13. Viktoria
13
VIKTORIA
I stared a hole in Lee’s back as we waited for the new copilot to lower the stairs to the tarmac. Mike and Andrew were directly behind Lee in the line to disembark, but Lee was taller than either of them, his broad shoulders in full view.
I’d hurt him. I knew that. I’d seen it in his eyes, a bolt of pain like lightning, and then he’d shut down. I felt guilty for the pain I’d caused, but he had overstepped. Chastised me in front of everyone, like some wayward child. And the way he’d talked about Katrin, not to mention Aleta?—
He’s worried, is all.
I snorted. Maybe he was, but that didn’t give him the right to treat my oldest friend as a threat—and to flat-out dismiss me when I tried to explain why Katrin could be trusted. I’d thought that the trust we’d built between us went both ways, but one challenge to his authority, and he was back to square one.
I pressed my lips together as I admitted to myself that I wasn’t without fault either. I’d misread his posturing, jumped to conclusions. Assumed he had mistaken sex for the right to exert control over me. It had happened plenty of times before…but I should have realized Lee wouldn’t act like that. He’d consistently treated me with respect, even when he’d let his heathen side show through. If I was honest, I’d reacted in fear—fear he knew me too well. He’d seen me in a way no one else ever had, uncovered sides no one knew even existed inside me.
The steps hit the blacktop, cutting through my self-flagellation. I’d have to find a way to apologize later.
Craning my neck, I anxiously peered over Andrew’s shoulders to catch a glimpse of Katrin. Due to my hectic schedule, I hadn’t seen my best friend in a year. Frequent phone calls just weren’t the same. I couldn’t wait to catch up in person.
I spied a long black limousine parked beyond the jet, three men in black suits standing alongside. A soft chuckle escaped my lips. Of course Katrin’s security would be dressed to the nines. My friend always surrounded herself with luxury…while my team had on T-shirts and jeans.
Wonder what Katrin’s going to say about that?
Andrew and Mike split off to ensure the area was secure, and two of Katrin’s men fell in step with them. Lee waited at the bottom of the steps, his sunglasses firmly in place and a stony expression on his face. A hot breeze riffled through his reddish-brown hair.
I clomped down the staircase, then clicked smartly across the tarmac. Lee fell in behind me, matching my pace. I caught whiffs of my soap wafting off him on the breeze, and I wanted to say something to fix the heavy tension between us. I missed our formerly playful vibe more than I should.
The chauffeur opened the back door and handed Katrin out. Long blond hair fell in waves around her face, and her flirty sundress fit her trim frame like a glove. Stilettos I instantly coveted clicked on the pavement as Katrin swept forward to meet me.
“Darling!” Katrin cried, grabbing my shoulders and brushing a kiss to each cheek. “It’s been too long. You look gorgeous.”
The third security guard shook Lee’s hand and led him a short distance away, presumably so we could talk in private. I didn’t miss the stiffness in Lee’s shoulders or the way he frowned as he kept checking on me. Like Katrin was going to kidnap me. As if my friend would do that. As if she even could.
“Are you still on your way to meet your father in New York City?” Katrin asked, pulling my focus where it should be.
“Yes,” I sighed, nodding. “And I can’t wait to get back into the negotiations.”
“My father wanted to be there, but something came up. Pass on his regrets, won’t you?” Katrin’s blue eyes narrowed. “What’s this I hear about someone trying to snatch you? Is that why you’ve stopped here instead of flying direct?”
I frowned, my eyes catching on Lee. He’d taken his sunglasses off and was making slashing motions at Katrin’s bodyguard. That didn’t look good—a heated debate?
“Viktoria?” Katrin’s hand on my forearm made me jump.
“What? Oh, it’s nothing. It’s under control.” I waved away my friend’s concern, not wanting to worry her. “My security has me well covered.”
“Well covered, huh?” Katrin arched one graceful brow as she peeked at Lee. “I wouldn’t mind being well covered by that.” Her chuckle was quiet, but Lee still glanced up.
Heat crept up my chest at my friend’s crude but accurate implication.
“Oh my.” Katrin fanned her face. “Look at those eyes. Like a jungle cat.” She winked at me. “I’ll bet he’s wild between the sheets, or against the wall, or over the couch. Am I right?”
The heat spread to my cheeks.
“I knew it.” Katrin’s smile turned vixenish. “Lucky woman. I don’t blame you for sampling his wares.” She licked her lips, then apparently lost interest, turning her attention back my way. “So, if you’re not too busy slumming it, I have a?—”
“I am not slumming it,” I snapped, offended to my core. “He’s very smart and treats me with respect?—”
“I’m sorry,” said Katrin, seeming genuinely abashed. “I just assumed—I can’t remember the last time you got serious with anyone.” She favored Lee with a longer look, cool and appraising. “I’ll have to vet him, of course. Make sure he’s good enough, and I don’t just mean to take home to Jon Aronsson.” Katrin took my hands, her expression turning warm. “Does he treat you well? Are you sure he’s the one?”
I said nothing, still hung up on the part about taking him home to Jon Aronsson. I tried to imagine that, Lee meeting Father. Lee, gruff and scruffy, with his rough way of talking. Did he even know which fork went with each course?
Does it even matter?
To Father, it would. He wouldn’t be pleased with Lee. Not at all. What was I doing? Lee might’ve burrowed his way into my heart, but he’d never have Father’s approval. Father had married Mother to join their family businesses together, and for as long as I could remember, it had been assumed I’d do the same. Lee didn’t fit that mold. He’d bring nothing to the company or to my family.
He’d bring happiness, I thought. How does that factor into the equation?
Katrin was watching me, waiting for my answer. Lee did treat me well, but was I sure he was the one?
