17. Katy
17
Katy
M y alarm goes off, and I blindly swing my arm until I find my phone and hit the snooze button. I need a few extra minutes this morning. Rolling over, I take a deep breath and smell something musky—like a man. I nuzzle into the smell as my brain takes a few extra moments to catch up with my nose.
“Viktor.” I sit up and frantically look around the room as the memories from last night come flooding back to me. I’m staring at my pillow, the one he slept on that holds his smell, when I see movement from the corner of my eye.
“Katy? Are you okay?” My eyes flash to a fully dressed Viktor standing in my doorway, then down to the empty bed beside me where I left my barely clothed Viking a few hours ago.
“W-what time is it?”
“It’s seven. That was your morning alarm that went off.” He walks over to my side of the bed and drops off a mug of coffee. I can tell by the color that it’s made perfectly to my liking. The liquid is a peanut butter color, and the smell of French vanilla fills my nose.
Viktor steps back, giving me space, and I remember that I’m naked. I pull the blanket up my chest, but feeling like I shouldn’t be embarrassed. He’s seen me topless several times now, but it’s daylight outside.
“I woke up before the alarm you set for me and turned it off. I wanted you to sleep as long as you could. I’m ready whenever you are.” With a slight smile, he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
The coffee warms me from the inside out as I take my first sip. I need to shower and get to Owen. I love the fifteen minutes each morning and night we bond through our breastfeeding. It’s not something that I ever considered before getting pregnant. I’m not sure any sixteen year old does, but in my effort to be as small of a burden as I could, I was determined to do it. Any money I could save Spencer and the guys was a win for me, and breastfeeding was the simplest thing I could do. And nothing compares to the bonding I feel with Owen when I do it.
I’m fortunate that my body was able to nourish my son and continues to do so, even if we had a rough start. However, it’s not everyone’s journey.
I shower and dress in a dark red maxi skirt and a graphic t-shirt knotted at the front. Simple, easy clothes work best for the continuous up and down with the kids in my class. I packed extra clothes in Owen’s diaper bag before I left so I wouldn’t have to worry about it this morning.
One last peek in the mirror before I leave, and I look at the woman before me. She looks confident and happy. Someone I never thought I’d see staring back at me. I smooth my hands over my hair, missing the waves from last night, and remind myself to have Spencer teach me how she did them. Or, more specifically, I could ask Nicole because I’m sure she’s the one who taught Spencer.
“All set?” Viktor’s smile warms my belly as I step out of my room.
“Yeah. You could have gone ahead without me. I’m capable of walking across the lawn alone.”
His apologetic half-smile leaves me with a feeling of dread.
“Sorry, Katy. New orders state you aren’t allowed to do anything alone. I’m with you at all times. Even if you’re out with one of them.”
There went my good mood. “What? Why?”
“Because of the phone call last night. He’s getting close again, and we need to keep you and Owen safe.”
“But you’re with me and not Owen right now. How can you be in two places at once?” I thought my logic was good, but his face tells me otherwise.
“You’ll meet Patrick when we get to the house. He’ll be accompanying us to school today, so you and Owen have eyes on you at all times. When I’m with you both, his job is the main house.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me? This is ridiculous.”
“I’m sorry, Katy. I’m just following orders.”
“Whose? Whose orders are you following?” Viktor stays silent. Did he have something to do with this? At this point, I don’t even know who signs his paychecks. I know he was hired by Justin, but that was almost three years ago.
“It’s for your protection.”
“Fuck my protection. I’m not a prisoner. I have to have a life outside these four walls where I’m not being followed by guard dogs.” Viktor flinches at my comparison, but I don’t care. That’s what it felt like last night to have him stare at me while I was with my friends. His job is to watch my surroundings. Not me.
“Viktor, does this have anything to do with last night? Did you tell them about your jealousy seeing another guy pay attention to me?”
“What? Not at all. Tucker saw the same thing that I did last night. I just follow orders. If you want to yell at someone, it’s him you should be directing your anger toward.”
I know he’s probably right, but he’s in front of me, and some of my jealousy seeing him with Sara is bleeding out right now. I have no claim on him any more than he has a claim on me, but he’s my Viking, even if it’s just at night.
