Page 28 of Cruel Longing

“Nothing,” she whispered. “He’s done absolutely nothing.”

“Shit, Katya. I’m starting to think he’s abusive or drinking until he passes out every night. Cheating on you.” I stared at her. It was the last sentence that made her flinch. “Is that it?” I tried to figure out how to talk to her about what would probably not be the last time Andrey cheated. It may not have even been the first.

“Stop, Luka. Just stop.” She threw her hands in the air and stormed away toward one of the apartment doors. She walked inside and I followed her.

I didn’t expect it to be decorated in soft blues and off-white antiques. There was art on the walls and two cases crammed full of books. I pivoted in the room. “Who lives here?”

“It’s mine.”

“What?”

“This is my place. My sanctuary. Can you believe my husband has never stepped foot in here? Never asked. Never noticed. Ihate the Petrov house. I hate living with Andrey. I knew what was expected of me. Papa made that clear on the day of my wedding. I’ve done what I had to do to get out of bed in the morning every day for four years. Until…”

“Until what?”

“Until I met someone,” she whispered.

“What do you mean you met someone?” I barked at my sister.

Her shoulders straightened immediately. “I didn’t know it was possible, and it wasn’t like I was looking for him, or maybe I was. But he’s the one.”

“Theone?” I stared at her. “What are you talking about? You’re married to Andrey. There was a contract. Money was exchanged. Andrey is supposed to be the one.”

Her blue eyes hardened. “No,” she snapped. “I had no say in the contract. No say in Andrey. No say about the Petrovs. No say in the house. No say in my life.” Her voice kept rising. I closed the door to the apartment in case one of the stable hands was nearby.

I put my hands out to steady her. “I know all of that. I was there, remember?”

“And you did nothing while I was sold off to the most boring bland man in New Orleans!”

“That’s not true,” I argued. “I fought to get you out of it. I guess Papa didn’t tell you I had him in a chokehold on his desk.”

The information surprised her. “No. He never said anything.”

“He wouldn’t.” I finally exhaled. “Shit. You’ve met someone.” I shook my head. “Who’s the guy?”

“Tell me you aren’t going to go crazy. You have to promise,” she pleaded.

I clenched my jaw. “Tell me who it is.”

“He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. Please, remember that. That’s the most important thing. He’s?—”

“Katya,” I growled.

“Fine. It’s Enzo Barone.”

I stared at my sister in disbelief. “Amara’s assistant?”

She nodded. “Yes.” She grabbed my arm. “You’re in charge now. You can fix this for me. You can get us to France. I’ll run the vineyard. He’s amazing with numbers. Really, really good. Amara has been training him, so you know he’s had the best?—”

“It’s his baby?” I interrupted her.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“And Andrey has no idea.”

She shook her head slowly. “None. He didn’t even realize the dates didn’t match up. He’s clueless. An idiot. He doesn’t pay any attention to me. Except now.” She looked down at her bump. “Except it’s only to tell me all the things I cannot do. I have to get out of here. I’m suffocating in that house.”

“Who has Enzo told?” I asked. I needed to get as much information assembled as possible.

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