Chapter 38 Katya
Classical music drifts through the massive dining hall as men converse and women down enough alcohol to numb what they will be forced to endure tonight. If I had the time, I’d slaughter every man who even touches one of these women tonight.
Seeing Ilya has thrown me for a fucking loop, and the whiplash has me contemplating returning to my mission.
When his icy blues met mine, all I wanted to do was run to him, feel his embrace again.
A fucked-up case of Stockholm Syndrome, I’m sure, but it doesn’t negate the fact I love the bastard and I’ve missed my brother.
My mind tells me to complete my mission and take the twins out because it’s what I’ve been trained to do, to be loyal to the family, to protect Ilya. I know one day the men I’ve grown soft for will come for him.
My heart tells me silly things like they are good men, if not a bit misaligned in their actions, whose morals remain similar to my own.
My gaze filters through the crowd instinctively, listening as I was trained to do. Every few seconds Ilya and I’s stare collide. If he isn’t more careful, Enzo or Rafael will catch on and either my cover will be blown, or they will think he’s into me and both of those assumptions would be bad.
Enzo’s off doing God knows what and Rafael’s back is to my own as he speaks to a handful of older gentlemen. He lingers close enough to touch me, always ensuring I’m within reach.
A sip of the sparkling champagne slides down my throat, the crisp liquid bubbling as it travels across my tongue. I finish the glass and swap it with a full one as a waiter walks by and as I do, I notice Ilya speaking to a red-haired goddess.
Nova’s bright smile could pass off as great acting but the sunshine shooting out around her isn’t something one can typically fake. Her irises shimmer like wet emeralds when she gazes up at my brother and for my own sanity, I’m going to blame it on the alcohol.
He sips his own champagne as he shamelessly flirts and I move before I think, Rafael snatches my elbow as soon as he feels my absence. “Where are you going?”
I nod, motioning to Nova and Ilya and a muscle flutters along his perfectly sharp jaw. “I see.”
I pull away from him and surprisingly, he doesn’t follow. When I quirk my brow in question, he answers easily, “I trust Nova and I have a particularly important conversation to finish. Do not leave her side.”
Ilya spots me approaching and his spine straightens slightly. “Ah, Doctor Sinclair. I was meaning to have a conversation with you this evening, but this lovely lady has been distracting me for some time.”
“Lucy! How is your night going? This champagne is amazing!” Nova beams, eyes glassy like many of the other women’s. I wouldn’t judge or blame her; I’d need more than alcohol to get through the night she has ahead of her. I wish I could change her mind and get her to leave.
“Yes, it’s quite refreshing. I see you’ve met Ilya. Is he treating you well?”
“Oh, he’s a doll. Such a gentleman.” She immediately softens toward him, her hand resting on his bicep. What in the hell is going on here? Either Nova’s an amazing actress or she’s actually into my brother.
“I need to use the ladies’ room. Lucy, would you mind accompanying me?”
I nod and link arms with Nova as we leave the ballroom. Rafael catches my eye, and I mouth “bathroom” at him. He nods, accepting the departure.
“Has Ilya purchased your time tonight?” The blunt question doesn’t take her off guard, which I’m thankful for because I didn’t mean it in a bad way.
“He has. Which honestly, I’m so fucking thankful for. He’s so hot and he’s been so kind. I don’t get those creepy vibes you know?” She stumbles and I let her lean on me while she fixes the skirt of her dress. “Well, I guess you don’t know, since you’re not a whore like me but…”
Oh man, drunk Nova has no filter.
“That’s a good thing by the way,” she slurs as we make it to the bathroom. I let her inside and she tries to pull me in by my wrist. “Rafael and Enzo told me I can’t leave you alone. Come with me.”
“Nova, I’ll be right outside the door.”
She gives her best pout and I shake my head, closing the door for her. As soon as it clicks shut, Ilya strolls out from around the corner. “Sestra, you have been naughty.”
I’ve already taken note of the hallways and their occupants, which are none, so I have no issue with Ilya speaking to me here. As long as he keeps his voice down. Nova has the faucet running, and my guess is she’s a nervous pee-er, and she’s too inebriated to remember anything she might overhear.
“I’ve not.” My arms cross and my hip cocks, my sass finally getting a chance to shine.
“They can’t take their eyes off you and you have grown soft for them…
and her.” His gaze lifts from mine to the door behind me and I instinctively move in front of it.
I’m not even sure why I do. Ilya would never do anything to Nova without her consent.
Technically she’s drunk, therefore unable to make logical decisions.
But she said Ilya bought her for the evening so what’s his game?
“I’m not soft. I’m acting, Ilya. Just as you are. Don’t tell me you actually care for her.”
“I’ve been a bit lonely lately; she’s all bubbly and sweet. I want to get to know her. Is that a crime?”
“You bought a prostitute. Yes. It’s a crime,” I correct, crossing my arms.
“So is murder.” He smirks and steps into me, stroking my cheek. I immediately lean into the familiar warmth. The only warmth I grew up knowing. “You have a mission to complete. Come home to me, Katya.”
“Rafael and Enzo are not the monsters Father said they were. They have the same goals as you and I. How can I justify killing them, Ilya?” I plead with him. But I don’t know what he’ll be able to do. This contract came from Alexey himself. Ilya is powerless.
“You choose. They may not be as evil as their father, but are they worth losing your life? You know the consequences of failing your assignment, Sestra. And…I can’t allow that. I need you. It’s you and me, remember?”
