05• "I'm not a child anymore."

HARPER PETROVSKY

“Why do you always call me kitten?” I protest, without taking my eyes off him.

He chuckles, lifting his right hand to ruffle my hair.

“You’ve always looked like a cornered kitten, Kiska. And I like playing with cats,” he says, his mischievous smile revealing more than just affection—awakening something in me I can’t quite define. Dmitri Kireev stands before me, his piercing gaze holding mine.

He’s always had this effect on me, but now I feel a mix of comfort and something else—something I don’t yet have the words for.

“Dmitri,” I sigh, trying to hold my composure as his arm slides around my waist, pulling me closer to his body.

He laughs softly, a deep sound that makes my heart race.

“I missed you, Harper,” he whispers against my forehead, pressing a slow kiss there, as if needing proof that I’m really here.

The feeling is warm and familiar, taking me back to the moment I had to say goodbye to him—leaving to become the perfect little girl I never wanted to be in that boarding school.

“I missed you too, Dmi.” My arms wrap around him, barely closing around his frame. Dmitri is different now—so… I close my eyes, trying to erase the indecent word that popped into my mind. I pull back a little and meet his gaze the moment mine open.

“Are you okay? I heard something quite interesting—that you ran away.” He raises an eyebrow, the smile still on his face.

I lift my chin, feeling proud of what I did. Dmitri finds even more amusement in that, but his tone shifts—lower, more concerned.

“Don’t disappear like that, Kiska. What if someone had hurt you?” He hugs me tightly, lifting me off the ground. I hold on, feeling the strength in him, the firmness of his muscles beneath his shirt.

After a moment, Dmitri sets me down and smiles.

“I just wanted to enjoy what little freedom I had left… but I guess I’ll have to follow the rules now,” I say, rolling my eyes in the direction where Alexander must be. Dmitri smiles warmly, gently brushing his hand along my arm.

“Kiska, things are different here… but let’s leave that for later. Alexander’s probably waiting,” he says, his tone playful.

Before we can even register it, Alexander’s voice cuts through the hallway, catching us off guard. I turn quickly, shrugging like I don’t care that he’s standing there. He’s leaning against the doorframe, his expression cold and unreadable.

“Weren’t you supposed to be out of town?” Alexander asks, eyes locked on Dmitri, waiting for an answer.

So Dmitri was out of town—and came back early. But why? I glance between the two of them, silently waiting for the explanation that doesn’t take long to arrive.

“I was,” Dmitri replies, shifting his gaze from his brother to me, a slight smirk forming on his lips. “But I came back as soon as I heard Viktor didn’t pick up Kiska and she ran off.”

Alexander steps forward slowly, eyes still fixed on Dmitri before turning to me. I cross my arms and hold my ground, waiting for him to say something—but he just looks away and walks past us through the door.

“Seriously?” I mutter, looking back at Dmitri. He’s here because of me, and my heart skips a beat at the unexpected weight of that realization. Dmitri nods, placing a hand gently on my back to guide me inside what looks like an office.

We walk in slowly, without any urgency. As we pass through the doorway, Alexander’s attention zeroes in on Dmitri. His ice-blue eyes are sharp, and the tension in the air thickens under the weight of their silent exchange.

“I hope it’s been handled, Dmitri,” Alexander says, his voice low and tightly controlled.

Dmitri walks toward a mini-fridge, grabbing a cold beer. With practiced ease, he pops it open using only his fingers—effortless. The motion catches my eye, and for a moment, I can’t look away.

“Handled and done,” Dmitri says firmly, taking a sip. He holds Alexander’s gaze for a moment, then softens slightly as he looks back at me. “You know I don’t play games when you give me something to handle, Alexander.”

Alexander watches him for a few more seconds, as if trying to read between the lines. I stay near the sofa, observing both of them closely, letting nothing slip past me. They’re so different—in another life, you’d never believe they were brothers, if not for the subtle overlap in their features.

Dmitri’s voice breaks the brief silence, pulling me from my thoughts as his eyes meet mine.

“Actually, Alexander, I think starting today… I should be the one handling everything related to Harper. Viktor’s indifference has made things pretty clear.”

I offer a faint smile as I glance in Dmitri’s direction, catching the meaning behind what he just suggested. My gaze drifts down the length of his body—he’s changed so much… stronger, more commanding. Dmitri is taking care of my security? I think to myself. Not a bad idea—especially looking the way he does…

My heart races when I notice Dmitri watching me with a knowing smirk. Before I can fully process it, Alexander steps forward, his expression hardening even more.

“No,” Alexander replies sharply, his voice like a blade. “From now on, I’ll be the one handling everything concerning her. Personally.”

My stomach twists. The thought of Alexander constantly hovering over me threatens to smother whatever scrap of freedom I thought I might reclaim. He might try to control everything around him—but he won’t control me. I’ve already spent too much of my life locked away, unable to see beyond the walls of that boarding school. I won’t let that happen again.

Alexander finally tears his gaze away from Dmitri and turns to me. His expression softens slightly as he settles into the armchair. Dmitri drops onto the leather couch beside him, patting the cushion with his palm and tilting his head to gesture for me to sit with him.

I walk toward the couch, but Dmitri pulls me by the waist, settling me onto his lap. My eyes widen in surprise, and I turn to him with protest.

“I’m not a child anymore.”

He looks at me with playful mischief, his eyes slowly traveling down my body.

“I can see that,” he says, his gaze lingering on the curves I now possess. “But you’re still my kiska, so you’re staying right here.” He glances toward Alexander, finishing the last of his beer in a single gulp.

Alexander’s eyes follow Dmitri’s every move. He exhales—an irritated sigh.

He leans forward, his eyes locked on both of us, something in his gaze sharper than mere disapproval.

“Dmitri, that’s enough,” he says, his voice low and commanding. “Viktor was bad enough—do you really want to add yourself to the list?”

A low chuckle escapes Dmitri, pulling my attention to his face. He arches a brow, the chuckle turning into a sly grin.

“Jealous, little brother? Because Kiska doesn’t seem bothered at all.” He glances at me and winks. “Maybe you should reconsider—let Harper stay under my care.”

The air seems to vanish from the room as I turn my gaze to Alexander. His stare doesn’t waver, his jaw clenched tight.

Alexander breaks the silence, his voice gravelly and low. “You already know the answer to that. I won’t say it again.”

I try to rise from Dmitri’s lap, but he holds me tighter, pulling me back down. I stumble slightly, my back hitting his firm chest. His fingers tighten around my waist, my heart pounding as I hold my breath and slowly turn my face toward him.

“Where do you think you’re going, Kiska?” he whispers against my ear.