Chapter 25
Katerina
“Katya, what the hell is going on?” Nik whisper-yells at me in the backseat of the SUV. I knew he’d have questions after Dominic’s strange behavior.
“What do you think is going on? I got married. Things change.” I keep it vague, not because I’m hiding something from my best friend, but because I don’t know what the hell is going on!
“I need details!” Nik’s demands shouldn’t catch me by surprise. He’s always been nosy.
“We live together. That’s it.”
“That’s not it. Girl, the way he was acting… That man’s obsessed with you. He almost attacked me for hugging you!” His smile drops, and he crinkles his nose in disgust. “As if I’d ever think of you like that. You’re like my little sister.”
“No, he didn’t, and he certainly isn’t obsessed with me. But even if he were, a little jealousy is good for a man.” I think I’m trying to convince myself too. He couldn’t possibly be interested in me.
Nik just rolls his eyes.
“He isn’t!” I’m more forceful this time, but it doesn’t seem to be convincing anyone.
“And what makes you so sure?” His eyebrows raise as if he’s certain he’s gotten me this time.
“Maybe because I stabbed him yesterday. Only a crazy man would be obsessed with the woman that stabbed them!” The memory of the fucking plastic knife mocking me at breakfast has me rolling my eyes. I saw his expression. He thought he was so clever with that move.
“You did what?” Nik practically shouts at me. I elbow him to keep his voice down.
“He was being a dick at dinner, so I stabbed him in the thigh with my steak knife. Sue me!” Looking back with a clear head has me feeling less hesitant about my actions and, instead, proud of them.
“Are you fucking insane? How are you still alive?” Nik’s still speaking too loudly, so I pinch his ear. “FUCK!” He flicks my hand off him and pinches my arm.
“He honestly didn’t seem too pissed. He didn’t even bring it up today.” He’s better than me because if my husband stabbed me at dinner, I’d slice off his dick while he slept. I’d slay that monster without hesitation.
“Exactly my point! He likes you.” Nik’s wide eyes and urgent tone beg me to agree. But I don’t. I can’t.
“This isn’t third grade. He’s grown man.
He doesn’t have a crush on me. He probably just doesn’t believe in hitting women.
” I can’t help the grin at that sentence.
Dominic may fight with me, but I truly believe he’d never be violent towards me.
Crazy how I trust my husband of two days more than my father of twenty-three years.
“So… he’s not like Viktor,” Nik states the obvious.
“No. Not at all.” My heart clenches at the words.
“So, where does that leave us?” Nik’s tone shifts to serious.
“Huh?”
“With Viktor. He wants us to spy on the Syndicate and help bring them down. What’s our plan now?
” Even though we’re whispering, Nik switches to Russian.
We know better than to be having this conversation in a language they can understand.
The guards may act like they’re not listening, but I don’t believe it for a second.
I stay silent. I honestly hadn’t thought of Viktor or the Bratva and my mission since coming here.
“Katya, if you like it here, then maybe we don’t help Viktor.” Nik’s suggestion is uncomprehensible. I’ve never agreed with Viktor’s beliefs or methods, but I’ve always done what he’s demanded of me.
“What do you mean?” I whisper back in my native tongue.
“Dominic won’t let anything happen to you. He’ll protect you from Viktor. If you want to ignore Viktor, you could live a happy and free life here with your husband.”
I mull it over in silence. Could it be possible? Could it be this simple? Could I actually be free from Viktor and live freely with Dominic?
“Just think about it. It wouldn’t be a bad life with Dom Montclair.”
His words echo in my mind for a while. He’s right. There are far worse fates than being Dominic Montclair’s wife.
After a few minutes of silence, I change the topic.
“Where are we going?” I had let Nik tell the drivers where to go since I don’t go out much, and I’ve never shopped for my own clothes. “I want a whole new wardrobe.”
“We’re hitting up some boutiques, designer shops, and everything in between. We’re getting a new wardrobe. Everything from day clothes, cocktail attire, jewelry, pajamas, lingerie…” He winks with the last one.
