I pause at the hallway. “What?”
“Thank you. For agreeing to this.”
I don’t know how to respond. Thank you implies I’m doing him a favor. I’m not. I’m doing this because he’s right. I need protection, and meeting his family is the smartest way to get it.
But something in his voice sounds genuine. Almost grateful.
“Don’t thank me yet,” I tell him. “Your sisters might hate me.”
“They won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do, actually.” He holds my gaze. “You’re impossible not to like.”
I turn away before he can see the flush creeping up my neck.
“Goodnight, Menlow.”
“Goodnight, Kirsten.”
I make it to my room and close the door behind me, leaning against it.
Saturday. Family gathering. Meeting the extended Karpov clan, including the notorious Konstantin.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 8 - Menlow
My sisters don’t knock. They never have.
The elevator doors open at nine sharp, and Anya breezes in like she owns the place. Kristina follows at a more measured pace, garment bags draped over both arms.
“You’re early,” I observe from my spot at the kitchen counter.
“You said to come in the morning.” Anya drops her purse on the nearest chair and surveys the penthouse with obvious curiosity. “This is morning. Where is she?”
“Still asleep, I imagine.”
“You imagine?” Kristina arches an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”
“We have separate rooms.”
Both sisters stare at me. Anya recovers first.
“Separate rooms,” she repeats. “You got married, and you’re sleeping in separate rooms.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Clearly.” Kristina carefully sets the garment bags on the sofa. “You were very vague on the phone, Menlow. All you said was that you got married and needed us to bring dress options. Care to elaborate?”
I don’t, actually. But I know my sisters. They won’t leave until they have answers.
“Her name is Kirsten. She worked at the company I acquired. There were… circumstances that required immediate action.”
“Circumstances,” Anya echoes. Her dark brown eyes narrow. “What kind of circumstances?”
“I’m not going to discuss that right now.” I set down my coffee cup. “All you need to know is that she’s under my protection, she’ll be attending the gathering on Saturday, and she needs something appropriate to wear.”
