Page 43 of The Promise

“Katina, you mean. I’m sure you know as much as I do,” Roman started, “that Karine and Katina are not the same person.”

Masha remained silent at that. She had no answer, and he wasn’t expecting one. He did think it might be beneficial for her to know something Katina had once told him, though. The way Masha spoke made him think that it wasn’t something Katina had also shared with her. Was that because Katina trusted him, or because she didn’t trust her?

Roman figured ... Masha should know what he did, if only to better care for Karine. Because he did think the woman had good intentions. “Katina pretends to be Karine—she’ll manipulate that way.”

She stilled. Then, slowly, Masha glanced up to meet his gaze. “I wondered, but ...”

“What?”

“She’s new—I couldn’t pinpoint exactly when she started coming around. It could have been before the first time I met her, but I’m the last person Katina cares to speak to. You understand?”

He didn’t, but he did at the same time.

And what was done was done.

Likely.

“Are you okay?” he asked, eyeing her hand.

Masha looked down, the bloody smears on her hands not at all concerning her as she nodded quickly. “Yes, of course, I’m fine. I was just cleaning up, but I heard you arrive. That man cut his hand, and there was a lot of blood.”

“He cut his hand, or his hand was cut?”

Even her choice of words were habitual. How long had this woman been the one saving grace in Karine’s life—and why did she still feel like an unknown piece to the puzzle to him? Masha kept her head down, refusing to reply or correct her words.

Roman figured—her choice. None of this was her fault. “Why don’t you go down to reception, and see if you can find more towels, some fresh sheets, whatever you need. If someone approaches about a noise complaint, or to ask questions, tell them to call through to the room for me.”

Masha looked almost relieved when she met his eyes again. “You’ll be okay here?” she asked.

It took a nod of his head for her to hurry away.

Roman hadn’t bothered to ask where Katina was, but frankly, he didn’t really need to.

• • •

Outside the bathroom attached to the master bedroom of the suite, Roman listened to the gentle slosh of water against the marble bathtub inside. He had a mind to leave her be, if only because he could sense she was safe, but he had a feeling that wasn’t how to best work with Katina.

He did knock lightly before opening the door, his only warning to his entrance. Steam rolled through the open doorway the second he stepped inside only to blink furiously to get the misty sting out of his eyes. He moved towards the bathtub where he found a pleased Katina submerged right up to her shoulders in water hot enough to turn her skin pink.

And God.

She was a sight.

Her especially pale skin was colored only by that heated flush, but her cheeks held an extra pinch of pink. Silky dark hair had pasted to her face and chest, making her eyes look big and watery. She stared up at him with those plump lips of hers parted slightly, like she might be ready for him to lean in and take a kiss. She would make the perfect picture of a dangerous, mythical creature emerging from a misty lake, capable of seducing and devouring her victim before they even understood what had happened.

The fact he’d noticed how tempting her mouth was proved he wasn’t immune to her charm.

He knew it was Katina, not Karine. He knew it from the dip in her brows, the keenness of her gaze; how the edges of her lips curled softly in a maybe-smile. The chill that ran down his spine while she watched him wasn’t entirely cold, but it still tingled with a thread of fear. It was in her eyes that he found it—how those orbs swept him up, and then down.

Everybody was prey.

“Oh, good, you’re here,” she remarked, rolling her eyes.

Katina wasn’t at all bothered by her nakedness, or the fact she was entirely on display for him under the hot water.

Though he wouldn’t ask, he couldn’t help but wonder about last night—even that morning. He’d had Karine, felt the way she shivered with delight when he’d buried himself so deep for her to take his load, then fell asleep with her in his arms only to wake up beside her. This was not the same woman. Did Katina have those memories? Had she experienced it at all?

He couldn’t be more in over his head.