She looks both intrigued and not fully convinced yet. “And what do you get out of this?”
“Aside from him getting off my back, I have a favor to ask you in return,” I begin, putting my hands in my pockets. “Soon, we’re going out for dinner. I want you to meet my family.”
Kat’s face tightens at the mention of it, and I immediately catch the internal war waging in her head.
It’s obvious that she wants to talk to Roland; that’s clear enough. But the thought of meeting the other Lukovs…that’s a harder sell.
I half expect her to cause a fuss and fight back against the idea, but I watch all the while she goes through the motions inside her head, and the tension in her shoulders deflates a bit.
“Fine. I’ll call him and pretend like I’m not being held here against my will,” she says with a subtle hint of sarcasm. “Because apparently that’s not what’s happening here.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” I murmur, pulling her cell phone out of my pocket before tossing it to her. I take a few steps closer and give her a warning look. “Don’t test me, Kat.”
She catches it easily, holding the phone like it’s a precious thing. I imagine it feels that way, too. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
While Kat taps the screen, unlocks it, and clicks through to Roland’s contact, I walk over and sink into the couch beside her, close enough to feel the warmth from her thigh without touching her outright. For now, at least.
A moment later, Roland’s voice comes through the speaker, full of relief. “Jesus Christ…where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for days. Your text didn’t sound right, and I thought something happened—”
“I’m okay,” Kat says, cutting in gently before he can get lost in his spiel. “I’m fine, really. Things have just been complicated.”
I watch Kat while she speaks, paying close attention to every word that leaves her mouth. So far, so good.
“Complicated?” Roland asks incredulously from the other end. “Kat, what the hell is happening? You vanish, it looks like a struggle happened in your condo, and—”
“I said I’m fine,” she insists, using a touch of humor in her tone, as if she can’t believe just how worried he is, or like his concern is unfounded. “I can’t talk right now. I wanted to let you know I’m okay. I just have some things to work out.”
My eyes narrow slightly at the thought of Roland knowing what her place currently looks like. By the sound of it, he had been there himself, which meant he probably had a copy of her key.
Christ.
That thought alone stirs something dark in me.
“Is someone with you?”
I catch Kat’s warning look, very clearly telling me not to say a word.
She was given clearance to call him, but that didn’t mean I’d be silent.
I clear my throat, unable to stop myself. “It’s good to hear your voice again, Roland.”
There’s a beat of silence, then it fills with skepticism.
“Is that…Sergey with the Panigale?” He asks, tone wary yet irritated. “You son of a bitch…”
Before I can say anything else to bask in the triumph, Kat hits the end call button and glares at me.
“Was that necessary?”
“He asked, I responded.”
She scoffs. “He’s worried. I told you this would happen.”
“Then he can stop worrying. You’re safe here, and that’s all he needs to know,” I tell her, gently taking the cell phone from her hand and placing it on the coffee table.
“I’m trapped, you mean.”
“No,” I tell her, tone firm yet not scathing as I lean closer. “You’re with me. That’s not the same thing.”
