“In the morning,” Alexi added with a smirk.
“Great. We can all have our eggs and then you can watch Kassi skewer me to the dining room table.”
“No one is getting skewered to the table,” Leo told him. “Kassi will accept your protection or she will find it impossible to leave the estate for the foreseeable future. You’ll see, Piotr. Our little cousin is rather smart and will gladly accept your platonic friendship and protection.”
Piotr shook his head and headed for his own rooms, deciding he would have one more good night’s rest before he found himself permanently barred from the estate. Kassi was furious with him for a perceived wrong he had no control over. Several of the other waitresses had let him know what Kassi had seen and how she’d interpreted it. He felt horrible and made a mental note to clear the air with her the next morning.
Chapter 6
Piotr was waiting in the hallway when Kassi exited her suite of rooms. “Kassi, we need to talk.”
“Do we? I don’t think so,” she told him, brushing past him and heading for the staircase. “I’m late for breakfast.”
Piotr fell into step with her as they descended the stairs. “I’ll come with you.”
Kassi stopped on the stairs, “Why?”
“Leo and Alexi both requested I be there this morning.”
Kassi frowned and resumed walking, “Have they ever requested you attend breakfast before?”
“No. This is a special situation,” Piotr told her quietly as they reached the foyer and turned to the right. He stopped her before she could open the doors, “Kassi, about last night…I’m sorry.”
“For what, exactly?” Kassi asked, turning to face him fully.
“Things got completely out of hand…upstairs…in the hallway… and I take full responsibility for that. Downstairs…well, I will always protect you. Always. I don’t want to be your enemy and it’s clear that being your lover only leads to heartache.”
Kassi met his eyes and then quietly asked, “If we aren’t enemies and we aren’t lovers, then what are we?”
“Friends. I would like us to become friends.”
“Friends? Is that even possible?” she asked quietly.
“If we both set our minds to that outcome, I believe it is.”
Kassi watched him for a long moment and then nodded. “Explain one thing for me.”
“If I can,” Piotr readily agreed, pleased she was agreeing with him.
“What happened to make you dislike me so?” she asked him, her voice displaying a hurt he hated knowing he’d put there.
“Kassi, don’t think that. I don’t dislike you, but you and I…things were much different a year ago. Your father was still alive and he and I, well, there were some security issues that needed my attention. You were so young, and I truly felt you needed a chance to finish school and meet someone your own age. Someone who wanted the same things you did from life. You needed a chance to explore being an adult and see the world.”
“How did you know what I wanted from my life? You never asked.”
Piotr inclined his head, “That is true and just goes to show you that we are cut from very different cloths. You want a family and I have never even considered settling down in that way.”
Piotr hated lying to her, but he wouldn’t ruin her image of her deceased father by telling her about the promise he’d been forced to give. Or about his suspicions, on either that count or of the latest threat against the family.
“You truly don’t want to get married?” Kassi asked with a frown on her face.
Piotr shook his head, “No. Now, I believe we are almost five minutes late and I’m sure your cousin has been watching the timepiece on his wrist, counting each and every one of them.”
“You’re probably right.” Kassi nodded.
“So, friends?” Piotr held his hand out to her. When she placed her small hand in his larger one, he shook and released it.
“Friends,” Kassi rubbed her palm on her hip as he turned and reached for the doors to the dining room. She preceded him into the room, and Piotr followed, hoping they’d just begun a peaceful chapter of the relationship and not walked right into another problem.
Leo had indeed been staring at his watch, but he merely gave them a hard stare and continued to peruse his morning newspaper. Once Kassi and Piotr were seated, he folded the paper up and addressed everyone present.
“Kassi. Gemma. Aimee. I wanted you all to hear this at the same time. It seems that the publicity surrounding both Alexi’s return from the dead and your kidnapping have gained the attention of the Greek mafia.”
Gasps were heard around the room and Piotr could feel Kassi’s eyes staring into the back of his head. He refused to turn around.
