15
SONYA
Istep into the living room and extend my hand, holding a steaming mug of coffee. Evgeny looks at it like I’m offering him poison.
“We go through this dance every morning. You’ve been sleeping on my couch every night for weeks. Just take the damn coffee.”
Evgeny begrudgingly accepts the cup and grunts that he will wait in the hallway for me.
He has been my constant shadow for two weeks. He’s the first man I’ve had in my apartment for an embarrassingly long time, and he barely even speaks to me. He sleeps on my couch, which I know from experience is not comfortable, and it must be worse for someone his size. He’s a constant presence outside my office door, and comes with me to all of my appointments as well as the courthouse.
My neighbors are starting to talk, which is only exacerbated by the fact that Matvei is often stopping by unannounced to check on me.
I’m pouring myself a cup of coffee when I hear a noise out in the hallway, a high voice I recognize instantly. I can’t make out any actual words, but I hear Evgeny’s deep bass reply.
“Oh, shit,” I groan.
I glance at my phone and see multiple missed messages from Kelly. I was working on a case and must have forgotten my phone was on silent mode for court yesterday. “Shit, shit, shit!” I rush to the door and throw it open.
“I’m going to ask you one more time. What the hell are you doing at my sister’s door? If you don’t answer me right now, I’m going to handcuff you and take you in.”
“Kelly, stop!”
She and I peer at each other around the wall that is Evgeny. I meet her wide-eyed gaze that quickly narrows to a glare. “Sonya, you want to tell me what the hell is going on? You disappear for two weeks after someone takes a shot at you and you haven’t answered my messages. I’ve been texting all morning. We had plans for brunch, remember?”
I slap my forehead and drag my hand down my face. “Damn it, I forgot. I’m so sorry. Things have been crazy at work, and I have this case?—”
“Yeah, yeah,” Kelly brushes off my excuses. “Save it. I know you’re busy saving the world, but I’m not going anywhere until you tell me why Matvei’s bodyguard is standing outside your door.”
She points at the big Russian, actually poking him in the chest. I have to bite back a laugh when her eyes open wide in surprise, knowing her finger poked what must’ve felt like chiseled stone.
“His name is Evgeny. He’s nowmytemporary bodyguard. He’s keeping me safe after what happened at the wedding.” I squeeze under Evgeny’s arm to meet Kelly out in the hallway.
“Your bodyguard?” Kelly looks the enormous man up and down. He does the same to her.
“Here.” I shove my cup of coffee into her hands. “Drink this. It has that Irish cream stuff you like so much. Maybe it’ll make up just a little bit for forgetting about our brunch.”
She takes a sip, which is followed by a hum of satisfaction. Her green eyes slide to mine over the rim, creased slightly with what I know is a frown. “It helps a little bit. But you still owe me. I swear I’ll handcuff you and drag you in with me. This is the second month in a row, Sonya.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I feel horrible. I really do.”
My sister gently punches me on the shoulder and gives me a small smile. “Hey, you know I’m the last one who’s going to get between you and your clients.”
I smile and rub my neck. “Thanks, Kelly.”
“But seriously, you do owe me. I’m not going to forget.”
“I know.”
“And it’ll be on your dime.”
“Of course,” I sigh. “Anyway, like I said, Evgeny is my bodyguard until, well, I don’t really know.” I look up at Evgeny. “You remember my adoptive sister Kelly from the wedding.”
Evgeny nods. Kelly looks him up and down again, but this time, praise and an approval spark in her eyes, which makes me a little nervous.
Kelly drains the coffee and shoves the mug back into my hands. “Seriously, Sonya. I need some girl time.”
“I know, and I promise I’ll make some time soon.”