Page 59 of Heritage of Blood

Words, Kate. Words.

“You know—that the work I’m doing for you is adequate and up to your high standards,” I say with a fake grin and then bite my tongue to keep from spewing more words.

Luka’s face grows serious and contemplative, and I worry he is actually evaluating my lackluster performance. Turning to me, he grabs my hand and places it on his pounding heart. It is rapidly beating, each thud against my palm sending tiny vibrations up my arm.

“This is what you do to me, Kate. Only you.”

I seek out teasing in his tone, or sarcastic words, but there are none. He looks pained and unsure. I press up on my toes, mouth hovering over his, but he hisses.

“Kate …”

A knock on the door sounds, and I jump back, but Luka grabs my wrist, bringing it to his mouth. His lips graze the soft, sensitive skin before pressing a chaste kiss to the inside.

Another knock has him dropping my hand.

“Da,” he answers, and I take that as my cue to leave.

Chapter35

Luka

Igor replaces Kate in my office, and I have never wanted to fire him more. Her hand over my heart, feeling every thunderous beatfor her, gave too much information away about what she does to me.

Dinner. She wanted to go to dinner with me. Of course, she panicked and decided to cloak it as a work performance evaluation, whatever the hell that is. But it messed with my head. This boss and work idiocy is not why I offered her a place here, and I’m beginning to think I should’ve stuck to keeping her locked away.

Kate is pulling emotions out of me that are unfamiliar. She is too distracting, too good, and too beautiful to want this life—to want me.

Igor shuffles on his feet when he realizes I haven’t said anything. I stride toward the bar and pour myself another drink. The liquor sloshes back and forth in the glass, my hands swirling the crystal liquid and I toss it back into my mouth. The burn in my chest is jarring when I prefer to sip my drinks, but I slam the glass down and turn to Igor.

“Speak.”

“We found the man, sir. Nik was able to pull the city’s camera footage and follow him. He is being transported to one of the warehouses awaiting your instruction.”

“Interrogate him.”

“Yes, sir.” Igor moves to leave my office, but I stop him.

“I want to be informed the minute he offers any information.”

He nods, and I get back to work.

The hours drone on, and when I glance at my watch, it’s 11 p.m. The city nightlife now coming alive, the air is filled with anticipation and time slows down. I power down my computer and file some paperwork away in my locked safe before turning down the office lights.

I glance at Natallia’s desk when I leave and find myself being drawn to the small desk next to it. I pause and glance around the floor, looking for any sign of my men, before I step around toherarea. It’s minimal, with a photo and some fluffy greenery in a small terrarium. I move my eyes over her desk, searching for more of her, and am disappointed when I find none.

Our office and business are run only on the top two floors in this building, but I own the whole thing. This time of day, only some of my guards are around. A few janitorial staff are pushing their cleaning carts around, as you would find in any other traditional office building. However, the security here is more secure than the White House.

I take a few steadying breaths as the elevator descends. I enjoy this time—my commute between the office and my penthouse. Daily, I’m surrounded by my men, trying to run several businesses and a criminal organization. There is little down time, and that’s only become more apparent as I’ve tried to spend time with Kate these past few weeks. When I’m with her, there is a ticking clock on our time together before someone needs something—another example of why men in my position are usually alone.

I’m greeted by two guards and Ivan waiting for me as I exit the building.

“Do you wish to go to the lounge, sir?” Ivan asks. The Friday night energy of people eating in outdoor restaurants, others moving from bars to clubs, and locals enjoying the chilling night air is tantalizing.

Normally, a Friday night drink with Nik or friendly alliances would be welcome. A few drinks, maybe a pretty woman used to be appealing, but it hasn’t been in months.

“Nyet.” I want to go home. Home to a quiet penthouse with a beautiful blonde who has turned my world inside out.

The elevator opens into the penthouse, and the smell of vanilla hits my nostrils. The penthouse is shadowed in darkness aside from the neon lights illuminating the city outside. A flickering in the kitchen draws me in that direction and a small candle’s flame dances on the island.

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