Page 18

As our promenade begins, I’m bundled in the center, flanked by Ethan and Matthew. Strolling as a unit, we head down to the pebbly beach.

“So, Katarina, my brother doesn’t have many friends .” Ethan emphasizes the last word. “Are you aware he works all the time? Literally, all the time. Since he was eighteen.”

I shrug. “His work ethic, the thing he’s most passionate about? That’s where you’re hitting him? Try again.”

Ethan smiles. “Passionate, huh? Tell me, Miss Katarina, what exactly do you know of my brother’s passions? Could you, perchance, be speaking from personal experience?”

“Ethan,” Matthew warns. “Out of bounds.”

“No, it’s fine.” I put a hand on Matthew’s arm. “Actually, Ethan, your brother is a perfect gentleman. To a fault.”

“Is he now?”

“Yes…except perhaps at the pool table.”

“Mmm.” Ethan's smile is knowing. “He wiped the floor with you there, huh? Don’t worry, he does it to everyone. He has a table in his apartment and zero social life.”

“I’m certain a rematch would bring a different outcome.” I stick my chin out.

Matthew grins. “Doubtful.”

“You know…I like you ten times less when we’re playing pool. ”

“Bullshit,” Matthew whispers to me. “You loved it. I think losing is good for you.”

Ethan rubs his chin, continuing to watch us with interest. After a brief pause, he fires again.

“Tell me more about yourself, Katarina. Something stimulating.” He gives me a playful wink before sliding a gilded antique pocket watch from his trousers.

Faint grooves of engraving catch the light as he flicks the lid open.

“You have sixty seconds to impress me. Go.”

For the first time, I falter. I don’t like talking about myself. Too many lies, too many pitfalls. Too many secrets I shouldn’t tell.

“Fifty seconds.” Ethan taps the watch.

But just because I shouldn’t tell them, doesn’t mean I can’t show them. Something simple but effective. And most definitely stimulating…

Target: Ethan DaMolin.

We’re still walking, so I “accidentally” give a soft kick to Ethan’s shoe. He looks down briefly. It’s all I need.

Misdirection.

I stumble forward, as though the impact threw me off. Matthew reaches for my elbow. I grab onto him.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine. Sorry, Ethan, how much time do I have left?”

He glances down, noticing his now empty hand. “What the—”

“Oh, bless your heart. I’ll just check myself, shall I?” I lift his pilfered pocket watch, cataloging the wink of tiny rubies at the end of the clock hands. “Looks like only twenty-two seconds left.”

When he turns his shocked gaze on me, I go for the knockout punch.

“Good heavens, this feels like the longest minute of my life. Perhaps I should just confirm…” I lift up Matthew’s wristwatch in my other hand, comparing the two timepieces.

Matthew grabs his forearm, but it’s bare. “How did you do that?”

“Magic,” I answer, smiling sweetly. “You might want to check your pants while you’re at it. It seems your fly is unbuttoned. Yours too, Ethan.”

The brothers exchange mortified looks while I laugh.

Ethan recovers first. “Congratulations, Katarina—that’s the most action my brother’s had in years.”

I shrug before, regrettably, handing back his ruby-encrusted timepiece. “Being a gentleman will do that to you.”

“Where did you learn to do that?”

“Well, Matthew already knows this, but…” I take a deep breath. “I grew up in the Catacombs. I have certain…proclivities other Academy girls don’t. Survival skills, if you will.”

“Proclivities, huh? Well, aren’t you just the cat’s meow, Katarina? All the Academy events I’ve suffered through over the years…how on earth did I miss you?”

“Easily. I’ve never been one of the floozies in your doting harem.”

“Whyever not? What exactly is it about a workaholic, uptight doctor that holds your very valuable attention?”

Matthew gives me a sidelong, curious glance.

“I’m not precisely certain yet,” I answer honestly. I flick my eyes to Matthew’s face, then back to his brother. “When I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”

“Well played, Katarina. I see your time at the Academy isn’t lost on you.”

“Thank you, sir.” I mock curtsy, and Ethan’s face lights up.

“That earns you a bonus point.” He nods at my curtsy. “It’s not nearly as nice as the one you gave my father, but now that I know you better, I don’t think you drop to your knees for just anyone.”

“Unlike you, huh, Ethan?” Matthew teases, smiling wickedly.

“Oho! That’s below the belt, Matt,” Ethan declares. “For that, I’m going to ask your friend Katarina one final question. Don’t worry, it will be highly embarrassing…and confidential.” He drags me away before Matthew can protest.

I swallow when Ethan leans in close. I know it’s going to be bad before he opens his mouth. I can just feel it.

“So, Katarina, tell me just one more thing, sweetheart.” His breath tickles my ear. “Have you dropped to your knees with your pert little mouth open for my brother yet?”

