Chapter 20 | Katia
Katia
Ispent the rest of the week healing and working remotely on Michael’s books.
For so long, my life had consisted of going to the Gilded Cage and working in the office there, but surprisingly, I didn’t miss it.
Of course, I loved seeing the patrons and my friends who worked there, but I was surprised at how natural it felt to be in Leo’s home, away from the business of the city.
My face was starting to look normal, and my eye had finally opened, allowing me to tease Leo that he no longer had to make love to someone who was half-blind. He would just smile and assure me that I was beautiful no matter what.
And speaking of sex...my god, had I been right about his intensity.
Never had I made love to someone who devoured me body and soul as if I were the last woman they would ever touch.
It unlocked barriers I hadn’t even known existed, and I was sure that, for the first time in my life, I was falling in love.
I certainly hadn’t counted on it, but it was a pleasant surprise for a woman who hadn’t really craved intimacy or a relationship. Now, after several nights wrapped around Leo’s strong body, I couldn’t imagine sleeping alone again. I was changing, and although it was terrifying, it was also freeing.
Leo and Michael kept me updated on the deal they’d made with Sergey. He had accepted it, but they’d also agreed to roll it out slowly. They needed to ensure that Marco agreed to leave the area, and that Oskar could accept Michael as his boss.
And sadly, we still had no leads on Dmitry. Sergey wanted him as his soldier who worked with Alexis to install the new financial infrastructure, and until Leo and Michael located him, the plan was stalled.
Leo returned to work, but his focus was scattered, and he would report to me at night that Daniel was noticing.
Worried for him, I wondered if he was going to get fired.
Being an FBI agent was such a part of his identity, and I didn’t want him to lose that because of me and his involvement in Michael’s world.
One evening, three weeks after my rescue, Leo returned home, his expression tired and weary. I drew him into my arms, holding him tight as I longed to take care of him for a while.
“Want to go on a walk?” he asked, drawing back and smoothing his hand over my hair. “I could use the fresh air.”
“Sure. Let me just put on my sneakers.”
We headed outside into the dusk, which was my favorite time of day. I loved the scent in the air as the sun set and signaled it was time for rest and renewal. Placing my hand in Leo’s, I clutched tightly as we circled the block.
My gaze landed on an old Honda Civic and I gasped. “That’s it,” I whispered excitedly. “That’s Dmitry’s car!”
Leo’s eyes narrowed as he studied it. “Let’s approach slowly. We don’t want to startle him.”
We walked toward the car, and Dmitry rolled down the window. His eyes darted between us before they landed on mine.
“Privet, Katia.”
“Hello, Dima. You’re not safe out here. Will you drive into Leo’s driveway? The fence will hide your car and you can come into the house and talk to us.”
He swallowed thickly and lowered his gaze.
“Please, Dima. We want to talk to you.”
Nodding, he started the engine and drove to Leo’s gate. Leo entered the code, opening it and ushering Dmitry in. Once we were safe, we led him inside.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, gesturing to the kitchen table. “Sit and let me cook you some pasta.”
“I could eat,” he mumbled.
He sat at the table, across from Leo as the silence grew thick.
Thankfully, we had some leftover pasta from last night and I quickly heated it in the microwave.
Dmitry took the warm bowl and devoured it while finishing the glass of water I’d given him.
I walked to the sink and refilled it before sitting down.
“That was good,” he said, wiping his mouth with the paper napkin I’d given him. “Thanks.”
“How long has it been since you’ve had a hot meal?” Leo asked.
“Don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve been living in my car. I found it in a junkyard and figured out how to hotwire it.”
My heart broke for him as I reached over and encircled his wrist. “Are you living in your car because you helped me?”
Nodding, he gazed at the table. “Oskar was really pissed, and I realized I couldn’t stay at my apartment anymore.”
I looked at Leo as tears welled in my eyes.
“We’re grateful that you helped Katia, Dima,” he said, his voice solemn. “We’re happy to help you in any way we can.”
“Oskar snuck me into America, and I don’t have a green card. I don’t want to go back to Russia. I hate it there and my parents are dead.”
“Would you want to live here, with us?” I asked, glancing at Leo and noticing his eyes grow wide with surprise. “There’s an extra bedroom, but I’m not staying in it because I prefer sleeping with Leo.” Leaning forward, I grinned. “I kind of like him. A lot.”
Dmitry’s lips twitched. “He’s okay, I guess.”
Leo scoffed.