My gaze meets the floor. “I don’t think I can do it, Ilya.”
His finger comes up, cradling my chin as he lifts my face. Years of love and adoration glimmer in his icy blues. “You know you can never be theirs. Rafael is engaged; Enzo will always choose his brother. They are not yours, even if they wanted to be.”
Wait? Did he say Rafael was engaged? I blink rapidly, trying to comprehend this odd, breathtaking pain in my chest.
“You didn’t know?” he continues. “Our inside man made us aware of a deal Rafael made. He’s to marry a woman, against her will, force her to have his heir and then she will become an Angel. She’s only eighteen, Katya.”
I take a step back, needing distance from these lies. “No, that can’t be right.”
“Maybe he isn’t the man you thought he was. You say they have the same goals as you and me, but maybe they are willing to sacrifice innocents to obtain those goals. What are you willing to sacrifice?”
A loud thud against the bathroom door has Ilya taking a step back, creating even more distance.
A moment later, the doors swing open and Nova steps out, her face lighting up when she sees my brother. “Mr. Rom-am… Ronam… Romanva…”
“Romanova,” I correct her stumbling pronunciation.
Her fingers snap and point at me in a finger gun. “That’s what I said”
“Shall we?” Ilya steps to her side and she clings to his arm as he leads her away, toward the ballroom, but before he exits my line of sight, he peers over his shoulder. “Fatal’no moy, bezvozvratno lyubimyy.”
Fatally mine, irrevocably loved.
“There you are,” Enzo says, fleeing from the ballroom like a bat out of hell. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Obviously not everywhere.” I feign a smile, not knowing who to trust or what to believe.
“Good thing you're fucking adorable because you don’t listen for shit.” His arm hangs over my shoulder as he pulls me close. “How ‘bout we ditch this party and I take you to my bed?”
I elbow him in his ribs, and he grunts. “I’m still mad at you.”
“I know, I fucked up. My mouth gets the best of me at times.” His thumb reaches up, pulling down my bottom lip. “I’m sorry.”
With a simple apology, I’m melting once again.
But I steel my heart and remember Ilya’s words.
Rafael is engaged to a woman. He’s forcing her to have a child.
I don’t want to believe it but…my mind formulates all the ways it makes sense.
Putting pieces together about things he’s told me.
How he told me not to have expectations of him he cannot meet.
Maybe Ilya is right. I’ve softened to them, forgetting who they are and who I am to them, but I have one more night with my devils. And I plan to make the most of it.
“You can apologize with a dance.”
Enzo leads me back into the grand ballroom, whispering dirty things in my ear, making me blush and giggle like a schoolgirl, but under the thin facade of happiness lies the truth.
As he twirls me around, my body and mind feel weightless. I’m malleable in his arms, the creator and executioner of my downfall.
I can’t help but feel the heaviness in his stare, the finality. I am his.
“I didn’t take you for such a good dancer,” I say, trying to distract myself from reality.
“Don’t underestimate me, baby. I’m full of surprises,” he whispers in my ear and goosebumps scatter down my spine. He places soft kisses against the skin below my ear and my head tilts, opening for him.
“Enzo,” I moan as he bites into my skin, “y svodish’ menya s uma.
No ty takzhe osvobodila menya iz etoy zhestokoy kletki, v kotoroy ya byla zaperta, i ya dumayu, chto eto samoye blizkoye k lyubvi chuvstvo, kotoroye ya kogda-libo ispytayu.
Spasibo tebe za kazhdyy potseluy, za kazhdoye prikosnoveniye.
Do tebya ya ne do kontsa ponimala, kto ya takaya. Vybrav tebya, ya vybrala samu sebya.”
I confess, knowing he won’t understand but still needing to say it. Enzo was right about Katya Romanova—she is a coward.
Enzo’s breath stalls as he stares down at me, the music playing around us in a blur. Time stretches on as I wait for his response.
Finally, he breaks the silence with a low, rumbled response. “What did you say?”
“Am I interrupting?”
Enzo spins around, glaring at Ilya, two seconds away from ripping out his vocal cords. “You sure the fuck are,” he growls, shoving me behind him.
“I apologize. May I have a dance with the lady in white?”
“Fuck off.” Enzo turns, using his body to push mine back. But Ilya darts forward, capturing my wrist and pulling me between them.
In a flash, Enzo clutches Ilya by his pressed collar and slams his forehead into my brother’s face. “I told you if you touched her, I’d break your fucking nose. Do you think I’m a liar?”
My brother laughs as blood pours from his nose, staining his white shirt. But he doesn’t scream. He doesn’t cry. Like we were trained. He merely smirks and wipes the blood off his lips with the back of his hand. “Not a liar, but you just might be fucking blind.”
“She’s off fucking limits, Romanova.” Enzo lifts his fist, two seconds from smashing Ilya’s face, but I can’t allow him to be hurt. He’s my brother, mine to protect.
I capture Enzo's wrist. “Enzo Baby, please. Don’t.”
When he peers at me, a raging inferno blazes behind his irises. “Fuck!” he screams, dropping Ilya. I’m seconds from pulling Enzo away when a glint of black metal behind my brother catches my eye.
Acting on instinct, I lunge for Ilya, twisting us so my back faces the nozzle of the gun as a searing pain hits my arm, fire flooding the entire limb.