Page 114 of The Bratva Sinner
I stand up, lean across the table, and give him a kiss.
“Keep looking into it,” he says. “I promise, as soon as things are cleared up, we’ll enroll you.”
“Okay.”
We finish dinner. I see him check his watch. “I’d like to stay in tonight, but things are tense right now. I need to be close.”
“I understand. I’ll see you when you get home.”
I walk him to the door and give him another kiss.
He catches my jaw before I can pull back, holding me there for an extra second. He brushes his thumb across my cheekbone.
“Don’t wait up,” he says.
“I will anyway.”
“I know, and I love that you do.”
He lets me go. I wave goodbye and head back inside. I reach for the picture in my back pocket. I look at my mom’s face.
I’m going to do it, Mom. I’m going to go to college. I’m going to live.
30
Maksim
I step into the office at the club and close the door, drowning out the music.
I pour two fingers of vodka and sit in the dark for a few seconds. It’s late, but I know Sergei stays up late. We’re all creatures of the night. It’s part of the business.
It was one of those nights that I’m glad I had extra security. We had a few troublemakers earlier. I can’t say they were connected to the Albanians, but everything feels connected. I’m paranoid. I’ve been playing this game long enough. I need to end it for good.
I hate to admit it, but I don’t know how to do that.
I dial Sergei.
“Maksim.” His voice is alert despite the hour. He’s always ready. Our father was the same way.
“Did I wake you?”
“I’m on duty with the babies. Sofia’s asleep.” There’s a sound of something soft in the background as one of the twins fusses. “What is it?”
“I need to talk.”
He exhales. “Hold on.”
I hear him moving, and a door closing. He’s stepping away from his family to take my call in private.
“Go ahead,” he says.
I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling. I know what I need to say. I know what he’s going to ask.
“The Albanians,” I start.
“I know about the Albanians. And the girl.”
“Her name is Lila, and she’s my wife.”
