FOURTEEN

KATE'S POV:

I wasn’t expecting anyone in my room, let alone Nikolai. He was on my bed, the covers of the bed over his body like he belonged there.

I had just finished clearing up the dining room with Evelyn and Pia, and after bidding everyone goodnight with a polite smile, and seeing Aunt Leda to her room. I was more than ready to call it a night.

I didn't want any awkward night alone with Evelyn, she creeps me out. And I know that she's up to something, and I don't trust her at all. But I don't have it in me to be an FBI agent all of a sudden.

Whatever she has going on with me, I really don't want to get involved.

My feet ached slightly from standing for a long time, and the sleeves of my clothes were damp from accidentally getting water on them while rinsing the plates.

I needed a feet massage to badly, but sadly there was no one to do that for me.

I had barely reached the door of my room when I noticed the dim light spilling from underneath it.

Frowning, I pushed the door open and immediately froze. My heart skipped.

Nikolai.

Nikolai Voss was sprawled on my bed like he owned it. He had removed the clothes he wore for dinner and had showered, leaving him in a simple pajamas. What does he want this time?

I thought we were giving each other the silent treatment and not even caring what the other person was doing. So what's he doing on my bed now?

He lays on the bed so comfortably, one arm was propped behind his head, and the other held his phone, which he seemed to be casually scrolling through. He was always scrolling through his phone, I wonder who he's texting or what he's doing.

"What the hell are you doing in my room? If you missed your way I can take you back to yours gladly." I said, blinking in disbelief.

He looked up, expression unreadable, and set his phone on the nightstand. "We need to talk."

I folded my arms and leaned against the doorframe. "About what exactly? If I remember correctly, you don't even want to be in the same room with me, what now changed?"

He sat up slowly, swinging his legs off the side of the bed. " Could you just keep quiet for a moment, they could hear us arguing. My relatives are here. And they’re going to be staying for a few days. You know that."

"Yes, and? What does that have to do with you on my bed?"

He stood, walking closer. I instinctively stiffened, what was he doing. There was something about the way he moved, so deliberate, so commanding. He stopped a few feet from me.

I could feel the heat rise in my body, I could feel his breath also. What was he doing?

"We need to act like a real couple. A married couple. No more awkward silence or cold glares in front of them. You’ll stay in this room with me. Sleep in the same bed. We’ll keep up appearances. I don't need my relatives preying into our business, and figuring out everything."

I laughed. Actually laughed. "You’re joking. Right? Well you're too late. Your crazy ass cousin Evelyn, she's been watching me and giving me crazy stares." I tell him.

"I’m not. And Evelyn is naturally like that. She's just over protective and trying to figure things out. She means no harm." He explained. Did he really say she means no harm, she looks like she up to something, and not really the good kind.

But his tone left no room for argument, but I was still stunned. I stared at him, wondering if this was some sort of twisted joke. "You ignored me for weeks, Nikolai. You didn't even want this marriage. And now you want to play house? I thought you hated me? Did you suddenly forget your little promise to ruin my life?"

"Do you really think I'm doing this for you?" he hissed.

His jaw clenched. "I didn’t want the marriage, no. But my family is important to me. They missed the wedding, and they want to see us together. Happy. You agreed to this arrangement. Don’t act surprised. And yes, I do hate you and your family, you all will pay sooner or later."

"An arrangement that didn’t include fake cuddling and playing the role of the perfect wife! And if you were in my shoes you would have done the same thing to save your family."

He arched a brow. "I never said anything about cuddling. We just need to share a bed. We can keep our distance. You're so naive, you think risking your life and helping a family is the same thing?" He said and scoffed.

I sighed, glancing toward the bed. His presence alone was stifling. Sharing a bed? This was going to be a nightmare.I didn't think we would share a bed so soon.

I mean I wanted him not to hate me and torture me, but now I don't even know what I want.

Still, I nodded. "Fine. But don’t expect me to hold your hand and call you sweetheart."

"Wouldn’t dream of it, our bodies wouldn't even come in contact with each other." he muttered dryly.

I walked past him toward my walk in closet, grabbing a soft lavender pajama set. I could feel his eyes on me but chose to ignore them. Inside the closet, I quickly changed into the comfortable sleepwear, tied my hair up in a messy bun, and took a deep breath.

I just needed to pretend like this was some happy marriage for maybe a week. I don't think his family would stay here for more than a week. Or would they?

When I returned to the bedroom, Nikolai had already gotten under the covers on his side. To make things even more ridiculous, he had taken four pillows and arranged them like a barricade between us.

This looked so childish. I never really thought that my life would end up like this. Using a pillow to separate a bed for me and my supposed husband to sleep on, so our bodies wouldn't touch.

"Seriously? This is your great solution?" I said, eyeing the pillow wall.

"It’s for your benefit as much as mine. Let’s not pretend we’re anything other than two people trying to survive a situation. Stay on your side. And I'll stay on my own side. We don't have to make this more awkward than it already is."

I rolled my eyes and nodded and then slipped into bed, pulling the comforter up to my waist. "Duly noted, and no snoring, I like having a peaceful night sleep."

Nikolai scoffed and turned off the bedside lamp on his side, but I leaned over to switch on mine. I wasn’t ready to sleep yet. My nerves were still buzzing, and I needed something to distract me.

To distract me from all this, from Nikolai and his family and my own thoughts.

I reached for one of the books I’d brought with me from home. "The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden. The author that Leo and I had talked about during dinner.

One of my favorite authors of all time. Her work are just so mind blowing, captivating and able to touch the sould and keep a person hooked to her book. And she has over more than twenty books published.

I wanted my book to do this to a person too, to captivate their minds and understand the concept of it all, I'll get there soon.

I cracked it open and began to read, the story pulling me in instantly. My fingers curled around the edge of the book as I lost myself in the chilling tale of secrets, lies, and suspense.

Every so often, I glanced toward the pillows separating us, half expecting Nikolai to say something or huff in annoyance.

But he was completely silent. It was like I was with a dead man. His eyes were closed and his breathing was steady.

Not even a rustle.

I don't even know if he was asleep or awake. This whole thing made my body feel so uncomfortable. What if one of his relatives walked in and saw us like this, with four pillows in between us.

It would look like we had both had a serious argument before bed and did this out of spite to each other.

I read for nearly an hour and thirty minutes more, the words starting to blur together and become all shaky as sleep tugged at my eyelids. I really wanted to complete this book today and get on to the next of Freida's book, but it looks like sleep has another idea entirely.

The storm outside had died down to a faint patter of rain against the windows, and the soft rhythm became a lullaby.

My breathing evened out. My limbs grew heavier. I turned another page, but the words swam before my eyes, like they were swimming around each other.

And then—

Darkness.

The book slid from my fingers, resting on my chest.

Sleep claimed me.