Page 72 of Preferential Treatment

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“Mr. Volkov, there’s a visitor asking to see you.”

Mikhail frowned at Marx. Every once in a while, raving lunatics tried to get into the property, claiming they were invited guests. The staff knew how to handle them.

“Get rid of them,” he said impatiently.

“Ordinarily I would, but it’s Ms. Pasternak.”

Mikhail bashed his knee against his desk as he bolted upright. “Let her the fuck in!” he barked.

“She’s already waiting in the parlor.”

Mikhail bulldozed past Marx, halfway down the stairs when he called back, “Send all the staff home.”

When he reached the parlor, Kate was standing at the window, looking into the yard, her back turned to him.

“Knyazhna,” he said hoarsely.

She turned to face him, looking far more grave than he would have hoped for.

“Mikhail,” she said softly. Not Mishka.

“Tell me you’re here because you’re coming back to me,” he pleaded, closing the distance between them.

She laid a gentle hand on his chest, halting him before he could wrap his arms around her. She looked up at him, searching his face, seeking something he prayed she would find. “Do you love me?”

“Yes,” he said desperately, willing her to believe him. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know what it was.” He grabbed her hand and slid it higher on his chest, right over the part that burned when she was near, and ached hollowly when she was away. “You’re in here, knyazhna, burrowed so deep, I didn’t realize it until it was too late. Please don’t leave me again. Let me prove myself.”

He’d begged the same thing of her many times before, but he’d never meant it as much as he did now.

Kate considered him a moment longer, her hand clutched over his beating heart. Finally, with her free hand, she reached beneath the collar of her blouse. She pulled out a tarnished silver chain, and with it, a worn Marian medallion.

“I believe you,” she said with a soft smile. “I love you, too.”

Mikhail pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, crushing her body against his. He kissed the top of her head again and again, muttering frantic endearments in two languages. “You’ll believe me every day, Katya. Every day. You’ll never wonder. I’ll do anything you ask. Give you anything you want.”

“I want your heart.”

“It’s yours. It’s been yours. I didn’t know, but I do now.”

“And I want a giant engagement ring.”

He straightened, releasing her and reaching for her hand. “We’ll go now.”

“No, wait,” she laughed, tugging against his grasp. “Not yet. My friends have to meet you and get to know you before I can announce an engagement.”

“I don’t care about them,” Mikhail growled.

“But I do.”

The rancor faded. “Fine. Then I suppose I care as well.”

“Just to warn you, the billionaire thing is not going to endear you to them.”

“I gave away half of my ownership!” he objected hotly.

“You’re still the CEO. And you’re still a billionaire,” Kate pointed out.

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