Page 73 of Heritage of Blood
“Do you know if the building has laundry?” I ask. I school my face. I don’t want to come back with a grimace if it turns out I’ll be walking blocks to the nearest laundry mat.
“It does,” she says, and I mentally clap at the sweet relief that brings. Walking to the laundry mat in the New York winter is not something I’m keen on. Plus, I still didn’t have a car.
“But unfortunately, I have some bad news. That was our office on the phone, and I’m sorry, but the owners of this building have decided to change their mind about renting this unit. It is no longer available.”
My face falls. It would be my luck when I find a place available and within my budget, the unit would become unavailable in the middle—
What the heck.
It wouldn’t be my luck, it would be someone. Luka. My face heats with annoyance and I’m sure my face does nothing for this poor realtor who delivered me bad news.
“Did your office think the owner would list this apartment in the future?” It’s pitiful that I’m fishing for answers.
“I’m not sure, but I will be sure to have you at the top of the list if it does.”
She smiles at me, reaching into her bag. “Here is my business card; if anything else becomes available in this area, I’ll be sure to reach out.”
We part ways as soon as we exit the building, and both Luka’s men are waiting on the sidewalk. They are hilarious out here in their tailored suits and sunglasses.
“How’d you like the subway, gentlemen?” I poke.
They each eye me with disdain and I let out a chuckle. That’s what I thought.
I’m pulling out my MetroCard, getting ready to head back to the office, when a large black SUV pulls down the road. If there is one thing more out of place than the gorillas in suits, it’s a high-end, black SUV with tinted windows.
And from the nonchalant, unworried gazes of these two, it’s not a threat. I squint at the car, and the second-row driver’s side window rolls down.
“Do you make it a habit to run off shopping for apartments when you have a perfectly satisfactory place to live?” Luka says. The sarcastic tone is laced with disappointment, and my heart flutters at it.
“Well, you know, bad roommates and all …” I scrunch my nose and motion a pointer finger to my head while offering him a smile. To my surprise, he gives me one back. The bitterness from last night melts away when I see it.
The window rolls up, and I assume he is heading back to work, but Ivan gets out and opens the back door. Luka emerges, nodding to both men, and I glare at him.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Checking on a friend’s investment property for him.” He comes over to me and places a hand on my back—a chill runs through me. “Heard he decided not to rent out the final unit. Interesting, huh?”
I snort with laughter at the sheer craziness of it all. But Luka pulls me into his side, crushing me against his chest, his chin landing on top of my head.
“Kate, the hold you have on me, I can’t let you leave,” he mumbles into my hair, but I catch it all—every word. I can’t suck in any air, and he holds me, not letting me step away.
“You seemed confused last night,” I say, cringing at my own words.
I don’t want to be this girl, questioning him, but embarrassment isn’t allowing me to filter my words. He steps back from me and gazes down, capturing my chin between his two fingers.
“Kate, you have no idea how much I want you. I regret making you feel like I don’t.”
His stern voice entrances me, and I waver on my feet. A lesser man would’ve given in without regard for any emotions.
He turns and holds out his hand for me to get in the car with him. I take it, the warm, calloused palm dragging along mine. His phone rings, but instead of answering it, he lets it go.
“Ivan, call Nik back. See what he wants.”
Luka holds the door open as I slide into the back seat. I peek back out the door as Luka is about to get in.
“What about Tweedledee and Tweedledum?” I gesture out to the two guards, who are practically my shadows. Luka addresses them in Russian over his shoulder. They turn and head in the direction of the subway.
I frown.I bet they hate me.