My jaw drops. Matthew shifts nervously from foot to foot, watching us.

“No,” I finally manage. “Perfect gentleman, remember?”

I’m blushing scarlet; I can’t help it.

“Trust me, Katarina. He’s not. None of us are.” He reaches into his pocket to pull out a cigarette and lighter. “Lucky for him, I don’t think you’re a perfect little lady either. So make it good for him when you do. God knows, it’s been a while.”

As he walks away, I move my mouth mechanically, searching for something…

anything. I don’t let anyone get the last word on me, but for once, I have no comeback.

Ethan thumbs his lighter until it sparks, cupping his free hand around the cigarette between his teeth.

He pulls a deep drag and blows out a fluid stream of smoke.

As he exhales, something in my brain clicks.

Expensive suit. Coiffed hair. A burning light.

It was Ethan DaMolin I saw last week at Astor Manor, sharing a midnight smoke with Harry. I’m sure of it. What dastardly backroom business were those two up to so late at night?

“Ah, the harem awaits.” Ethan puffs. His cigarette dangles from his lips as he gestures up the beach toward a pack of giggling girls. He gives me another wink, this time conspiratorial. In spite of myself, I let out a small laugh.

“You’re a swell dame, Katarina,” he tells me, nodding approval. “I apologize for being forward, but we DaMolins protect our own. We have to. Should you stick around, you’ll find my bark is far worse than my bite.” Ethan claps his brother on the shoulder as he departs.

Matthew is openly wary as he walks over to me. “What did he say to you?”

“Nothing,” I mutter.

“Do I really need to call bullshit again?”

“It’s honestly not worth repeating. Trust me.”

“I want to know—”

“He asked if I’d sucked your dick,” I announce stiffly. “And then, when I told him no, he insinuated I would. Soon.”

“Oh. Mercy.” His face pales, and he looks over his shoulder at his brother’s departing back. “I’m going to murder him. Katarina, I’m so sorry. Ethan has never concerned himself with boundaries.”

“Honestly, Matthew, it’s fine. I’m a big girl. Big enough to decide whose dick I suck. And how and when it happens. Because it has happened. Unlike my classmates, the Academy’s ivory cage means very little to me.”

Matthew’s eyes widen, surprised at my outburst. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this…

” He runs his fingers through his hair, rumpling it rather adorably.

“Do you really think you’re the only gal at the Academy who’s sucked someone’s dick, Katarina?

You’re not. One of those girls offers to suck off mine at almost every event. Ethan’s too.”

I blink and digest this. Who—

“The real reason you’re not like those ladies over there”—he jerks his head—“is that you haven’t offered. You don’t give a flying fuck who my parents are or how much money I do or don’t have. That is why you’re different.”

“Matthew?”

“What?” He shoves his hands in his pockets, agitated.

I pause, considering the words I’m about to say.

I roll them around in my head, tasting their curious flavor.

Trying to decide whether I’m hungry enough to set them free.

I’ve never said anything like this to any other mark, never had the thought or barest whiff of desire cross my mind.

I wonder, faintly, if this makes me a traitor to Paul, but I push the thought deep down, shelving it for introspection when I’m alone.

“What would you say to me right now if I offered?” I hold his eyes with my own.

“Offered what?”

I look meaningfully at him.

“Christ, Katarina.” He shakes his head. “No.”

I see straight through him. “Bull. Shit.”

He meets my gaze head-on, but he doesn’t say anything. The silence stretches for an eternity. We’ve traversed quite far along the beach, out of sight of the picnickers, which suits nicely.

“Do you…” He rubs his mouth nervously. “Katarina, we’re at a family picnic. Outside.”

“I understand. It’s not a deterrent for me.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Does it really matter?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes. It does. It matters to me, very much.”

“Because…” I grasp for the words, trying to explain to myself as much as him. There’s a certain calculation here, there always is. But also…

Because I’m curious what it’s like to touch the sun.

“Don’t think about it. Don’t bullshit me. Just tell me why.” A muscle ticks in his jaw.

“Because you make me want to,” I reply simply. “You. Not Ethan or your family or your money. Just you.”

He’s still silent, evaluating me.

“You make me laugh,” I add. “A lot. Which doesn’t hurt. ”

Finally, he cracks a smile. “You make me laugh too. I wish we could just…wind back the clock and return to that.”

“You’d rather laugh with me than sneak off down the beach?” I’m incredulous.

“Katarina, I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give, but we have plenty of time.”

“Kat,” I correct. “My friends call me Kat.”

“Hi, Kat. I’m Matt.” He moves in toward me, a single slow step. “Nice to meet you. Again.”

“Hi, Matt.”