower. Then we can eat.” I say, turning away from her.
***
The following evening, we park outside my brother’s mansion. Warm light is glowing through the windows, and soft music is spilling through the open front door. Katerina shifts nervously in the seat next to me. She’s wearing pale blue jeansand a baby blue sweater that makes the turquoise of her eyes even more alluring. Her white sneakers give her a cute, fun look, and her wavy blonde hair is pulled up into a loose bun on top of her head. She looks stunning, but also, she looks terrified.
I know this is a big step and a huge risk bringing her here. I’m opening a massive can of worms, and I have no idea how they are going to react. Actually, I do know, they’ll be furious with me. But I also know they’ll have to get over it.
Katerina stays in the car, too nervous to get out until I pull her door open and take her hand, pulling her to her feet. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”
She bites at her lower lip, sending a current of desire through me.
She’s quiet as I lead her up the steps towards the door.
My heart is racing when we step through it, my arm around her waist, holding her close, keeping her safe.
There was no way I could get out of this dinner. I can’t keep avoiding my family. But there was also no way I was going to leave her alone and be away from her for an entire night. This is what has to happen. This was unavoidable.
Arkady is the first to spot me, and he comes rushing over, still plagued with curiosity after our phone call the previous night.
“Yul, and his date…friend…guest?” he teases, pulling me into a hug.
“Hey man, how are you?” I ask.
My other brothers are quick to realize I’ve arrived with my mystery guest that Arkady has obviously warned them all about, and they surround us, saying hello, staring at Katerina with intense curiosity.
“So, who is your beautiful date for the evening?” Luka asks, his eyes roaming over her, narrowed, waiting.
Everyone falls silent, turning to me for an answer. Katerina steps closer to me, and my heart hammers wildly.
“This is Katerina,” I say boldly, then hesitate for the briefest second before I add, “Katerina Krolik.”
Arkady’s eyes shoot wide. Luka snorts in shock. Niko takes a step back and mutters, “What the fuck,” under his breath. But not quietly enough. Katerina lets out the softest whimper, her fingers digging into my side.
“Katerina is my guest; she’s been staying with me for a while.”
“She’s living with you? At the mansion?” Luka blurts out.
“What the hell is really going on here, Yulian?” Niko demands.
“This is Artur’ssister!” Arkady snaps, his face flooded with confusion.
I hold my hands up, trying to get them to calm down and stop flooding us with comments and questions. “Guys, just take a breath, Katerina is…”
“Katerina is a part of the Krolik family,” Luka says, interrupting me.
“Katerina is here as my…”
“She shouldn’t be here at all,” Arkady glares at me.
I’m quickly losing my patience, ready to pull her closer and walk out of here with her.
“Hi,” Aliyah says loudly, shoving her way through my brothers to stand in front of Katerina.
She stands in front of Kat, grinning. “Wow, you’re gorgeous. Your eyes are ridiculously beautifully. Are you wearing contacts?”
Kat smiles nervously. “No, um, these are my real eyes. I mean, the real color.”
“Wow, you’re so lucky!” Aliyah blurts out, then reaches up to tuck a stray curl behind Katerina’s ear. “The blue of your sweater really brings them out. I’m Aliyah. These morons were too rude to introduce us. I’m their annoying little sister,” she grins.
