The Neighborhood (Twin Estates #2)

by Stylo Fantome

He walked home with a skip in his step, whistling a tune. He spent the afternoon playing video games and arguing with Landon. Then he stopped down at the club and flirted harmlessly with Tori for a bit before getting distracted by other things. He didn't come home till almost one in the morning, and he crawled straight into bed.

  Katya didn't call once.

  24

  She felt a little better the next day. She got up early and took a walk, bringing home fresh bread for her and Tori. Her roommate was wickedly hungover – apparently the bar had shut down after a certain time and Liam had relieved her of her duties. She'd partied it up with Brighton and Gaten, then she and Gate had shared a taxi home.

  Katya had no messages from Wulf, which she decided to not think about – it wasn't worth it to worry about something when she didn't have any clue as to what was going on. She was done making assumptions.

  While she got ready for her lunch date with Genevieve Stone, she got some messages from Liam. He reminded her of their own rooftop date at four o'clock, and she assured him she'd be there. She was hoping to have a very frank, open conversation with him. No more of his witty banter and no more of her being a weenie.

  At two o'clock, Katya was being seated inside a very fancy cafe. She was glad she'd taken care to dress nicely. She'd wanted to be somewhat on par with Vieve, who always dressed up, but she hadn't realized she'd be eating somewhere so nice. She sat and sipped at sparkling water until the other girl showed up.

  “So sorry I'm late,” Vieve breathed as she hurried up to the table. Katya stood up and leaned in for a brief hug.

  “Please,” she laughed. “It's been five minutes.”

  They both sat back down and then a very observant waiter hurried over, taking their drink orders. Katya ordered a lemonade, but was a little surprised when Vieve ordered a mimosa.

  “So how was the party after I left?” Katya asked, smoothing her napkin over her lap. “It seemed like you and Gaten were having a good time.”

  Light pink stained the tops of Vieve's fair cheeks and she polished off the rest of her mimosa.

  “It was a lot more fun than I expected. I thought … I don't know, it was a sex club, in a big city. Leather and whips?” she offered, and Katya burst out laughing.

  “It's never quite been like that, even when it's operating like normal. But you and Gate, I -”

  “Katya,” Vieve sighed. “I appreciate you introducing us, and he was a very nice guy. Super good looking, polite, seemed intelligent. But I'm just not in the mood to date anyone right now.”

  Katya's first instinct was to argue. She always wanted everyone around her to be happy and thriving in some way. That's why she never cared what kind of job Tori had, whether it was in a law office or slinging drinks in a sex club. As long as she was being productive and it made her happy, that's what counted. It seemed like Vieve was a little sad and a little lonely, and Katya just wanted to help with that.

  But she stopped herself, realizing that she was making assumptions again. Just because Vieve seemed one way, didn't mean anything. Katya ultimately didn't know the other girl very well. So she smiled politely and nodded, then changed the subject to Vieve's job hunt.

  They ate watercress salads and cucumber finger sandwiches, laughing about how silly Liam was and how different he was from his twin. Neither ever brought up Wulf, which Katya thought was a little telling in itself, but she was also thankful.

  By the time their plates were being cleared away and they both shared a plate of fruit for dessert, Katya still wasn't sure why they'd met up. Maybe Vieve had really just wanted to go to lunch with someone. Seemed strange, since they really weren't that close.

  “This was a lot of fun,” Katya said, wiping at her mouth as a waiter took away their credit cards.

  “Yes, it was,” Vieve agreed. “We haven't really gotten to spend any time together, just the two of us. I thought it would be nice.”

  “Oh. Well, thank you for that,” Katya replied, not sure what to say.

  “And I just … I wanted you to know, I hope … it would be nice, if you and Wulf ever got back together. I won't lie, I think it would be really nice. But I'm not hoping for it or counting on it or even necessarily rooting for it. He's a difficult man, it would require a lot of compromise and hardship to be with him, I'm sure. So no matter what happens between you two, I wanted you to know I'd understand, and I would also … I'd really love it if you and I could be friends. Outside of your relationship with him,” Vieve laid everything out.

