“Goodnight, Kayla,” he murmured.
Her eyes closed before he dropped his head toward hers. He studied her for a second. She was more innocent than she should be considering what she’d been through, but he knew she was damaged as well. That she trusted him enough to close her eyes and wait for his kiss moved him more than he could say.
Why had she run out on him after their night together? He intended to find out now that he planned to marry her.
He kissed her softly, a press of his lips to hers, and then lifted his mouth away. She opened her eyes, gazing up at him with a question in them. He kissed her forehead and let her go.
“Thanks for a nice evening.”
“Will you text me when you get home?”
“Sure. Night, Kayla.”
“Night, Zach.”
Neo got in the car, started the engine, and put it in reverse. When he backed onto the street and shifted into drive, a figure appeared in front of him, cross-armed, spread-legged, and glaring.
“Fuck,” he groaned. Just what he needed right now.
Neo rolled down the window as the figure stalked forward.
“Hey, Camel. What’s up?”
Chapter Five
There was a knock on the door that connected the in-law apartment to the hall leading to Bailey and Camel’s. Kayla sighed as she went over and opened it up. Bailey stood there with a concerned look on her face. She was holding a baby monitor, but Kayla was certain the look had nothing to do with Ana and everything to do with Kayla’s visitor.
“Hey, Bale. Do you want me to come get Ana?”
Bailey still frowned. “No, she’s completely passed out. No need to wake her.”
“Do you want some wine?” Kayla asked as she stepped back to let Bailey in. Bailey didn’t drink often, but Kayla asked anyway.
“No, I’m good.” Bailey walked inside, taking in the couch, Kayla’s glass, Zach’s empty water bottle, before she turned to face Kayla again. “Was that Zach here with you?”
Kayla folded her arms. “You know it was.”
She thought she still heard the rumble of Zach’s car outside. She went over to peer out the window. Sure enough, his car was idling beside the curb and he was standing next to it, talking to someone.
Not someone. Alexei.
She dropped the curtain and turned, anger flaring deep. “Y’all know it’s none of your business, right?”
Bailey’s eyebrows climbed her forehead. Kayla cursed inwardly as she watched the play of emotions on her sister’s face—disbelief, defensiveness, protectiveness, and anger—before Bailey got control of herself.
For heaven’s sake, why had she gone all defensive like that? She wanted Bailey to be happy, not upset.
Stress, that’s what it was.
“We’re concerned about you. That’s all,” Bailey said more than a touch defensively.
Kayla waved a hand. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s been a long day and I’m tired.”
Bailey looked wary. “Is everything okay? You and Zach seemed to be interested in each other once before, but then nothing happened. I worry about you.”
Kayla impulsively gave her sister a hug. Bailey smelled like vanilla and chocolate chip cookies. She’d been baking again, practicing her newfound cooking skills. When they’d been kids, the only thing Bailey knew how to cook was macaroni and cheese, and ramen. That was more than Kayla had known. They’d subsisted on those things quite often.
“I know, sweetie. I’m fine. Zach and I are seeing each other. I’m fine and I’m happy.”
Bailey hugged her back. “Okay. I just want you to be careful, that’s all. Zach is a good guy, but he leads a dangerous life.”
As if she didn’t know that.
“So does Alexei, honey.”
“Well, yes. And that scares the shit out of me. If you don’t have to go through that, then don’t.”
Too late.
“There’s more to both of them than danger.”
“I know.”
Kayla sighed. “Do you want to text Alexei and tell him to let Zach go home?”
She hoped Zach and Alexei weren’t having a deep heart to heart about her situation, but there was no way of knowing that. She could only pray that Alexei would see her side of things if so.
Bailey’s cheeks were a touch pink as she took her phone from her pocket. She typed out a message and hit send. “Done.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you want to talk about anything?” Bailey asked.
Kayla’s heart thumped. “Such as?”
“You and Zach. I’ve seen you looking at each other lately. Though not at the same time. It’s almost like something’s been going on, but you aren’t speaking to each other about it. I guess that changed tonight and you started talking again.”
Embarrassment heated her cheeks. Of course Bailey had noticed. Her sister was sharp.
“Nothing to talk about, Bale. Zach and I are dating, and that’s all I want to say right now.”
Bailey blinked. Kayla could see her take in that information and process it. “Okay.”
Kayla went to grab her wine glass and Zach’s empty water bottle. “Sure you don’t want some wine?”
“Maybe a tiny bit.”
Kayla refilled her glass and got one for Bailey. There was a knock on the outside door.
“Better let Alexei in,” Kayla said.
Bailey opened the door. Alexei strolled in, looking big and bad and handsome as hell. Kayla had been interested in him once upon a time, back when she’d been waitressing at Buddy’s Bar & Grill and telling everyone her name was Harley. She gave herself a mental eye roll. Why had she done those things?
Alexei smiled. Kayla smiled back. She loved Alexei like a brother. Her one-time attraction to him had been based on how nice he was to her, not on any real chemistry. Thinking about it now, she was almost embarrassed by her youthful hero worship. Worse, she would always be somewhat mortified that she’d accused him of being Ana’s father when there was no way he could have been. He didn’t hold it against her, and for that she was thankful.
“Did you and Zach have a nice talk?” she asked.
“Yeah, fine. Why?”
Bailey took a sip of wine. “She’s onto us, babe.”
Alexei sighed. “What gave it away?”
“Uh, the fact Bale showed up without you and wanted to know if
