He locked his arms around her. “I told you last night, I kept our arrangement a secret for your safety. I’ve never been photographed with a woman before. Naturally, my enemies are going to assume you mean a lot to me. You can’t leave the house without security. I’ll double the guards. You can’t take off the ring, do you hear me?”
When she shivered, he hugged her tighter.
“I’m sorry,” he said, pressing his lips to the crown of her head. “I’ll see to it that you’re safe when our agreement ends. That’s a promise.”
His words were too ominous to consider. She preferred not to think of the implication.
“I have something for you.” He picked up a rectangular velvet box from his desk and handed it to her.
She looked at him in surprise. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
She lifted the lid and sucked in a breath. Inside was a platinum bracelet, a delicate rose with the stem and leaves twisted together, and diamonds encrusted in the petals like glistening dewdrops.
“It belonged to my mother.” When she looked at him quickly, he continued, “My father sold it when she died.”
“How did you get it back?”
“I took it from the bastard who bought it for next to nothing when my father was in a drunken stupor. Not even the Vodka could make him forget that I took her from him.”
Kat laid her head on his shoulder. “It wasn’t your fault.”
He didn’t answer. He took the bracelet from the box and slipped it over her wrist. The intricate design shone in the light that fell through the window. It looked antique and impossibly valuable.
She shook her head. “I can’t take this.”
“You will.”
When she parted her lips to argue, he kissed her, his tea forgotten.
Chapter 8
After the event in the club, and social media posts speculating about their relationship, it didn’t take long before Kat’s face and name were all over the Chilean tabloids. Despite what Kat had said to Marianne and Diana, to let her break the news to her parents, it was never her intention to tell them about her relationship. Why bother if it was going to be over soon? Now she couldn’t put off calling them any longer. What if they saw one of the articles back home? Her parents weren’t on Facebook or Instagram, but what if something leaked to the media in the States?
Kat sat quietly in the lounge, contemplating the situation. The world didn’t know that they had an agreement that was coming to an end in a week. As far as everyone out there reading the posts were concerned, she was Lann’s lover. To make matters worse, she was the first one he’d been photographed with. That made it look serious when what they shared was anything but.
Lann had promised she’d be safe when he left her behind, alone, in Santiago. She trusted him. However, this was about more than her safety. Leaving Lann was going to be hard enough. Now she was going to have to live it through social media too. It wasn’t going to be a private matter. It would be public knowledge. Being humiliated in front of the whole world when Lann dumped her would be an added agony she hadn’t bargained on. She pressed her mobile phone against her forehead. As her mother always said, she’d made her bed. She would just have to carry on sleeping in it until it was over. The optimist in her reminded her that she still had a week left with Lann. When the time came, she’d deal with the media, her friends, her family, and most of all, with herself.
She took a deep breath and dialed her parents’ number.
“Kat,” her mom, Felicity, exclaimed, “we were going to call you this weekend. How are you?”
“Wonderful,” she said, forcing herself to sound bright. “I have news. I met someone.”
Her mother’s voice adopted the high-pitched tone it usually did when she was worried. “You did? Who is he?”
“His name is Lann. He owns the library where I’m doing research.”
“That sounds like a foreign name.”
“Yes.” She didn’t mention that he was Russian. Felicity was untrusting of anything or anyone that fell outside her border of experience.
“Is it serious?”
“No. I just wanted you to know.”
“Kat,” her mom said sternly, “what aren’t you telling me?”
She cleared her throat. “It’s just that he’s kind of famous here in Santiago because he bought this old monastery and a library of hundreds of antique books and turned it into a home and we were photographed at a club. It’s all over social media. I didn’t want you to hear from someone else.”
“I see.” There was a short pause. “Is this relationship interfering with your studies?”
“Of course not.”
“Are you happy?”
“Very,” Kat forced herself to say.
“As long as you know what you’re doing, honey. This exchange program is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity. Don’t throw it away on a fling.”
“Mom, please. I’m a big girl.”
“Will you send me some clippings?”
“Mom!” Kat laughed. “You’re impossible. How’s Dad?”
Her mom updated her on her dad’s health and on the status of the garden. They ended with Kat reassuring her mom that she’d be home for Christmas at the end of her study year.
When she disconnected, Kat took a shaky breath and rested her head in her hands.
“Was that your parents?”
She lifted her head at the sound of Lann’s voice. He stood in the frame, regarding her with a sympathetic expression.
“It was my mom. I didn’t want them to hear from someone else.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Only that I met you,” she smiled wryly, “and that I’m still focused on my studies. They’ll make their own assumptions after next week.”
“I agree. The less they know, the better.”
Sadly, the same rule seemed to apply to her. She knew so little about him when she wanted to know so much.
“I came to give you this.” He held a mobile phone to her. “It’s a secure phone. I know you’ve been ignoring the media calls up to now, but it’ll only get worse. It’s best to leave your old phone switched off.”
She nodded and took the phone.
“If anyone does manage to get through to you,” he said, “don’t deny or acknowledge anything. I’ll handle the media statements.”
