Page 154 of The Encore’s Crown

Kasia says, “Rafe.”

“What? He does.”

Despite everything, the corner of my mouth lifts. He's right. Fuck Julian Mercer.

Rafe continues, “But I also think you need to understand exactly what you’d be giving up before you decide. Don’t sign because you’re scared for Kiri or because it makes things easier for the band. I love him, but he knew what he was doing when he threw that punch.”

His voice softens.

“This happened to you, Nat. Or it almost did. And that asshole is counting on you deciding it’s easier to let it disappear.”

He pauses.

“So consider every option. But don’t refuse just because you’re angry, either. If you take him on, it’ll be long, ugly, and dragged out for as long as he can manage. Let the lawyer explain every consequence before you decide which fight you’re willing to have.”

Natalia sighs.

“Fine. I’ll consider it.”

“That’s all we wanted.”

Footsteps move across the floor. Kasia asks Natalia three more times whether she’s all right. Natalia insists she is. Rafe tells her Stefan will call later, but she doesn’t have to answer until she’s ready. The entrance door opens.

“Call me later please,” Kasia says.

“I will.”

“Actually call, don't just say you will or I'll be right back here.”

“Yes, siostra.”

The door closes as silence settles over the penthouse. I stand inside the bedroom with my phone in one hand and my shirt buttoned wrong, waiting until I hear the lock slide into place.

Chapter 53

With Me

Kiri

The bedroom door opens and I’m on her before either of us says a word.

Natalia rushes into me at the same time, arms locking around my neck as I kiss her. I lift her off the floor and spin her once, twice, unable to stop myself. It was thirty minutes at most, but shut away in that room listening to her decide whether to protect me, it felt like hours. She laughs into my mouth.

“It’s over,” she says between kisses. “You’ll be okay. We can get back to more of this.”

Her fingers slide beneath the collar of my badly buttoned shirt.

“Which is good, because you have on way too many clothes for a man who’s about to be back in my bed.”

I stop. The laughter falls out of her face as I set her down. My hands settle around her upper arms.

“Nat, you can’t sign that shit.”

Her brows draw together.

“Julian deserves to be punished. He deserves whatever comes after people find out what he’s been doing.”

She shakes her head.