Page 12 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"…heard he's worth a fortune…"

"…lucky girl…"

By the time five o'clock rolls around, I'm exhausted. My phone has buzzed forty-seven times. I counted. My brothers have left voicemails that I haven't listened to. My email inbox has three messages from Kevin with subject lines in all caps, "CALL ME," "KIERA ANSWER YOUR PHONE," "WE NEED TO TALK NOW."

I need to go home. I need to think. I need to figure out what the hell I'm going to do about this mess.

I pack up my things slowly, the newspaper folded carefully and tucked into my purse. I don't know why I'm keeping it. Evidence, maybe. Proof that this is actually happening and not some fever dream.

The office is mostly empty as I make my way to the elevator. A few people call out goodbyes, a couple more congratulations. I smile and wave, playing the part of the happy bride-to-be even though my insides are churning.

The evening air hits me as I step outside, cool and refreshing after the recycled office atmosphere. I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. My apartment is only a few blocks away. I can walk. Clear my thoughts. Figure out what to say to my brothers when I finally work up the courage to call them back.

I make it three steps before I see it.

A sleek black limousine pulls up to the curb directly in front of me, so smooth and silent it's almost predatory. The windows are tinted dark, revealing nothing of who's inside.

My heart starts to pound.

The back door opens, and Emil Nikitin steps out.

6

EMIL

Istep out of the limo just as the glass doors swing open and Kiera emerges into the late afternoon sun.

Perfect fucking timing.

She's alone, thank Christ. No chattering coworkers, no witnesses. Just her, walking with her head down, lost in thought as she heads toward the street. Probably planning to walk home, judging by the determined set of her shoulders.

Then she looks up and sees me.

She freezes mid-step, her eyes going wide. For a second, she just stares like I'm some kind of apparition. Then her heel catches and she stumbles forward, barely catching herself.

I don't move, just lean against the side of the limo, arms crossed, and wait.

She recovers fast. Her spine straightens, shoulders going back, and suddenly, she's marching toward me like she's going into battle. Those tits bounce with each determined step and I let myself enjoy the view. The pencil skirt hugs her body perfectly, and her blouse is just tight enough to show off the swell of her breasts. Fuck, she's even more stunning in daylight than she was in the club. I'd been half afraid she'd look different in regular light compared to the dim atmosphere where we met, but if anything, she's more beautiful.

"Are you insane?" she demands when she reaches me, stopping just out of arm's reach. Her blue eyes are flashing with anger, her cheeks flushed. "What the hell are you doing here? And why the hell did you put that joke engagement announcement in the newspaper?"

"Picking up my fiancée," I say calmly, keeping my voice level.

"We are not engaged!"

I straighten, pushing off the limo. This is exactly the kind of trashy public display I can't stand.

"Get in the car, Kiera."

"I'm not getting in your car. I don't even know you!"

"You knew me well enough to announce our engagement to half the city," I point out, keeping my tone reasonable even though I want to just pick her up and put her in the damn limo myself. "Now get in the car. We need to talk, and I don't do public scenes. They're trashy."

Her mouth opens, closes. She glances around, probably realizing we're starting to attract attention from people passing by on the sidewalk. I can see the wheels turning in her head, weighing her options.

"Fine," she finally snaps. "But if you try anything, I'm jumping out at the next red light."

I open the door for her, playing the gentleman even though my thoughts are anything but gentlemanly. As she climbs in, her skirt rides up just enough to give me a glimpse of her thighs, and I have to adjust myself before sliding in beside her. The door closes with a solid thunk, sealing us in together.