by India Kells
Unable to help herself, Catriona stepped further into the shimmering silver of his eyes, and the enticing warmth and safety of his body and even risked cupping his cheek with her own hand. His whiskers scratched a little, and she resisted exploring the new texture, but only for a moment as he lowered his head to kiss her.
Her heart stuttered just as she sensed his soft exhale on her lips. It was his infinitesimal hesitation that made her act and bridge the gap so she could kiss him.
The heat of the contact almost shocked Catriona. Despite the winter wind, her body warmed, and a tremor coursed through her. It was so sudden and so intense, she almost feared it. Despite her years, she’d closed herself off from all possible contact with the opposite sex, focused instead on otherworldly and ethereal thoughts. It had been an easy thing to do as she’d never been attracted to another human being before. The idea that a simple, natural reaction overtook her and swept her away was almost frightening in its intensity.
But she wasn’t the kind of woman to be scared, never had been. It was that facet that motivated her to use her talents and not stay behind the walls of a cloister. And what had prompted her to avoid taking her vows until now.
Discovering the thrill of a kiss, Catriona was losing herself in it when Liam jerked back. The man was flushed, and his eyes almost glowed in the dimming light.
“I’m sorry. Damn. Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, it’s a mistake.”
Catriona was still processing what had just happened, but at his words, angled her head. “Liam, I’m the one.”
He cut her off. “No!” After a deep breath, his voice lowered as if he’d got himself back under control. “No. I’m not the type of man to lose control like that or forget about decency. You’re destined to be a nun. I had no business touching you inappropriately.”
As he was torturing himself, she didn’t know what to do. He was right about the fact she’d every intention of dedicating her life to God. She wanted to tell him he was a good man, and that she was the one who’d kissed him.
Discomfort pulsed out of him in waves, and before she could say another word, he put his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders in his coat while turning and muttering about going to the station.
Her lips still tingling, Catriona hesitated only an instant before jogging after him, still trying to understand if what had just happened had been a sign of what was to come or if it was only a temptation from the devil himself.
Chapter Five
Catriona looked at the sun rising over the city and realized that in itself was the most beautiful prayer. It had snowed during the night, and everything now was pristine and clean, offering a new opportunity to the world. At least, that was what she was telling herself.
The day before had been one of many surprises and contradictions, confirming that she may be good with numbers, but human nature eluded her still. She’d overstepped with Liam in her curiosity to explore her own emotions, and now she had compromised their professional relationship.
After that kiss that rocked her very foundation, Liam had shut down. He could have stood two miles from her. It would have been closer than how he ignored her as they went to the police station. It had been quick work to retrieve all the documentation, and his business-like attitude prevented her from asking any more questions or engaging with his colleagues. When they returned to the apartment, Liam told her he’d forgotten something for Chewy and had to go back out.
Catriona ate alone and went to bed early and didn’t hear him come back at all. However, when she got up, the second bedroom door was closed, and Chewy was no longer on the couch, which meant he was sleeping with his master.
She now stood in front of the window, watching the dawn slowly awakening the city, wondering.
Behind her, the kitchen table held all the files and papers they had brought back from Liam’s current investigation. Catriona knew she should have started sifting through them all to begin any sense of the evidence, but she sighed instead. Her mind was fragmented, and when that happened, her analytical skills were sketchy at best. First, she needed to get her head together.
Silently, she scribbled a note to Liam, telling him that she would be back soon, before grabbing her coat and going out the door. Heading for the stairs, she heard a strange muffled sound coming from a few feet away. When she approached, she realized it was coming from the other apartment, and the door was ajar.
When she peeked, Catriona saw Aleksei punching a large black bag suspended from the ceiling. The entire room looked like a gym, with several metal contraptions along the far wall, many bags suspended, and other equipment scattered about.
Liam’s brother was wearing a pair of blue trunks with no shirt, his fists bound with tape. His entire body was glistening with sweat, his dark hair plastered against his skull, but it was the focus on his face, the fury emanating from him as he battered the bag that fascinated her. There was something of Liam in Aleksei. Physically, the fighter was bigger, more muscular than his brother, but the energy, the contained restlessness she could sense was the same.
Catriona wondered if all the brothers were alike. Not physically, but mentally. It may give her some sort of edge in understanding Liam.
“Are you a peeping tom, little one?”
The deep accented voice snuck into her brain and she realized she’d been caught. Slowly, she pushed the door fully open, stepping into the space filled with the smell of rubber, leather, and sweat.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Breathing hard, Aleksei moved his shoulders and grabbed a towel to wipe himself off. “Heard you leaving. Heading somewhere?”
“How can you hear anything with all that noise you’re making punching that thing?”
Aleksei threw the damp towel into a hamper in the corner before grabbing a water bottle. “That’s called training.”
“Must be interesting when you transfer it onto your opponent’s face.”
Catriona could swear she saw a hint of amusement on his otherwise angry expression. “If I don’t train hard enough, I’m the one who’s going to suffer the transfer. But you haven’t answered my question.”
