I could only imagine, given the power I’d sensed Kazimir carried, the level of protection that would surround both him and hisfamily. I hadn’t even asked if the man had been married or had children. It hadn’t been important at the time.
Now? I wanted… no, I needed to learn everything about him and what had occurred.
The truth.
Something told me the man who’d ignited the fire I’d thought dead forever was the very one I’d fallen head over heels in love with.
But if he was alive, why did he take so long to find me? I doubted he was fearful of anyone no matter what he’d suffered at the hands of my father.
Yes, a huge part of me was angry with him for not tracking me down. For not at least letting me know he was safe and alive.
Damn him.
Damn all men.
Yet my heart continued to flutter at the thought he was alive.
Fleur was quite happy, mildly intoxicated where I’d had a single glass of champagne to celebrate my win at the show. I’d won a medal. I should be happy, partying with my friends from school.
But all I could think about was Kazimir. I had to discover the truth.
“Um, the patrons were targeted for their standing in the community. Why do you ask?”
“I thought I recognized an old school friend of mine.” I was very cautious with what information I provided. Only a couple of people knew who my father was and that had been by design.
She snorted. “Your friend would need to be very rich.”
“Why?”
“The tickets weren’t just for a fabulous fashion show. All proceeds went to a local children’s hospital. Each one was eighty-five thousand euros. Plus, the university president wanted maximum exposure, which we were lucky enough to have because of the clientele in the audience.”
Kazimir had possibly paid that for a chance to see me again? He hadn’t known I’d walk the runway. I didn’t know what to think other than that there was no way he’d spend that kind of money. Why would he? “Okay, she’s from a really rich family, but I’d like to know. Does anyone have the list?”
“You can ask Jules,” she said, nodding across the room. “He was the keeper of the seating chart.”
“Okay, thank you.” I hurried across the room, pulling the leash a little tighter. If Golden hadn’t reacted the way she had, maybe I’d think I was wasting my time, but my instinct was screaming something else altogether.
Jules was dancing with a hot guy and at least seeing the two of them together I could smile. “Hey Jules, I need a favor.” I tousled his hair as he liked, even spinning around the sexy guys for fun.
“Anything for you, darling,” he said in his old Hollywood voice I did so adore. “You are the star of the show.”
“I don’t know about star. I thought I saw a hot guy at the fashion show and, well…” I batted my eyelashes.
“Oh!” he squealed. “The bad girl finally emerges. Do you know where he was sitting?”
“I think so. Do you mind finding a name for me?”
He rolled his eyes. Always the drama queen, which was why I adored him so much. “You bet. Let’s go.”
I trailed behind him, still scanning the perimeter. My nerves were on edge, my mind still processing what I’d seen. We returned backstage, to a little office used by the administrators.
“Was he really that hot?” Jules asked once we’d gone inside.
Every time I waved my hand in front of my face, I was reminded of the way Sedona had teased me about the various boys she’d been attracted to. Dozens of them. We’d lost touch after the first year of college. Maybe I’d see if she’d come home for a summer visit when I returned to Sicily.
“Hot as Hades.”
“Are you sure he’s into women?” Jules had the best pouting expressions in the world.