“As of right now, none of you will be alone. Gemma, you will not go anywhere unless I can go with you. Aimee, I believe Alexi has the same requirement of you. Piotr has been permanently assigned to detail you, Kassi, everywhere. No exceptions. If you don’t like that, you will be confined to remain on the estate…”
“I don’t mind. Not at all,” Kassi informed a stunned Leo and rest of the room. Only Piotr knew of their recent discussion and he looked down so as to hide the pleased expression on his face.
“Piotr, you don’t seem surprised by this revelation,” Alexi questioned him.
“I’m not. Kassi and I will be fine. Now, I believe she mentioned wanting to attend a new fitness class this morning. Kassi, we should probably get going so you won’t be late.”
Kassi beamed him a smile and nodded, “Sure. Leo. Alexi. If there is anything I can do about these threats, you’d let me know, right?”
“Yes. Right now, we just need you all to be extra vigilant and if you see anything, no matter how small or questionable you feel it may be, we still want you to tell one of us.”
Kassi nodded and then walked over and hugged Leo, “Thank you for being so concerned about us all. I’m sorry you are going through this.”
“Thank you,” Leo told her. She smiled and then turned and hugged Alexi.
“Thank you.”
“You are very welcome, my Kassiopeia.”
Piotr watched her smile and felt only a momentary speck of jealousy. It didn’t matter that she and Alexi had a secret name only he called her. They were her cousins and he was happy they cared so much for her.
He drove Kassi to her fitness class, standing outside the glass enclosure while she and her girlfriends strutted their stuff and got all sweaty. He waited outside the dressing room while she showered and then drove her downtown where she met up with several girlfriends for lunch.
Over the next two days, he repeated the process, driving her to meet friends, have lunch, or just sit in the park with their shoes off while he kept watch from nearby. By the end of the first two days Piotr was hoping a solution to the mafia letter was close at hand. He hated lying to Kassi and her cousins, but also decided it was in the best interest of everyone involved if his connection to Andronicus remained a secret.
He’d placed a short call to his father’s lawyer, but the man had merely reminded him that unless he was willing to step in as the CEO of his father’s business empire, Piotr was powerless to do anything. He needed the leverage his father’s businesses would give him if he was going to meet Andronicus on any sort of even playing field and without something to barter with, Piotr would eventually find himself shoved out of the way and his father’s empire crumbling around his shoulders.
The lawyer had gone a step further and reminded him that no good Greek son would ever allow what his parents had built with their lives fall into ruin without making a solid attempt to preserve them. It was his responsibility as his father’s son, and only added to Piotr’s feeling of being pulled in two directions. His first responsibility right now was to Kassi and her protection. That was not going to change as long as there was a threat to her, and although they were currently only involved in a friendship on the outside, Piotr’s true feelings for her were having a ha
rd time staying buried.
Kassi was an amazing young woman and he found himself falling more under her spell and developing a real fondness for her as a person. It was a perplexing situation he found himself in as the wedding plans drew closer to the magical day Alexi and Aimee had been planning. It seemed everywhere Piotr looked there were reminders of romance and no matter what his heart might be hiding within, he’d made a promise – not only to Kassi’s father, but to her cousins who had done nothing but give him support and friendship. He wouldn’t betray any of them willingly. His heart would just have to deal with it.
Chapter 7
Kassi settled the veil over Gemma’s head and then smiled, “Look. It’s perfect.”
Gemma turned and faced the full-length mirror critically, pursing her lips as she took in the sheer silk and lace veil she and Kassi had picked out for Aimee to wear tomorrow evening. They were currently getting ready for the wedding rehearsal and Gemma had insisted that it was bad luck for Aimee to actually play the part of the bride before her actual wedding day.
