17: My woman

KATHY

The third week inside Viktor's mansion was the longest week of my life.

I barely saw him in the house.

Most mornings, he had already left before I woke up. On the rare nights he returned before midnight, I'd only catch a glimpse of him from the top of the staircase before he disappeared into his study or bedroom without so much as a glance in my direction.

It was strange.

Not seeing him should have made my job easier.

Instead, the mansion felt empty, not being able to converse with him or stir up an argument.

Maybe it was what Natalia told him the other night.

Was he rethinking his decision? Was he avoiding me because of his sister-in-law?

Figures.

The security around the estate had doubled over the past week.

New guards stood at nearly every entrance and hallway. Even walking into the garden earned me suspicious looks. If I wanted to leave the property, someone wanted to know where I was going, when I'd be back, and whether I needed an escort.

It was suffocating.

I was supposed to be gathering evidence, but getting anywhere without being watched had become nearly impossible.

Thankfully, Anya wasn't home that afternoon.

Her nanny had taken her to the park, leaving me with a few precious hours to myself.

I grabbed my purse and headed for the one place that always brought me comfort.

The little café Gabriella and I had been visiting since college.

The familiar smell of roasted coffee beans greeted me the moment I stepped inside.

For the first time in days...

I relaxed.

I ordered my usual caramel latte and settled into my favorite seat by the window, watching strangers pass by outside.

No guards.

No marble hallways.

No Russian mafia boss.

Just... peace.

My peace didn't last for long.

"So... this is where you've been hiding."

Every muscle in my body stiffened.

I didn't even have to look up to know who the fuck was talking to me.

Daniel.

I closed my eyes for a second before slowly opening them again.

"What do you want?"

He offered the same smile that used to make my heart flutter but now it only irritated me.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Congratulations." I said, taking another sip of my coffee. "You found me."

His smile faltered.

"Can I sit?"

"No."

He pulled out the chair anyway.

"I wasn't asking."

"I noticed."

He sat across from me as though he still belonged there.

"Katherine..."

"No."

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"You don't have to."

His shoulders slumped.

"I know I messed up."

"You cheated on me."

"I made a mistake."

"You made a choice."

"I think about you every day."

I laughed bitterly.

"Funny. You didn't seem to think about me when you were sleeping with my sister."

His face flushed.

"I didn't mean for any of it to happen."

I stared at him.

He actually thought that made things better.

"I was drunk that night on your birthday."

"You didn't look so drink to me"

"I wasn't thinking."

"You were thinking enough to take your clothes off."

"Katherine..."

"No."

He leaned forward desperately.

"I love you."

The words barely registered.

"And I love black coffee."

I despised black coffee.

"I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

"There isn't enough time in the world."

I stood, slinging my purse over my shoulder.

"We're done."

"Katherine, wait."

I ignored him and walked toward the exit.

Behind me, I heard his chair scrape loudly against the floor.

He was following me.

"Katherine!"

People turned to look.

I kept walking.

"I'm talking to you!"

"So am I."

I didn't stop.

"Leave me alone."

"I just need five minutes."

"You already had two years."

His footsteps grew closer.

"Katherine, please."

"No."

"I can change."

"I don't care."

He reached out and grabbed my wrist and I froze. My pulse quickened.

"Let go."

"Not until you listen."

People were openly staring at us now.

A mother slowed her pace while walking with her child.

Two teenagers stopped talking altogether.

Heat rushed to my face.

I hated being the center of attention.

But most of all...

I hated Daniel.

"I said..." My voice dropped dangerously low. "...let go."

Instead, his grip tightened.

I was going to flip this man to the ground if he didn't let go off me in the next 3 seconds.

"Kathy..."

Just as I was about to twist my hand in his and flip him to the ground a sleek black SUV rolled silently to the curb beside us.

The rear passenger door opened.

A pair of polished black shoes touched the pavement first.

Then long legs.

Then six-foot-four of perfectly tailored charcoal suit.

Viktor.

He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve before lifting his eyes.

They landed on my hand where Daniel was holding me.

Then they landed on Daniel.

His eyes were cold. He looked like he would kill Daniel right there and then.

He started moving towards us slowly.

Daniel finally released my wrist.

"Who the hell are you?"

Viktor ignored him completely.

Instead, he stopped in front of me.

"Zayka." His voice was softer than usual. "Are you alright?"

I nodded before I could stop myself.

Daniel frowned.

"Katherine?"

Viktor finally looked at him.

"You've embarrassed her long enough."

"And who are you supposed to be?"

Without answering, Viktor slipped one arm around my waist and drew me effortlessly against his side.

The warmth of his body seeped through my blouse.

I held my breath.

I wanted to step away from Viktor's hold. I wanted to tell him he couldn't hold me like that.

But I didn't. I stayed glued to him. His hands on my waist was sending hear to my centre.

Daniel looked between us, utterly confused.

"What is this?"

"My girlfriend and I are having a conversation."

I couldn't help it.

I snorted.

"Ex-girlfriend," I corrected.

Daniel ignored me.

His eyes remained fixed on Viktor.

"Are you two together?"

Viktor's expression never changed.

His hand remained firmly at my waist.

"Yes."

Daniel blinked.

"Yes... what?"

Viktor tilted his head slightly.

"She is my woman."