“Viktor, were you jealous last night?” Now I need to know. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. It’s the only tell that he’s affected by my question. I stalk toward him, and he holds his ground. “No answer for me, Viking ?” I run my finger down his chest, feeling the rippling muscles under his navy shirt.
“ Katy .” He grabs my wrist, stopping my hand, and leans close to my ear. “The sun is up, and that means it’s my time. If you’re changing the rules of our arrangement, there are plenty of things I am happy to do to you right now. But I think you like how our dynamic is and that means you don’t get to use your charm right now and expect it to work.”
Fuck. He’s right, and he knows it. I give him a saccharine smile, and he releases my wrist as I step back.
“There’s breakfast waiting for us at the big house. Let’s go.”
Viktor turns, and as he expects, I follow.
Patrick is a brick house of a man. There’s no hiding in the shadows for him. He’s tall, dark, and broody and gets interesting looks from the kids in the preschool. One of the three year olds asked him if he was a G. I. Joe because he’s dressed in all black, with cargo pants and a “meanie face.” My laughter couldn’t be contained, and even Viktor cracked a smile.
The G.I. Joe wannabe followed us to work in his own car, and I was told that’s how it would be from now on. Always two cars wherever we go. Some people would enjoy the attention of having two gorgeous men follow them around all day, but not me. I’ve always done everything on my own. I willingly accepted Viktor several years ago because I was still a traumatized little girl and clung to anyone that I knew was safe. Now, I have two overgrown babysitters, and one was already bordering on too many. Although, based on the looks that Viktor keeps tossing at Patrick, I’m not sure he’s too happy about the addition, either. Patrick has a scar that runs from his right temple past the front of his ear and disappears at his jawline. I was looking at it during breakfast, and Viktor eyed me suspiciously. It seems he didn’t like me looking at another man, and I think I’m going to like this little jealous streak he has.
“Can we go to lunch? I have a feeling this could be my last meal out.” Viktor is on high alert as we leave the preschool and walk to the car. He insisted he carry Owen, who’s happily enjoying the ride from one of his favorite people.
“I didn’t have any intentions of going anywhere but home.”
“Please. I need a last hurrah of my freedom. There’s two of you and one and a half of us. How bad could it get?”
Viktor looks at me, and I feel instant guilt from my statement. I know how bad it can get. I was there, and it was bad—so very bad.
“Fine.” Maybe this is a fight I won’t win. I understand the cons outweigh the pros sometimes, but I was really hoping this wasn’t one of them.
Viktor opens my door for me and moves around the car to buckle Owen. I dream of the day this nightmare is over, and my little boy can have a completely normal life. He doesn’t know the difference, but I do, and I want better for him.
“Vik. Hug me.” My heart swells as Owen wraps his little arms around Viktor’s neck and pulls his hair.
“Thank you, buddy.” Viktor tickles Owen’s stomach in an attempt to get his hands to release his hair. It finally works after several wincing faces, and I turn my head to look out the window so Viktor doesn’t see me laughing at him.
Viktor turns the car on with a sigh and pulls out his phone. “You planned that, didn’t you? Where would you like to go to lunch?”
Did my kid just win me a ticket to lunch? Hell yes .
“How do you feel about mild degradation?”
“No. Absolutely not. Pick somewhere else.”
“But—”
“Katy, I’m happy to take you straight home, or anywhere else but Debevics. Your choice.”
“Fine.” I don’t want to push my luck. “How about S’morgasm? They have delicious sandwiches.” And a back room that maybe I can get my Viking to explore with me.
No. You can’t think like that, Katy. Viktor reminded you of that this morning.
“Maybe.” Huh?
“Maybe, what?”
“You’re so easy to read, Pepper. Yes to S’morgasm. Maybe to the blue door. And that’s a big maybe.”
Holy shit. He said maybe. I don’t care how small of a possibility it is; the thought of exploring the sex shop at the back of S’morgasm is exhilarating.
Viktor sends a text and looks in the rearview. He stares momentarily before nodding at his reflection, and we drive away. He must have been having a conversation with Patrick.