"Are you ready?" he asks, once he's done giving instructions.
I nod my head, the butterflies in my stomach taking off. Shit, this is going to be a long night. Kieran walks us through the crowds of people, entering the beautiful art gallery. My eyes dart around, not sure what to take in first. Paintings of all kinds fill the walls along with a few sculptures.
"Would you like me to get you a drink?" Kieran asks me.
"I would love that. Do you mind if I go look at that sculpture?" I ask him, pointing toward a metal statue of Hera.
"Sure. Just don't leave my sight," he demands before walking toward the bar. I can still feel his gaze on the back of my neck as I circle the statue. I'm entranced by the metal work, and how the folds of the fabric that she's encased in looks as if it's flowing off her body.
I don't realize someone has walked up to me until a deep voice speaks. "I wasn't sure if he would bring you."
Turning around, my stomach drops when I see Mikhail standing in front of me as if he wishes to tear me limb from limb. Pushing down feelings of fear that are threatening to take over, I reply, "Mikhail."
"Mia. Are we really going to stand here and pretend that you didn't try to ruin my wife's life?" he snaps at me.
"I'm sorry—" I begin, but suddenly the air around us becomes electric. A hand touches my lower back, pulling me into him. I don't even have to turn around, I already know it’s Kieran.
Mikhail notices him, too, his gaze leaving mine and zeroing in on Kieran. Tension wraps around us as both men battle it out in a silent staring contest. I can't look away. Watching the two of them is like watching two male lions circling each other, and asthe prey in between them, you don't turn your back on either of them.
"Is everything okay here, Mikhail?" a melodic female voice asks, approaching the group and pulling my focus from the two macho men.
"Everything is fine, Ella," Mikhail answers with a rough voice.
My eyes clash with hers, making my heart rate pick up. Gearing up for rejection, I try to hurry and build a wall to help protect myself from the tirade that she's about to give us.
But of course, Ella being Ella, does the complete opposite when a smile spreads across her face and she asks, "Mia? Is that you?"
Still not sure what to expect, I wave. "Hi, Ella."
Ella bolts toward me and I have to dig my heels in the ground when she runs into me, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck. Stunned at the fact that she's hugging me, Igo stiff, and my arms dangle at my side, not sure what to do.
Kieran is standing behind us and I can feel his warmth. When his hand touches my back to keep us steady, I can’t help but relish in his touch. That’s something I’ve noticed about Kieran, he’s constantly giving me these small touches to remind me that he’s here with me. It gives me the confidence to return the hug by wrapping my arms around her.
"I missed you so much," Ella whispers in my ear, and every emotion that I was holding back, washes over me.
"I missed you, too. I’m glad we both got out," I say when we pull back from each other.
Ella nods before asking me, "Why are you crying?"
I don’t say anything at first, trying to gather my thoughts. Kieran wraps his arm around my waist. "I was just so nervous about how you were going toreact, and this is not what I expected," I tell her as the emotions take over, causing me to sob harder.
"Why were you nervous? I looked for you for a whole year," she tells me which makes me pause. My gaze swings over to her husband, who looks like he's trying to look anywhere else.
If Mikhail is the one who told me to get lost, why would she look for me? Did he not tell her that he threatened me to stay away? I'm so confused, I'm not even sure what to think.
But in Kieran fashion, he asks the question that is running through my mind. "What do you mean you looked for her for a year?"
His gaze narrows in on Mikhail, but this time he doesn't avoid any eye contact, he keeps it on Kieran. I guess it’s like a don't show fear kind of thing. Instead of Ella responding to Kieran's question, it's Mikhail who answers first. "I didn't want Ella to find Mia. So I made sure it didn’t happen."
A gaspcomes from Ella.
"I understand why you would want to keep me away," I tell him.
"Well, I don't,” Ella snaps, narrowing her eyes at her husband. Her tone drops as she says, "We will discuss this later." Then she turns toward me with a soft smile. "Let's leave these two behind and catch up."
I glance over at Kieran, both of us silently checking to make sure the other’s okay. After a moment, Kieran leans in, giving me a small peck, before whispering against my lips, “Go. Have fun with your sister.
Giving him a grin, I turn back toward Ella. "I would love to."
