Page 59 of Unbridled Fire
“True. That just means we both need to stay alive.” His lips flattened. “If we successfully send Marco home, do you think we’ll finally have some fucking peace?”
“Lord, I hope so,” I said softly.
Michael gave a nod and walked toward the stairs that led up to the parking lot. I took a moment to inhale the salty air and send a little prayer to the universe that tomorrow went smoothly. It was the last step in cementing Michael’s control over the area, ushering in a new era where human trafficking was eliminated. We’d worked for years to accomplish this goal, and it would be excruciating to fail now.
Ready to put this long chapter of my life behind me, I headed to my car to return to the office and finish the day’s paperwork.
Katia
“Good grief,” I said, pulling out the old clothes I hadn’t worn in years from my bottom dresser drawer. “I can’t believe I still have these.” I held up two skimpy dresses, one leather and one lace. “I went through a leather and lace phase when I was dancing. This one made me tons of cash,” I said, shaking the lace dress.
“Holy hotness,” Alexis said, walking over to feel the fabric. “Nick would laugh in my face if I wore something like this, but I bet Leo would absolutely lose his mind if he saw you in this.”
“I’m tossing out all of my old dancing clothes,” I said, placing the dresses in the box labeled “trash.” “They served their purpose, but I’m about to be an old married lady. Plus, I prefer comfortable clothes in my old age.”
“Okay, I know you’re joking,” Bianca said, striding toward the box and pulling out the lace dress, “but you need to wear this one for Leo. That man has taken in your cat and a kid who isn’t his because you asked him to. I think hedeservesthe lace dress.”
Laughing, I took it from her and placed it in the “clothing” box. “You know what? You’re right.” Squinting, I contemplated. “I haven’t shown my dancer side to him because I know he’s not super-fond of it, but he did mention how much he loved hisdad’s Playboys as a teenager. I guess he does have some secret fantasies.”
“Strait-laced guys like Leo always do,” Bianca said, shrugging. “If he comes home from work to find you in that dress on his couch, I guarantee he won’t give a crap what you used to do. In fact, his brain might quietly implode.”
“I hope not,” I said, grinning. “But I do need to rock his world. He usually takes over when we’re together, and he’s sointense.”
“That tracks,” Alexis said.
“But I could make it fun for him...” I mused, rubbing my chin. “Good call, Bianca. The lace dress stays, but toss everything else you see that looks skimpy and cheap. Those days are behind me.”
“Aye, aye,” Alexis said with a salute.
“Thank you both so much for helping me pack,” I said, glancing around the bedroom I’d slept in for so many years. “I can’t believe I’m moving out of this place. I thought I’d be here forever.”
“Life has a way of ripping you up by the roots and putting you in a much better place,” Bianca said. “Take it from me. I never thought I’d be happily married, but Michael has changed my perspective on so many things.”
“So, are you going to say yes?” Alexis asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.
“I mean, he didn’ttechnicallyask me,” I said, pursing my lips. “When he brought it up, I was floored, but it’s kind of settled in with me now.”
“Do you love him?” Bianca asked softly.
Sighing, I grinned as complicated, passionate emotions swirled in my chest. “It’s so strange, because love was such a distant concept for me for most of my life. My parents loved drugs more than they ever loved me or Elena, so I didn’t have agreat foundation. I loved Elena desperately, and that love turned into the epitome of the greatest failure of my life.”
“You didn’t fail her,” Bianca said, approaching me and gently rubbing my arm. “You moved across the world to try and save her, and when you couldn’t, you rebuilt your life in a country full of strangers. You’re incredibly brave, Katia.”
“In some ways I am,” I said, nodding. “But in others...well, I just kind of gave up on love. It was a concept filled with pain and agony, and I wanted no part of it.”
My lips curved as Leo’s handsome face appeared in my mind. “But with Leo it’s different. It’s safe...and consuming...and just...” I circled my hand. “Real. It’s like he sees the best version of me, and wants to make it safe for me to be that person. God, I sound like an idiot. Does that make any sense at all?”
Bianca squeezed my hand. “It makes perfect sense. I think you’re definitely in love, Katia.”
A warm feeling spread across my skin as I accepted her words. I’d been falling down the chasm with Leo for a while, and yes, I was absolutely in love with him.
“Yeah, I am. How freaking weird,” I whispered.
Alexis shrieked. “Yay! I’m now an expert at wedding planning, so you can lean on me when you need help, sister.”
Placing my hand on my heart, I felt the rapid thumping. “I think I’m still getting used to it. Let’s chill on the planning so I don’t pass out.”
“Fair enough, but I’ll be here when you’re ready!”
