Köhler (Book 9 of the Köhler Series)

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Talia's mind had been racing with thoughts about her and Alexei's conversation for days after their brief date. Even though she was already married, she couldn't help but feel a spark of interest in Lexei. She had a good time with him the entire time and hoped they might do it again. Was it wrong for her to want this? How would her mother... no, her father? Despite Luca's strong convictions about the importance of marriage, she found herself considering the one thing she had been told was wrong.

She sat quietly in the living room, watching the rain fall outside. At the same time, Alexei's crazy dog tried desperately to catch it instead of coming inside. Oddly enough, the simplest things like this brought back memories of her home and children. Still, her captor (Alexei) demanded something she couldn't give him. Talia was certain that her family wouldn't be able to assist her unless she provided them with detailed information about who he was and what he wanted.

"Я всегда ненавидел дождливые дни. (I have always hated rainy days)." Alexei's father spoke as he entered the room, taking the seat to the far left of Talia. A small smile displayed across her face causing the old man to return one. "My son still hasn't told you who he is looking for after almost a year. I think he is a little too fawn of you and fails to realize you have a husband and children back home. Know that Lexei does not plan to harm you. He doesn't want the wrath of the Köhler on his ass."

"Keeping me here for a year says otherwise. It would be wise to tell me who he wants. Then let me go." Talia speaks as the old man tilts his head over to the side with a smirk.

"Yes, it would, but you have had all the time in the world to run... like today, for instance. Alexei has been gone since before the sun came up, and here it is, nighttime. Where are you?" He smiled as Talia rolled her eyes. He reminded her so much of her father, making her wonder how he was doing at this moment.

"Mr. Nov...."

"Konstantin, if you please. I may be old, but I don't want to feel old, sweetheart." He laughed, making Talia as she shook her head.

"Konstantin, I don't know what you are implying, but you know your son has this damn tracker on me, and I cannot leave without him knowing."

"Yes, and I know that you have a family full of techs and have learned a thing or two. The thing is, Talia Köhler, you chose to stay. Why is that? I know you miss your children or is it the fact you have been in contact with your daughters? They sure know how to keep secrets for their mother. Don't they?" He spoke, making her turn back as he shrugged.

"I don't know what you are speaking of, but if my girls knew where I was or been talking to me, they surely would tell. You know they are adults and do not give a damn about what I have to say. If I were, trust me, my brother would have recused me by now." She says as Konstantin nods slowly.

"Your brother... Why not your husband? Can you answer that?"

"My brother is my Don, and my father would send him and not my husband because he's not a fighter, as I must say." Talia gave another shrug while Konstantin gave her a knowing grin and nodded as though he were in on a secret. Lia was aware of the man's intentions. He wanted her to confess that she and Dominick weren't the picture-perfect couple everyone assumed they were.

"Hmm, I think you like it here, and you don't want to admit it. Tell me are you growing a soft spot for my son? Because if you are, must I remind you that you're married, and breaking those vows can sometimes mean death? It doesn't matter if you are one of Luca Köhler's daughters. That, my dear, is betrayal in our life."

Talia might have told Konstantin that herself. That much was clear to her. However, it wasn't easy to push aside her emotions, given that her relationship with Dominick was nothing but a friendship. They only shared a few moments, none of them were that meaningful, and in the end, she could tell he felt some type of way, which caused her to feel bad about herself.