“What are the odds,” he continues, “that she went to tell whoever sent her here that Afrim is dead?”
My heart thuds once—hard. But I keep my body still, my face blank as I open my eyes. I’m not giving him the satisfaction of a reaction.
He crosses his arms as he waits for my response. But instead of responding, I reach for my phone and type out a message to Lorik.
Any update on Kayla Pierce?
Somehow, I know instinctively that finding information about her sister is the key to unlocking the reason Katie is here. It takes less than a minute for his reply to come through, like he was already on his phone waiting.
LORIK
I found the foster family the girl was taken to when she got separated from Katie, but she ran away a few years ago and hasn’t been seen since. I’m getting close to a lead, though.
LORIK
You should know that Katie has also been looking for her over the years and never made any progress.
My jaw clenches as I read the messages.
Of course I know Katie’s been looking for her sister.
Are you trying to tell me you can’t find a twenty-year-old girl?
LORIK
Of course not. I’ll find her. Soon.
For his sake, I hope he does.
I lock my phone and set it down on the desk, then look back at Dhimitër, who’s still watching me with that penetrating stare. “Where is she now?” I ask flatly.
“She came back and has been in your house since,” he answers without hesitation.
My chest expands with my deep inhale as I get to my feet.
Seems I’ll have to deal with my little problem now.
24
KATIE
I’m lost in my thoughts as I slowly stir the stew, chewing on my bottom lip while I figure out what the hell my next move should be.
Afrim Përmeti is dead. I had sex with Roan Përmeti last night—and I enjoyed it far too much. Both of these facts point to one undeniable conclusion: my primary assignment is completely and utterly messed up.
But there’s so much at stake.
My brows pinch tight, my heart thudding painfully. I need a course of action that doesn’t leave anyone more hurt than they already are. Do I still follow through with the initial plan to spy on the Përmetis in hopes of eventually saving my sister? Or do I use this tragic opportunity to move back to the maids’ quarters where I’ll have more freedom to sneak out and chase down leads?
Surely, Roan regrets last night, if his quiet escape this morning before I woke up is any indication. The thought sends a sharp pang through me.
The sound of the code being keyed into the front door yanks me out of my spiral. I lower the temperature on both theoven and stove, quickly washing my hands in the sink before turning around to wait for Roan’s entrance. My heart squeezes so hard when I see him that I actually lose my breath for a moment.
He’s too good-looking for his own good.
Even now when he looks somewhat disheveled and exhausted, he’s still more handsome than any man has a right to be. His hair falls loosely down the nape of his neck, the curls a little riotous like he’s been running his fingers through them in frustration. Those vivid green eyes meet mine, and I inhale sharply, not expecting the coldness in their depths.
Still, I offer him a small smile, because what else am I supposed to do? He just lost his father, for God’s sake—overnight, he’s an orphan, and on top of that, he has to handle funeral arrangements and make sure the entire estate continues running smoothly. He hasn’t given himself a single moment to actually grieve yet. It’s normal that he’d withdraw into himself, build those walls higher.
