24. Kat

24

The final traces of the sunset fade away as Nik and I emerge from the car at the front steps of an opulent mansion. I guess being an accountant to two mafia bosses must pay very well.

We walk into the house, and a dark-haired man in his early thirties joyfully greets us. "Nikolai! You've made it."

Nik offers his right hand for the host to shake while his left one rests on the small of my back.

"John," my date says in a somewhat warm tone. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

John, the accountant, lets out a howl of laughter. "Oh, yes, you would. I know you better than that, pal."

Nik shrugs his broad shoulders, giving the other man a sincere smile. "John, this is Kat Devereaux. Kat, this is John Gates."

John offers me his right hand, and I shake it. "Welcome to my home, Kat." He smiles at me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, John. You have a beautiful home," I say, glancing around the extravagantly adorned foyer. The place is gorgeous—beautifully built in the Mediterranean style.

"I can't take any credit for it. My beautiful bride, Sheila, has great taste, if I do say so myself." John winks at Nik and me, self-deprecatingly. "But please, make yourself at home. I'll bring Sheila around to meet you once I manage to find her."

I smile at him as Nik leads me away. My heels click on the pale gray marble floors as we make our way to the adjoining room where John and Sheila's guests are gathered. The large room sports glass walls that span its entire perimeter. We stand close to the entrance, people-watching for a moment. Nik glances around the room impatiently. A beautifully tended garden and pool are visible from here under the full moon's glow.

A server walks by, and Nik grabs two champagne flutes. After handing one of them to me, he says, "Stay right here. I'll be back."

Without another word, Nik leaves me, taking long strides toward a gorgeous woman standing by herself near the bar. She straightens up once she spots him making his way to her.

They talk for a moment. The woman fidgets with her wine-colored velvet dress and brown curls as Nik leans forward to speak to her. She doesn't say much until he pulls a small pouch from his jacket pocket and places it in her hands.

The brunette looks at the small bag for a second and then at Nik's face, frowning slightly. Her delicate fingers retrieve a gold ring from inside it. Her mouth widens, and her eyes blink violently as she holds on to it as if it were her very own lifeline.

Nik nods before turning his back to her and walking back to where I stand.

Bemused, I glance between him and the mysterious woman, growing even more concerned as I notice her brush away tears. She is still profoundly entranced by the jewel my handsome Russian just gave her.

Nik reaches me, and I stare at him, stunned, as he slips his arm around my waist again before asking, "Are you hungry? Because I'm starving. God, I hate these ridiculous parties. All the champagne and canapés you could want, but not a single hearty meal in sight…"

He politely waves to someone across the room, but I can't be bothered even to pretend to care at the moment.

"What the hell was that?" I ask, realizing he has no intention of explaining what I just witnessed.

Nik looks at me, confused. "What the hell was what?"

"That," I say, pointing toward the unknown brunette as discreetly as possible.

"Oh," he says, a certain smidge of darkness coloring his tone. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Oh, no. Don't give me that. You have to tell me what the hell I just saw."

"It's nothing. Really, Kat?—"

I cut him off. "I'm not going to drop this, Nik, so you might as well save yourself some time and tell me."

He closes his eyes and clutches the bridge of his nose tightly. After a wordless moment, he sighs. "If you really must know, that was Erin."

"Erin? As in Erin McGuire? As in Maxim's lover and your arch nemesis's daughter?"

"Shh. Will you keep your voice down?" he mutters through gritted teeth, glancing around to ensure no one's heard me. "Yes, that Erin."

"Wow," is all I can think of to say. After a moment, I add, "What did you give her?"

"That's none of your business."

"I mean, I know it was a ring. I saw that much. But why would you give Erin McGuire a gold ring?"

"What part of ‘this is none of your business' do you not understand?"

"What part of ‘I'm not going to drop this' do you not understand?"

Nik sighs loudly and grunts out something in Russian.

"What does that mean?"

"It means may God deliver me from nosy women who can't mind their fucking businesses to save their lives."

"Cute," I say, crossing my arms. "Hey, if you won't tell me, maybe I'll just ask her."

Nik grabs my arm very tightly. "I don't think so. Did nobody ever tell you about curiosity killing the cat?"

"Ha-ha," I say, rolling my eyes. "I get it. Because my name's Kat. Like I've never heard that one before. Now, spill the beans, or I will cause a scene."

Through gritted teeth, he says close to my ear, "Once upon a time, Maxim and Erin had this stupid idea of running away together. He proposed to her with that ring you just saw. Just as they were about to make their escape, word of their affair and plan got out. McGuire took her to Ireland, and I was forced to banish Maxim to Russia. Somehow, Erin had the ring returned to Maxim, and he kept it throughout all the years he was in exile. After his death, I found it with his belongings. I figured he'd have wanted her to have it."