“What are you going to say?”
“I’ll say that you’re my girlfriend.” He paused. “In another week’s time, I’ll say that we’ve broken off our relationship. In time, it’ll kill the media interest in you. When I’m gone, given a few weeks or so, the attention should dwindle to nothing. I’ll get my media consultant to keep in touch though. He’ll advise you if you’re ever in doubt of what to say or how to handle the exposure.”
She flinched at the thought of dealing with the publicity wolves alone, without Lann. She had to give it to him, he was trying to help. At least he wasn’t going to tell the truth. She made this bed. She squared her shoulders.
“Right.” She got to her feet. “That wasn’t so bad.” She felt his eyes on her back as she left the lounge, but he didn’t say anything.
She went to her room and texted her new number to Diana. She’d send an email to her parents and to Charles later. They weren’t going to call her before the next few days anyway. A second later, her new phone rang.
“Hey, Diana.”
“Your photo is all over the news.”
Kat sighed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Don’t sound so despondent. You’re famous.”
“It’s not a good thing, Diana.”
“What are you talking about? Now that you’ve caught the elusive Russian and even got him photographed, you’re the new celeb in town.”
“It’s over next week, remember?”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re going to be the newest, hottest, most popular girl in Santiago.” She paused. “Kat, you haven’t fallen for him, have you?”
>
“Of course not. I’m just not looking forward to the public humiliation. It’s not going to be nice to be dumped in front of the whole world. Before, it was just between us. But now…”
“Never you mind. I’m going to take some fabulous shots of you and leak them to the tabloids. You can’t let an opportunity to become famous pass. Besides, you’re going to say you dumped him.”
Kat laughed and said jokingly, “You’re despicable. We’ve decided not to make any statements. He’ll just say it’s over, and neither of us will comment.”
“Less dramatic,” Diana said with disapproval. “Well, I guess it makes it more mysterious.”
Kat only rolled her eyes at the phone.
“So, you’re moving back next week?” Diana asked.
Kat’s heart squeezed painfully. “Yep. I’ll see you Sunday.”
“Right. I’ll be sure to kick Enrico out by then.”
Kat gasped. “Enrico’s living in our flat?”
“He sure is.”
“Why didn’t you tell me the two of you got together?”
“You’re busy with your own affair.”
“I’m never too busy to learn you’ve got a new boyfriend.”
“Anyway, he’s a bit wary of getting together with you after what happened at the tango bar. He’ll feel better meeting you after your possessive lover is out of town.”
“You don’t have to kick him out just because I’m moving back.”
“I know, but I could do with a bit of personal space again. Enrico’s like an octopus.”
“You like him, don’t you?”
“Very much,” Diana said. Coming from her, that was admitting a lot.
Kat ended the conversation, promising to call her again before Sunday.
She went to the library and tried to lose herself in her work, something she guessed she was going to do a lot in one week’s time.
Security around the monastery was increased, and reporters couldn’t get close enough to bother her as long as Kat stayed indoors. She couldn’t go for her daily run, but she reminded herself that it was only for another week. Instead, she used the treadmill in the gym.
Despite her resolution not to let the media affair affect her, she found her concentration lacking. Lann was being especially sweet with her, his physical caresses tender, while he frequently read her work and gave helpful feedback.
On Wednesday, she was reading a book on vampire verses at her desk in the library when Lann entered and slipped his hands around her from behind to cup her breasts. Thankfully, Martina was in the backroom typing reports.
“This is short notice,” he said close to her ear, “but I have to attend a Valentine’s ball on Friday evening, and I’d like it very much if you’d join me.”
His request caught her off guard. “I thought you didn’t want to add more fuel to the media fire.”
“It’s out there now.” He straightened and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Nothing will stop the gossip, not until I leave Santiago.”
With every mention of their time together coming to an end, Kat’s heart felt heavier.
He gripped her chin and turned her face to him. “So, what will it be?”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea?”
“It’s not going to make a difference to what’s already being said. And I do need a date. If you prefer, I could ask someone else, but imagine what it’ll to do to my reputation, not to mention yours.” His lips curved into a wry smile.
“I’ve never been known to deny a gentleman in distress.”
“I’ll be eternally grateful.” He suddenly turned serious. “Thank you for doing this.”
Wow, he went from playful to formal in less than one second. “Of course.”
“If you need to shop for a dress, I’ll take you.”
She shook her head. “I think I’ve got just the right outfit.”
After lunch, Kat called in Diana’s help. The ball was two days away, and she needed all the assistance she could get.
Diana had booked an appointment with Silviano, the make-up artist and stylist who prepared the models for her shoots. They arrived together at the monastery after lunch on Friday, and when Silviano was done with Kat two hours later, she looked in the mirror and liked what she saw. The make-up was dramatic. He’d placed the emphasis on her eyes, making the blue color stand out with dark eye shadow and eyeliner. A nude pink lipstick made her lips look fuller. She especially liked what he did with her hair. Her natural curls were dried in waves that fell down her back to her waist. One side was pulled away from her face with the ruby butterfly clip Lann had given her.
