And then she lets go and turns back to Luka, saying something else in Russian.
I glance at Luka, who's smirking.
"What'd she say?" I ask.
"She asked if I’m at least marrying her off to the hockey player on the team with the most brain cells and real teeth."
I blink. "Excuse me?"
Katerina's gaze flicks back to me, and for the first time, I see a flicker of something in her eyes.
Amusement, maybe.
Or disdain.
Hard to tell.
"Your friend showed me your Instagram," she says coolly. "You seem very… athletic."
The way she says it makes it sound like an insult.
I open my mouth to respond, but Luka cuts me off.
"Let's get out of here. We've got a lot to talk about. And I guess Scottie should know."
He starts walking toward the car, and Katerina follows without a word.
I stand there for a second, staring after her.
Then I mutter, "What the hell did I just agree to?"
And follow them to the car.
Chapter Four
KATERINA
Walking up to Luka’s truck, the bodyguards appear with my luggage, just long enough to set down the suitcases in the back of Luka’s truck and then hand him the garment bag, then they slip back towards the private jet without a word.
Scottie eyes the hanger bag warily. “Is that the—?”
“The dress,” I say.
“Right.” He clears his throat. “I wasn’t going to ask to see it.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Okay… yeah, I was.”
Luka chuckles. “She’s superstitious.
“And practical,” I say, and then glance over to Scottie. “Mostly practical.”
Luka takes the garment bag around the passenger driver's side and hangs it up. Scottie reaches for my door first. I stop for a second. Being in New York, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have the door opened for me. He waits for me to climb in and get adjusted, and then he shuts the door behind me.
Soon, we’re moving. The car is too quiet.
Seattle blurs past the window in muted greens and grays, a city that looks soft compared to New York and compared to Moscow. Maybe it’s beautiful. I can’t tell. Everything feels temporary, like I’ve stepped into someone else’s life and am only borrowing it for a moment.