Stunned, I stare at him, processing all the information he shared. I remain silent for a long while, thinking of the senseless heartbreak and regrets that will forever remain unfinished business for the pretty girl across the room. Suddenly, Nik's fingers tighten almost painfully around my arm. His whole body goes rigid next to me. A split second later, he noticeably forces himself to relax before his arm snakes around my back until his right hand rests possessively over my stomach.

Nik's abrupt change in behavior astonishes me until I spot a distinguished-looking middle-aged male approaching us. An insincere smile contorts his lips. It doesn't take me long to recognize him as the man Nik identified as Patrick McGuire when we watched the museum gala's surveillance feeds.

"Nikolai," the man says in greeting.

Nik nods in acknowledgment. "Patrick."

"I thought that was you from the other side of the room. I wanted to come over and pay my respects. I was so terribly sorry to hear about Maxim. What a pity." The Irish shakes his head, frowning.

Nik only stares at him in response, but McGuire doesn't notice his reaction. Or at least, he acts that way.

"And the whole situation with his missing remains, too. Truly a disgrace, if you don't mind me saying," Nik's nemesis says.

"I appreciate the sentiment, McGuire," Nik says at last. "May I introduce you to my fiancée, Katherine Devereaux? Kat, this is Patrick McGuire."

McGuire raises his eyebrows so highly they almost reach his hairline. He studies me appraisingly, taking me in from head to toe.

I school my features into a pleasant smile. Fiancée? Thanks for the heads-up, Nik.

"Fiancée? Wow." Patrick McGuire smiles at me. "Enchanted to meet you, Kat." He offers me his tan hand, and I shake it gingerly.

"Likewise," I say, leaning against Nik. He caresses my stomach in response, and McGuire doesn't miss any of it.

"How long have the two of you been dating?"

"Oh, not long," I answer. "It's been a bit of a whirlwind romance, I suppose."

"What can I say?" Nik adds, shrugging one of his broad shoulders. "When you know, you know."

I turn my head to glance at Nik and catch him already gazing at me. His eyes lock with mine and the same fire I saw in them the night we met burns hot. I press my body closer to his as he tightens his hold around my waist.

"I think I'll take your word for it." McGuire says with a chuckle. "But you must tell me a little about yourself, Kat. I simply must know more about the woman who's captured Nikolai's infamously cold heart."

I turn my attention to him and find his eyes sparkling with unconcealed interest, bouncing around Nik's hands possessively placed on me.

Smiling, I ask, "What would you like to know? I'm afraid I'm probably very dull if compared to you gentlemen."

McGuire lets out a sharp and loud laughter. I can't tell if it's sincere or not.

"I seriously doubt that. Are you from around this area?"

"I am," I say.

"Where did you two meet?"

I glance at Nik, implying that the answer is an inside joke McGuire wouldn't get. "I guess you could say we met at work. Well, I was working, at least."

Nik scoffs. McGuire's interest grows even more noticeable.

"Interesting. And what did you say you do for a living?"

"I didn't. But if you must know, I suppose it wouldn't be a lie to say I work in the acquisitions and procurement field." I giggle.

Nik laughs under his breath, kissing my hair. McGuire practically vibrates with the effort to curb his curiosity.

"I can see why Nikolai is so taken with you, Kat. You're a very intriguing woman. Tell me, would you give me the pleasure of a dance? You wouldn't mind it, would you, Nikolai?"

I look at Nik questioningly. He gives McGuire a cold but exquisite smile that doesn't quite reach his gorgeous brown eyes. "Not at all," he says. After making eye contact with me again, he adds, "Kat knows to save the last dance for me."

I smile teasingly at him, raising myself on my toes. "Don't worry, my love. I know who I'm coming home with tonight." I brush a quick kiss against his lips, but he pulls me closer to press a hard, long one against mine.

Nik's caress leaves me a little shaken—and unsure of what is real emotion on his part and what is just for McGuire's benefit—but I make myself smile sweetly at Nik before taking McGuire's hand. He leads me to a small dance floor where a few other couples are gathered, a couple of dozen yards away from where we left Nik. The Irish mobster pulls me into his arms as the song starts. I half expect him to hold me uncomfortably close or place his hands somewhere inappropriate, but he behaves respectfully—a perfect gentleman.

McGuire chuckles lightly. "Your Russian is watching me like a hawk. I can't say it's anything new, but seeing him so bent out of shape over a woman is still amusing. Even one as charming and beautiful as you."

I glance in Nik's direction and confirm he is observing us. I'm not sure how much of his display is for McGuire's benefit and how much is due to genuine feelings of jealousy. After all, even though he isn't half as indifferent to me as he'd like me to believe, there's no doubt that nothing matters to him as much as destroying the man dancing with me.

