Page 27 of Cruel Longing

“You’re here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I stepped back from the tractor at the sound of Katya’s voice. My sister strolled toward me in black riding boots.

“I’ve been here a while,” I answered. “Just looking around.”

“Sorry. I couldn’t get away from Andrey,” she explained.

“Oh?” I raised my eyebrows. “He could have joined us.” I still didn’t feel like I knew much about my brother-in-law. Over five years I’d only seen him a few times. He wasn’t interesting. He seemed to care about Katya. He was proud to be in thesteakhouse business and whatever else the Petrovs ran on the side. We didn’t share much of a brotherly bond.

I also knew things had taken a new turn now that Katya was pregnant. We were about to be tied together for the rest of our lives. The Petrovs and the Novikovs. It was everything my father had wanted for her. For the family.

“No.” She shook her head. “I need to talk to you. Without him anywhere near here. He hates the stables. It’s safe here.” I didn’t like her tone.

Her call last night I had sounded urgent. She seemed frantic and impatient. I was distracted. I was more concerned about my date with Amara being interrupted. I tried to read Katya’s body language now. What was going on?

“Safe?” I questioned.

She twirled her hair. “Can we walk back together?”

“Sure. But I need to know what’s going on.” I led her out of the equipment building.

She pulled wide-brimmed sunglasses over her eyes. “Tell me about the vineyards. How are things at the champagne caves? Do you think things are running smoothly? What about the grapes?”

“They’re fine. It’s a good grape year.” I eyed her as she walked next to me. I cared less about the grapes and more about the training facility. I still had to address Roman’s request to leave the castle and meet with me in New Orleans.

“You loved Paris? Epernay? France? It was good there, wasn’t it?” she questioned. I sensed nervousness and excitement.

I groaned. She was hinting. Going in circles. Missing the mark. “Yes. You know I enjoyed the vineyards. I finally got used to living there. What does that have to do with wanting to see me? You said it was important.”

“It is. I want to know about the vineyards. I’m thinking I should go there.” She walked faster. I couldn’t believe I was trying to catch up to her.

We arrived at the stables. Katya seemed to instantly relax. She approached one of the stalls.

“Why don’t you tell me what the hell is going on?” I kept my voice low.

She looked left and then right. She stepped toward the same chestnut horse I had patted and pressed her forehead against the bridge of his nose. “Luka, I’ve done something.”

“Okay?”

Her eyes closed as if she was mustering the strength to tell me. I placed my hand on her shoulder.

“What is it? You’re scaring the shit out of me. Are you in trouble?”

She sighed, her hand resting on her stomach. “I need you to help me get out of here.”

“Get out of here? Is someone after Andrey? Did something go sideways? I can take care of that for you and him.” I squeezed her arm lightly. “Now that I’m back, I can add security detail for you. I have more resources than the Petrovs. You don’t have to worry about anything. You will be safe.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t need a security detail.”

“But you just said?—”

Her eyes blinked open. The lashes were damp with the first tears. “I said I need your help to leave, not to stay and be locked in a prison. I can’t stay. I won’t stay. Now that Papa’s gone I can?—”

“You aren’t making any sense.”

She broke away from the stallion. “I don’t know if it’s going to be safe for the baby and me to be here once Andrey finds out, but regardless, I have to leave. I have to get out of here. I want to go to France and run the vineyards.”

I inhaled. “Tell me what he’s done.”

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