The Defiant Consigliere

Katya

"Sure you are okay with not seeing Christopher before you sleep?"

I rolled the pasta around my fork and brought it to my mouth, chewing and swallowing before I replied, "You said he's okay, so he's fine."

I didn't look up from my task of picking up the glass of wine and taking a sip, but I could feel the surprise emanating from him.

"You surprise me, time and again, Katya."

He reached for his own wine and drank, a smile tugging at the sides of his lips when I finally met his gaze.

Yeah, it was good to see him smile, it would make it all the more satisfying to have it wiped off.

Without another word, I finished the delicious pasta and gulped the wine down my throat, looking up to see him staring at me, intensely.

"Why are you suddenly quiet, Katya? You are not one to agree to something like this so easily."

There was skepticism in his tone, and his eyes were narrowed in a contemplative manner.

I kept my expression blank and shrugged, looking up to the wall clock.

Almost tim