Her brow creased, she tried to remember his question. “Oh, yeah. To answer you, yes, I’m going out. Liam is still asleep, but I left him a note. Have a nice day.”
“Wait!”
She stopped herself as she was about to close the gym’s door. “Is there a problem?”
Liam’s brother grabbed a t-shirt before putting it over his head and pulling on a pair of dark sweatpants. “I think it would be better if you waited until Liam is up. If it’s urgent, wake him up right away.”
“Why would I do that? I fell asleep late and didn’t hear him come in. You guys always act as if you’re in constant danger, but I haven’t seen anything or anyone that could prove your point.” She wasn’t about to tell him about the incident with Cary. It was only an incident, nothing more.
“Where are you going?”
Were all the brothers this controlling? “Don’t worry about me, it's just around the corner.”
As she turned, Catriona heard him swear, but she didn’t care. She was a numbers specialist who rarely went into the field. And if she wanted to return before Liam woke and started working, she needed to get going.
When she stepped onto the sidewalk, it was like hitting a solid wall of ice. Her breath seized in her lungs, and it took a few more inhales to loosen up her chest.
The walk was beautiful as the city slowly awakened all around. People hurried past her, their heads deep into their shoulders, wrapped up in hats, scarves, and thick coats.
Catriona knew she ought to dress more warmly, but it was too late now. As she rounded the corner, someone huffed and puffed behind her, followed by a curse and flurry of snowflakes surrounding her.
When she looked back, her first reaction was to dissolve into laughter, but seeing the dark look on Aleksei’s face, she knew it would be a bad idea.
“You shoul
d have told me that after your training session, you were going sledding.”
Harsh words spurted through clenched teeth, and Catriona knew that he’d reverted to Russian. Eyes on her, he dusted himself off. His winter boots weren’t laced, which didn’t help to keep him upright. Even with his hood on his head, she could see his wet hair and how his body steamed in the frigid air.
“You should go back. You’re going to get sick. You’re all sweaty and it’s a bad idea for you to be outside in this weather.”
“Then come back inside.”
“I’m just going around the corner. Is there something you guys haven’t told me? I’m not against security, especially when going through sensitive data, but…
“I’m freezing here, woman! Damn it! Just lead the way!”
His outburst didn’t frighten her but made her move. With a concealed smile and a grumbling Russian by her side, Catriona turned the corner and hurried toward the church entrance. Once inside, she exhaled, warming up a little even though the place was still cool.
Aleksei stepped back, his low voice incredulous. “This is where you wanted to go?”
Ignoring him, Catriona looked around. The church was quite small, more the feel of a chapel, but in its simplicity, it felt appealing.
Even at this early hour, a few people were sitting in the pews. She didn’t know if she’d missed the mass, but that wasn’t why she was there.
As she approached the altar, each step was like a soothing balm, as it always was when she entered a place of worship. She sat and simply closed her eyes, and time became suspended. It wasn’t praying. She knew how to pray, but she much preferred emptying her mind and hanging on to the peace. Was Aleksei still there? Had he gone back to his home? At least the church was warm enough if he wanted to wait her out.
It was the sound of shuffling close beside her that broke her inner stillness and made her open her eyes. Half-expecting to see Aleksei, Catriona blinked when she noticed a red-haired lady smiling at her. The color leaned toward eccentric, but the older woman had a kind expression and friendly smile that made her eyes sparkle.
“I come here every chance I get, and I haven’t seen you here before, child. I’m so happy you found our little chapel; most young women of your age seem to abandon such places.” As the sound echoed in the small space, the lady giggled, immediately lowering her voice. “I’m Hazel.”
Catriona took her offered hand and shook it. “Catriona. I like churches. They’re very calm and peaceful. The perfect place to think.”
“At such an early time of day? When I was younger, I couldn’t wake up for mass, even if someone pushed me out of bed. Now, sleep evades me, and I come here. It’s strange the way life works, or dare I say, God works in mysterious ways. Let me know, dear Catriona, why your handsome friend is not coming and sitting by your side?”
Catriona looked back at where Hazel was pointing and saw Aleksei pacing by the door, arms crossed and an annoyed expression on his face.
“He respects my choice, and wants to keep close, but his support stops there, I think.”
With a conspiratorial wink, Hazel nodded. “My man didn’t really like coming to church but did it for me too. And even if he comes and let you pray to your heart’s content, that certainly means that he loves you.”
She didn’t wish to contradict the older woman and only nodded. Aleksei was only here to protect her, there ended his devotion. He would probably give Liam an earful when they got back, but she didn’t mind. She needed prayer like others needed sleep. It was a part of who she was.
“I won’t disturb you any longer, but I’m glad I met you, Catriona. I hope to see you again soon.”
The woman made her smile as she waltzed clumsily out of the pew toward a side door. Catriona found that the image of the kind stranger remained with her a long time, and knew it meant she’d developed a connection with that person. It was the same feeling she’d felt when she’d first laid eyes on the Chicago detective.
The chapel was calm again, but the smile lingered. It lingered still when Liam came to her mind, or more accurately, the memory of their kiss.
