Page 11 of Kaid's Empire

“Hhm,” he states, raising his eyebrows. “I'm sure. Now, when are we eating? I'm getting hungry,” he asks.

“My love, always thinking with your stomach. Soon, my love, have a drink first,” Allegra states, handing him a glass of a champagne.

“You're not alone, my friend, I am starving,” a deep voice states from behind Allegra and Aleck. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I watch Allegra and Aleck turn, smiling at the man approaching. He isn’t looking at them, he is looking directly at me. Him. The guy from the elevator.

“Oh, Kaid, stop it. You're just as bad as Aleck.” Allegra laughs. “Here, meet my good friend, Theia.” She gestures, holding out her arm, introducing me. He moves toward me, leaning in and slowly placing a kiss on each cheek. I suck in a shuddering breath.

“I'm honoured to meet you, Theia,” he states, my name coming from his mouth sending chills down my spine.

I swallow. “Um, lovely to meet you,” I manage to say softly.

“Oh, Theia, don’t be fooled by his looks and charm,” Allegra jokes. I let out a little fake laugh, grab another champagne off a passing tray and practically knock it back. “Oh, easy, honey, we have all night,” she adds. Widening my eyes, moving them back and forth, I’m trying to tell Allegra with my eyes that its him. “You okay, sweetie?” she asks. I roll my eyes and sigh.

“Madam, dinner is served,” a crew member states.

“Thank you, Simon, please everyone, let’s eat,” Allegra announces.

I smile. “Allegra, where is the bathroom?” I ask.

“Oh, take a left and it’s the fifth door on the right,” she instructs.

I nod and walk briskly to the bathroom. Once in there, I pace back and forth. “It’s okay, Theia, he is just a guy. A dangerous, ridiculously handsome guy, but just a guy. You’ve got this, you're just being silly. Get yourself together.”

Seven

Theia

After giving myself a stern talking to, I leave the bathroom, walking back down the way I came, trying to listen out for voices as I make my way to the dining room. I turn a corner and hit face first into a hard chest. “Opfhh,” I wheeze. Hands come out to steady me. “I am sorry, I was looking for the––” Words die in my throat as I look up and realise it’s him. “Kaid,” I breathe. His jaw ticks as his name falls from my lips. He steps back, letting go of me, and my skins feels like it’s been burned from his touch.

“Come, Allegra sent me to find you,” he states.

I nod and swallow. “You're Russian,” I state, now recognising his accent is the same as Alecks.

“I am half Russian, half Italian,” he answers.

“Oh,” is all I can answer.

He places his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the dining room, and again my body reacts to such a simple touch. “Born and raised in Russia, my mother is Italian,” he adds.

He doesn’t say another word and I don’t ask him anything else, I'm just desperate to get to the dining room and surround myself with other people.

As we enter the dining room, again it’s lavish and extravagant with a huge dining table that must seat twenty people. “Oh! There you are! Well done for finding her, Kaid, come sit down,” Allegra greets from her place at the table.

“Um, where should I sit?” I ask, feeling a little flustered, Kaid’s hand still placed at the base of my spine.

“Here,” he orders, low in his throat. His hand moves slowly up the length of my spine to the back of my neck as he guides me to my seat. I sit down, my body feeling as if it’s on fire from his touch. “Simon, do get Theia a glass of white wine,” Allegra orders. “Is white wine good for you?” she asks.

I don’t hear her; I’m frozen from his touch as he gently squeezes my neck. “Kroschka,” he whispers a warning in my ear.

“Huh?” I stutter. “Um, yes.” I smile. “White wine is perfect, thank you.” He strokes his thumb soothingly on my neck before taking the seat next to me. I clear my throat and place my napkin in my lap. Simon––the crew member––pours my wine and I snatch it, quickly glugging it back. “Jesus,” I wheeze.

“Slow down,” he orders quietly.

I snap my gaze to his. “Simon, another, please,” I call, holding out my glass while looking at Kaid. He fills it and I take a large sip. I lean forward slightly. “I don’t know who you think you are, but don’t ever tell me what to do,” I whisper bravely, while inside my stomach does summersaults with nerves. I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face, but I keep my focus straight ahead and ignore him.

Soon the food comes out and it’s another welcome distraction. Thankfully, Ben who I was talking to earlier is sat opposite me. He is so charming, and conversation with him is easy.

“I will have to take you out and show you. Are you still here next week?” Ben asks.

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