JACKSON
AFTER MAKING A phone call for a full-time physical therapist to come to the island as part of Lucien's therapy, I find Katya sulking in the library.
She's sitting in what was always Adeline's favorite chair, curled up with her knees against her chest, and it brings back bittersweet memories. Lucien's only been awake for a few hours, but he's already put his best men on trying to find the whereabouts of Adeline. I just pray and hope we can find her soon. The not knowing is what's killing me. I just hope she's safe. And alive.
"How's your cousin?" Katya asks as I sit down in an adjacent chair.
"Doing good considering what all he's been through." It's a fucking miracle he's even awake right now. I know that for a fact.
"That's good," she whispers. After a few moments of silence, Katya asks, "So…what's he going to do with me now that he's awake?"
I can hear the fear and uncertainty in her voice, and everything starts to click in place. I turn to her and ask, "Is that what's been making you act so weird lately? You're afraid Lucien's going to what, kick you out or something?"
She bites her lower lip, neither confirming nor denying my suspicions. So I can only assume that I hit the nail right on the head.
"Katerina," I start.
"Katya," she says adamantly. "Pavel always called me Katerina, and I can't stand to hear it come out of your mouth," she confesses.
Ah, so finally some truths. "Fine. I won't call you that ever again," I promise her. "All I've ever wanted was some honesty from you, Katya."
She lets my words sink in before continuing. "Your cousin…he's not a good man. He kidnapped and held that girl in the same room I'm staying in, didn't he? Was her name Adeline?"
I cock my head to the side at her questions. All this time she's been so afraid of Lucien waking up and hurting her…or worse. She has no idea how kind Lucien really is. He has his issues, but deep down he has a good heart.
"He didn't kidnap Adeline," I explain. "It's a long story, but I'll tell you this much — it was a complete misunderstanding that ended up with the two of them falling in love. Adeline stayed here because shewanted to, not because she didn't have a choice."
My words seem to have an effect on her, and her blonde brows dip over her blue eyes. "So, the men who came here to take her —."
"Were very bad men that Lucien was trying to keep her safe from," I tell her.
She visibly relaxes at my explanation, and it looks as if a thousand-pound weight was just lifted off her shoulders. It all makes sense now — why she was acting the way she was, why she was trying to seduce me even if she didn't actually want to. She was doing all of that shit in the event that Lucien woke up. She was obviously using me so that I would probably fall for her and protect her from my cousin.
But in all honesty, she never needed protection from Lucien. He's more of a protector than I am. He's the greatest guy I know, even if he has some pretty weird fucking quirks.
"Lucien has some…problems," I explain. "But trust me, he's one of the good guys. He won't harm you, Katya. In fact, I'm sure he would be glad to help you."
"Help me?" she asks, hopeful.
"Yes." I clear my throat and stand. "But right now he's focused on getting Adeline back, as we all are." I let my admission slip, and I see Katya visibly flinch. "It's not like you're safe out in the world right now anyway because of theBratva, so I'm sure you won't mind just hanging around here for a while?"
She gives me a small nod.
"Okay. Good." I go to leave, but then she calls my name. When I turn to look at the blonde goddess, she whispers, "Thank you, Jax."
I give her a small smile before retreating from the room. She's thanking me after everything I've done for her. Yeah, maybe she was playing me to get what she wanted, but at least she had an excuse.
She was scared.
I was an asshole to her because I have my own set of issues. And now I know I need to make things right. I owe her that much at least.
CHAPTER 23
JACKSON
I WAKE UP that morning with a guilty consciences and a heavy heart.
I hurt Katya's feelings, and I'm not the type of guy who takes that lightly. I don't want any woman to be upset, but especially not because of something stupid that I did.