"He's just protective of me, that's all," I say, hoping he'll take the hint that Nik might make him pay if he harms me.

"I can't blame him. I'd be very protective of someone as captivating as you, too."

I laugh, pretending to be charmed by his attempt at flirting. "I'm sure a man like you has plenty of much more captivating women than me throwing themselves at him."

"I don't know about that, Kat. I'll give Nikolai this—his eye for beauty is unparalleled."

"Oh, stop. You're making me blush." I teasingly shove against his chest, and he pulls me a fraction closer to him. Years of practicing the art of deception are the only thing preventing me from grimacing in response.

"I'm sure this is nothing new to you. Heartbreakingly beautiful women always know of their power and aren't afraid to yield it."

"I'll plead the fifth to that."

McGuire chuckles. "I have to say, I can't shake the feeling there's something familiar about you. Have we met before?"

I shake my head. "I'm sure we haven't. I'm positive I'd remember meeting someone as dashing as you."

His soft laughter has a hint of darkness to it. "Careful, Kat, or I'll think you're encouraging an old man's crush on you."

I shrug. "What can I say? Old habits die hard. But we should probably keep this little back-and-forth of ours between ourselves. I wouldn't want Nik to worry unduly."

"No, of course not. Speaking of him, here's your knight in shining armor," McGuire whispers close to my ear, glancing over my shoulder.

I turn and practically run into Nik's chest. He wasted no time coming to fetch me after the song ended.

"I believe that was the end of your dance, McGuire," Nik says.

McGuire chuckles again. "Right. Kat, it was a genuine pleasure to meet you. I can only hope I'll see you again soon." He bends over my hand to press a kiss against it. "I guess you'll have your dance now, Nikolai."

Nik shoots him a glance that is nothing but icy fire. "I'll enjoy it at home," he says before wrapping his arm around my waist and leading me away.

After a moment, when we are at a safe distance from the dance floor, I whisper, "You were so right, Nik. He couldn't help himself. The man was bending over backward to entice me away from you. I'll have him eating out of the palm of my hand in no time. Great job with the whole jealous boyfriend act, by the way. He completely bought it."

"Fiancé," Nik practically snarls through gritted teeth.

"What's that?"

"I'm your fiancé. Not your boyfriend," he says with a grunt.

"Right. That's what I meant. Great job. But I wish you hadn't surprised me with that. A little heads-up would've been appreciated, boss."

Nik murmurs something intelligible as he clenches his jaw. He increases his pace, firmly and swiftly leading me away from the guests.

"Where are we going?" I ask, confused. We're almost jogging through the entrance foyer.

"Home." Nik's hold over me tightens as he increases his pace.

"But we just got here!"

"We did what we came here to do. Now we're leaving."

"But I didn't even say hello to Sheila!"

Nik glares at me as if I have lost my mind. "Who the fuck is Sheila?"

"John's fiancée," I say, staring at Nik like he is the one who's lost it.

"Fuck John. Fuck Sheila, too," he says in a scarily calm tone.

Nik yanks the front door open before pushing me through the doorway. His relentless grip on my arm never wavers as he makes us halt in front of the house. A second later, his black limousine pulls over to where we stand.

The driver quickly exits the car, but Nik waves him away impatiently. Without a word, he opens the car's door, motioning for me to get in. I resist him.

"What's your problem?" I ask, making all my frustration clear.

"Kat. Get in the car," he orders in that eerie tone again.

"Not until you tell me what's wrong with you. I did everything you asked of me," I say, struggling against his hold on my arm.

"Oh, I know you did. Trust me. I'm so fucking aware you did everything I asked," Nik says, raising his voice.

"Then I'll ask again. What the hell is your problem? What else do you want from me?"

Nik pulls me flush against his body, leaning forward until his forehead touches mine. In that deadly calm tone of his, he says, eyes ablaze, "I want you not to go within a mile of that vermin ever again. I want to break every finger in his repulsive hands so he knows better than to touch you. I want you to never smile like that again at any other man but me. What I really want," he rasps, a mere inch away from my lips, "is to bend you over and fuck you into submission until you accept you belong to me."

I hold his gaze with mine unflinchingly. My heart is racing, and my breath comes out in erratic pants, but I don't shy away from his stare. I raise my chin as I correct him, "No. What you really want is me."

Nik's deep brown eyes darken at my words, and he opens his mouth, his challenging intent unmistakable in every bit of him. But a heartbeat later, almost miraculously, something different flickers over his expression. He closes his mouth. And then he opens it again.

"God help me, I do," Nik says under his breath. His admission is undeniable. Unshakable.

My eyes never leave his as I say, "Then fucking have me."

Before my mind even registers his movements, Nik yanks the limousine's door open, dragging me inside.