Page 20 of Keeping My Enemies Closer: Pt. 2

“I just left the diner,” I informed her.“I needed to do something.”

There was a heartbeat of silence before she asked, “Is Zoya okay?”

“No, she’s not,” I sighed, feeling on edge.“She’s unhappy, and it has more to do with just the loss of her mother.I fear that she’s slipping into a real depression.”

“Or else you’re just not used to dealing with human emotions, and you’re beginning to panic because now they’re in your face, and you have no idea what to do with them,” she countered, though not cruelly.Aurora was just stating the facts, which I could appreciate.“Feelings aren’t something that you can scare or threaten away.”

“Possibly,” I grumbled.

After another slight pause, she said, “If you’re really concerned that it’s more than just...her having a lot on her plate, when the doctor goes to check on her, maybe you can ask him if he has any referrals for grief counseling.”

“She has me to talk to if she needs someone to talk to, Aurora,” I pointed out.

“Except that you’re the part of the nightmare that she finds herself in,” she countered.“Not only have you thrusted her into a world that is beyond her comprehension, but she’s also lost her uncle not too long ago, and at the hands of the very people that she can’t escape now.So, what exactly do you have in your bag of secrets that is going to make her feel better?”

“You know, I used to think that you were too good for my brother, but now I’m rethinking that,” I drawled out.

She just laughed at that.“Your brother knows the truth.”

Since it was the truth, I just said, “One week max, Aurora.I want her gone within a week.”

“I’m already working on it, Kasimir,” she replied smoothly.

“Thanks,” I sighed, meaning it.

“It’s my pleasure,” she smirked.“You have no idea.”

Chapter 11

Zoya~

I wasn’t sure what time of the day or night it was, my sleep habits a complete mess, understandably so.With no job or responsibilities, knowing the time or day of the week didn’t seem so important right now.Yeah, I was going to have to eventually take care of my mother’s house and the bills, but not right now.

No.

Right now, my back was arching lazily on the bed, and there was no mistaking what was happening.Even as my consciousness was returning slowly, I was still very aware of the warmth on my thighs, Kasimir’s hands holding them open, his broad shoulders preventing me from being able to close my legs.As one of his favorite things to do, I was very familiar with this position, and I welcomed it.