"Conditions she didn't agree to."
I pushed off the counter, frustration building in my chest. "What do you want me to do, Katrina? Let her walk around campus alone? Wait for someone to grab her again? Because I can't do that. I won't."
She was quiet for a moment, watching me. Then she said, "Why?"
"Because it's my job."
"Bullshit. You've never volunteered for protection detail before. You hate babysitting. So why Shanice?"
Because I can't get her out of my head. Because the thought of someone touching her makes me want to commit murder. Because I've been fantasizing about her for two months and I'm barely holding on to my control.
"Because she matters," I said instead. "To you. To Olek. To this family. And I protect what matters."
Katrina studied me for a long moment. Then she nodded slowly. "Okay. But Mikhail? If you hurt her, if you make this harder for her than it already is, I will personally kick your ass. Understood?"
I almost smiled. Katrina was tiny compared to me, but I didn't doubt she'd try.
"Understood."
"Good." She turned back to her cooking. "Now go upstairs and apologize for being a controlling caveman. She's in her room, probably plotting your death."
I headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time. When I reached Shanice's door, I paused, listening. Nothing. No movement, no sound.
I knocked.
Silence.
"Shanice."
Still nothing.
"I know you're in there."
"Go away, Mikhail."
Her voice was muffled but clear. I pressed my palm against the door, imagining her on the other side. Was she on the bed? At the window? Pacing like I'd seen her do when she was thinking too hard?
"We need to talk."
"We really don't."
"Five minutes."
"No."
I leaned my forehead against the wood, frustrated and want churning in my gut. "I'm not going anywhere, Shanice. I can stand here all night if I have to."
A pause. Then, "You're insane."
"Probably."
Another pause, longer this time. Then I heard footsteps. The lock clicked, and the door swung open.
Shanice stood there in yoga pants and an oversized pink sweatshirt, her hair pulled up in a messy bun. She looked soft, warm, and sleep rumpled, and I wanted to push her back onto that bed and find out what sounds she'd make when I got my hands on her.
"Five minutes," she said, crossing her arms. "Then you leave."
I stepped inside before she could change her mind, closing the door behind me. The room smelled like her, that warm, clean, floral scent. It made my chest tight.
