Page 14 of Kaid's Empire

Theia

I run to the deck, stopping around the corner and leaning against the wall to take some deep calming breaths. I close my eyes. What were you thinking, Theia? I don’t even know what that was that just happened. That wasn’t a kiss and fumble. It was something else, something more.

“Theia?” My eyes spring open and I see a concerned looking Allegra looking at me.

I force a reassuring smile. “I'm fine, just a little seasick is all,” I lie. Her eyes dart to my neck and she reaches out and touches––I'm guessing––marks left by Kaid. “I'm fine,” I assure.

Allegra frowns, and her eyes flicker up behind me. I don’t need to look around to know that its him. Allegra’s expression becomes angry, and before I know it, she is yelling at him in Russian and he is arguing back with her. “Er, why don’t you just calm down…” I try to wade in, but it’s no use, they just continue. Thankfully, Aleck comes in.

“What the hell is going on?” he asks me. I shrug my shoulders. He looks back to them and being Russian he obviously understands what they are saying to each other. He sighs and turns to walk away.

“Wait, aren’t you going to stop them?” I ask.

“My girl, you never wade in on an argument between family. They will be fine, come have a drink with me.” He gestures. I frown, feeling like I should stay and do something, but Aleck knows them better than me, so I follow him.

He clicks his fingers to a member of staff and they come over, bringing two drinks. “Vodka,” Aleck states, sipping it like it’s a drink of coke. I sniff it and scrunch up my nose. He throws his head back and laughs. “My girl, you are English, correct?” he asks. I nod my head. “So you enjoy vodka?” he asks.

“Well, yeah, but I drank it in a cocktail or a shot when I was a student, and even then it was cheap vodka that in all honestly tasted like paint stripper.” I shudder at the memories.

He smiles. “Pick up your glass, my girl.” I pick up my glass. “Now close your eyes.” I raise my eyebrow in question. He smiles and shakes his head. “Trust me, I am Russian, I know my vodka.” I roll my eyes before closing them. “Now sip the ice-cold vodka, allow the cool liquid to soothe your throat. Now tell me you don’t like vodka.”

I do as he says, and for a moment, I think he’s right, then I swallow and the alcohol burns. I start to cough. I hear Aleck roar with laughter. Once I've got my coughing fit under control, I laugh and shake my head. “You bastard,” I choke.

He shrugs. “All you English fall for it. It’s the same for any drink, you have to be used to drinking it.”

“Well played.” I look over my shoulder to see if Allegra and Kaid have come out yet. “Do you think they're okay?”

“They will be fine, they are family. Allegra was close to his mother; she made a promise to watch over him.” He shrugs. “She likes you; she thinks you’ll be good for him.”

My head snaps around to him. “I will be good for him? I know Allegra wanted to set me up with him as a date, not to set me up to take care of him.”

He lights a cigarette. “Kaid needs a woman with understanding and strength, he needs a woman that will tend to his needs, support him when needed and follow and respect the orders he gives.”

I stand abruptly. “What the fuck? What is wrong with you people? Respect his orders? You talk like he's a fucking king or something. I'm done, tell Allegra thanks for the thought but don’t contact me again,” I seethe, keeping my voice low.

Aleck smiles. “Well, I guess my woman was right.”

I grab my purse and storm out of there. I'm thankful that I don’t run into Kaid or Allegra at this point. I make my way down to where the boat docked and find the man that brought me here sat down with his feet up, reading a newspaper. “Excuse me, could you take me back, please?” I ask. He jumps up and nods. Holding out his hand, he helps me onto the boat.

“Party finished early, madam?” he asks.

“Um, no, I just feel slightly under the weather.” I smile falsely.

Back in my hotel room, I run a bath, needing to soak away the evening events. I climb in, closing my eyes, letting the hot water relax my tense muscles.

My phone rings. I open my eyes and sigh. Mum. “Hi, Mum, I'm in the bath right now and not really in the mood to talk,” I answer.

No response.

I frown. “Mum?” I pull the phone away from my ear and look at the screen. “Withheld number.” I put the phone back to my ear. “Who is this?” I ask. Again, no answer, but they let out a sigh. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Kaid?” I ask, filled with trepidation.

“Kroschka,” he growls. I tense hearing his voice.

“How… How did you get my number?” I ask, my voice wavering.

He doesn’t answer my question. “Soon,” is all he says before hanging up.

“Kaid?” I call out. I look at my screen and see he's gone.

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