Taking another look at the space, she noticed the stairs that led up to a loft, making her wonder what was up there or if anything even was. But when her eyes landed on a wooden bat that was propped up against his bed, she was doubtful. Probably not.
The doorknob being turned had her spinning to look at the door. Unable to move an inch, she held her breath for the man she was loathing to finally be alone with. And it seemed like her luck might just have run out.
Nine
Like father, Like Daughter
The way he walked toward her slowly should have scared her, but it didn’t. She knew worse men than him, so there wasn’t much he could do that hadn’t already been done to her… besides being forced to marry someone she didn’t want to. However, she could see the wall he had built was slowly starting to crumble down. Whatever she was doing was working. She just had to hold out a little bit longer.
When he headed toward the kitchen, she couldn’t help but let out a thankful breath, revealing she clearly wasn’t as strong as she thought.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked as he went to pull out what seemed to be another protein shake from the fridge.
“Water is good.”
Taking out a glass from the cabinet, he filled it with water from the fridge dispenser, then placed it on the kitchen island for her.
Katarina headed over to gingerly pick up the glass of water, and when the liquid hit her lips, she couldn’t help but knock the whole thing back, feeling a sudden dehydration. Fuck, am I nervous?
“Would you like something harder?” he asked, sensing her nerves.
“I’m eighteen, remember?”
Picking up her empty glass, he snatched it off the counter, mumbling under his breath, “Fuck, don’t remind me.”
Her brows furrowed together, hearing what seemed like disgust in his voice. She hadn’t thought about him not liking their age difference, as she was the younger one. For her it wasn’t the age difference that bothered Kat. She had to grow up fast, and even though her physical body might be eighteen, her soul and mind were much older. Too old. She didn’t know how much older than her he was though. She figured late twenties, but maybe he was older than she had assumed. Licking her lips, she became curious. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-nine.” Filling the glass once more, he sat it back down in front of her. He seemed to be just as curious. “Does that bother you?”
“It doesn’t.” Kat raised a brow. “But if it did, would it change anything?”
Staring at her with his dragon eyes, he answered honestly, with no remorse shining through, “No.”
“I didn’t think so,” she whispered, sensing a hint of defeat that might be coming.
It was he who downed his drink this time.
If she had looked away, she might have missed it, but she could have sworn for a second that he felt sorry for her. However, it only lasted a second before it was gone. “Is this your place? Where we will live after….” Her voice trailed off. She wasn’t able to say the words just yet.
“Yes.” Again, he answered unapologetically. “Most of this floor is used as apartments for the Caruso soldiers.”
Looking around the room once more, she noticed something. “You don’t have a TV?”
“I’m not here that much to need one.”
“Oh.” She was reminded again that he mostly worked. She wondered if his bed was even that used, since he primarily stayed at the Caruso family home. “Do you mainly watch Leo, Maria, and Chloe?”
“If I’m not with them, I’m with the boss.”
“I like them. They’re really nice.” She smiled, being truthful. They hadn’t treated her like most people treated Lucianos, making her wonder…. She licked her lips nervously again. “Do they know… who I am?”
“If they didn’t, do you think they would have treated you any differently?” he asked, turning the tables back on her.
“No.” The word fell out her mouth. She knew they probably knew exactly who she was; they just didn’t judge her for her last name. Like he does. Putting her eyes to the counter, she couldn’t find herself to look at him for the next part. “I thought I would have scared her.”
“I wasn’t sure if you would either at first,” he admitted, knowing exactly who she was talking about, before he paused, and his tone changed. “But you reminded Chloe of someone.”
“Who?” Her eyes lifted back up to him.
He stared intently at her, wanting to see her reaction when the name passed his lips. “Sal.”
Trying to keep herself together, she had to look back down at the counter. He was a brother she had never gotten to meet and only seen in pictures. Lucifer had left him to fend for himself on the street with his mother, and it had been shortly after her death when Dante, the Caruso boss, took him in as his own. Sal was a brother she might have never met but knew in her heart she related the most to. Their paths would have been much similar if it weren’t for one person on this earth.