How is this possible? Why?
Standing by the counter, I stare blankly into the kitchen as disbelief washes over me. Maybe she left me her number?In a frantic moment, I search the counter, looking up to see if anything is stuck against the fridge underneath one of the magnets. Nothing.
On the counter is my wallet and car keys, tossed there last night as we walked past on the way upstairs.
I flip it open, squinting down at my driver’s license. I never got her full name. I only know her as Kat.
She only knew me as Yulian. Did she possibly look in my wallet and see who I really am? Is that what chased her out of here? Last night’s party was packed with people who support the Krolik family. An Andreev would be viewed as an enemy by anyone there.
Including Kat.
Kat who? I rub my hand over my jaw and shake my head. Dammit. I let her slip right through my fingers.
Disappointment and anger spike in my chest. I’m not willing to just let her go like that.
I have to see her again. I want it. I need it.
What happened between us was far too good to ignore.
I trudge into the kitchen and flick the coffee machine on, staring at it blankly, lost in thought about how to track her down while it warms up.
The machine clicks and pulls me out of my trance. I sigh and push my hand through my hair as I shove a mug under the spout and watch the hot stream of coffee pour into it. I’ll figure this out. I will get her back.
***
Over the next few days, I have some spies track down the guest list so they can find out who Kat might be. It is much easier than I expected, because, as it turns out, she was the hostess.Katerina Krolik. Artur’s little sister.
As soon as I find out, I know I need to back off.
She’s my enemy’s sister.
But I’m staring at my phone, at the photograph my guy sent me, a photograph of Kat in blue jeans and a white sweater. She’s smiling, leaning against a doorframe, her arms folded across her chest, and a bright smile on her face. Her long blonde hair is loose over her shoulders, and her eyes are playful.
Looking at her makes my heart skip a beat.
Absolutely nothing good can come of this.
She obviously had no idea who I was when she came home with me. And if she did glance at my wallet and see who I was…well, it explains why she left. And why she’s turned into a ghost.
I press the button on the side of my phone to turn off the screen and lock it, cutting the sight of her beautiful picture from my view.
I shove my phone into my pocket and shake my head.Dammit, Yulian, you’re making a mistake,I warn myself as I climb into my car. But I have to see her, even just from a distance. I want to know what she’s doing, or maybe if she’s told anyone about me.
Yes, that’s why I have to find her. I need to make sure she doesn’t tell people about me or where I live.
I know where the Krolik family lives, so I head to that part of town. Driving my black Audi with dark-tinted windows,I’m hidden from view as I scout popular restaurants and coffee shops that I know Artur likes to visit.
It takes me a few hours to find her.
I’m sitting in my car, parked on the opposite side of the street, when she steps out of a coffee shop holding a takeout cup and a brown paper bag with some kind of food in it.
She’s fumbling with her purse, trying to shove her phone into it while balancing the coffee and snack.
She looks fucking gorgeous.
Her glasses are pushed up on the top of her head, holding her loose blonde waves out of her face. Her lips are glossed, and her cheeks are pink in the cold autumn air.
She’s wearing dark jeans and white sneakers, and a pale pink hoodie.