Aimee had been more than willing to play along, and the girls had decided that Gemma would play Aimee’s part and Aimee would simply play the part of a bridesmaid. Kassi was going to play the part of the maid of honor and had the fake rings tied to the silk sash on the ring bearer’s pillow. Damien would fulfill that particular duty, but no one was willing to trust the little image of Leo with the real rings before it was the actual wedding day.
“Aimee, tomorrow is going to be amazing,” Kassi told her friend.
“I hope so. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I wish tonight was the real ceremony and that way I could sleep tonight and get rid of these butterflies in my stomach.
Gemma started laughing and Kassi joined her, much to Aimee’s consternation. “What is so funny, you two?”
Gemma and Kassi shared a laugh before Kassi answered. “The fact that you think you’re actually going to get any sleep on your wedding night. You do remember who you’re marrying, right?”
Aimee blushed scarlet and ducked her head, “Yeah, bad choice of words.” She lifted her head and ignored their laughter, “You know what I meant.”
Gemma nodded, “Of course we did. And the nerves will keep you on your toes and make sure you remember even the smallest detail tomorrow.”
Kassi grinned at her, “Yes, we know. Ready to go?”
Aimee nodded and then glanced at Gemma. Kassi watched them exchange some unspoken communication and she narrowed her gaze, “What?”
Gemma turned and met Kassi’s eyes, “Promise me that you won’t start anything with Piotr tonight?”
Kassi frowned at the worry on both women’s faces. “Piotr and I have been getting along.”
“That’s why we’re so worried. You two have been getting along too well.”
Kassi waved their concerns off. “Don’t worry. Piotr and I talked and we’re just friends. He makes me laugh.”
Aimee slung an arm around Kassi’s shoulders as they headed for the hallway, “That’s not making either of us feel better. You and Piotr are like oil and water and the chemistry between you two hasn’t just disappeared.”
“Oh, but it has. We agreed we are better off as friends and so far, that seems to be working out fabulously. Even Tyler commented on it earlier this afternoon.”
Aimee scoffed, her dislike for some of Tyler’s past antics a well-known fact. “As if Tyler would know about such things. Just watch yourself. I really don’t want Alexi upset tonight. He’s promised me we’ll go for a midnight swim later…”
“Absolutely not!” Gemma declared. “No midnight swimming. After the rehearsal party you are coming back up to your rooms and not going to see Alexi until you walk down the aisle tomorrow night. Do you want to jinx your marriage before it even begins?”
“But…,” Aimee began, only to be silenced by a cutting motion from Gemma’s hand.
“No way. You’re going to be my sister-in-law and I refuse to allow you to sabotage your own future for a single night of pleasure. You’re just going to have to calm your lustful urges down and Alexi can go swimming by himself.”
“Or take a cold shower,” Kassi offered. “I hear it works well in these situations.” She made the statement so deadpan, a small pause ensued before all three women broke out in raucous laughter as they opened the suite’s doors and stepped into the hallway.
Piotr pushed himself off the opposing wall as they moved forward, a wary smile upon his face. “Ladies. What is so funny it has tears spilling from your eyes?”
The women looked at Piotr and burst into another wave of laughter. Kassi waved off his question, hanging back to walk beside him as Gemma and Aimee headed for the staircase. “Nothing.”
“Nothing has tears coming from your eyes?” Piotr asked with a smile and an arched brow.
Kassi made a waving motion with her head and then forcibly took a calming breath, getting control of her laughter in the process. “Nothing you need to worry about. Just a little girl talk that went too far.”
“I see. So, need I ask why Gemma is wearing the wedding veil and not Aimee?”
Kassi held onto the rail as they descended to the foyer. It had been decided that the wedding ceremony would take place on the east lawns of the estate and no expense had been spared turning it into a wonderland. White drapes hung from the trees, magical fairy lights provided a daylight appearance, and floral arrangements hung down like elegant vines from the sky.
“Oh, the decorators did an amazing job,” Kassi whispered as they stepped into the covered tent. The entrance was an arched walkway covered in tiny white and baby pink miniature roses. Large sprays of lilacs sat in pots on the floors, guiding the guests towards the rows of seats that had been set up for those wishing to observe the ceremony.