  Katya was a little surprised. She'd never had some request to be friends with her, it almost seemed silly. Was definitely very sweet. Was also easier said than done. If she and Wulf were really over, if they never fixed what had broken between them, could she stand to be around Vieve? A constant reminder of him? Would Vieve really want to be around the woman responsible for making Wulf even more miserable than he already was?

  But that was ridiculous. Who knew how it would go? Would she let potential fall out stop her from rekindling a friendship? Also, Vieve didn't know anyone in San Francisco outside of Wulf and Brie – she'd be all alone.

  “That would be great, Vieve,” Katya said, smiling big. “You should come over for dinner next week. Tori and I are going to make huge pitchers of margaritas and a feast for her birthday.”

  It looked like the other girl let out a deep sigh of relief.

  “I would really, really like that. You know I didn't really have a lot of friends growing up, and then I was so busy, getting married and with everything that happened, and Brie takes up a lot of my time. Part of why I moved here, I just wanted to get away a little bit. Wanted to … I don't know, feel like a grown up. God, that sounds stupid,” Vieve chuckled, turning pink again and starting to collect her stuff.

  “It doesn't,” Katya insisted, leaning back as a waiter showed up and set their credit cards on the table. She grabbed hers, then stood up and grabbed her jacket. “I always feel like I'm two steps behind everyone.”

  “But you have a career!”

  “Yeah, and you went to med school,” she teased. “Doesn't make a difference, I still feel so young compared to almost everyone. I think we were too sheltered growing up.”

  “Yes. So much yes to that,” Vieve groaned.

  “Well, you'll get to hang out with Tori next time, and she can broaden anyone's horizons,” Katya laughed. “God, I remember this time, she made me break into a ...”

  Her voice trailed off before she finished. Her phone had started ringing and when she looked down, she was a little surprised at the number on the screen.

  “Into what?” Vieve asked, holding open the front door.

  “Sorry, just a second, I need to answer this,” Katya replied.

  As she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she gave the other girl an apologetic smile. Then she lifted the phone to her ear and answered the call.

  *

  Liam angrily paced up and down the hall outside Katya's door.

  It was well after four. Hell, it was actually closer to five, now. He'd double checked with her about meeting at four – he'd rearranged his work schedule around it. He'd also tried calling her and texting her.

  He'd known she'd taken off around two to meet up with Genevieve Stone, Wulf's sister. That made Liam very, very nervous. What had the two women talked about? Was Vieve telling all kinds of stories? Saying anything to advocate for a beloved older brother?

  Bullshit. Liam had put in the time, put in the work. He had earned this win. He deserved to win, to finally beat Wulfric Stone at something. Just the idea that he couldn't get a hold of her because of Wulf was enough to drive Liam insane.

  What the fuck do I have to do to come in first!? Why am I always second best!?

  He paced for a while longer, texting her increasingly annoyed sounding texts. He even tried texting Tori, but she wasn't answering her phone, either. Finally, when it was a quarter after five, he gave up. He growled and stormed into the elevator, all while banging out one last text to Katy
a.

  This was important to me. I thought it was important to you. The least you could do is answer me, let me know you're okay.

  He was frustrated. He was annoyed. He was tired of feeling like he wasn't good enough. And, keeping it completely honest, he was a little hard up. He'd been looking forward to their little meeting on the roof. They'd been sharing a lot of hot kisses, and he had figured it was the perfect time to end their dry streak. He could still remember how she'd looked in her dress the other night, with her hair long and sexy around her face. So incredibly hot, he hadn't been able to get the image out of his head all night.

  Now he was left hanging for over an hour, which no excuse or apology forthcoming. He leaned back against the elevator wall, stewing and letting his imagination run wild. He pictured her lunch date with the Stone sister, imagined Wulf showing up. It would be just like the other man to use his family to weasel his way in. It wasn't fair, Liam didn't have a super sweet sister to use to his advantage. Maybe he could call one of his cousins ...

