Epilogue
Three weeks later…
Piotr walked into the library where Gemma, Leo, Aimee, and Alexi were enjoying a quiet evening. “Where is she?”
Alexi and Leo both got to their feet, sharing a look. “Where is who?”
“Kassi. Where is she?” Piotr looked from one man to the other.
Alexi shrugged his shoulders and looked to Aimee. “Have you seen Kassi today?”
“She said she had some errands to do in town when we spoke last night. She seemed upset about something, but I didn’t see her this morning. I didn’t make it down to breakfast,” she reminded him with a smirk.
Alexi shared her knowing look and then lifted his hands. “I wasn’t at breakfast either. She’s not answering her phone?”
“No and she turned it off. I already tried tracking it and she’s removed the SIM card so it’s not even transmitting a signal.” Piotr turned to Leo. “Did she tell you where she was going?”
Leo shook his head and then looked at Gemma, who was busy folding and refolding the blanket lying across her lap. “Gemma, you want to tell us what you know?”
Gemma looked up and then quieted her hands. “It depends.”
“On what?” Piotr demanded. Leo looked at him sternly and he lowered his voice. “I’m sorry, it’s just I’m worried. We had a big fight yesterday, as if we ever do anything but fight. Anyway, things didn’t end well and she told me she hoped I got hit by a bus.”
Gemma coughed to cover up her laugh. “It sounds as if Kassi was very upset with you.”
“She’s been upset with me for over a year. That woman is impossible! She doesn’t think things through and is a danger to herself.”
Leo nodded and hid his own smile. “I believe we are all aware that you think she needs a keeper. Piotr, Kassi is young and just trying out her wings. Maybe you should back off a little bit and give her some space?”
“I tried that and this is where it got me.” Piotr’s voice was bleak. “I just want to make sure she’s safe and not doing something stupid.”
Gemma gave him a smile. “She’s safe. Tyler called just before dinner to say Kassi was flying to the States and wanted to stay with him for a while.”
“She flew to the United States to get away from me?” Piotr asked in disbelief.
“She flew to someplace where she knew she could hide and get her thoughts in order,” Gemma clarified for him. “She told me she needed to make some decisions and she couldn’t do that when she had to see you every day.”
“Maybe it’s time you explained to us this history you and Kassi seem to share,” Alexi suggested.
Piotr thrust his hands into his hair. “I wish I could but I can’t. Not without Kassi’s approval. My story is hers and if she hasn’t told it yet, who am I to betray her confidence?”
Leo and Alexi shared a look. “Very well, but I trust there will be peace in this house sometime in the near future?”
“I would like that as well,” Piotr agreed.
Gemma cleared her throat. “Tyler is flying back here in two weeks’ time and I’ll make sure he brings Kassi with him.”
“Two weeks,” Piotr murmured. “Fine, I’ll give her two weeks, but if she doesn’t come back with Tyler, I’m going after her.”
The brothers shared another look and then nodded. “If she doesn’t come home in two weeks’ you’ll go after her with our blessing, but you will explain to us privately why this would be in Kassi’s best interest. I’m tired of the upheaval in this household. I want there to be peace and harmony here,” Leo commanded. “Now that the reporters have all gone away, the only thing still amiss is Kassi. Fix things.”
Piotr nodded and then left the room. He and Kassi were like oil and water, but that hadn’t always been the case. There had been a time when Kassi had looked at him with stars in her eyes and had hung on his every word. He’d destroyed that with one simple act of stupidity and it was now up to him to make sure Kassi didn’t punish them both for the rest of their lives. He just needed to figure out how to get her to forgive him. Hopefully, before they killed one another.
Alexi and Aimee were to be married in three weeks’ time, and Kassi would be in attendance, if Piotr had to drag her there. “You’d better come to your senses, Kass. We belong together. I’m going to win you back, no matter what it takes.”
*****
THE END