“I mean, I guess I could stay here, but Oskar is looking for me. It’s going to put you in danger again.”
“You let us worry about that,” I said, patting his wrist. “Leo is an excellent protector, and I feel extremely safe here. You will too.”
“Do you have 5G Wi-Fi? Alexis messaged me that she has some stuff she wants to work on with me, and I’d like to see what she’s talking about.”
“I have 5G, and yes, we’d love for you to connect with Alexis,” Leo said. “We’ve been making some big plans in the background, and you’re an integral part of them, Dima. We think you’re really talented, and want your powers to be used for good, like Obi-Wan.”
“That’s a reference from a really old movie called Star Wars,” I teased.
“I know Star Wars. Obi-Wan is the man.”
“Ah ha!” Leo said, lifting a finger. “See? I know what the kids are into. Still got it.” He huffed on his fingernails and rubbed them on his shirt.
“Is there any more pasta?” Dmitry asked. “I mean, if you have any left to spare. I’m starving.”
“Absolutely.” Rising, I heated him another dish and set it in front of him. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to speak to Leo privately while you eat. If you need more pasta, just grab it from the fridge.”
“Thank you,” he mumbled, his mouth full as he chewed.
I took Leo’s hand and led him into the den. Closing the door, I turned and faced him. Forming a sheepish grin, I placed my hands on his chest. “Please don’t be mad.”
“For asking the kid who tried to put you in prison—and who’s on the run from the bratva—to move into our house? Why would I be mad?”
Laughing, I curled my fingers into his chest. “I can tell you’re teasing me. Good job.” I winked.
“Or, maybe I should be mad that you asked him to move in before I officially asked you?” His hands rested on my cheeks as he reverently gazed at me. “I was going to, you know. I don’t ever want you to leave. I want you and Sonya to stay here...forever if you’ll consider it.”
Inhaling a shaky breath, I struggled to hold back tears. “That’s a big step,” I whispered.
“Yeah.” His thumb traced my lips. “But we’ve been around the block enough to know what we want. And I told you that I suck at casual.”
“I think Sonya and I have already moved in, but yes, we can certainly make it official.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, as if he’d been afraid I’d say no.
“And Dmitry?” I asked.
Leo’s eyes swam with deep compassion and understanding. “He’s the same age Elena was when she passed, isn’t he?”
I nodded, feeling my nostrils flare as the tears thickened.
“You see a part of her in him,” he said, reading me so well; maybe even better than I understood myself. “You couldn’t save her, and you won’t let him meet that same fate.”
Swiping a tear away, I exhaled a ragged breath. “I have another chance, and I won’t fail this time, Leo. I won’t let it happen.”
“Okay,” he said, wrapping me in his arms as I buried my face in his neck. Letting the sticky emotion free, I cried against his warm skin as he soothed me.
“Of course, he can stay with us,” he said against my ear. “I’m sure you’ve realized by now that I don’t have the ability to say no to you.”
Laughing, I drew back. “And you have a soft spot for him too. Admit it.”
His smile was so handsome as he stroked my hair. “Yeah, he’s a great kid. Maybe we can look into petitioning the court to be his legal guardians if that will help him get his green card faster.”
My eyebrows lifted. “We’d have to be married to stand a chance at that. Courts prefer permanence, financial stability and a family unit. I have several friends who’ve battled with immigration court, and I understand the process all too well.”
Those blue eyes stared into my soul as his smile deepened. “Getting married isn’t a problem for me...if it’s not for you.”
My tongue darted out to bathe my suddenly parched lips. Were we actually talking about marriage? I was pretty sure I loved Leo, but that was a huge step for someone like me who’d been independent for so long.
“Deep breaths, sweetheart,” he said softly. “We have time. I know this is a lot.”
“I just...” I shook my head. “Marriage is a whole other level. Would you want kids? Can I still have them? I’m forty, for christ’s sake...”
“Okay, let’s table this before you freak all the way out.” His hand held my chin as he placed a sweet kiss on my lips. “First things first. Let’s get Dmitry settled in for tonight. After that, we’ll take it day by day.”
I gazed into his eyes, taken by his strength and calm-headed nature. Was he in love with me? Shouldn’t that be something we said before we discussed marriage?
“Katia,” he said, his voice mesmerizing as it surrounded me. “I’ve loved you for years. It’s not even a question.” Drawing back, he held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s get Dima situated.”
Stunned, I stood frozen as he shook his hand, urging me to take it.
Unable to speak, I placed my hand in his and followed him to the kitchen.