  When he finally got out at the lobby, he stood off to the side, trying to calm down. He was over reacting, he knew. More than likely, she'd just gotten caught up with her old friend. Probably reminiscing. Still. It always felt like he was an after thought. Always getting pushed down and pushed aside. Not returning phone calls, not answering texts, canceling plans. The feeling was getting pretty fucking old.

  “Hey, I know you,” a voice broke into his thoughts.

  Liam glanced to his right and saw a pretty blonde woman. She had clear skin and pink lips and big blue eyes – almost a walking, talking, real-life Barbie. He'd seen her around, she lived in the building he was pretty sure.

  “Yeah. Yeah, I live next door. Liam Edenhoff,” he introduced himself, holding out his hand to her.

  “Lana Tisdale,” she gave her name through a big smile and placed her hand into his. “I live upstairs.”

  “Ah, I thought I recognized you.”

  “Really?” she gasped, taking her hand from him and pressing it to her chest. “I can't believe it. I've seen you around for ages, but thought you'd never noticed me.”

  “Oh no,” he laughed. “You'd be hard not to notice.”

  He wasn't lying. If he'd had to guess, he would've said she was from Los Angeles. Long blonde hair – that shade that isn't found anywhere in nature. A forehead that was smooth and completely devoid of any lines, even when she raised her eyebrows. Breasts that were far too perfect, and a body that looked like it had been sculpted by a professional. A professional who had been very good at his job.

  “I met the building manager the other day,” she continued. “Mr. Stone?”

  “Ah, yes. Good ol' Mr. Stone. He lives on the top floor.”

  “Yes, we went to lunch. He mentioned that you owned the building,” she said. Liam's smile got tight.

  “Did he, now?”

  “I mean, of course it doesn't matter to me,” she said quickly. “I just wanted to thank the owner in person for providing me with a home, a roof over my head and four walls.”

  “And you are very welcome, Ms. Tisdale.”

  “Oh, Lana. Always Lana,” she insisted, squeezing his arm affectionately.

  He stared down at her for a long moment. She wasn't subtle at all, that was for sure. He'd told Katya once that he'd had female residents offer to fuck him in exchange for reduced or free rent. He hadn't been lying. He wouldn't be shocked to find out she'd made the same approach to Wulf. She said they'd had lunch together – what else had they done together?

  And if Wulf had done more than just have lunch with this chick, then he wasn't the good guy that Katya seemed to believe he was. Maybe this was Liam's opportunity to get some real dirt on Wulf. Something that would finally put Liam over the top and help him win this stupid contest, once and for all.

  He finally smiled big again and fully turned to face her.

  “Well then, always-Lana,” he teased. “How about we think of an interesting way for you to thank me?”

  “You're bad!” she giggled. “I would love to invite you up for a drink, but my roommate is doing an online yoga class today, boo. But you live right next door, right? Top floor?”

  “I do, in fact.”

  “I just love the views from the top floor.”

  “Do you? Unfortunately, my brother is visiting at the moment, and he's not feeling very well,” Liam sighed, glancing around.

  “That is a shame. I was so hoping to get to know you.”

  He didn't really want to go to some bar somewhere, it would be too hard to have an intimate conversation with her. He stared back down at her again, trying not to look at the impressive expanse of cleavage she was showing or how long her legs were under her skirt. His mind started spinning quickly, coming up with an idea.

  “Me, too. Maybe we still can ...”

  25

  “Katya? Katya!”

  Vieve had all but screamed her name, but Katya hadn't heard a thing. She'd stood on that sidewalk, staring into the street as she'd dropped her phone. She also hadn't realized she'd started sobbing uncontrollably.

  The things that happen when panic strikes you.

  Vieve had grabbed her phone off the ground, then she'd wrapped an arm around Katya and hauled her down the street. By the time they got to the parking garage where Vieve's car was, Katya was almost on the ground. An attendant ran over to help them, offering to call an ambulance. She managed to shake her head, though, and she was loaded into the large SUV.

