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I fight the urge to face palm and also hit the back of his head. Katerina stiffens momentarily but recovers briefly.
“I definitely didn’t miss you, Graham,” she tells him.
“Careful, you might actually hurt my feelings.”
I decide to cut in then, stepping forward. “You’re meant to scope out the perimeter, Graham. I’ll walk in with her.”
He shoots me an annoying smirk before letting go of Katerina and walking on ahead, entering the party before us. I look down at the woman beside me.
“Are you going to tell me what he meant by seeing you five years ago?” I ask curiously, unable to get that out of my mind.
She shakes your head. “Ask your brother.”
I notice a tremble in her hand and although I can’t see her face, I realize she’s more on edge than usual.
“Are you okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asks, absolutely lying.
“Katerina...” I start.
“Let’s just get tonight over with, Xander. Please?”
And then she’s looping her hand through mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I feel her touch, searing even through the material of my clothes. When her breath hitches softly, I know she felt it too.
I pull at the bowtie at my neck, wondering at my maddening attraction to her. Even now, despite everything.
“Ready?” I ask her.
She blows out a soft breath. “Let’s do this.”
We walk into the large hall and the party that’s already underway. An orchestra plays soft music unobtrusively in the background in a corner of the hall. There’s a small clear area, evidently the dance floor. People mill about with champagne glasses and appetizers held on silver plates. At the end of the hall, there’s a long table, adorned with several different kinds of dishes and server. A buffet.
As expected, we draw a few stares as soon as we walk in. Ethan Colton stands near the entrance door, sipping what looks like scotch from a glass tumbler. He’s not wearing a mask. As soon as his eyes land on us, they gleam with recognition. He approaches us almost immediately. Which was expected, considering Katerina’s mask barely covers her face.
He’s around the same age as my father, although a short, stout man with balding brown hair.
“Miss Mincetti,” he says respectfully, holding her hand and lifting it to his lips to place a light kiss on the back of her palm. “I’m honored that you accepted my invitation.”
“I was in desperate need of a night out and thought this was the perfect event,” Katerina says warmly.
“Well then I hope you enjoy yourself,” he says, eyes going down to the slit in her dress.
He spends a second too long staring, making me grit my teeth. He’s old enough to be her father.
Look away, asshole.
Katerina’s completely calm and unruffled beside me. I’m about to say something when Colton’s eyes meet mine.
“And who is this?” he questions.
“My bodyguard,” she replies simply.
He doesn’t question her, simply nodding. “I’ll leave you to it then. Enjoy the party, Katerina. Perhaps you’ll save me a dance.”
My vision turns a little red at that. Katerina must sense the shift because her hand tightens around my arm.
“No, thank you, Mr. Colton. I’m not a big dancer.”
