Declan remained silent, and I wondered why Elias was even here. So far, he’d contributed nothing to the conversation apart from provoking the ire of Declan.
“We wanted to approach you with an idea,” Adrian said. “One that, ideally, would allow the FBI to catch the thief in the act and prevent him or her from stealing from Ashworth Auctions—or anyone else.”
Declan crossed one leg over his knee, leaning back on the couch. “In other words, you want to set a trap and use Ashworth assets as bait.”
“Will that be a problem?”
“We’re insured, and I assume you’ll take the necessary measures to safeguard our property. If someone is stealing, they should be caught and punished.” There was a steely edge to Declan’s voice.
I gulped, unable to meet Adrian’s or Declan’s eyes as Adrian launched into an explanation of the plan, with interjections from Elias. As they spoke, I realized how brilliant they were, especially Elias. They seemed to have considered every detail, and by the time they concluded their presentation, Declan was sold.
With the matter settled, we rose and shook hands, planning to meet a few days later.
“I’m curious. How do you two know each other?” Declan asked Adrian and me as we lingered in the entryway.
My throat closed, the words choked out of me. Fortunately, Adrian answered, “Katerina provided assistance with a recent investigation.”
“Is that so?” Declan turned to me, impressed. “Well then, clearly we have nothing to worry about. Katerina is on the case.”
Elias scoffed, giving Declan a wide berth as he bypassed him for the elevator. He pressed the call button and waited for it to arrive, while Adrian hung back in the doorway. Sensing that he wished to speak with me, I made an excuse to accompany them to the lobby.
The elevator ride seemed to last forever, the mellow music doing nothing to calm my frayed nerves. With Adrian and Elias hovering behind me, our reflection looming in the elevator doors, I was ready to bolt from the steel cage as soon as we reached the lobby. Realizing how suspicious that would appear, I told myself to stay calm and act normal.
“Wait for me in the car.” Adrian tossed Elias a set of keys. Once the other man was out of earshot, Adrian scrubbed a hand over his face. “What are you doing here, Katerina?”
“As Declan told you, I live here. He’s an old friend from college, nothing more.” Why did I feel the need to explain myself to him?
His shoulders visibly relaxed. “This is the second time in less than a week that I’ve run into you in connection with a case. Should I be concerned?”
“No.”
“Have dinner with me?”
His question caught me off guard, but I tried not to let my surprise show. “So you can interrogate me further?”
“So I can get to know you.”
“Isn’t that kind of thing frowned upon—fraternizing with a suspect?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Ever heard the saying, ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer’?”
I frowned. “We’re enemies?”
“No, Katerina, but I’d like to keep you close.” His voice rumbled, and he stepped closer as if to prove his point. His scent—damp earth, musk, and something all his own—invaded my senses, making it difficult to think clearly.
“I, um…” I stuttered, shaking my head to clear it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He ran his thumb across my lower lip, tempting me to suck it into my mouth. “Because you don’t want me getting too close?”
“Something like that.” He was closer to the truth than he realized.
He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I should warn you that I’m known for my tenacity. Good night, Katerina.” He backed away, and I felt the loss acutely.
As the elevator doors closed on the lobby, I pressed my fingers to my lips, wishing they were Adrian’s. What was it about him that got me so out of sorts? With most men, I called the shots, and I knew exactly how to control them. Adrian was different, and I wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or not.
I returned to the apartment and found Declan leaning against the kitchen counter deep in thought. He downed a glass of wine before refilling it.
“Want some company?”
“If you’re the company, then the answer is always yes.” He poured a second glass, and I accepted, savoring its robust flavor while I waited for him to talk.
He was devastatingly handsome despite his somber mood, in fact, perhaps more so. I wanted to smooth the wrinkle between his brow, to reach out and comfort him, but I remained hesitant, despite my enchanted necklace. I debated a moment longer before slipping my arms around him.
He held me close, burying his nose in my hair. Surrounded by his arms and bound by the enchanted necklace, I felt safe for the first time in, well, ever. I could hear his heart beating a strong, steady rhythm in his chest.
I didn’t want the moment to end, but I didn’t fully trust the necklace—or myself, for that matter. So, I released him and took another sip of wine, hoping he wouldn’t notice how much even that brief contact had affected me.
He smiled, the first genuine one I’d seen since Adrian and Elias’s visit. “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining.”
I shrugged. “You looked like you could use it.”
“Nothing like hearing that a talented criminal has your company in their sights.”
“Are you having second thoughts about the plan, or does this have something to do with Elias?”
His eyes snapped to mine, shock registering in their rich, brown depths. “What about Elias?”
“You seemed…irritated by his mere presence.”
“And here I thought I hid it well.” He smirked.
“Yeah, because murderous stares and clenched fists aren’t a dead giveaway.”
“Maybe I was pissed about the thief?”
I leveled my eyes on him. “Declan, come on. I don’t honestly believe you see the mystery thief as a viable threat.”
“Am I concerned? Yes. But I think Adrian is overstating the problem.”
