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“That’s how I became good friends with Theo. We still play online games occasionally.” He said with a shrug as we made our way to the door.
Katerina put the code in and we stepped into another world. It smelt of pine and a slight dampness that didn’t feel bad, just unlived in.
The furniture was sleek and modern, and the high-end appliances in the kitchen evidence that they had spared no expense.
The open plan living gave it more space and the large windows at the rear of the cabin gave a sense of openness that made you think you were a part of the woods.
“Well, let’s get settled in, shall we?” Riley said as Katerina took the bag of things Riley gave her.
He had already mentioned to me that she was beginning her period and we had agreed to tag team with pampering.
The woman was stubborn, but I would bet my life that she would love to be pampered. I watched the toll it took on her to be in charge all the time in a man’s world and I wanted to show her it didn’t have to be like that.
I watched her disappear down the hallway to the bedrooms as Riley unpacked the groceries in the kitchen.
“So how are we going to do this?” Riley said softly and I shrugged.
“I don’t know. Take it day by day, I guess. Are you doing dinner, or am I?” I asked as I eyed the ingredients, he was lying on the table.
“I’ll do tomorrow’s meals if you take tonight. I want to go look at the security system to make sure we are on top of everything.Just don’t make it boring.” He said with a wink, and I rolled my eyes.
“Just because I like to take care of my body doesn’t mean I don’t know how to cook a good meal. She needs to replace her iron stores and magnesium. I want to start getting more carbs into her diet as well. I figured while here, we can work on building strength and that means focusing on her diet.” I said as I pulled out the ingredients I had planned for tonight’s dinner.
We may be in hiding, but I was planning on taking full advantage of this situation and making it known to Katerina that we weren’t going anywhere.
It hurt knowing she didn’t trust us but I understood why. I may not have grown up in her world, but I did grow up in the streets and I knew a thing or two about trust and betrayal.
I will never forget the feeling of sheer terror that I had when I came out of that fight to hear that she had been taken and as much as I wasn’t sure what Hamish’s motives were, I was glad to have his assistance in that moment because without him, I don’t know what we would have done.
“I’m not going to let her out of my sight again,” Riley said softly as he watched me pull out bowls.
“I know. I’ve watched her when we are around the people who are supposed to be her men. She’s strong and they fear her, but she is tired, Ri. She needs a secure place to retreat to at the end of the day and I think we can use this time to give her that. To earn her trust.” I added and he smirked at my nickname for him before he nodded.
“I agree. I’m not a violent person but seeing the things she has been around; it makes me want to do violent things to the men who want to hurt her.” He said softly, his eyes hard.
“I get it. I can teach you some skills if you want?” I said as I got to work chopping some parsley.
“I’d like that. What’s your opinion on Alexsei and Hamish? Do you think we can trust them?” He asked and I sighed.
“I don’t know. Hamish, I am pretty sure we can trust him. The man has had his eye on her from the beginning and with everything he knows, I’d say we are pretty secure in the knowledge he is mostly infatuated. Alexsei, I don’t know. I was there the day he shot at her.” I shrugged, slicing a lemon and some garlic.
“Fair enough. I guess we don’t have much of a choice right now than to wait.” He said before he looked in the direction Katerina had gone.
“I’m going to check on her before I look at the security system.” He said and I watched him walk away, a look of determination in his eyes.
My phone vibrated on the counter, and I winced at the number.
Vinnie: Where are you? You skipped out on the meet and greet with some new associates after the fight. That makes me look bad, Leo, and I don’t like to look bad. Another fight is booked for this Friday. They want you to throw it. Don’t disappoint me.
I sighed, deleting the message. There was no way I was going to make that fight and I had no intention of telling him. I switched off my phone and dumped it into the bottom of my gym bag.
That was a problem I was going to deal with when I could figure out how to get myself out of Vinnie’s clutches.
It was my cross to bear. My secret.
Twenty six
Katerina