Not that she’d never kissed a man before. Several years back, before her studies, when she’d been undecided about staying at the convent, she’d gone into the world, as they’d suggested. Being surrounded by women most of her life, finding herself in the company of men had been exhilarating on so many levels, especially being as inexperienced and naive as she’d been. It had been thrilling but disappointing. When she’d looked at the options before her, either remain within the welcoming arms of the nuns to continue her studies or leave everything behind to embrace life on the outside with a man and raise a family of her own, the choice had been clear.
Still, even when she’d made her decision, Mother Superior had stopped her from taking her final vows. Catriona pressed her for an explanation but obtained none. How could Mother Superior doubt her faith when she was so certain of it? Until the very instant when Liam pressed his lips against hers, nothing had ever shaken her decision. Now, a crack had appeared.
How could it be? Despite her pushing that annoying thought away, she knew the reason why. It was because of what it triggered inside her. She’d never felt like that for a man before, and she didn’t know how to deal with it. Could it have brought her to Chicago to test her faith? Was this what Mother Superior had meant when she’d prayed that Catriona would receive confirmation if she were meant for the convent? Sending another prayer for guidance, she didn’t hear Aleksei settling beside her. When the opened her eyes, disconnecting herself for her fervor, she jumped a little at his imposing presence.
“I’m freezing my ass off, little one. Can we go back now, for fuck’s sake?”
The curse should have made her frown, but looking into the silver eyes of the Russian, she couldn’t discern intentional disrespect. He’d followed her outside with barely a hoodie and pants, still sweaty from his training. When she put a hand over his, his fingers were cold.
“Your hands are like ice. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think about your comfort, that was selfish of me.”
Without knowing why, the frown on Aleksei’s face deepened, as if he were becoming even angrier. He mumbled something in Russian she couldn’t make out and pulled her up before putting his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. She guessed that it was his way of telling her it was time to return home. Fascinated, Catriona followed. How similar Aleksei was to Liam, and yet how different. Whatever God had sent her way, the task would be both incredibly arduous, and immensely entertaining.
Chapter Six
Liam took the mug in front of him and brought it to his lips, controlling the movement to make sure he didn’t hurl it into the nearest wall in fury, especially considering he wasn’t in his own home.
When he woke up due to Chewy scratching the door and found Catriona had left, anger grabbed him by the throat, and there was no doubt it wouldn’t let him go until he shook some sense into the nun.
Chewy on his heels, he’d sprinted upstairs to find Deva on the phone with Aleksei. His brother had been in his gym when Catriona had decided to take a stroll to church.
He owed his brother one for following her in this weather, wearing only a hoodie and sweatpants, and from the expression on Aleksei’s face when they returned, it was clear he wouldn’t forget about it either.
When they finally crossed the threshold of the top apartment, Catriona smiled at him as if nothing was wrong and greeted Deva before offering to cook breakfast.
Deva poured a coffee for Aleksei and refilled Liam’s cup, leaving the two men alone, to give Catriona a hand. Liam cursed under his breath as his brother sipped his coffee, looking at the two women.
“I hear you. It was pure luck I heard her passing the gym. I thought you told her the danger she was in when she agreed to help us. You should’ve taken better care of her.”
Liam turned his anger and frustration on Aleksei. “Fuck you. You know the situation is more complicated than t
hat. It was a battle to have her come here. She forced me into coming. According to her, if she was in danger, then so was I.”
The look Aleksei gave Liam said he wasn’t convinced. “You could’ve locked her in a room.”
“Yeah, I imagine that’s what you do with Deva and it works like a charm.”
It was the Russian’s turn to scowl. “Deva understands the reality we’re in. She was born and raised in darkness.” Aleksei looked at the two women and he softened. “Your woman came from the light. She doesn’t know better, which is why you need to make sure she understands the danger waiting to strike outside these walls.”
As Chewy barked and the women laughed, Liam knew that Aleksei was right. “She’s not my woman. She’s a nun, so have some respect.”
The grin that pulled at his brother’s mouth annoyed him on an entirely new level. “If you say so. My mother was devoted and orthodox. She firmly believed saints walked this earth. I suspect there’s a little bit of the divine in Catriona as well.”
Liam’s gaze went inevitably to Catriona and his heart squeezed. His brother was right, there was light in her smile, a definite kindness in her touch. Was that what he’d felt when he’d first seen her? The divine in her? No. His entire body leaned toward her even though he hadn’t known her for more than twenty-four hours. Anger deflated as he realized how stupid his reaction was. She may deny it, but Catriona was spoken for in the highest sense of the term. She came here to help, so he would have to find a way to survive his attraction and accept it until it was over.
Steadiness and calm truly restored inside him, Liam left to take Chewy for a walk while Catriona installed herself at the kitchen table of their temporary apartment with all the paperwork they had gathered. Before he left, he made sure to tell Aleksei to keep an eye on her and promised he’d talk to Catriona when he returned. If the woman wanted to go to mass every fucking morning, he’d go with her. Wouldn’t hurt either as he needed a shitload of prayers to survive this ordeal with his father.