Alexi and Aimee had agreed to no more than a hundred guests, and after having a hard time deciding which of Alexi’s business associates should be disinvited, the guest list had grown to one hundred and fifty. Aimee had confided in Kassi that she didn’t really mind, she just didn’t know how she was going to remember everyone’s names.
Kassi told her that wasn’t necessary, and she simply needed to smile and nod and pretend she didn’t fully understand Greek. No one knew the extent to which Aimee had learned their language, not even Alexi. It was a surprise she was keeping for their wedding night. One Kassi was sure Alexi would appreciate.
“Aimee can’t play the bride until tomorrow night. Gemma and I flipped a coin and she won.”
“So, a twist of fate has Gemma wearing the veil tonight instead of you?” Piotr asked as he walked her down the aisle to where everyone else waited for their instructions.
“Pretty much.”
The wedding coordinator and priest quickly explained what was going to happen and everyone was directed to their starting points. The walk through of the ceremony took no time at all and then everyone was heading for the vehicles waiting out front and the elegant rooftop restaurant Leo had rented out to celebrate this momentous event in his brother’s life.
Everyone was piling into vehicles but when Kassi reached the front of the line, Piotr snagged her elbow and directed her to his own black sportscar. It wasn’t one Kassi had seen before and she admired the luxurious leather interior as he jogged around to the driver’s door. It was a BMW, and while Kassi didn’t know all that much about cars, she knew luxury when she saw it.
“Nice ride.”
“Thanks,” Piotr told her, sliding into the driver’s seat and putting the sleek automobile into gear. He guided it along the streets and Kassi found herself relaxing so much that when they arrived at the downtown building, she wished they could just keep driving.
“Comfortable?” Piotr asked as he guided the vehicle into the parking garage.
“Very. It’s been a long day.”
“No rest for you,” Piotr told her, coming around to the passenger side and handing her up and out of the car. “Let’s go eat. Based upon the catering Leo arran
ged for the bachelor party, I’m sure this meal will be just as memorable.”
Kassi laughed, “You don’t even know the half of it. Leo asked Tyler for his input and I believe we are eating a Texas-style barbecue this evening.”
“Really? That should be interesting. Have you ever been? To Texas, I mean?” Piotr asked as they stepped into the elevator with several others from the wedding party.
“No. You?”
“Yes. It’s a very large place. Everyone talks with an accent, wears cowboy boots and hats, and many carry their guns on their person in plain sight.”
“Truly?” Kassi asked in surprise.
Piotr nodded, “It was slightly disconcerting at first, but after a few days I found myself not even noticing.”
“Kassi,” Aimee called to her as the elevator opened up on the roof. “Come over here and look at this.”
Kassi smiled and did so, taking in the horse shoes, boots decorated as flower vases, and pieces of coiled rope that were serving as holders for the food dishes. “It looks good.”
Aimee nudged her with an elbow, “I promise you will like it. I mean, Leo found someone to make everything. Coleslaw. Cornbread. Baked beans. Chicken wings. Where on earth did he find all of this?”
Tyler sidled up to her and whispered for both girls’ ears, “He had it flown in from the Lone Star State, of course.”
“Really? Leo had an entire meal flown in?” Kassi asked, looking over to where her cousin stood looking very smug and proud of himself.
“Yeah, he flew the cooks over as well.”
“Ah, that makes more sense,” Kassi told him. “I’m going to go get something to drink. See you later, Aimee.”
She wandered over to the bar that had been erected in the corner of the space and accepted a cocktail that was both pink and tasted amazing. She wasn’t normally one who engaged in mixed cocktails, they weren’t exactly popular in the Greek nightclubs, but given the atmosphere it fit in perfectly.
Her Greek Bodyguard (The Greek Brothers Book 3) Page 4