  While Katya had continued sobbing, Vieve had spoken into her phone. Made sounds of sadness and understanding. Then she'd made another call while she'd pulled out of her spot. By the time she got to her home – Wulf's home – she'd hung up and helped to cart her friend inside. She laid Katya out on Wulf's bed, then she'd shut all the curtains, shrouding the room in darkness. Before she'd left, she'd forced Katya to take three smalls pills. She wasn't sure what they were, but they calmed her down a little. Made her brain foggy. Made everything feel like she was in a dream.

  That's what this is. A dream. A waking nightmare.

  It had been her parents' neighbors on the phone, the Tunts. The man who had a Harley that her father wanted to race against. Just the other day.

  Daddy …

  Her father had been in a car accident. On their street, just a couple houses down from home. When she'd heard that, Katya's first thought was it had been that stupid motorcycle Wulf had given him. But no, he'd been in his car, in the Lexus. It had been someone from a couple blocks over, a drunk driver. Doing around seventy miles an hour in a residential neighborhood. He had broadsided Mr. Tocci's car, ramming full force into the driver's side door and sending the car rolling onto its side. It had skidded across the street, hit a tree and spun around before finally coming to a stop.

  Her mother had gotten to her father before the ambulance. They said she had to be sedated. Mr. Tocci had been pulled from the wreckage still alive, but they were sorry to say, they weren't sure he would live through the night. They were doing everything they could for him, and in the mean time, could Katya come down, please, so she could help take care of her mother. It was never said, but she got the feeling they also wanted her to come down to say goodbye to her father.

  But I'm an only child. It's only us. I can't lose my dad. I just can't.

  She curled up in the large bed and just sobbed. Cried into the mattress for a long time while the pills kept her wrapped in a fog. She couldn't imagine a life without her father. Couldn't think about anything else. What was she going to do? How was she supposed to handle this!?

  She had no clue how long she laid in that bed for – it felt like seconds, but when she finally sat up, she saw that almost two hours had passed. Vieve had come in and out, bringing her water and wiping at her face. Even cuddling up behind her for a bit. She had a vague memory of Brighton stopping in and saying she was sorry.

  I can't be here. I need Tori. I need Liam. I need Wulf. I need my mother. I need … my daddy.
>
  “I have to go,” she said in a hoarse voice, wiping at her face as she finally emerged from the bedroom.

  “Of course,” Vieve said, jumping up from the sofa. “I've spoken to my mother – she's gone over to your parents' house, made some meals for you and tidied up, locked all the doors and took home the keys. She said you are welcome to come stay with her, if you go home.”

  “Thanks. I have to ...” Katya's mind was everywhere. She felt like she was stoned. “I need to go to my apartment. I need to get a bag, and Tori. A car. I need …”

  Her chin started shaking. She was going to start sobbing again.

  “We can go right now. I can stay with you, I can drive you down there,” Vieve offered, grabbing her purse and leading the way out of the penthouse.

  “No, no,” Katya coughed to clear her throat as they got onto the elevator. “You have things to do here, interviews, everything. I'll go alone.”

  “No. That is a very, very bad idea. I … I hope you don't mind, I called Wulf.”

  “He was kinda close to my dad,” Katya whispered as they got out at the lobby.

  “I know. He's in Los Angeles right now.”

  “I didn't know.”

  “An emergency meeting, an issue with a property. He flew down this morning and was coming back tonight. He said … he said he was so sorry,” Vieve told her.

  “That's nice.”

  They were silent when they got in the car and Katya leaned her forehead against the glass. She closed her eyes, letting the vibrations from the vehicle give her a headache.

  When they got to her apartment, Vieve walked her inside and waited while she drank an entire bottle of water in one go. She offered more of her magic pills, but Katya declined. She needed to be alert. She needed to be present. She needed to get her ass in gear.

  “So much to do,” she whispered.

  “Let me help you,” Vieve offered, but Katya held up her hand.

  “No. No, I really, really appreciate your help. I can't even tell you how much. But honestly, I just want to be alone,” she said.