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“I hope you not going to work today,” Ilena mumbles when I enter the kitchen.
“Nyet.”
“Good. I made blini.” She sets the thin pancakes in front of me with some fruit preserves and honey. I glance around, silently searching for signs of Kate.
“She is on the terrace,” Ilena says, unimpressed by my casual glances around the penthouse.
I blink at Ilena’s statement. “Did she eat?”
“She never eats with me. I leave leftover in fridge. She picks that throughout the day.”
What she says irritates me, and I don’t know why. I have cameras everywhere in this house, but I’ve been selective when I look in on her.Why didn’t I know she wasn’t sitting down for meals?A new heavy pressure settles in my chest, lingering. Needing to attend to some emails and messages, I grab my phone, multi-tasking while I eat.
I groan when Ilena’s cooking explodes on my tongue. There is nothing better. I need to sleep in on weekends more often.
Ilena has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. Her loyalty and commitment to the family are significant. I value her, not only for her work but for her ability to look past the Bratva and see the men.
When I took over for my father and asked her to stay with us, she asked for Saturday afternoons off on top of her Sunday. I agreed, but watching her dart back and forth getting her work done to leave this afternoon has me itching to go to work before I’m left with Kate alone.
Finished, I take my plate to the sink, then lean back, hands placed on the counter. I’m lost in thought when a gentle hand on my shoulder stirs me to move.
“Talk with her,” Ilena says.
My body goes rigid and stiff. I eye her out of the corner of my eye and ignore her before walking to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator, my hand pausing. I grab a second.
I let the door shut but immediately yank it back open.What the—?
“What the hell is up with all the pickles?”
Chapter23
Kate
The New York air is slowly shifting. The once, thick warmth of the sun now carries a crisp coolness, hinting at the approaching season change. I’ve been coming up to the terrace to savor the last warm days and enjoy the fading green into golden orange that colors the few visible trees in the city.
This area of the penthouse has become a place of escape. It’s the only outside time I have, and to be honest, it’s stunning. An elegant glass door slides open to the large terrace. The sleek pavers are intricately placed, and outdoor rugs add warmth. Several lounges filled with plush cushions and throw pillows invite me to stay. A modern fire pit, dining area, and larger planters of greenery placed among the outdoor space contrast the urban cityscape views. It’s the most lavish place I’ve been, and despite my captivity, I’m surprisingly free out here.
A soft whoosh interrupts the city sounds and I glance to see Luka approach, two water bottles in hand. He looks—wow—
Jeez Kate.
Dressed in all black, he is more casual than I usually see him, and he lifts his hand, peering at his watch. He rounds the lounge chair where I’m propped up and sits on the neighboring one.
“Come to take my outside privileges away?” I ask, glowering with gritted teeth.
Luka lets out a snort in my direction and extends a bottle of water to me. An electric thrill crackles through me when his hand brushes mine ever so slightly. Time stands still, and his eyes widen before he rips his hand back into his pocket. Distracted by him, the water overwhelms my mouth until I’m coughing in a fit.
“Kate,” Luka says, unfazed by my theatrics.
I take a much-needed breath and stare at him, my eyes dropping to the mouth that said my name that way—my stomach drops.Treacherous body.
“Yes, Luka, finally willing to admit you’re insane and let me go?” I ask.
“No. You have been cooped up in the penthouse for a while and I thought—”
“Cooped up?” I eye him. “Seriously?”
He clears his throat, voice shakier than before. “Do you want to go out for a bit? And yes, cooped up, I’m not keeping you for my personal enjoyment. Unless you’d like to change that,malyshka.” He smirks, but I watch desire flood his eyes.
