I understand why when she says, “I haven’t seen you in years. You weren’t much older than Callie, but I’d never forget these eyes.”
Talking about Callie, a sugar-loaded sweet is the last thing on her mind when she realizes who has joined us in the now-crammed backseat. “Na-noo!”
* * *
“You had no idea?” Katarina wordlessly praises Callie on her impressive coloring-in skills before devoting her attention back to me.
I reluctantly shake my head. “No, sorry. My memories of my first few months with Tobias are a little sketchy.”
Just like Isaac did for Callie, Tobias brought Katarina in to assist in my care during the transition stage of my sale. With the Bureau not willing to expose they had agents undercover in the Popov compound, Tobias had no choice but to bring in outside help.
I, just like Isaac, had no idea Katarina had taken in many children, saving them from sex-trafficking the past twenty-eight years—Kwan included. That’s how he knew the little rabbit-big mouse thing. Katarina copied it from Tobias when she helped Kwan merge into a world less violent than the one he was born in. Although, if Kwan’s aura is anything to go by, he may not have stepped away from it as much as Katarina believes.
I finish on the last of my coffee before placing down my mug. “Why did you stop taking in children?”
I laugh when she runs her finger across the faintest smattering of wrinkles in the corner of her eyes. I’d give anything to look as refreshed and stunning as her when I reach her age, which I’d guess to be early fifties.
“Truthfully, I thought I was helping them. In reality, I was introducing them into the same violent world they were attempting to escape from.” She huffs, somewhat annoyed. “It just had a new leader at the helm.” Katarina strays her glistening eyes to Isaac, who’s undertaking a business call in her den. “Some come out okay. Others…” The moisture suddenly bombarding her eyes finalizes her reply.
Although the words she doesn’t speak are the loudest, I’ve never been able to harbor my curiosity. “Henry tried to help?”
Katarina’s eyes rocket back to mine quicker than a bullet fired from a gun. Her shock has me wondering if this is the first time anyone has mentioned Henry’s name in front of her for years. I doubt that is the case. She did name her only son after him.
I don’t know what Katarina sees in my eyes, but I get the feeling it’s the first time she’s been frank in a very long time. “Yes. His heart was in the right place, but no matter how much you guide people in the right direction, greed can still alter the direction of their course. He got lucky with Isaac and Kwan. There were many lost between them. I still help. I just do it differently now.”
Her fingertips brush a brochure for Noble Wellness before she gathers our mugs from the tabletop to wash them in the sink. Her home is certainly modest compared to Isaac’s residence, but it has a homely, nurturing feeling to it. I can see many fond memories being created here, both in the past and future.
After placing the clean mugs into the drying rack, Katarina spins around to face me, drying her hands with a tea towel on the way. “Enough about me. Surely, you have more adventurous activities planned for today, especially considering what day it is.”
The motherly glint in her eyes warms my heart. Her fondness for Isaac is as obvious as the sun hanging in the sky, but not in a weird, creepy way. She loves him as if he’s her son. It’s the same glimmer Isaac’s eyes get every time he looks at Callie.
With that in mind, I say, “Actually, I do have something big planned, and I could really use your help.”
Callie’s eyes light up when I gesture for Katarina to move closer so I can whisper a secret in her ear. Considering how young she is, Callie has done a remarkable job at keeping her lips locked today. I’m not surprised. When it comes to making Isaac happy, Callie is willing to do anything, even if it risks her tiny little heart being broken.
Katarina’s eyes shine as brightly as Callie’s when she inches back so our eyes can meet. “When?”
“Today.” I check my watch. “In around an hour and a half.” My comment releases a kaleidoscope of butterflies into my stomach. Considering I feel seconds from squealing, I would say they’re excited butterflies more than nervous ones. “Can you come?”
Henry’s fascination is revealed in the most beautiful way when Katarina smiles. Just like Regan, she has a Heaven’s Gate opening smile. “I’d be delighted to attend. Thank you for inviting me.” When she crouches down to meet Callie eye to eye, the hem of her skirt ruffles the thin ankle bracelet she’s wearing. “I have to find something appropriate to wear. Do you think you could help me?”
Unlike me, Callie is very girlie. She loves glittery nails, makeup, and shoes. She’s snuck into my walk-in closet many times to try on the shoes Isaac has Harlow secretly buy me. I had to bribe her with sweets this morning, so I could wear a pair of stilettos she seconded as hers. Usually, I’d be happy to get around in ballet flats or heelless wedges, but that would look a little silly since I changed into a dress as Isaac requested. I’m also sans underwear, which makes my footwear of choice even more risqué.
When Katarina and Callie race into Katarina’s bedroom, I join Isaac in the den. While he finalizes his call, which sounds like it could be a teleconference with Hugo and Hunter, I take in the photographs scattered around the homely space. Katarina lives a humble existence, but if her family relics are anything to go by, her memories are more valuable than any object she could own.
Goosebumps form on the back of my neck when Isaac sneaks up on me, unaware. He moved so agilely, I didn’t register his approach. After banding his arm around my waist, his pinkie grazing just above the apex between my thighs, he burrows his chin into my neck. “What’re Callie and Katarina up to?”
I don’t know how he expects me to answer him. If it weren’t for a thin piece of material separating us, he’d be all but stroking my aching sex. I’m not good with words in general when it comes to him, not to mention when he’s bombarding me with feather-like touches.
“Isabelle…”
Isaac’s growl of my name makes me sticky all over, but mercifully, the snapped command in his tone revives more than my inner vixen. It kickstarts my brain as well. “I invited Katarina to join us this afternoon.”
The air grows thick with humidity when his alluring gray eyes lower to mine. Even though he doesn’t say anything, he’s pleased by my offer of the olive branch. If the thickness I feel stretching from my ass to halfway up my back is anything to go by, my wish to welcome his extended family into our life is going to be well-rewarded.
It makes me even more eager to commence the next phase of my plans and has me doing something I never thought I’d do.
Much to the disgrace of my inner vixen, I pull away from Isaac before I get trapped by his commanding allure. I barely get two steps away from him before he seizes my wrist and drags me back to him. My knees buckle when he seals his mouth over mine. He kisses the living hell out of me. His kiss matches him to perfection. It’s commanding, dominating, and toe-curling good.
