Abby flagged over the saleswoman, and the woman’s eyes lit with glee when she saw the mountain of lingerie that Abby had piled on the counter. She must get paid with commission.
Abby chatted with the saleswoman as she scanned and bagged everything, but I was too distracted to pay attention to idle chatter.
Natalya brushed by me and pretended to admire the perfume bottles near the register. Once she realized Abby and the saleswoman weren’t paying attention, she caught my eye.
“September,” she said in a low voice.
Her eyes were full of warning, but I knew better than to ask any questions. I could already imagine all the threats that would come my way if I didn’t deliver what Sergei wanted. No one that I cared about would be safe.
Chapter 40
Katya
I lingered downstairs in the foyer. My bags were packed and loaded in the car, and Mr. Ferguson was waiting to drive me to Bedford Academy. All I needed to do was step outside and get into the car. I’d be free of this place for the next eight weeks.
“Kitty Kat!” Kingston’s voice called to me from the second floor. “Are you trying to leave without saying goodbye?”
Tension bled out of my shoulders. I’d spent the last ten minutes debating on whether I should seek the guys out or not. We weren’t enemies any longer, but I wasn’t sure we were friends either. We existed somewhere in that grey area.
Kingston bounded down the stairs with Maverik and Kash following more slowly afterward. Before I could object, Kingston wrapped me in a bear hug and lifted me off my feet.
“I should just stick you in my suitcase and bring you with us,” he mused before setting me back on my feet. He eyed me up and down. “You might fit.”
I smacked his arm. “Not going to happen.”
Kingston patted me on the top of the head. “Remember, you’re going to be a Wilder. I expect you to make a big splash, cause lots of shenanigans, and emerge as the Queen of Bedford by the time we get back.”
I rolled my eyes. “How about I just pass the stupid exams I have to take to be allowed to start junior year with you?”
Kingston chuckled. “We’ll let you slide for the summer, but your Wilder training is going to start up in earnest when we get back.”
My eyes flicked over to Maverik. He hadn’t said anything and was casually leaning against the banister of the stairs. His face was unreadable, but that just meant he didn’t want anyone to be able to guess his thoughts.
“If she survives the summer at Bedford,” Kash added with a smirk.
“Keep to yourself,” Maverik told me. “Don’t trust anyone there.”
I sighed. “I’m not taking classes with anyone,” I reminded him. “I have to work independently with tutors, and the rest of my time will be taken up with ballet.”
“Good,” Maverik said with a satisfied nod. “Don’t attend any parties, and don’t go out after dark.”
“Anything else?” I asked sarcastically.
“The campus is secure from any outsiders,” Maverik said pointedly. “The staff is constantly monitored and vetted for any connections we might need to be concerned about.”
Blood drained from my face. I’d crossed paths with Sergei’s contact a couple of days ago and begged for more time to find the map. Did Maverik know about the meeting? Was he aware I was working with Sergei?
My heart settled when I realized Maverik wouldn’t be this relaxed if he knew the truth. He told me previously that he suspected Nina had ties to the Bratva, so that was probably all he was referring to. Neither Kingston nor Kash asked any questions, so I guess Maverik must have told them about his suspicions.
I had this nagging feeling inside that was begging me to open my mouth and tell them everything. I pushed it away, because I already knew the consequences of that would be disastrous. I was a strong woman, and I would handle my own problems. I didn’t need to go running to Maverik to solve them for me.
I groaned when I saw Nina sweep down the stairs and head toward me. “I should get going, Mr. Ferguson is waiting.”
Nina sniffed. “He can wait.”
Maverik stiffened as Nina passed by him and Kingston scowled. Kash watched her warily, but no one said a word to her.
Nina stopped a foot in front of me. “Don’t embarrass me while you’re at Bedford. Remember, my engagement to Richard is still on a need-to-know basis. Don’t even think about ruining our plans.”
I raised an eyebrow at Nina. “You probably shouldn’t have enrolled me at Bedford as Ekaterina Wilder, then.”
Nina looked annoyed. “It wasn’t my idea. Plus, you weren’t supposed to be going to school there until the fall. Only the headmaster and a select number of staff members know who you really are.”
“Everyone will just assume you’re a bastard,” Kash said bluntly. “Just roll with it for now.”
A mean glint shone in Nina’s eyes. “Yes. That’s not far from the truth, anyway. After all, you are a bastard child, just not Richard’s.”
My eyes flashed with anger, and I wanted to punch Nina in her stupid, smug face. She was enjoying the fact that I was set up to be tormented in school.
“Don’t you have pills to pop and mimosas to guzzle?” Maverik interjected. “I’m sure Dad’s going to be working late tonight and will completely forget all about you. You’re going to have to sit here alone in an empty house since he’s not willing to publicly admit to dating you.”
Kingston broke out into laughter, and Kash paced in front of Nina like a panther eyeing up his prey. Maverik stayed right where he was, but pinned Nina down with a predatory stare.
Nina spluttered before she managed