But I’m not listening. Because there’s something I want even more than that.
“Workout clothes. I want workout clothes,” I tell him determinedly.
“Uh, sure. If that’s what you want, we’ll add it to the list.” Nik doesn’t understand, but that’s fine.
“Train me.” I don’t ask, I demand. The new Katerina Montclair doesn’t ask for permission, she demands obedience.
“Train you to do what?” Nik pulls out his phone and starts scrolling through something.
“To fight. Defend myself. Shoot a gun.” He pauses his scrolling to look up and make a doubtful face. “I’m serious. I’m sick of having to rely on men for protection or being at their mercy. I need to be strong enough to command respect.”
“We can ask your husband,” Nik concedes after studying my face. I know my tone and expression convey how important this is to me.
“No. He said he doesn’t care what I do. And there’s a gym and range on the property. Let’s start tomorrow!” The more I speak, the more excited I get.
“Huh. I’ll think about it.” I know Nik. I know what that means.
“Thank you!” I jump up in my seat and press a kiss to his cheek.
…
Hours later, we return home with the trunk full of bags and several more ordered to be delivered.
I climb out of the back seat and walk to the trunk, but the driver waves me off. I start up the stairs, but before I can reach the front door, it opens.
“Hey, Harold,” I say as I push a strand of my now short hair out of my eyes.
We stopped by a salon, and I got a big chop. Viktor always wanted my hair to be long and feminine. Since this is my chance at freedom, I decided my closet makeover could include a me makeover.
I bought new makeup in darker colors. I contemplated darkening my hair, but I have Мама’s hair, and it makes me feel connected to her. So, I chopped it into a bob that ends at my chin.
I fucking love it.
I feel like a new woman. A badass woman. But I haven’t gotten used to it falling into my eyes yet.
“Not Harold,” a deep voice purrs.
I pause halfway through the doorway and turn to face my husband.
But instead of meeting my gaze, his eyes roam over me. I hold my breath.
Viktor would have a heart attack if he saw me now. Not only is my hair short and my lips a deep burgundy, but I’m wearing black leggings and a matching black athletic jacket. I’ve fallen in love with the dark color. And I love pants so much that I’m not sure I’ll ever wear a dress again.
Dominic’s throat bobs as he swallows harshly. His eyes widen the further they roam, and by the time they’re back to mine, his cheeks are tinted pink.
“Katerina,” his voice comes out hoarse. He clears his throat then shakes his head. “You look different.”
I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or not. Instead of letting myself go crazy wondering the meaning, I hold up a hand to pause us.
“Good or bad different?” I demand answers. My makeover gives me even more confidence.
“You finally look as fiery and sexy on the outside as you are on the inside. You’re not a porcelain doll anymore.” He grins as he says it, and I can see the spark in his eyes.
“I was never a porcelain doll,” I counter, because fuck it, I wasn’t.
“I’m starting to believe that,” he muses with a grin.
“So, you’ll stop calling me doll?” I’m so done with that nickname.
“Will you stop reacting when I do?” My answering scowl betrays me, and he chuckles.
I humph and walk past him through the door.
I call out behind me, “There are many more bags in the trunk. Why don’t you go give the boys a hand and deliver them to my room?”
“Not a chance, tiger. They’ll be going in our closet in our room. I made space for you today.” The challenge in his voice is evident.
I don’t turn to face him, needing to hide my smirk. I don’t mind ‘tiger.’ And I’m not foolish enough to actually believe the clothes would actually end up in the other bedroom.
“You haven’t seen how many clothes I bought. It might not all fit in your closet.” His closet is huge. They will all fit. But I wouldn’t be his tiger if I didn’t fight back.
“Oh, it’ll fit, tiger. You just have to want it enough.”
I throw my head back and laugh at his poor innuendo.
I feel free.
And happy.
It’s such a foreign feeling.
If this is the start to my new life, then I don’t ever want to go back.