While Silviano had been at work, Diana had given her a manicure and pedicure. Kat now sported pretty red finger and toenails. Diana had helped her shop for a sinfully decadent thong of black chiffon dusted with diamond dots. The dress was one she’d bought two years ago on impulse. It was ridiculously expensive, and she’d never had an opportunity to wear it. It was one of those creations a girl knew she had to have, even if only to wear once in her life.
Two cross-panels that covered her breasts fastened around her neck. The V in the front almost ended at her navel. The back was open and the skirt tight. It fitted like a glove over her hips. From her knees, it flared out slightly. The fabric was a sheer drape mesh of shimmering black.
She pulled on a new pair of beaded, open-heel evening slippers. The stiletto heels lifted her a few inches off the floor, and the way it forced her to walk on tiptoes flexed her calf muscle that showed through the long slit on the side.
Diana clapped her hands. “Oh my God, Kat.”
Silviano studied her with his hands on his hips. “Perfect, darling. You look like Grace Kelly with red hair.”
Kat smiled. “Thank you. You guys are the best.”
“Of course I am,” Silviano said.
“You’re missing this.” Diana handed her a shopping bag from an exclusive boutique store.
Kat shot her a questioning look.
“Come on. Don’t keep Silviano in suspense. Open it already!”
Kat removed something wrapped in white tissue paper. She carefully peeled the paper away to reveal a silver patent leather Saint Laurent evening clutch bag.
“Oh, Diana.”
“Don’t you dare cry,” Silviano said, raising a finger. “I’m not redoing all that eye makeup.”
Kat hugged them both. “I don’t know what to say.”
Diana removed her camera from her bag. “You can say cheese.” She aimed the lens at Kat and snapped away on continuous mode.
“Did I hear something about champagne?” Silviano cocked his hip.
Lann had indeed told them upon arrival that he’d arranged for champagne to get the dressing party going. After Alfonso had brought up a bottle of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay and three chilled flutes, Kat had a glass of bubbly with Diana and Silviano before she dabbed on her perfume and slipped the rose bracelet over her wrist.
“Wow,” Diana said, leaning in for a closer look, “that’s not your average bracelet.”
“It was his mother’s.”
Diana and Silviano exchanged a look.
Kat shrugged. “What?”
“You don’t give your mother’s jewelry to someone you don’t care about,” Diana said. “Giving away family jewels is serious.”
“I’m not going to keep it,” Kat said quickly. She shot them a brilliant smile and decided to change the subject. “I think I’m ready.”
“Time for us to say bye-bye,” Silviano cooed. “Have fun, darling.”
While Alfonso saw her friends out, she looked at her reflection one last time. Lann had asked her to be ready by eight, and at eight sharp, the door between their bedrooms opened. Lann stood in the frame, dressed in a tux and bowtie. His golden hair was braided down his back, giving him the exotic, sophisticated look Kat loved so much. As his gaze roamed over her, his eyes shone a deep, golden color.
He closed the distance slowly and stopped a step away from her
. “I can’t take you out like that.” His voice was hoarse. “I’ll be too busy fighting off the other men, worrying about their wandering eyes.”
She smiled up at him. “Shall I take that as a compliment?”
“You are the most beautiful being I’ve seen, Katherine.” He offered her his arm. “I’m honored.”
The ball was held at the Moneda Palace, the seat of the Chilean president, with the wealthiest patrons in attendance. The proceeds would go to a new museum for pre-colonial art. Lann had been invited as one of the country’s foremost antique art donors. When he stepped from the limo and offered Kat a hand, cameras flashed around them.
“So much for not liking to have your photo taken,” she whispered.
He placed his hand on the small of her back. “As much as I hate public events, declining this invitation would’ve looked too suspicious.” He guided her through the entrance. “Let’s find a quiet corner where I can just stand and admire you.”
They went through the ballroom to a bar at the back.
“Champagne?” he asked in his Russian accent.
“Thank you.”
He requested their drinks from a barman and handed her a glass. Their tranquility didn’t last long. A small group of people soon surrounded him. Everyone seemed to want to meet him. A tall brunette approached them, her hips swaying in a red creation, a heart-shaped pendant around her neck.
“The elusive Mr. Dréan,” she said. “What’s the weather forecast for today?”
Lann tensed. “Amelia,” he said, acknowledging her with a nod. “Working?”
“I wish I could say it was pleasure, but…” Her lips tilted in one corner. “I see you’ve finally found someone to leash.” Her eyes moved to Kat and to the ring on her left hand.
Lann pulled Kat close to him. “It’s the other way around. She’s got me leashed.”
“It’s not surprising,” Amelia said, “seeing that she looks so much like your mother. Except that your mother’s hair was blond.”
Kat stiffened in Lann’s embrace. Inside, she went cold, but instead of giving Amelia the satisfaction of seeing her shock, she squared her shoulders.
Aeromancist, The Beginning (SECOND EDITION): Prequel (7 Forbidden Arts Book 2) Page 12