“So…”
He groaned. “So, if you’re going to make me tell this story, I need more wine.” He drained his glass and set it on the counter before leaning back on the heels of his hands.
He stared straight ahead as if looking into the past. “Many years ago, Elias and I were in a serious relationship with a girl. One summer, we all went to a party on the lake. There was an accident involving jet skis, and…” He swallowed hard. “She drowned.
“Elias went off the deep end. I tried to get through to him, but he continued to self-destruct until one day, he just…vanished. After over a year of searching, I finally accepted that he didn’t want me to find him. So, I let him go.”
My heart ached for him. In one night, he’d effectively lost the two people he loved most; I couldn’t begin to fathom the utter desolation. His lack of serious relationships in college suddenly made sense. I’d always assumed he was a big flirt, someone who enjoyed the chase and never the commitment. I was wrong.
“I’m sorry, Declan.”
“You didn’t know.” He shrugged. “For years, I feared he was dead or in jail, so I guess I wasn’t too far off base.”
I cocked my head to the side, confused. “He’s working for the FBI.”
Declan laughed, but the sound was mirthless. “He’s a criminal consultant. I would almost guarantee he was caught doing something illegal but agreed to share his ‘expertise’ in exchange for a shorter prison sentence.”
“Is it going to be an issue having him on this case? I can talk to Adrian about it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, and my eyes darted to his biceps. “Speaking of…what’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly, too quickly, if Declan’s wary expression was any indication.
He inched closer, brushing my hair over my shoulder. “You sure about that?”
I fingere
d the chain of my necklace, not daring to look at him. “You know me, I don’t do relationships.”
“Why is that again?” Desire swirled between us, making it nearly impossible to breathe. I was beginning to regret drinking so much wine on an empty stomach. When I remained silent, he pushed. “I answered your question.”
“The one time I tried, I got burned.”
“I guess you could say we both did, but maybe it’s time to move on. Together.”
“Declan, I…” Before I could finish the sentence, his phone rang, but he ignored it. When it rang a second time, he fished it out of his pocket.
“Shit.” He glanced at the screen, sobering instantly. “I have to take this.”
I escaped to my room, relieved for the interruption. I should have been overjoyed that the necklace worked—it had kept my powers at bay for so long. But from the way Declan looked at me to the things he said, it was clear there was more at stake. Declan wanted my heart, and that idea terrified me.
5
I didn’t see Declan much over the following days. Whether we were avoiding each other following another near-kiss, or we were simply busy, I wasn’t entirely sure. Ashworth Auctions was swamped in the wake of a wealthy comic collector’s death, and Declan was consumed with preparations for a huge auction—one Adrian and Elias were convinced the thief would target. Declan spent every waking moment at the office, and I wasn’t surprised to wake up late Saturday morning and discover the apartment empty.
After showering and getting dressed, I picked Ana up from campus before heading to our parents’ house for our monthly brunch. When the sprawling two-story home surrounded by trees came into view, a sense of peace washed over me. All these years later, it was reassuring to know that some things never changed.
“Ana, Kati, so glad you’re here,” Grayson said, pulling each of us in for a hug. Biologically speaking, he was Ana’s dad, but I’d always considered him mine as well.
Our other dad, my biological father, James, rounded the corner and smiled when he spotted us. “Hey, girls. Your mother is in the kitchen.”
“What’s the temperature in there today?” I asked, referring to our system for my mother’s temperament. She had the power to control fire, and as loving as she was, her moods were often mercurial.
“Mild, I’d say. Right, Gray?”
Grayson nodded.
“How’s she doing?” Ana asked.
“She has strong days and weak days, but sometimes, the magic just takes over.” He looked into the distance before shaking his head and smiling down at Ana. “But today’s a good day.”
The past few years, I’d learned to be thankful for the good days because they could be few and far between. There had been many days when I lived at home that medium or hot was the norm. Over time, the strength of my mom’s powers had weakened her ability to maintain an even emotional temperament, and I hated watching her suffer, hated the unpredictability of her illness.
“She’s looking forward to seeing you two.” James wrapped an arm around my shoulder and ushered me through to the kitchen. “And to celebrating your new job, Katerina.”
“Ana, Katerina.” Mom rushed toward us, pulling us into her arms and squeezing tight. With the way she was acting, you’d think it had been months since she’d last seen us, not a week or two.
Finally releasing us, she paused when she caught sight of my necklace. “Grandma’s necklace? I haven’t seen it in years.”
“Is it okay that I’m wearing it?” I’d never thought to ask, and now I felt guilty.
“Of course.” She smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. “It looks beautiful on you, although the color of the stone is different somehow.” She cocked her head and gently lifted the pendant. “Hmm, that’s strange. It’s hot.”
“Must be the heat from my body,” I said.
“Are you sure you should be wearing it? Perhaps Ana should examine it, just in case.”
“No need,” Ana called from across the kitchen island. “I already have.”
“Can you explain the heat it’s emitting, then?” Mom asked, and I shook my head behind her back, hoping Ana would stay quiet.
“It’s enchanted.”
