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“You asshole,” I sobbed, throwing myself into his arms and cupping his face. “You adorable asshole.” Peppering kisses all over his face in thanks, I squeeze him once, then return to Katja and take her hand. “Come, sit!”
As we settle next to each other on the couch, Kristof presses a wad of tissues into my hand, kisses the top of my head, and then leaves with Andrev so we can talk.
“How are you?” I demand. “How did you even get here? When did you even get here?”
“Goodness.” Katja laughs softly, burying her face into a handful of tissues. “I was so scared.”
“Oh, Katja.” I draw her into my arms immediately. “I’m so sorry. Were they awful to you?”
“No.” She weeps softly. “Not at all, actually. But I think that was scarier. The house is in such a dark state, and I’ve been burying myself in work, but one night, I was woken up by a guard, and I thought I had angered Mara and they were taking me to be executed. The next thing I know, I’m being shoved onto a plane—a really fancy plane—and then I’m here, and when I saw Kristof, I thought he was going to kill me.”
“He wouldn’t,” I assure her quickly. “He’s not like that.”
Unless you’re a doctor.
“He said you needed me, and then he…” Katja leans up from where she’s been crying against my shoulder. “He apologized for how harsh he was with me at the club and said he should have gotten me out of there sooner. Then he put me in a room, and that man, Andrev, kept asking me a bunch of questions about Mara and your father and you.” She shakes her head and wipes her eyes. “I thought it was never-ending.”
“They’re very strict with security here,” I say, clutching at her hands. She was upset, and yet my excitement was through the roof. I didn’t see this happening and had only contemplated Katja in all my dream-plans of returning to America. Never once did I consider that Kristof could bring her here.
“You’re telling me.” She laughs softly, and the familiarity of it spears warmly through my chest, making my eyes fill with tears once more.
“And look at you!” Her eyes land on my belly for the first time. “You look so… so different!”
“Is that a good thing?” I pout slightly, sniffling, and squeeze her hands once more.
“You look so grown up now. Like you’re a real woman. And you’re pregnant!”
A wave of bashfulness washes over me, and my cheeks warm as I cradle my stomach and nod. “Yup. Nearly three months. Life has taken an unexpected twist, but it’s… it’s amazing and…”
“And?” Katja wipes her cheek. “What’s wrong? Tell me everything, please, I have so many questions!”
Her pleading unlocks the floodgates, and everything spills forth. I tell Katja every detail, from how much I enjoyed being Kristof’s pet to our escape to Russia and the betrayal of Alyona. The tears flow faster when I recite how Nastja and Ivan died at the hands of my father and how my life here is what I chose it to be and that I will never forgive my father. Listing everything out for Katja takes a long time, and by the time I finish, my throat is a little raw and the fire burns low.
“Holy shit,” Katja murmurs, her tears having long since dried. “I can’t believe how insane your life is now. I’m sorry that you lost people close to you. I also can’t quite believe Kristof is like that now. To me, he’s still that terrifying killer who hates everyone.”
“Maybe on the outside.” I chuckle softly. “But he’s changed. A lot. Both of us have. How are things back home?” Calling that place home tastes alien to the tongue.
“Dark,” Katja replies with a deep sigh. “Mara’s been alone for so long, the power is going to her head. Everyone is on edge constantly, and ever since you vanished, the Kuznetsovs have been demanding compensation. They wanted to take all the women at one point.”
Katja shudders, and I take her hand.
“I’m so sorry. I promise you, you’re safe now. Here, everyone is ready to help and no one is treated differently. Plus, you’re here as my friend.”
“Am I safe, though?” Katja leans forward, and her bright blue eyes sparkle with concern. “You’re not just saying that?” she whispers.
My brow pulls down. “What? What do you mean?”
“I mean, Kristof kidnapped you. He stole you away and then hid it from everyone, then brought you to another country to keep you.” Her eyes narrow. “Are you sure he’s not the same twisted asshole and you’re not just used to it?”
Her concern is valid. I take her hand and stroke her knuckles, giving her the strongest smile I can manage.
“Katja… yes. He did bad things. He’s done a lot of bad things, but he has cared for me and loved me from the moment we were together. I’m happy. I’m free, and I get to make my own decisions, be my own person, and be supported for what I want. We’ve both suffered, and all I want, all I need is for us to be a happy family. You’ll see.”
“Maybe,” Katja murmurs. “Time will tell if he really is different—although I didn’t enjoy being snatched from the house and shipped across the world.”
“It’s worth it, though, right?” I tease. “I’m so fucking happy you are here, oh, my God. I still can’t believe it. I can’t wait to show you around!”
Katja smiles warmly then, the last of the tears gone from her eyes. “You seem so… different.”