“I don’t know,” I said. “Too soon to say.”
“Well, don’t take too long to decide. Men like that lose patience when you string them along.” Katrin squeezed my hands, then let them go. “In the meantime, enjoy him. He might be the jungle cat, but I’ll bet he makes you purr.” Katrin winked, and I couldn’t help laughing. It had been too long since I’d seen my friend. Speaking of which?—
“What have you been up to?” I took the opportunity to change the subject. I couldn’t think any more about Lee being the one, or the prospect of walking away from him in New York City. “Oh, and what are you doing here in rural Ohio? It’s a far cry from Milan or Paris.”
While no cornfields or farms surrounded the airport this time, the squat, weathered buildings didn’t exactly scream wealth.
“Your father didn’t tell you?” Katrin’s blue eyes danced with excitement. “I’m here on business, turning my passion into profit.” She clasped her hands together and held them to her chin. “We’re expanding into fast fashion,” she said. “I’m poaching a designer from some local store. She’s going to be big—or at least, big money. Cheap clothes, and trendy, to pull in Gen Z.”
I blinked, too many reactions hitting me at once—surprise, envy, a hint of disgust. I hated fast fashion, and Katrin did, too, but apparently, she loved profit more.
“I can see those wheels turning.” Katrin’s lips tightened. “I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not talking sweatshops. This is ethical fast fashion, a whole new wave.”
I knew corporate doublespeak when I heard it, but I conjured a smile, embarrassed my thoughts had been so easy to read. “I wasn’t thinking that,” I lied.
“You were,” Katrin said. “But I don’t blame you. I thought the same at first, but we’re not just creating tomorrow’s landfills. I’m talking about clean, biodegradable, simple designs. Functional clothing for busy people.”
I found myself nodding along. Somewhere between college and where she stood now, Katrin had developed the air of easy authority I aspired to. A powerful gravity that drew you into her orbit. I was happy for her…and so, so jealous. I cleared my throat.
“And a designer brought you to Ohio?”
Katrin’s eyes sparkled anew. “More than just that. I’ve set up a show in Columbus for a few of my investors. And I want you to attend as my guest.”
“What?” I blinked, once again caught off guard. “I don’t think so,” I said. “With the security threat?—”
“Wait! I hadn’t even gotten to the best part.”
“The best part?” I felt dazed. My eyes drifted to Lee, and I caught him staring, ignoring the other security guard to fixate on me.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Katrin continued, her enthusiasm contagious. “If I believed in fate, I’d say this was it. Because you’re not going to believe this, but Marks will be there.”
My mouth went dry. Marks? In Columbus? Marks of the Marks account, my biggest failure? If I could snag him, get him back on board?—
“No. No, I can’t,” I said, even as regret twisted my stomach. “It’s too dangerous.”
“What’s dangerous about it?” Katrin gestured around her. “You’ll have your men, and the venue will have theirs. There’ll be security everywhere. What’s going to happen?” When I still hesitated, Katrin touched my hand. “Here’s the best part—you’ll be seen, but not photographed. This is a private event, no paparazzi. You can boost your public image without really going public.”
I ducked my head. Katrin had hit a sore spot. I’d been out of the public eye far too much lately, to the point where I was in danger of becoming irrelevant. I couldn’t afford that. “No photographers? Promise?”
“Cross my heart. I get that you’re worried, but you need to network. Like you were saying this morning, remember, on the phone?”
I remembered. Katrin was right.
“And then there’s Marks. How lucky is that? Tonight could be your night. Your chance to shine. Imagine your father’s face when you show up in New York, the Marks contract in your back pocket and a smile on your face.” Katrin patted my forearm. “I know it’s last minute. If you can’t, you can’t. But what does your father say? No risk?—”
“No reward.” I looked away, mortified. Katrin hadn’t exactly called me a coward, but the implication still stung. When had I last taken a long shot? Put myself out there, like Katrin did every day? Was this why my father had left me out of the negotiations?
I couldn’t be useless. Couldn’t be scared. I’d worked far too hard to be an asset to my father. A surge of determination had my spine straightening. Another crack at Marks and the chance to network? The chance to prove myself, once and for all?
“You’re right,” I said, a new fire simmering in my blood. “Let me check with Lee first?—”
“Check with him? Like, ask permission?” Katrin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, you really have changed.”
I suppressed a flinch. “No, I haven’t. I just need to check with him, as in make sure he’s ready to go.”
“That’s a relief,” said Katrin. “You can’t let a man tell you what to do. Well, you know that. He works for you .” Katrin’s eyes flashed, then she smiled, sheepish. “Sorry. I’ve just watched too many smart women let a man walk all over them. Control isn’t love. You know that, right?”
“Lee isn’t like that.” I frowned. Everything Katrin was saying rubbed me wrong. Lee wasn’t controlling. He didn’t walk all over me. He just had his own ideas, which sometimes clashed with mine. But every time he took a stand, it was because he was so committed to keeping me safe. That was a good thing, not a warning sign. But it had been a long day, and I lacked the energy to argue with Katrin about it.
“You should hurry,” said Katrin. “Get him up to speed.”
I nodded. “I’ll be right back.” I started toward Lee, strong and determined. I should consult with him, I knew, before making any decisions. But Katrin was right—tonight could be big for me. Passing up this chance meant risking everything I’d worked so hard to build. I’d take precautions, I’d play it smart—but I was going to the fashion show whether he liked it or not. His job was to keep me safe, and I trusted him to do it. If that wasn’t enough for him…well, that was his problem.
“It’ll be fun,” called Katrin, as she strode away. “A night to remember.”
I didn’t care about fun. I planned to work this event with everything I had, and fly to New York with Marks in my pocket.