Mom narrowed her eyes, glancing slowly between us. “What are you girls up to?”
“Nothing,” we both said a little too loudly.
“One of you better tell me what’s going on.” She assessed me but soon turned her attention to Ana.
“Well—” Ana said before I interrupted. She didn’t deserve to take the wrath for my shortcomings, and at least this way, I had more control over the story.
“I asked her to. I was having some issues with my powers.”
“What kinds of issues?” Grayson’s voice was laced with concern.
“I, um, found myself wanting to use them more than I should.”
“So, the enchantment…”
“Works like a nerve inhibitor, for lack of a better analogy.” Ana launched into an explanation full of medical and scientific terms, and I was grateful when Grayson suggested we move the conversation to the table, where the food was waiting. Most of Ana’s description went over my head, and from the looks on the others’ faces, I wasn’t alone.
The rest of brunch was uneventful, but I knew I hadn’t heard the end of it. My mom cornered me while I waited for Ana to finish using the bathroom so we could leave.
“Katerina, are you okay?”
I plastered a smile on my face. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve always struggled with your powers, refusing to embrace your gifts. Just…” She sighed. “Be careful, sweetheart. Our actions often have unexpected consequences.”
I wanted to discount her fears as those of an overprotective mother, but I knew she spoke from personal experience. Her cautionary words echoed in my head as Ana joined us, accepting leftovers from brunch with a wary smile.
“Want to catch a movie?” I asked Ana once we were in the car headed back to the city.
“I would, but I have a paper due tomorrow. Maybe Thursday, after my weekly RA meeting?”
“Sure,” I said, hoping she couldn’t sense my disappointment.
After dropping her off on campus, I plopped myself on the couch with my laptop, switching a movie on in the background for company. I missed Ana, but if I was being honest with myself, I missed Declan even more.
As the closing credits rolled on the screen, someone rapped on the door with authority, and my heart started racing. In a building with such tight security, it was rare that we had unannounced guests, and I’d grown accustomed to the quiet. I peered through the peephole and discovered Adrian’s amber eyes burning into mine, as if he knew I was watching. I took a moment to check my hair in the hallway mirror, and make sure my necklace was on, before opening the door.
“Hey, Adrian. Declan isn’t home.”
“I know, I’m not here to see him.” He leaned against the doorframe, flashing me a mischievous smile. “Grab your keys. I’m taking you for ice cream.”
“What’s the occasion?” I asked.
“Declan mentioned you got a job, so I figured that was worth a celebration, especially considering how we met.” He gave me a pointed look.
Oh, so he was going to play that card. It was underhanded, but he’d warned me of his persistence. Positive he wouldn’t take no for an answer, I grabbed my purse and slipped on some shoes before locking the door.
Had I known he was coming, I would have changed into something besides leggings and a loose sweater that hung off one shoulder, but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I caught him checking me out more than once during the walk to a nearby ice cream shop.
We ordered—mint chocolate chip for me, and cookies and cream for him—before selecting a bench overlooking the park. Children ran through the grass, flying kites as their parents chased after them. Seeing Adrian in this relaxed environment, in jeans and a V-neck shirt, almost made it possible for me to forget who he was and what he did for
a living. Especially when his tongue swept across the icy treat, lapping up the cream as if it was the most delicious thing in the world. I was transfixed by him, and imagining his tongue doing similar things to me made me shiver.
“How do you like the new job?” he asked, and I refocused my attention on the kites so he wouldn’t catch me drooling over him.
“It’s good. I’m a part-time virtual marketing assistant for a small start-up company. So far, I like my new boss and the work.”
“Like, not love?”
I shrugged. “It’s a job, it pays the bills. I don’t need to love it. Besides, I have my blog.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“Neither.” I bit the waffle cone, and it crunched loudly between my teeth. “Tell me honestly, do you love your job?”
At the sound of raised voices, I turned my head to the source. On the grassy lawn before us, a man berated a young child for some act of disobedience. I observed them for a moment, repulsed by the father’s unnecessarily harsh reaction before Adrian’s voice pulled me out of my intense stare.
“Most days, yes. I get to solve complex cases, work with a team of brilliant people, and put criminals behind bars.”
“And the others?”
“I pull long hours, only to come up empty-handed, a member of my team is injured during a bust, or I lack the necessary evidence to convict someone. But it’s the anomalies that keep me up at night.”
“Anomalies?”
“Like you, Katerina.”
Slightly breathless, I couldn’t help asking, “I keep you up at night?”
Adrian shifted closer, our shoulders touching as he lowered his voice. “In more ways than one.”
Realizing we were veering into dangerous territory, I scooted away and laughed. “Are you interrogating me?”
“I’d certainly like to examine you, spread you out on my bed, and torture you until you scream my name.” My breath hitched, shocked and incredibly turned on by his words. “But I’d also like to get to know you—meet the people you care about and discover your obsessions. I want to learn what makes you tick.”
“Why are you so interested in me?” I asked, still convinced it had more to do with his suspicions regarding my connection to two of his cases than anything else.
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