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“Can you cook?” I ask.
“A little.” She lifts her head and meets my eyes. “And you?”
With a chuckle, I shake my head. “Were you close with your parents?”
She nods, and sorrow creeps into her amber eyes. “We were very close. I miss them every day.”
“How did they die?” I’m not asking because I have a morbid curiosity. I just want to talk to her, and the question came to mind.
“In a head-on collision with a truck that broke down. It was trying to make a U-turn when the engine stalled. There were no lights.”
Christ. It must’ve been a closed-casket funeral. I’ve seen an accident like that, and the driver was decapitated.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. Changing the subject, I ask, “What made you pick Russia as a travel destination?”
“It was my mom’s choice.” Everleigh gives me a sad smile, and it makes me want to hold her. “My dad chose Scotland, and I picked Hawaii. I would’ve gone to Scotland next.”
A sheepish grin forms around my lips. “Did you at least enjoy Russia before I kidnapped you?”
Her smile widens. “I did.”
Our eyes lock, and the air grows serious. “I’m sorry I grabbed you off the street. I thought you were Svetlana.”
“I know.” She lowers her head again. “I’m in this position because I swapped clothes with a girl I knew nothing about. It’s my own fault.”
“None of this is your fault.”
Again, she meets my eyes. “I know it’s going to sound weird and selfish, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Trying to make light of the situation, I let out a chuckle. “Hey, it’s not every day I get locked up with a beautiful girl.”
Her smile widens again, and her cheeks flush pink.
Before I can stop the question, I ask, “Do you have a boyfriend back home?”
“No.” Everleigh scrunches her nose. “I haven’t dated since my parents passed away.” A shy expression crosses her features. “And you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Besides you?”
This time a burst of laughter escapes her. “Yeah, besides me.”
I shake my head. “I’ve been too focused on work to have a relationship.”
Her eyebrows draw together. “Do you really think your father is looking for you?”
“He won’t rest until he finds Vincent and me.”
“Are you close with your father?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No, but his pride won’t allow him to give up.” I give her a reassuring look, and with dead certainty, I say, “He’ll find us.”
And then he’ll beat the shit out of Vincent and me for allowing Prodi to kidnap us. Fun.
“And your mother?”
The corner of my mouth lifts again. “I’m her favorite.”
“Oh, good. I was starting to get worried,” Everleigh admits.
