“That’s not a bad idea,cara.” I pick up another slice of shrimp tempura roll and offer it to her. “Maybe next time you decide to get me a dinner I don’t like, we’ll give it a try. For now, you’ve worn me out.”
Her teeth nip my fingers as she takes the bite from me, and I know it’s intentional.
“We’ll see about that,” she tells me when she finishes chewing and swallows.
I shudder to think what kind of mayhem she’ll leave behind tomorrow. But I’m also looking forward to it. Damn. Katya Andriani is one dangerous woman.
Chapter 20
KATYA
My phone buzzes while I’m in the middle of a yoga session. I’m holed up in the guest room Enzo converted into a gym, thanks to the presence of some painters who arrived an hour ago to undo all my handiwork from yesterday.
Buzz-buzz.
Someone is persistent.
I decide to ignore the phone and continue my Bakasana pose. When I’m balancing, I try to tune out the world around me and forget it exists, hence silencing my ringer. It’s just me, listening to my body.
But now I’m wondering if it’s Enzo texting me.
“So what if it is?” I mutter to myself.
Yesterday’s struggle has bled into today. I’m fighting for footing in this unexpected marriage. The sex is nothing short of mind-blowing. Enzo is a sex god with a magical dick and an even more magical tongue. But the communication between us is practically nonexistent.
I want to be his partner. I want to at least have an idea of where he is and what is going on. I don’t like the thought of him disappearing on me and returning with a gunshot wound.My life has already been turned upside down. I’m looking for safety. Stability, if that’s even possible with a Mafia enforcer as my husband.
Buzz-buzz.
I realize I’m tensed up and that my careful breathing has gone to shit.
Frustrated with myself, I lower my feet to the mat and slowly unfold my body until I’m standing. Then I cross the room and take up the phone. It’s from a number that’s not preprogrammed into my phone, so there’s no contact name. The instant I read the texts, I know who they’re from.
Unknown contact: How is married life treating you, sestrenka?
Unknown contact: I need to see you.
Unknown contact: Don’t think you can ignore me. I know where to find you, in Andriani’s lair.
It’s Misha. It has to be. Dmitri isn’t so demanding, and there’s a subtle warning in the words, the reminder that he can get to me. That he can get to Svetlana.
I don’t know how he got my new number, but then, nothing he has the capability to do will ever surprise me.
I stare down at the phone, my chest tightening. I didn’t really think that I had escaped my brother’s wrath or his ability to hurt me, but I’m also not ready for him to reemerge. I decide to play dumb and prolong the conversation, to see if I can find out what he wants indirectly.
Katya: Who is this?
Unknown contact: You don’t know? My turn for a question.
A picture comes through then. I recognize Svetlana instantly, even though her back is turned to whoever snapped it and she’s at a fairly decent distance. She’s walking on the sidewalk outside her modest house in the suburbs with a reusable grocery bag slung over her shoulder. A return trip from the store, likely.
An icy knot of dread forms in my stomach.
Unknown contact: Recognize her?
He’s got someone watching Svetlana’s house. It’s a reminder that he’s willing to do anything to get what he wants. That he’ll always have this power over me.
Katya: When do you want to meet and where?
