Chapter 25

Yaroslav

E ver since I heard about the fire, I can’t shake the thought that it was because of me. That an enemy has tried to hurt Kim to get to me, that she’s become a weakness to be exploited in the eyes of those who wish to hurt me. Or worse, I can’t shake the niggling thought that the cause of the fire could be far closer to home, that David might have done it.

It wouldn’t be the first time David’s started a fire, he’s prone to taking extreme measures to get what he wants. He didn’t want Kim to leave, and she’d practically said the main reason she had to was because she had a home and a life to return to. In David’s mind, it would be perfectly logical to ensure she doesn’t have a place to live so she has to stay here. He wouldn’t have realized the hurt it would cause. I need to speak to him. I also have business to attend to tonight. Finally, after weeks of wondering what he’s up to, I may have a lead on Sharkozi’s true intentions. If I find out he’s behind the fire, I’ll take great pleasure in burning him alive.

But right now, my focus is on Kim. She’s trying to be strong, but I can tell the fire has shaken her. She’s hardly said a word through dinner, nor has she eaten much, instead she’s simply pushing her food around on the plate.

“What are you thinking?” I ask, studying her face.

She shakes her head gently, letting out a big sigh, “It’s not my place to say.”

“Regardless, I’d like you to tell me anyway,” I push.

“I don’t want to offend you, it’s none of my business,” she insists.

“Please, I promise, I won’t be mad,” I reply, hoping I can keep my promise.

Her eyes search mine for a moment and she puts down her fork, dabbing her mouth with a napkin before speaking. “It’s just… well, the fire has sort of put things into perspective for me. I’ve lost everything, and yet the only thing I really care about is that the people I love are safe.”

I nod, “That makes sense, after all, it’s just stuff, family is the most important thing.”

She stiffens slightly, bracing herself for what she’s about to say. “Can I be blunt?”

“Of course,” I reply, inclining my head.

“You say that family is the most important thing to you, and yet you have a sister you refuse to speak to who is desperate to be a part of your life and a brother who is crying out for your love and attention, and who thinks he’s a burden to you.”

“It’s complicated,” I reply tensely.

“Is it? Because from my perspective it seems like you’re pushing away those who love you the most.”

“Your relationship with your sibling isn’t exactly a bed of roses either,” I point out.

“You’re right, but I’ve told you what he did, and now he could well be responsible for destroying our home, what did your sister ever do to you?” she asks.

She makes a good point, but I’m not sure I’m ready to admit that. “She abandoned us.”

She looks at me sadly, “I know it’s hard, I’m just saying that perhaps it’s time to hear what she has to say.”

“I’ll think about it.”

She smiles softly at me, “Good. And you should spend more time with David, he’s lonely. He wants to get to know your sister, I don’t think it’s fair to refuse him that, even if you choose not to allow her back into your life.”

“You don’t know David well enough yet, he’s vulnerable.”

“He’s stronger than you think,” Kim astutely points out.

I don’t want to talk about David right now, not when I can’t say for certain that he had no involvement with the fire.

“I’ll think about it,” I say, sounding like a broken record.

“Do you miss Russia?” she asks, catching me off-guard.

“A little. But I like it here, America feels like home now,” I reply truthfully.

“What about your family there? You mentioned an uncle. Don’t you miss him?”

I give her a wry smile, “Innokentiy isn’t exactly the warm cuddly type. He was there for us anytime we needed him after my parents died, but I cannot say that he is the kind of man you miss. I respect him, I trust him, but miss him, no I can’t say I do. He has his own family to worry about. His wife and kids.”

“What are they like?” she asks curiously.

“His wife is a bitch,” I say truthfully, enjoying how she giggles at my bluntness.

“And their kids?”

“Nonexistent.”

She furrows her brow at me, “I thought you said they have kids?”

“Innokentiy has kids with his mistress, not his wife,” I explain.

Kim’s eyes widen in surprise, “Does his wife know?”

“Yes,” I reply with a small nod, “And before you ask, no, she doesn’t care. Since they’re bastards, they can’t inherit, and Innokentiy can’t leave her, not without pissing off her father, who comes from of one of the most powerful families in Russia.”

“Sounds like a telenovela. It also explains why David thinks your uncle doesn’t like him if he’s a closed-off kind of person.”

I nod thoughtfully, “David sure does seem to enjoy telling you all his secrets.”

She looks away, her expression unreadable. “He trusts me and opens up to me about his feelings, that’s all.”

“He always was better at expressing his emotions,” I admit.

“You’ve always had to be the strong one,” she states knowingly.

“Yes, vulnerability isn’t something I’m comfortable with.”

She reaches across the table to take my hand, “You know you can trust me, you don’t have to keep your walls up around me.”

I’m surprised that my usual instinct to pull away and retreat isn’t there, I want to open up, to let her in. I’m just not sure I know how.

“I know. And I want you to know that you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need, and I will make sure your grandmother is taken care of too.”

“That’s very generous of you, but you don’t have to do that. We never agreed on me staying here indefinitely, I’m not a charity case. I’m sure I can find a way to manage somehow,” she says in her usual humble fashion.

“Kim, I am well aware that you’re not a charity case and that you can look after yourself. That is not why I am offering this. I’ve made it perfectly clear that I want you to stay here longer and that I have feelings for you.”

She blinks, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise, “You do?”

“Was that not evident in my desire to keep you here? Or in the way you drive me crazy, and I can’t get enough of you?” I ask, confused as to how she can possibly think otherwise.

“To be honest, I thought you just wanted me for sex and that you’d get bored of me soon, that you were just keeping me around because you felt bad for me,” she says in a small voice.

“Kimberly, do I strike you as the kind of man who cannot get sex if I want? Or who needs to force a woman to live with him to get sex?”

“No,” she admits.

“And do I strike you as the kind of man who is overly sensitive and prone to doing things out of pity?”

“Definitely not,” she says with a grin.

“Well then, please trust me when I tell you that you are here because I want you to be.”

“So, whatever… this… is between us, is more than just sex for you?” she asks nervously.

“Most certainly, though I do enjoy fucking you.”

She arches a playful eyebrow, “Oh do you?” she says mischievously.

“Yes, I can prove it to you,” I purr.

“I think you should.”

I don’t need any further encouragement, I stand, whisking her off her feet and carrying her upstairs to my bedroom. I plan on showing her just how much I want her.