My back stiffens. I’ve made it a point to stay out of the family businesses, and they’ve never talked about what they really do in front of me, but I’m not an idiot. I knew.
“I saw the pictures of Coraline. Ivan showed me what Tony and his brothers did to her.”
“The fact remains. Sienna is no more guilty of her brothers’ sins than you are of ours.”
“You like her,” I whisper. “Do you love her?”
Doesn’t he know how dangerous that emotion can be? How horrible it is when it’s ripped away from you? Kept at an arm’s length, never to be realized?
“I’m more concerned about you right now.”
I sigh. “Really, I’m okay. I just need to see some things through, then I’ll be back. I promise. I’m not staying away forever.”
“You’re not going to tell me what those things are?”
“Of course not. Nothing you need to worry about, especially since you have your spies watching me.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said that. Elana, I don’t have anyone watching you. We all agreed to give you space.”
“But you know where I am.”
“There’s a tracker in your phone. How have you not found it yet?”
“My phone.” I pick up my phone from where I have it propped on my pillow, a few taps and I find the tracker. “There it is.”
“Why do you think we’ve sent spies?”
“I just assumed.” I shrug, deciding not to tell him about the distinct feeling someone is watching me. He really will send an army if he finds out, and then my plans will be ruined.
“Is something going on?”
“Nothing is going on. I’m fine. I just assumed since you didn’t have the Volkov army at my door, you had someone watching me.”
“If something happens, you call right away.”
“Wow. You just got all big brotherly on me.” I veer the conversation away from my mistakes and focus on him.
“Are you going to call Alexander? He’s been worried,” he asks when silence hits.
“He’s not angry with me?” Alexander, the hot-headed one of the three, is probably itching to get me alone so he can scream my head off. Maybe I would feel better if he did.
“He’s worried. You know him, he’s a blowhard. He might lecture you, but you’re used to that. You should call him. Ivan, too. Let them know you’re okay.”
“Can’t you just tell them we talked?” Kaz has always been good at being the go-between.
“As tempting as it to rub it in their faces that you’ve chosen me as your favorite, not this time. They need to hear it from you.”
“My favorite? No, you’re just the biggest pushover.”
“Call your brothers, Elana.” He tries to pull a stern face but all it does is make me laugh. I know him too well to take him seriously.
A door shutting in the other room draws my attention to the doorway. I glance down the hall, half expecting to see him. Hekeeps popping up in my thoughts, and I would swear I saw him on the street this afternoon.
I mute my phone, calling out “Artem?” There’s no response. No sound at all.
If Artem had broken into my apartment, he’d make himself known by now. I’m sure there’s something I’m doing he’d take exception with and wouldn’t be able to hold back telling me what to do about it.
Another door shuts, but I recognize it for what it is. The people next door have come home. They’re always slamming their doors.
